Why, hello there! Every cannabis flower is covered in tiny resin glands called trichomes — and that is where THC lives!
1
THE TRICHOME — WHERE IT ALL BEGINS
Scale400× Microscope
StructureCapitate-Stalked
Head Size50–100 µm
THCa ContentVery High
Psychoactive?NOT YET
2
TRICHOMES COAT THE SUGAR LEAF
Scale~40× View
Density10,000–30,000 / cm²
Sugar Leaf THC~5–10%
Leaf Blade~0.1–1% THC
3
THE FLOWER — DENSEST TRICHOME COVERAGE
Scale~4× View
CalyxesHighest THC Density
Pistils0% THC
Typical THC15–30%
4
BRANCH — BUDS, LEAVES & STEMS
Top Cola~20–30% THC
Side Buds~15–22% THC
Fan Leaves~1–5% THC
Main Stem~0.1–1% THC
5
THE WHOLE PLANT — THC FOLLOWS TRICHOMES
Roots0% THC
Stem~0.1% THC
Fan Leaves~1–5% THC
Top ColaHighest on Plant
6
THE LAB GRINDS THE SAMPLE
Sample Size0.5–2 grams
MethodHomogenization
ResultAveraged Mixture
Next StepSolvent Extraction
7
HOW MUCH IS A GRAM? WHAT ARE MILLIGRAMS?
1 Gram =1,000 mg Total
At 10% THC~88mg Active THC
At 20% THC~175mg Active THC
At 30% THC~263mg Active THC
Rest of gramFiber, Water...
8
THE HPLC RESULT — WHAT THE NUMBER MEANS
20% THC =~175mg Active THC
Decarb FactorTHCa × 0.877
Other 825mgPlant / Water / Wax
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