What makes someone a cannabis connoisseur? Is it their ability to distinguish between “top shelf” and “mids” cannabis? And if so, what sets top-shelf cannabis apart and makes it worthy of that elevated placement? As someone who has been reviewing and judging cannabis competitions for years, I have been thinking about how both approaches can help regular cannabis consumers choose the perfect product for their needs. While taste is subjective, it is possible to fairly assess the quality of a cannabis product with a little extra effort, attention to detail, and the right mindset.
When it comes to writing a cannabis strain review, the goal is to introduce and “illustrate” the sensory experience of a particular product. While it is important to include basic information about the potency, strain, and style of the product, the main focus should be on creating a vicarious experience for the reader. This means providing specific details about the effects, taste, and aroma of the strain. Instead of simply saying a strain is “potent” or has a “strong” smell, it is important to describe the specific impacts and aromas in detail. For example, instead of saying a strain is “potent,” describe how it makes you feel and what specific effects it has. Instead of saying it has a “strong” smell, describe the specific scents, such as garlic, tomato sauce, and oven-caramelized cheese.
On the other hand, judging cannabis goes beyond just identifying unique characteristics of a sample. While reviewers may give a simple “pass/fail” assessment of a product, formal judging involves synthesizing all the different properties of a sample into a unified assessment. This means considering the same qualities and characteristics as a reviewer, but with a more precise mindset when it comes to the qualitative value of those characteristics. In other words, the observation and testing process for a review is the same as for judging, but with more formal and precise conclusions. Instead of just determining if something is good or bad, judges are concerned with how good or bad it is.
To effectively judge cannabis, it is important to establish categories and a judging process. Some common categories to consider are appearance, smell, taste, and effects. You can also add other categories, such as phenotypical novelty or the smoothness of the smoke. For a review, you can assess each category individually, but for formal judging, you can assign a numerical value using a scale, such as 1-5.
In conclusion, whether you are writing a review or judging a cannabis competition, the process is similar. Both involve carefully observing and testing the product and providing a thorough assessment of its qualities and characteristics. By following these guidelines and using a precise and objective mindset, anyone can become a cannabis connoisseur and help others choose the perfect product for their needs.
