From Seed to Products: How Cannabis is Made

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Growing the Plant

1. Seed or Clone Selection

   • The process begins with high-quality seeds or clones of the chosen strain

   • Breeders select strains for potency, terpene profile (aroma/flavor), and growth traits.

2. Vegetative Stage

   • Plants are grown under strong light (indoors or outdoors).

   • They receive nutrients rich in nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.

   • This stage focuses on creating healthy leaves and stems.

3. Flowering Stage

   • Light cycles are switched to 12 hours of light / 12 hours of darkness (indoors) or naturally triggered outdoors.

   • Plants begin to develop buds (the part we consume).

   • Nutrients are adjusted to favor bloom development, usually with higher phosphorus and potassium.

Harvesting

1. Timing

   • Harvest happens when trichomes (tiny crystals on the buds) change from clear → cloudy → amber, signaling peak potency.

   • THC and terpene content are maximized at this stage.

2. Cutting & Trimming

   • Plants are cut down and the fan leaves removed.

   • Buds are carefully trimmed to remove sugar leaves while keeping the resin-rich trichomes intact.

   • This step makes buds look neat and improves flavor when smoked or vaped.

Drying & Curing

1. Drying

   • Buds are hung or placed on racks in a controlled room (temperature ~60–70°F, humidity ~50%).

   • This reduces moisture slowly, preventing mold while preserving cannabinoids and terpenes.

   • Takes about 7–14 days.

2. Curing

   • Once dry, buds are placed in airtight containers (like glass jars).

   • They’re “burped” (opened briefly) daily for a few weeks to release gases and moisture.

   • This enhances flavor, aroma, and smoothness of the smoke.

Packaging

• After curing, buds are weighed (3.5g in your jar = an “eighth”).

• They’re sealed in containers with proper labeling: strain name, THC %, CBD %, and lab testing info.

• Packaging is child-resistant and often includes freshness seals.

Key Factors That Affect Quality

• Genetics → determines potency, aroma, effects.

• Cultivation method (indoor, outdoor, greenhouse).

• Nutrient program & growing medium (soil, hydroponics, coco).

• Harvest timing → too early = less potent, too late = degraded cannabinoids.

• 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:

1. Grinding → The dried buds are ground into uniform, fluffy pieces.

2. Weighing → Exact amounts (0.5g, 1g, etc.) are measured for consistency.

3. Rolling → The flower is machine-rolled or hand-rolled into paper cones. Some include filters/tips for smoother smoking.

4. 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

• 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.

• CO₂ Oil → CO₂ gas under pressure extracts cannabinoids. This is common for vape cartridges.

Solventless Extraction

• Rosin → Flower or hash is pressed with heat & pressure, squeezing out sticky resin.

• 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.

1. Decarboxylation → Buds are gently heated (~240°F) to activate THC.

2. Infusion → Cannabis is simmered in butter, coconut oil, or MCT oil to absorb cannabinoids.

3. Cooking → The infused oil is then used to make gummies, chocolates, drinks, baked goods, etc.

4. Tinctures & Oils

• Cannabis flower is extracted into alcohol or MCT oil.

• This creates a liquid form that can be taken under the tongue (sublingually) for quick absorption.

Why Different Products Exist

• Flower = traditional, smoking/vaping, balanced effects.

• Pre-Rolls = convenient, no grinding/rolling needed.

• Concentrates = much stronger, for experienced users.

• Edibles = long-lasting effects, discreet.

• Tinctures/Oils = controlled dosing, medical use.

Shop Cannabis Realm NY

Ready to order? Browse the live menu at your nearest licensed Cannabis Realm NY location for same-day delivery or in-store pickup — free delivery on orders over $99, adults 21+ with valid ID.

• Rockland menu — Spring Valley dispensary
• White Plains menu — serving Westchester
• Queens menu — Jamaica, serving Queens & Nassau
• See all locations — plus Mount Vernon, opening soon

For adults 21+ only. This content is for general information and is not medical advice. Cannabis products have not been evaluated by the FDA. Please consume responsibly and keep out of reach of children and pets.