Answer
Ask for the batch number on the package. Match that number to a lab report from a state-licensed lab. Check the harvest date and package date. Look at moisture, trichomes, and aroma. Reject flower with mold, seeds, or a hay smell.
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1. Read the label
A legal label lists THC, CBD, and total cannabinoids. It lists terpenes if the state requires it. It lists the batch number, harvest date, and package date. It lists a license number for the cultivator and the dispensary.
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- Batch number
- Harvest date
- Package date
- THC and CBD percentages
- Terpene percentages
- License numbers
2. Check the dates
Flower loses potency over time. THC drops about 1% per month at room temperature. Harvest dates older than 6 months mean lower terpenes and drier flower. Package dates older than 3 months mean the same. Fresh flower sells within 60 days of harvest in most states.
3. Match the lab report
Legal states require tests for pesticides, heavy metals, microbials, and residual solvents. Ask for the certificate of analysis (COA). The COA batch number must match the package batch number. The COA lists pass or fail for each test. The COA lists the lab name and license number.
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4. Inspect the bud
Good flower has visible trichomes. Trichomes look like small crystals or frost. They range from clear to cloudy to amber. Amber trichomes mean more degradation. The bud should be dense but not rock hard. It should have a few orange pistils. It should have no seeds and few stems.
5. Test moisture
Squeeze a bud. It should feel spongy. A dry bud crumbles and turns to dust. A wet bud feels damp and clumps. Target moisture is 10% to 12%. Water activity target is 0.55 to 0.65. Over 0.65 allows mold growth. Under 0.55 means brittle flower.
6. Smell the flower
Aroma comes from terpenes. Common terpenes include myrcene, limonene, pinene, caryophyllene, linalool, and terpinolene. Good flower smells like citrus, pine, pepper, or floral notes. Hay, ammonia, or basement smells mean poor storage or mold. A sealed jar can hold aroma for months.
7. Ask about storage
Dispensaries store flower in airtight containers. They keep it away from light and heat. They keep humidity at 55% to 62% relative humidity. They rotate stock by harvest date. Ask when the flower arrived and how it was stored.
Red flags
- No batch number or lab report
- Harvest date older than 6 months
- Visible white fuzz or gray spots
- Seeds or excessive stems
- Hay or ammonia smell
- Dry, crumbly buds
- Label THC above 35% for flower without a matching COA
What you cannot check
You cannot see pesticides, heavy metals, or microbials. You need a lab report. You cannot smell mold in early stages. You need a microscope or a lab test. You cannot verify THC percentage without a lab. The label is the only available data point.