Table of Contents
- What You Need to Know About Craft Cannabis in Canada
- The Benefits of Craft Weed
- The Best Craft Weed in Canada to Buy Online
- Why We Love Craft Cannabis
A few years ago, craft beer was all anyone could talk about. And with good reason. With more varieties, smaller batches, and attention to quality and detail, brewers were giving beer lovers the best of the best. The same is true of craft weed.
Craft cannabis growers give consumers high-quality weed wrapped in cost-effective sustainability. Hey, it’s not just “trendy” if it’s actually really good.
Here’s why we love craft cannabis and where to get your hands on the best craft weed in Canada.
What You Need to Know About Craft Cannabis in Canada
When weed is not grown commercially, it’s often grown on a smaller scale. This type of cultivation is known as “small-batch” growing or craft weed. Craft cannabis isn’t mass-produced, so there are a lot of benefits to this type of production.
Like anything you might see with “artisinal” on the label, craft cannabis growers focus on quality, not just quantity. The goal is to create something great that consumers and the environment will love.
Craft cannabis has grown in popularity among younger generations and is taking a front-and-center place among your favourite weed strains and other cannabis products.
The Benefits of Craft Weed
If it’s your first time shopping for craft cannabis strains, let me assure you: buying craft cannabis isn’t as chancy as you think. Buying craft weed is pretty much a sure bet that you’re getting high-quality flower with carefully cultivated effects, rich flavour profiles, and consistent potency.
Here are a few of the many benefits of choosing craft cannabis.
Craft Cannabis vs Commercial Weed
Unlike commercial growers, craft weed growers are not focused on mass production and the number of plants. Instead, they’re focused on each individual plant and strain and ensuring they are the best.
In commercial growing, machines and tools are used to auto-trim plants and buds. Most craft growers, however, do this by hand. This adds that much-needed human touch to the process that increases quality.
When cannabis plants are hand-trimmed, it’s much easier to handle them gently and protect the trichomes. Since the plant’s cannabinoids and terpenes (the good stuff!) are found here, hand trimming leads to better weed!
Sustainability
As a whole, craft cannabis growing has a smaller footprint and impact on the environment.
Because the larger, Earth-harming equipment, pesticides, and tools used for commercial farming are not necessary, craft cannabis allows for greater sustainability. Small-batch growing techniques are inherently more planet and environment-friendly.
When cannabis plants are trimmed by hand, the natural protective qualities of the plant are maintained. This means that over time, the plants are able self-sustain against pests, eliminating the need for chemical pesticides. Fewer industrial machines, fewer production requirements, and grass-roots distribution also contribute to this planet-friendly process.
And of course, buying locally sourced products always cuts down on the impact, as the weed is travelling fewer miles to get to you.
Higher Quality
As you’ve probably put together by now, growing weed on a smaller scale allows growers to put a lot more attention to detail.
With the hands-on approach required for craft weed, the slower process leaves more time for finding the best methods and techniques. The quality of the cannabis strain can be more meticulously cultivated, resulting in higher-quality plants and products.
The Best Craft Weed in Canada to Buy Online
Though the overall benefits of better quality and sustainability (and don’t forget the cool factor) apply to most craft weed products, you may still be wondering which one to buy.
Whether you’re all about the flavour, the growing location, or the high itself, we’re breaking down the best craft weed strains. Check out this guide before you buy craft weed online.
1. Purple Blueberry
Grade: AA
Sativa Dominant
THC: 19-21%
Available: 14g, 28g
Purple Blueberry is an indica dominant hybrid strain by Jungle Ridge. It’s made with a cross of Purple Afghan and Blueberry. Despite its relatively low rating on the scaling system, this dense nug packs a lot of punch and flavour.
This strain is distinguished by heavy, round shapes and dark green and purple hues with a touch of orange pistols and purple trichomes. Its flavour profile consists of grapes, berries, woodsy cedar, and spicy notes.
The effects are cerebral, with an uplifting feeling and a slight, satisfying haze. This leads to a full body and mind relaxation akin to a couch lock. Expect to feel creative, relaxed, and perhaps a little hungry. Purple Blueberry is great for treating depression, glaucoma, and inflammation, among other things.
2. Moonrise
Grade: AAAA Organic Craft Cannabis
Sativa
THC: 22-24%
Available: 14g
Moonrise is a unique sativa-dominant hybrid strain from Oso Fuego. The brand is known for high-quality products, which is no different. The strain is crafted from Moonshine Haze and Double Purple Doja. Its buds are full of sweet aromas and tart tropical notes.
It’s identified by long, angular buds that are dense and covered in white trichomes and dark purple leaves. The flavour profile includes herbs, lemon, orange, grapefruit, and some additional tropical scents.
Expect superior feelings of happiness and euphoric energy. You may even feel like taking on those creative tasks that have been waiting for you. You’ll also get a touch of relaxation as things wind down, which is useful for easing aches and pains. The strain is commonly used for anxiety, pain, and depression.
3. LSO Triple Pastry
Grade: AAAA Craft Cannabis
Indica Dominant
THC: 21-23%
Available:14g
LSO Triple Pastry is an indica-dominant strain from Oso Fuego that is known for its delicious qualities. It exudes creamy and sweet scents that remind you of baked goods. The effects are a euphoric and happy body high with touches of relaxation. You may also feel more sociable than usual, with uplifting effects.
The bugs of LSO Triple Pastry are green and purple with many trichomes. It leaves you feeling relaxed and satisfied. These buds are most commonly used for treating chronic pain, depression, and fatigue.
4. Donkey Butter
Indica Dominant Hybrid
70% Indica, 30% Sativa
THC: 27%, CBD 1%
Donkey Butter is an indica dominant hybrid from Sea to Sky Organics. It’s crafted from a cross between Triple OG and Grease Monkey. This strain consists of hard indica buds, thanks to its two solid kush strain parents. It’s distinguished by colourful orange pistils and translucent trichomes.
This hybrid strain has a nutty smell that reminds you of peanut butter. With Donkey Butter, you can expect to feel relaxed at the beginning, with some tingly energy as things get going, leading into full-on euphoria. The high culminates with deeper relaxation that leaves you sleepy and ready for a peaceful nap (or something else) in bed.
Donkey Butter is popular for treating a range of ailments, such as chronic stress, pain, headaches, insomnia, and nausea.
5. Pink Runtz
Indica/Sativa Hybrid
THC: 23-25%
Pink Runtz is a balanced hybrid strain from Sea to Sky Organics. It’s crafted by crossing Zkittlez and Gelato, two popular strains. The aroma of these buds is like nothing else, with sweet, fruity smells that remind you of candy. It’s a popular strain for Canadian craft growers.
This strain is popular for a good reason, its effects are uplifting, energetic, and long-lasting. The buds are caked in crystals and terpenes, packing a respectable potency that will hit hard and last for hours.
Craft Series
Online dispensaries like Kootenay Botanicals typically carry a few different strains of craft cannabis. You may also come across The Craft Series. This is a specialty series of cannabis products made from cannabis plants grown in organic living soil. Lliving soil weed and concentrates are cultivated to optimize the genetic profiles of the plants. Since it’s grown in small batches, the growers prioritize quality over quantity.
With any strain you choose from The Craft Series, you can be sure you’re getting the highest standards.
AAAA Weed Products
AAAA cannabis is weed that falls at the upper end of the cannabis grading system. They are the highest grade available on the market.
Looking for the best of the best? These AAAA strains are definitely worth a try:
- Strawberry Jerry from Skookum – AAAA Sativa
- LSO Apricot Stomper from Oso Fuego – AAAA Hybrid
- Oso Fuego Pre Roll Packs
Why We Love Craft Cannabis
As growers continue to hear the demands and praises of consumers, more and more are turning to slow-growing methods. It’s not surprising that many of our favourite strains these days can be traced back to craft growers.
What’s not to love? Craft cannabis is grown with care, where strains and plants are given the time and thought to get it right. They feature fewer of those chemicals and pesticides we definitely do not love. And best of all, the quality is out of this world.
The cannabis industry is always evolving, with new strains and products to try. Not all are a hit. But it’s safe to say that with craft cannabis, you can’t really go wrong.
Sources:
https://www.greenentrepreneur.com/article/360314
https://strategyonline.ca/2021/11/05/craft-cannabis-is-exploding-in-canada/
