From Seed to Products: How Cannabis is Made
Growing the Plant
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Seed or Clone Selection
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The process begins with high-quality seeds or clones of the chosen strain
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Breeders select strains for potency, terpene profile (aroma/flavor), and growth traits.
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Vegetative Stage
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Plants are grown under strong light (indoors or outdoors).
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They receive nutrients rich in nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.
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This stage focuses on creating healthy leaves and stems.
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Flowering Stage
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Light cycles are switched to 12 hours of light / 12 hours of darkness (indoors) or naturally triggered outdoors.
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Plants begin to develop buds (the part we consume).
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Nutrients are adjusted to favor bloom development, usually with higher phosphorus and potassium.
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Harvesting
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Timing
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Harvest happens when trichomes (tiny crystals on the buds) change from clear → cloudy → amber, signaling peak potency.
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THC and terpene content are maximized at this stage.
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Cutting & Trimming
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Plants are cut down and the fan leaves removed.
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Buds are carefully trimmed to remove sugar leaves while keeping the resin-rich trichomes intact.
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This step makes buds look neat and improves flavor when smoked or vaped.
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Drying & Curing
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Drying
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Buds are hung or placed on racks in a controlled room (temperature ~60–70°F, humidity ~50%).
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This reduces moisture slowly, preventing mold while preserving cannabinoids and terpenes.
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Takes about 7–14 days.
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Curing
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Once dry, buds are placed in airtight containers (like glass jars).
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They’re “burped” (opened briefly) daily for a few weeks to release gases and moisture.
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This enhances flavor, aroma, and smoothness of the smoke.
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Packaging
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After curing, buds are weighed (3.5g in your jar = an “eighth”).
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They’re sealed in containers with proper labeling: strain name, THC %, CBD %, and lab testing info.
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Packaging is child-resistant and often includes freshness seals.
Key Factors That Affect Quality
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Genetics → determines potency, aroma, effects.
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Cultivation method (indoor, outdoor, greenhouse).
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Nutrient program & growing medium (soil, hydroponics, coco).
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Harvest timing → too early = less potent, too late = degraded cannabinoids.
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Curing quality → the difference between harsh weed and smooth, flavorful buds.
From Flower to Products
1. Pre-Rolls (Joints & Blunts)
Pre-rolls are simply ground cannabis flower rolled into cones or blunt wraps.
Step-by-step:
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Grinding → The dried buds are ground into uniform, fluffy pieces.
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Weighing → Exact amounts (0.5g, 1g, etc.) are measured for consistency.
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Rolling → The flower is machine-rolled or hand-rolled into paper cones. Some include filters/tips for smoother smoking.
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Packaging → Finished pre-rolls are sealed in tubes or multi-packs to stay fresh.
Sometimes producers add kief, hash, or concentrate oil to make “infused pre-rolls” (stronger, more flavorful).
2. Concentrates
Concentrates are made by extracting cannabinoids (THC, CBD) and terpenes from the flower. They come in many forms — wax, shatter, rosin, live resin, oils, etc.
Solvent-Based Extraction
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Butane Hash Oil (BHO) → Butane is run through the cannabis, pulling out cannabinoids/terpenes. Then, the solvent is purged with heat/vacuum, leaving sticky wax/shatter.
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CO₂ Oil → CO₂ gas under pressure extracts cannabinoids. This is common for vape cartridges.
Solventless Extraction
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Rosin → Flower or hash is pressed with heat & pressure, squeezing out sticky resin.
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Ice Water Hash (Bubble Hash) → Buds are agitated in ice water; trichomes break off and are filtered, then dried.
The type of concentrate depends on temperature, pressure, and processing method.
3. Edibles & Infusions
Flower can also be turned into edibles by first making cannabis-infused oils or butter.
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Decarboxylation → Buds are gently heated (~240°F) to activate THC.
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Infusion → Cannabis is simmered in butter, coconut oil, or MCT oil to absorb cannabinoids.
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Cooking → The infused oil is then used to make gummies, chocolates, drinks, baked goods, etc.
4. Tinctures & Oils
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Cannabis flower is extracted into alcohol or MCT oil.
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This creates a liquid form that can be taken under the tongue (sublingually) for quick absorption.
Why Different Products Exist
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Flower = traditional, smoking/vaping, balanced effects.
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Pre-Rolls = convenient, no grinding/rolling needed.
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Concentrates = much stronger, for experienced users.
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Edibles = long-lasting effects, discreet.
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Tinctures/Oils = controlled dosing, medical use.