I can only speak to this from the consumer perspective, so I can't actually say why any of these trends are true, but...
1. Any correlation between price and potency is very weak; any price point will have a wide range of potency within it.
2. Products rotate constantly, so consumers are facing a new set of choices with every purchase.
3. Modern packaging removes the tactile element from selecting your flowers. some places still keep sample cups so you can smell the strain, but most people are evaluating based on the information on the label now. If you don't have a deep knowledge of weed strains, the potency is the easiest thing to compare.
I don't buy tea based on label, have to at least see its texture and sniff it. The nice thing about tea is that there are classical varieties and blends that one can purchase and they taste more or less the same every time. It would be great if some cannabis businesses would adopt the specialty tea store business model.
Actually, I think tea is a perfect comparison. How many consumers are actually making educated choices about the specific tea varietal they buy, and how many are just picking "black, green, white, or oolong."
Knowing the difference between two weed varieties is more like being able to tell the difference between two Assam's, except you have to evaluate that difference while stoned.
Or at least that’s what those going to dispensaries think.
You see a strain with 30% THC and you’re like holy shit, so then the 17% THC strain next to it looks like trash. And people figure it’s more bang for you buck cause you’ll have to use less.
Though, from what I’ve seen, this isn’t the way to buy. I think it was judges for the Cannabis Cup or some other major marijuana cup judges that said that pretty much all their favorites are below 20%, one said their favorite of the year was like 15%. This is because the growers and breeders didn’t just focus on pumping out THC, but focused on all aspects of the plant, such as terpenes which help influence the type of high you feel. Their primary suggestion was to let your nose lead you, as the smellier the weed, the more terpenes.
Some people drink craft ipas, but that's not what sells the most. Someday we'll have the bud light of weed, and we'll have people saying it smokes like shit.
We have it now, just not at most dispensaries. There's tons of well grown low THC hemp flowers out there with all kinds of blends of various different cannabinoids and terpenes. There's a stigma from some people about this stuff being "o'douls weed". But really these are really good strains. People can be fools. That's one of our basic modes of being I guess. These strains don't have the same effects as THC, but they definitely have a variety of interesting, palpable, soothing effects.
While raw cannabis has some % of THC and CDB (among other compounds) it is the processed stuff like hashish or oils that really hold the crown for potency. This stuff has been around for a long time, much longer than the westernized commercial strains.
I like a stronger strain because I can use less of it. My PAX 3 vaporizer has two different covers for the oven, one that works with .15-.2 grams of flower, the other with .3 grams or more.
With a more potent product, I can use the first cover and get the same effect with much less vegetable material.
I do this because its cheaper. Taxes are another 30% in CA and being a medical patient is virtually meaningless anymore. I buy on bang for the buck alone.
Why is that? Is it cheaper? Would you be able to supply less potent product cheaper (maybe shorter growing times or less work or other reason)?
I know nothing about this field but I find some of the comments here fascinating.