Trichomes Explained: What Are They & How Do They Work?
February 23, 2023
Trichomes make cannabinoids and terpenes; protect the plant from outside influences, like creepy crawlies and windy days; and contain compounds researchers are studying as potential treatments for medical conditions. So whether you’re new to cannabis or you’ve been around the cannablock, you should get to know trichomes.
What are Cannabis Trichomes?
Cannabis trichomes are the tiny glands on marijuana plants responsible for creating cannabinoids and terpenes. They’re the little sticky things that coat your fingers when you hold premium bud, and they give marijuana its glossy finish. Because trichomes create terpenes, they provide an array of aromatic experiences, including sweet, fruity, earthy, diesel, dank, sour, and spicy.
How Do Trichomes Work?
Trichomes work by producing terpenes and cannabinoids, including THC and CBD. They start this process during the bloom phase of the marijuana plant. As the cannabis plant creates flowers, trichomes pop up across the entire surface of the plant, transporting little vacuoles and plastics up their hair-like stalk and into the glandular head. Once there, those important resources are metabolized and eventually become cannabinoids and terpenes.
What Do Trichomes Look Like?
The actual appearance of trichomes depends on the type of trichome. Some are like bulbous beets while others are more flower-shaped with a stalk and head. If you’re looking at a marijuana plant with your naked eye, the latter is the only one you’ll have a chance to see. This is likely why some people describe trichomes as hair-like (“trichome” is actually the Greek word for “hair”).
You’ll likely be able to see trichomes with your own eyes because they form a glossy, sticky, clear-to-white layer around the cannabis flower buds.
Why are Cannabis Trichomes Important?
Cannabis trichomes serve a variety of important purposes for different people, including:
- Cultivators: The appearance of trichomes indicates the cannabis plant is starting to bloom. When those trichomes turn from clear to a cloudy white or even amber, it’s time to harvest.
- Manufacturers: Trichomes are nature-grown gold. Everything customers love about marijuana (the cannabinoids and terpenes) is found in the trichomes, making the harvesting of those crystal glands an important process. From them, we create anything from hash to concentrates like budder and shatter.
- Cannabis Consumers: Everyone has a different reason for consuming cannabis. Some love the flavors and aromas of the terpenes. Others want to bask in the entourage effect from the combination of terpenes and cannabinoids. And then there are some people that just want a certain cannabinoid, like THC or CBD. All of those reasons require the production of trichomes.
Of course, trichomes are also crucial to the marijuana plant itself. They serve as protection against things like bugs, critters, and environmental factors like wind and sun.
What are the Different Types of Cannabis Trichomes?
Not all trichomes are created equal. In fact, there are three trichome types that show up on the marijuana plant, all varying in size and cannabinoid production. They are:
Bulbous Trichomes:
Stop looking because you’re never going to see these tiny trichomes with the naked eye. They’re as little as 10 micrometers (one micrometer is one millionth of a meter), and they cover the entire surface of the cannabis plant.
Capitate-Sessile Trichomes:
If this was Goldilocks, the capitate-sessile trichomes would be “just right.” That’s because they’re a medium sized trichome with a tiny stalk and chunky head, like a dandelion when it’s time to make a wish. This type of trichome is even more abundant than its smaller counterpart.
Capitate-Stalked Trichomes:
If you can see trichomes on your flower, you’re likely looking at this one. Ten times the size of bulbous trichomes (100 micrometers), the capitate-stalked trichomes are the biggest type of trichome. They have a long stalk and big, globe-like heads, and they serve as ground zero for the creation of cannabinoids and terpenes.
Understanding Cannabis Trichome Production & the Trichome Development Timeline
Cannabis enthusiasts love trichomes for the cannabinoids and terpenes they contain, but farmers love trichomes because they are key to the development and harvesting timeline of marijuana. The lifecycle of the trichome starts when a marijuana plant begins to bloom; trichomes form across the entire plant and initiate the process of creating what will one day become cannabinoids.
The second growers see those trichomes glisten, they start to really monitor their cannabis crop. They’re looking for the trichomes to turn from translucent and clear in color to just a little cloudy and amber-toned. This is the point when trichomes are at their ripest—an indicator that it’s time to harvest the plant. If a grower waits too long, the trichomes will turn completely amber and, eventually, black.
While not all strains follow the same growing pattern or trichome stages, their trichomes are always crucial to the harvesting process.
Answering Cannabis Trichomes FAQs
If the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell, the trichomes are the powerhouse of the cannabis plant. Here are just some of the questions we get and the answers our expert budtenders give about these unique little glands:
Are trichomes cannabinoids?
No, trichomes are not cannabinoids, but trichomes do contain cannabinoids among other compounds.
What is the function of the trichome?
While we love them because they contain cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, trichomes are actually a crucial part of the marijuana plant’s defense against things like bugs, animals, and even the sun’s UV rays. Some of the very things we breed marijuana plants for, like taste and aroma, keep animals and bugs from eating them. Plus, because trichomes grow like a sticky, crystalline shield, they can also prevent sun damage, wind damage, and in some cases, fungal growth.
What’s the difference between trichomes and kief?
Nothing. Kief is just dried trichomes that have broken off from the marijuana flower.
Do grinders crush trichomes?
If you’re using just a standard grinder, yeah, you’re going to destroy your trichomes. If you want to preserve those little bundles of cannabinoids and terpenes, you should get yourself a grinder with a kief catcher. That way, your trichomes won’t go to waste.
When do trichomes appear?
Trichomes appear on the marijuana plant during the flowering stage.
Experiencing Cannabis Trichomes
The best part about trichomes is that you literally can’t walk into a dispensary and not see them. They’re decorating the top-shelf flower, packaged in with the concentrates, or even enhancing a pre-roll as kief. If you’d like to get to know trichomes on a personal level, view our menu and then head over to one of our dispensaries. We’re happy to introduce you to trichomes at any of our locations.
Please consume responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and medical marijuana patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations.
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If you’re a cannabis connoisseur, you know all about how blunts are an OG classic with their own culture. Or, you may be new to the scene and wonder “what is a blunt?”. In this guide, you’ll learn everything there is to know about blunts, blunt wraps, and the differences between blunts, joints, and spliffs.
What is a Blunt?
A blunt is a marijuana roll made with hemp wraps or tobacco wrappers. Consumers may also hollow out little cigars or cigarillos and replace all the tobacco content with crushed cannabis, and this is how blunts used to be smoked in the mid-1800s1.
There are various theories about why blunts became so popular at the time. One theory suggests that people in the Caribbean at that time had to get creative about how they smoked cannabis because the tools cannabis enthusiasts have today - e.g. pipes, bongs, etc. - weren’t available then. Other theories propose that blunts allowed people to smoke more marijuana at once, and the cigar wrappers helped mask the smell of the herb. The use of a cigar wrapper also added to the flavors when smoking a cannabis-filled blunt.
Why is it Called a Blunt?
In the late 19th century, companies started making rolled cigars using one leaf or a continuous wrap, which had a rounded, broad tip. These cigars were called blunt cigars to distinguish them from their cousin cigars with a tapered, pointed tip. Pennsylvania became the blunt-making hub, with brands like Phillies, White Owl, and Dutch Masters producing these machine-made cigars.
In today’s cannabis culture, a blunt refers to marijuana rolled inside tobacco paper, a hollowed-out cigar, or hemp wrap. If you are purchasing a blunt from your local, state-licensed dispensary, these products will be almost exclusively wrapped in hemp paper.
What is a Blunt Wrap?
Blunt aficionados know choosing the right wrap is at the heart of the blunt experience. So, a blunt wrap refers to the wrapping material used to make a marijuana blunt. The wrap can be made from multiple tobacco leaves, a single leaf, herbal blends, flavored paper, or hemp.
A blunt wrap can also be made from glass, and glass blunts (as they’re called) are reusable smoking devices that mimic the traditional blunt-smoking experience. Similarly to self-rolling, glass blunts put you in the power seat as you control how much cannabis goes in the blunt.
Do Blunts Have Nicotine?
The nicotine in “traditional” blunts is present in the wrapping material (the cigar leaves) since the filling is cannabis, not tobacco. For example, if a blunt is made using a cigar wrapper, the total nicotine content2 ranges between 1.2 milligrams to 6 milligrams per cigar. However, if you buy a blunt at a cannabis dispensary, it won’t contain nicotine since these products are rolled in hemp leaves or non-tobacco wraps.
Blunts vs Joints: What’s the Difference?
Blunts and joints require rolling cannabis to smoke it, but different rolling or wrapping materials are used. Blunts are a cannabis flower rolled in tobacco leaf, cigar, cigarillo wraps, or hemp leaves. However, joints require the cannabis to be rolled in a light rolling paper made from hemp, rice, wood pulp, or flax. These flavored or colored rolling papers can be in loose-leaf or cone form. The rolling/wrapping paper affects the overall experience and flavor.
Joints and blunts also look different. Blunts are bigger, burn slower, and hold more cannabis, so they are more potent. Joints may also have a crutch or filter that keeps the cannabis in the joint and not in your mouth.
Blunts vs Spliffs: What’s the Difference?
The main difference between blunts and spliffs is what’s inside. While spliffs are rolled using rolling paper, similar to joints, the contents contain a mix of marijuana and tobacco. Consumers can adjust the ratio of cannabis to tobacco, and spliffs usually have more tobacco than a blunt.
A blunt may contain tobacco and cannabis, but that depends on the wrap. Hemp-wrapped blunts, for example, only contain cannabis, while cigar-wrapped blunts contain small amounts of tobacco.
FAQs About Blunts
Your budtender can answer all your blunt-related questions, but if you can’t wait, here are a few questions consumers frequently ask:
Can I roll my own blunts?
You can totally roll your own blunts, but there’s a bit of a learning curve if you are new to rolling. Follow an easy “how to roll a blunt” guide, ask your buddies for help, and keep practicing until you perfect the blunt-rolling process.
How much marijuana is in a blunt?
A blunt typically contains 1.5 times3 the amount of cannabis as a joint does. So, if a joint contains between 0.5 grams and 1 gram of marijuana, a blunt will have 0.75 grams to 1.5 grams of cannabis, but it can contain more.
Are blunts stronger than pre-rolls?
A blunt can be more potent than a pre-roll because they simply contain more cannabis flower. However, the potency is always going to depend on the type of flower used. That being said, infused pre-rolls can be stronger than blunts as they contain both flower and a concentrate.
Purchasing Blunts
You can buy blunts at most dispensaries in the country. They stock sativa and indica-dominant blunts with a range of flavor profiles so you can find the product you prefer most. Or, chat with your budtender to help you find what’s right for you.
Sources
1. “The Tightly-Rolled History of the Blunt,” thrillist.com, August 21, 2020, https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/what-is-a-blunt-history-origins-timeline
2. “Does marijuana "blunt" smoking contribute to nicotine exposure?: Preliminary product testing of nicotine content in wrappers of cigars commonly used for blunt smoking,” pubmed.com, September 9, 2016, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27639129/
3. “Blunts versus joints: Cannabis use characteristics and consequences among treatment-seeking adults,” National Library of Medicine, March 14, 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6467739/
Use of Marijuana Concentrate may lead to: Psychotic symptoms and/or Psychotic disorder (delusions, hallucinations, or difficulty distinguishing reality); Mental Health Symptoms/Problems; Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) (uncontrolled and repetitive vomiting); Cannabis use disorder/dependence, including physical and psychological dependence. Please consume responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and medical marijuana patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations.
It’s fun to admire the big, beautiful buds you purchased at your local dispensary, but cannabis consumption means pulling that precious flower apart. There are plenty of everyday objects that you can use to break up your flower–scissors, nail clippers, your own hands–but we highly recommend purchasing a cannabis grinder.
What is a Cannabis Grinder?
Grinders are small containers made up of various interlocking pieces that contain sharp teeth or points that shred your bud when you turn the mechanism. Grinding your flower is an essential first step when you’re going to smoke or bake with marijuana.
Cannabis grinders are available in your local dispensary, but you can also find them online or in any local head shop. They can be made out of metal, plastic, or wood, and come in just about every color and design imaginable.
What are the Benefits of Using a Grinder?
Have you ever had a bit of unburned bud disappear down the stem of a bong, or had a joint burn fast down one side? Proper grinding can eliminate these problems. This easy-to-use cannabis contraption is ideal in turning your flower into evenly sized, usable nuggets. And it’s a whole lot less messy than trying to do it with your hands!
Another bonus to using a grinder: some collect kief, the sticky crystals that are part of trichomes that contain more THC and other cannabinoids.
What are the Different Types of Grinders?
Grinders can be made of metal, plastic, or wood and they come in different sizes, from mini or small, about two-inches in diameter to medium and large, about six inches in diameter. There are two-piece, three-piece, four-piece, and five-piece grinders, which are also sometimes called tiers.
Two-Piece Grinder: Two-piece grinders are the most basic, made up of just two halves–usually called a lid and a grinding bowl–that grind up your flower. Simply place your bud inside the grinding bowl and twist both sides until you have the result you want.
Three-Piece Grinder: In addition to the two halves of a two-piece grinder, three-piece grinders add a collection chamber. The second, or middle piece, comes with holes that allow the ground marijuana to drop through into the bottom piece or collection chamber. The three-piece design gives you a handy place to collect your ground flower.
Four- and Five-Piece Grinder: Four-and five-piece grinders add another chamber to the three-piece grinder, called the kief chamber. This consists of a screen that separates out the kief, or sticky portion of the flower's trichomes, from the rest of the bud. If you’re going all in on a five-piece grinder, you’ll often have two kief-catching chambers instead of just one.
What is a Kief Catcher?
A kief catcher is the lower chamber in a four-piece grinder that catches the kief, AKA the coveted cannabis trichomes
What is a Grinder Coin?
While a grinder is a common cannabis prep tool, grinder coins aren’t as well known. This handy item is a must-have to get the maximum amount of kief from your flower. You can purchase a grinder coin, but an everyday coin works as well. (Just make sure to sterilize it first!) When choosing a coin for your grinder, remember to choose the right size. A nickel will work well for small grinders, but opt for a quarter or similarly sized coin for larger grinders.
How To Use a Cannabis Grinder [3 Steps]
Cannabis flower is not cheap, and you don’t want to damage your bud with improper grinding. Here are three steps to ensure success.
Step 1: Place Flower in Grinder
Open the grinder's lid and press a few buds onto the teeth inside the grinder.
Step 2: Replace the Lid and Grind
Put the lid back on, making sure it is securely closed. As you begin to twist the chambers, you will feel some resistance–this is completely normal. We recommend ten turns, but you can always start with fewer. Remember, you can always grind more but you cannot ungrind your flower.
Step 3: Open and Use
After you've finished grinding, open the top and remove your flower from the chamber. If you used a kief catcher, scoop out those golden trichomes for future use.
Your flower is not ready for consumption! You likely won’t use all of it in one session, so make sure to store your flower properly so you can enjoy it later.
How Do You Clean a Grinder?
Natural plant material, including resin, can get stuck in the grinder's teeth over time and make it hard to use. If your grinder is not turning smoothly, it’s probably time to give it a wash.
Just like any other tool, selecting the right supplies will help your grinder stay safe and functional. We recommend gathering the following items: a small brush or toothbrush; plate or bowl; isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol; a plastic bag or glass jar; water; and a towel. You may also need to use needles or toothpicks for fine-level cleaning.
Once you’re ready, follow these steps for proper cleaning:
- Step 1: Completely disassemble your grinder
- Step 2: Soak each part in alcohol for half an hour using a plastic bag or glass jar.
- Step 3: Take each piece out of the alcohol and scrub with a toothbrush.
- Step 4: Rinse in clean, hot water, then let it air dry on a clean towel.
Make sure your grinder is completely dry before using it again.
FAQs About Pre-Rolls
There are plenty of questions and misconceptions we hear at our dispensaries. Here are some of the most common.
Can I use a coffee grinder on my flower?
Yes, you can use a coffee grinder to grind your flower. However, always clean it before and after so you don’t end up with a mix of coffee and cannabis flavors.
Do I need a kief coin?
Kief coins are not a requirement, but they are a handy tool for extra kief collection.
How long should I grind the flower for?
Look to grind your flower about 10 rotations. You'll know it's ground properly when you stop feeling resistance.
Purchasing a Marijuana Grinder
You can find the marijuana grinder that's right for your needs at your dispensary. Talk with your budtender about the different options and levels that match your cannabis consumption methods.
Use of Marijuana Concentrate may lead to: Psychotic symptoms and/or Psychotic disorder (delusions, hallucinations, or difficulty distinguishing reality); Mental Health Symptoms/Problems; Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) (uncontrolled and repetitive vomiting); Cannabis use disorder/dependence, including physical and psychological dependence. Please consume responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and medical marijuana patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations.
Pre-rolls are one of the most popular products sold at dispensaries around the country. A simple yet enjoyable creation, pre-rolled joints make marijuana flower more accessible to cannabis shoppers. In the guide, we’re going to explain the ins and outs of this fan favorite.
What is a Pre-Roll?
It’s all in the name! A pre-roll is a ready made cannabis joint that you can purchase at a dispensary. Pre-rolls contain the same items as a regular joint - flower, rolling paper, crutch - but it has already been put together. No need to learn how to roll a joint on your own.
Pre-Rolls vs Joints: What’s the Difference?
The difference between pre-rolls and "regular" joints is that a pre-roll has already been packed and rolled for you. While you could roll your own joints at home, pre-rolls are often the more convenient option–especially if you are new to cannabis.
Pre-rolls are typically made in bulk by the cannabis product wholesaler, which means they offer consistency in each joint, as well as packaging that preserves freshness so you can enjoy your pre-roll over several sessions. You’ll also be able to sample more strains than you would if you were purchasing large quantities of cannabis flower and rolling your own joints at home.
Pre-Rolls vs Blunts: What’s the Difference?
The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but there are major differences between pre-rolls and blunts. Blunts that you can purchase at a dispensary are rolled with hemp paper and contain much more cannabis flower. (Blunts were traditionally rolled with tobacco leaves or cigar paper, but dispensaries aren’t permitted to sell tobacco products.) As a result, blunts can be much stronger than pre-rolls.
Pre-Rolls vs Infused Pre-Rolls: What’s the Difference?
Pre-rolled joints contain ground cannabis flower, but an infused pre-roll contains flower plus a cannabis concentrate. When it comes to which concentrates are used to infuse the joint, there are plenty of options–anything from solventless concentrates like kief or hash or extracts like wax, THC distillate, and even moon rocks.
What’s Inside of a Pre-Roll?
Pre-rolls are known for their simplicity, and their contents reflect this: flower, rolling paper, and sometimes a filter.
- Flower: Pre-rolls are all about the flower, the strain, and the experience. You can choose the strain you want and enjoy its flavors and aromas, with or without infusions.
- Rolling Paper: The rolling paper used to make pre-rolls are typically derived from natural materials like paper, hemp, and flax. The paper is designed to burn evenly while not interfering with the experience of the flower.
- Filter: Also called a crutch, the filter keeps ground cannabis out of your mouth while you're smoking.
Can I Save a Joint If I Don’t Finish It?
You can absolutely save your pre-roll for later, which is one of the many conveniences of this product. The key to preserving your joint for the next session is proper storage. Your pre-roll may have come in a special tube - playfully known as a “doob tube” - that also serves as an excellent storage container. If not, you can purchase one from a dispensary or use an airtight glass container.
FAQs About Pre-Rolls
If you have questions about pre-rolls, our helpful budtenders are always available. Here are some of the most common queries we hear at our dispensaries:
Do pre-rolls go bad?
Like any natural product, pre-rolls do have a "best-by" shelf life. They can deteriorate over time, but proper storage will help them stay good for longer.
How long do pre-rolls stay good?
Pre-rolls often come with expiration dates. If yours is printed with that, it will stay good to that date. If there's no expiration date, pre-rolls generally don't retain their strength and quality after six months.
Do I smoke the whole pre-roll?
You don't have to smoke the whole pre-roll to get the effects you want. In fact, we always recommend starting low and going slow. If you feel like you've hit your tolerance level, save your pre-roll for later.
Purchasing Pre-Rolled Joints
Pre-rolls are a convenient way to enjoy cannabis without having to purchase additional tools or larger quantities of flower. If you're wondering what pre-roll you will most enjoy, your budtender can guide you to the right product for you.
Use of Marijuana Concentrate may lead to: Psychotic symptoms and/or Psychotic disorder (delusions, hallucinations, or difficulty distinguishing reality); Mental Health Symptoms/Problems; Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) (uncontrolled and repetitive vomiting); Cannabis use disorder/dependence, including physical and psychological dependence. Please consume responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and medical marijuana patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations.
