People often refer to trichomes as the ‘crown jewels’ of cannabis because they play such a critical role in determining the quality, potency, and therapeutic benefits of the final product. Trichomes store up to an impressive 90% of a cannabis plant’s THC in its trichomes. Trichomes also protect cannabis plants from pests, pathogens, and environmental stressors. Their sticky resin deters herbivores and helps the plant survive harsh conditions.
Researchers have identified hundreds of trichome metabolites, including hundreds of cannabinoids and terpenes, yet we still lack a complete understanding of cannabis trichomes. That’s because genetic differences, growing conditions, and environmental factors influence trichome development and metabolite production. High metabolite levels in cannabis should be toxic to the very cells that produce them, prompting further research into how our cells manage and properly store these components.
UV light studies also help scientists understand trichome maturation in cannabis flowers and identify optimal harvest times. The trichome appearance indicates plant maturity, and understanding these visual cues tells cultivators the ideal time to harvest cannabis while achieving the desired effects on the final product.
Clear Trichomes: Clear trichomes appear as the plant transitions from vegetative to flowering. At this stage, the trichome glands produce resin, signaling that peak THC concentration is approaching. However, other cannabinoids are still developing, so cultivators know it’s still too early to harvest the cannabis plant.
Milky Trichomes: When trichomes turn milky or cloudy, the plant continues producing THC and nears harvest time. Most cultivators wait until 50-70% of the trichomes turn cloudy, and the rest become amber before harvesting to achieve a stronger euphoric effect.
Amber Trichomes: As trichomes transition from amber to brown, they indicate that the cannabis plant has matured. However, growers seeking high THC levels must harvest quickly during this transition, as THC begins to degrade into cannabinol (CBN), a compound known for its more sedative effects.
Trichomes heavily influence the final cannabis product and determine the overall quality of what you consume. The tiny crystals that make up trichomes produce and store raw cannabinoids like THCA, CBDA, and CBGA —along with terpenes that shape effects, flavors, and aromas.
Inconsistent results have driven producers to “lab shop,” seeking higher THC reports. These practices create consumer distrust and inaccurate labeling. However, many medical patients rely on consistent dosing for cannabis benefits like pain or appetite stimulation.
A promising method called phytomicrobiome manipulation introduces beneficial microbes to the plant’s roots, potentially stabilizing THC and CBD levels. Standardizing this technique could lead to more predictable, effective cannabis products and a brighter future for cultivation and consumers.
Trichomes come in three main types: bulbous, capitate-sessile, and capitate-stalked. The appearance varies depending on the kind of trichome. Some resemble tiny microscopic bulbs, while others have a stalk and head that can be seen with the naked eye.
Bulbous Trichomes: Bulbous trichomes are the smallest of the three types and cover the entire surface of the cannabis plant. They remain invisible to the naked eye and measure just a few micrometers in size. Although experts don’t fully understand their exact function, they believe these structures secrete resin, contributing to the plant’s cannabinoid and terpene profile.
Capitate-Sessile Trichomes: Slightly larger than bulbous trichomes, capitate-sessile trichomes develop before the cannabis plant begins to flower. They sit flush against the plant’s surface, particularly on the underside of leaves and stems. Although they do produce some cannabinoids, their output remains relatively low. As the plant matures, many trichomes evolve into capitate-stalked trichomes responsible for higher cannabinoid production.
Capitate-Stalked Trichomes: Capitate-stalked trichomes are the largest, most abundant, and the only type visible to the naked eye. They measure between 50 and 100 micrometers and have a long stalk with a bulbous, mushroom-like head. These trichomes primarily produce cannabinoids and terpenes and play a key role in determining the potency and aroma of cannabis. They typically appear during the flowering phase, and growers use their color and maturity to determine the optimal time for harvest.
Cannabis trichomes are tiny, crystal-like structures on the plant’s surface that store the key compounds responsible for its potency, flavor, and therapeutic effects. They play a crucial role in shaping the overall cannabis experience because they contain cannabinoids like THC and CBD, as well as terpenes.
Yes, the amount of trichomes plays a significant role in potency. Trichomes store raw cannabinoids and terpenes that influence aroma and effects. While a higher trichome density suggests higher potency, the cannabinoid and terpene concentrations in the trichomes determine the plant’s strength.
Cannabis potency depends on the concentration of cannabinoids, primarily THCA and CBDA, stored in the trichomes. Genetics, growing conditions, and harvesting time influence cannabinoid and terpene combinations, impacting the plant’s strength and effects. Keep in mind that the plant’s raw THCA must be “decarbed” first, typically with heat, to become psychoactive THC.
The ideal harvest time occurs when 50-70% of the trichomes are milky or cloudy, with the rest turning amber. At this point, the plant contains the highest THC concentration, producing potent and euphoric effects. Overly amber trichomes indicate THC degradation into CBN, which has sedative and weakly psychoactive properties.
Trichomes are at their best when they are primarily cloudy or milky, as this indicates the highest THC concentration, which occurs near the end of the flowering phase, just before they turn amber and degrade into CBN.
Yes, trichomes can turn into kief. Kief is a powdery substance made of detached trichome heads, which accumulate at the bottom of a grinder or are sifted from dried cannabis. It is highly potent due to its high cannabinoid and terpene concentration.
Best Weed DispensaryCurrently, 24 states sell cannabis recreationally. If you are in one of these states, it’s understandable that you might feel tempted to forget about the medical card process. Even if you qualify as a patient, it’s an application process that does take some information and patience.
While recreational cannabis is available in many states, there are still some benefits to those who have a medical cannabis card and purchase from medical dispensaries instead of recreational weed options. For example, some states allow for higher possession limits for medicinal cannabis users.
Just like many other things that require purchase, cannabis is subject to state tax laws. You might see a difference in price between your purchase and someone making a similar purchase. This may get you wondering if medicinal and recreational weed taxes are the same.
An excise tax is placed on goods like tobacco, beer, or cannabis. People sometimes call excise taxes “sin taxes” because they add an extra fee on top of local and sales taxes.. In most states, the excise tax is the consumer’s responsibility to fulfill.
A sales tax is standard to expect when you purchase almost anything, like a television, etc (unless you are a resident of Alaska, Montana, Delaware, Oregon, or New Hampshire) and is paid to states for services and retail goods. The sale of cannabis is no exception.
This tax applies when you buy cannabis products, and the exact amount you pay depends on your state’s laws. Most states apply different tax rates for recreational versus medical marijuana, with medical purchases often taxed at a lower rate, or sometimes not at all.
Cannabis taxes vary by state, as each state sets its own regulations. Since cannabis remains classified as a Schedule I drug, the federal government cannot impose taxes on it, giving states full control over how it’s taxed.
If you are a consistent cannabis buyer at your dispensary, a medical marijuana card will eventually begin to pay for itself with the funds being saved over time. Meeting with a specialized cannabis doctor could help lead you through the process of state approval.
Researchers have conducted studies over the years to explore how cannabis affects speech—both immediately and in the long term. There are even notable speech differences between biological males and females, specifically in verbal learning and memory, that also happen in the short and long term.
In this article, you’ll gain a better understanding of how cannabis can affect speech, what research says about the effects on speech, how this can affect conversations in social settings, and what this means for cannabis consumers.
Marijuana affects speech immediately or with a delay, depending on the consumption method. When smoked or vaped, the effects of cannabis, including changes to speech, can be felt within seconds to minutes. When ingested by mouth, the effects typically take 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in and usually last 1-4 hours.
Interestingly, modern research suggests that being born female appears to be a protective factor in immediate and delayed verbal recall compared to males and even non-consuming females. Recent studies also suggest this effect holds true in the long term, but without a clear reason why.
For example, it’s possible that chronic cannabis use can lead to long-term changes in speech patterns, such as alterations in tone, inflection, and enunciation. Long-term use may also cause cognitive impairments like difficulty with memory, focus, and thought processes. Fortunately, research suggests many of these long-term effects are reversible, often improving after 72 hours of stopping cannabis use.
Another older study suggests that long-term marijuana use may impair verbal memory, making it more difficult to recall words by middle age. The study followed men and women for 25 years, starting in their young adulthood.
Reto Auer, the study’s first author and academic chief resident at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, explained that the findings revealed a gradual decline in verbal memory with more frequent marijuana use. He clarified, however, that the study shows only an association—not a definitive cause-and-effect relationship.
Smoking marijuana as a consumption method can also harm vocal cords, potentially causing laryngitis, bronchitis, sputum production, wheezing, coughing, scarring, and other voice issues. Research shows that any smoke, whether from tobacco or cannabis, can damage vocal cords. Prolonged smoke exposure, high temperatures from smoking or dabbing, and lung retention of smoke can also lead to throat injuries, increasing the risk of voice issues.
