Sticky Weed vs. Dry Weed: What’s the Difference?

sticky weed

The stickiness of weed is determined by the number of trichomes present. Photo by Alesia Kozik.

Many new cannabis users might wonder what sticky weed is and why it’s stick in the first place. Read on to find everything you need to know about sticky weed.

How good your weed is depended largely on the quality of the product you’re getting. You might think this depends on the strain, but it actually has more to do with how fresh the bud was when it was picked and what processing method was used to dry it out after harvest. 

The freshness of your weed will determine whether or not you get that sticky feeling in your mouth, and how many trichomes are left on the bud after processing will determine how much THC you’ll feel when you consume it.

What Makes Weed Sticky?

Trichomes are tiny, hair-like crystals that cover the surface of cannabis leaves and buds. These crystals are made up of a sticky resin, which is secreted by the trichomes and contains high concentrations of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids. The stickiness of weed is determined by the number of trichomes present. More trichomes mean more resin, which makes for a stickier bud. 

While sticky weed usually means that the weed is good, too many resins can sometimes make your smoke harsher on your throat and lungs due to how much plant matter it takes to burn off all the extra material. If you want your weed to be less sticky when you’re handling it while rolling a joint, try vaping or eating rather than smoking. 

Smoking has been shown to produce higher levels of carcinogens when compared to vaporizing and cooking edibles. Plus, vaping is generally healthier since it’s inhaled through less smoke. There are different types of vapes out there that deliver different effects, so be sure you know what you’re getting into before purchasing one.

Is Sticky Weed Better Than Dry Weed?

When it comes to weed, there are two types: sticky and dry. Sticky weed is covered in trichomes, which are tiny crystals that contain THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis. Dry weed, on the other hand, has fewer trichomes and thus less THC. 

So, is sticky weed better than dry weed? The answer is complicated. High-quality sticky weed is potent and offers a very high THC content. On the other hand, dry weed will have a more cerebral effect because of its lower potency. 

Ultimately, you should consider what you’re looking for when choosing between dry or sticky weed; if you want maximum potency with an intense high (and don’t mind spending more money), go for sticky weed. If you’re looking for a more mellow experience with lower doses of THC, then go for dry marijuana instead.

How To Store Sticky Weed

The best method of storing weed to maximize its THC content is to put it in a mason jar and store it in a cool, dark place. The darker and colder it is, the better! 

However, THC will gradually break down over time no matter what method you use. If you’re going to be storing weed for long periods of time, keep it in a cool place such as a fridge or freezer to slow down decomposition and maintain as much THC content as possible. 

You can also add moisture-absorbing desiccant packets like silica gel sachets or rice packets to help reduce humidity and prevent mold growth on your weed. Storing your sticky weed in an airtight container (like Tupperware) with desiccant packets will do wonders at maintaining its potency. 

It’s important to remember that weed stored improperly will lose its potency over time so don’t forget to check in periodically. Keeping sticky weed away from light and heat sources is key to preserving THC levels. These can come in the form of sunlight, microwaves, and high-wattage LED lights. 

LED lights are typically not used because they emit too much light, but just make sure your weed isn’t near any source of heat or light before throwing it into storage. 

How To Make Weed Stickier Throughout The Growing Process

A quick way to produce more trichomes on the plant is by spraying or soaking it with ice-cold water in the early morning hours while the sun isn’t shining yet (or vice versa if you live on the west coast). 

By giving your plants an ice bath right before dawn or right after dusk when temperatures dip down below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius), your plants will create more resin than usual as they react to protect themselves from temperature changes.

Types Of Sticky Cannabis

Cannabis has long been known for its sticky resins. These resins are what give cannabis its distinctive aroma and taste. They also contain THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids that provide psychoactive and therapeutic effects.

A strain’s resin production depends on several factors, including the environmental conditions in which it was grown and the genetics of the strain itself. Some strains produce more resin than others, while some produce none at all.

The stickiness of a plant’s resin can be measured using something called trichome density (number of trichomes per square inch). This test is often used to determine the potency as well as the quality of marijuana. But how does one know how “sticky” a particular strain is?

The most popular sticky strains are OG Kush, Girl Scout Cookies (GSC), Alien Dawg, Master Kush, and Durban Poison (DP).

OG Kush

OG Kush is an indica dominant cannabis strain that is known to be very sticky. It is a cross between the famous Hindu Kush and the Chemdawg strains, which are both sativas. This hybrid was created in Florida sometime before 1992 and has since become one of the most popular strains in the world.

OG Kush has a pungent smell that is sour, skunky, and earthy with a hint of lemon and fuel. The taste is similar to an earthy muskiness that lingers on your tongue. It has an effect that is both relaxing and euphoric at the same time, which makes it great for treating pain, stress, anxiety, depression, nausea, and lack of appetite.

OG Kush has gained popularity over the years because it has amazing medicinal benefits as well as being very easy to grow indoors or out. It thrives in warm weather but can survive cold temperatures if you live in Northern climates like Canada or New Jersey.

Girl Scout Cookies

Girl Scout Cookies is a hybrid strain that combines the genetics of Durban Poison and OG Kush. The cross of these two famous cannabis strains resulted in one of the most renowned hybrids on the market today.

Girl Scout Cookies has a pungent and skunky scent that’s sweet, earthy, and somewhat fruity. The flavor is similar to the smell but with added notes of minty eucalyptus. While some people might find this strain overwhelming at first, others will enjoy its strong aroma and taste.

The high from Girl Scout Cookies can be both relaxing and energetic, depending on how much you consume. It may also help with pain relief, stress relief, depression, and fatigue.

The effects of Girl Scout Cookies typically last for about an hour or two before dissipating. During this time, users may feel happy, euphoric, and uplifted while experiencing dry mouth, dry eyes, paranoia, and headaches as side effects.

Alien Dawg

Alien Dawg is a potent hybrid strain that crosses Alien OG with SFV OG Kush. This potent strain has been tested at 26% THC and may not be the best choice for novice consumers. Alien Dawg has a sweet, earthy aroma with subtle undertones of pine, citrus, and diesel. 

The effects hit hard within seconds, causing users to feel relaxed and euphoric. This relaxing sensation can quickly turn into couch-lock, making it difficult for patients to function in their daily lives without the aid of medication. 

The high is followed by a deep sense of mental stimulation that can cause paranoia and anxiety in some patients. Patients looking for an alternative to prescription medications may find value in this strain’s ability to reduce nausea, pain, and insomnia while increasing appetite and reducing stress.

Master Kush

Master Kush is a powerful and sticky indica strain that has a reputation for delivering both relaxation and euphoria. The THC content of this strain can reach as high as 25% and the CBD levels are nearly non-existent.

Master Kush is a cross of Hindu Kush X Skunk #1, which explains why it has such a strong smell of skunk and an earthy flavor. This strain’s aroma may also have hints of coffee or fruitiness to it.

This strain is great for treating chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. It’s also effective at relieving headaches, nausea, muscle spasms, and insomnia. While these effects are powerful enough on their own, Master Kush can also be used as an appetite stimulant. 

Its relaxing effects make it ideal for those who suffer from stress-induced eating disorders or simply want to curb their munchies without smoking up too much cannabis at once!

Durban Poison

Durban poison is a sticky, sativa-dominant hybrid strain that first appeared in the 1960s in South Africa. The strain’s name comes from the port city of Durban, South Africa. Durban Poison has a sweet citrus aroma and flavor. It has a potent effect that can last for hours. The high is uplifting and energetic, making it a popular choice for those suffering from depression or fatigue.

Durban Poison is thought to be a cross between landrace strains from South Africa and Mexico. One of the strongest sativas on Earth, Durban Poison commands respect and will leave you feeling wide awake and energized if consumed in large doses. 

As expected with any pure sativa strain, this herb can knock you out after an extended period of use — so be sure to start out small if you’re new to cannabis and its effects!

The buds are light green with orange pistils and covered in crystals that sparkle when reflected in light due to their trichome content. The plant’s flowers take on a shape similar to pineapples or pine cones with long, pointed calyxes that are covered by dense layers of trichomes — giving them an almost furry look when viewed up close under magnification.

How To Identify Trichome Type

If you’re a cannabis enthusiast, you’ve probably heard the terms sticky weed and dry weed before. But what exactly is the difference between the two? And how can you tell which type of weed you’re dealing with?  

The answer lies in the appearance of trichomes on your bud. Trichomes are tiny, mushroom-shaped glands that produce resins that contain chemicals such as THC and CBD. They look like little white or amber crystals on the surface of your flower (or oil). 

They are different colors depending on their maturity, so it’s important to understand their development stage to know if you have sticky weed or not. Early-stage trichomes will be clear; these are mostly uncolored heads that sit just below the cuticle layer of cells. 

Later stages will turn cloudy and begin producing a milky substance called sap; this is when they become what we refer to as sticky weed. Trichome Type: Depending on the type of trichome, the texture will vary from stickiness to dryness. 

There are three types of trichomes: bulbous heads capped mushrooms, and stalked heads (located at the top of most other types). Bulbous heads produce lots of resin and tend to be very sticky during harvest time.

How Trichomes Affect The Smell And Taste Of Cannabis

When you smoke or vaporize your weed, the cannabinoids and terpenes in the trichomes are what give cannabis its distinctive smell and taste.

A lot of people assume that this is just a side effect of smoking or vaping weed, but it’s actually a direct result of these compounds interacting with your body.

The terpenes in your weed interact with the receptors in your nose to produce sensory signals that travel to your brain. This is how you know what something smells like, and it’s also how you know when you like something.

That being said, not all terpene profiles are created equal. Some have stronger effects than others, and some are more suited for social situations while others are better for getting high in private.

When you look at a bud of marijuana under magnification, you can see that it’s covered in tiny bumps or hairs. These bumps are actually trichomes.

The purpose of trichomes is to protect the plant from predators and disease. Trichomes also produce cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds such as sugar that help the plant thrive.

The combination of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds found in these tiny hairs can have an enormous impact on how your cannabis tastes and smells.

The trichome resin contains a variety of cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and others. These chemicals give marijuana its potency as well as its distinctive aroma and flavor profile.

How Trichomes Affect Potency

As you already know, the cannabinoids like THC and CBD found in the trichomes are what give the plant its medicinal and euphoric properties. Depending on the strain and growth circumstances, a cannabis plant’s trichome content might change. However, in general, sticky marijuana will contain more trichomes than dry marijuana. 

As a result, it will be stronger and contain more THC. Because dry marijuana is less potent and doesn’t last as long, some novice cannabis users might like it. Because sticky cannabis makes users feel more euphoric and higher, seasoned cannabis users might prefer it. In the end, it boils down to preference.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a cannabis enthusiast and you’re looking for a more potent smoking experience, you’ll want to go for the sticky weed every time. Sticky weed will provide a better and more fulfilling experience that will typically result in a better high.

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