AA vs AAA vs AAAA Weed: What Cannabis Grades Mean

Browse almost any BC online or delivery menu and you will see flower sorted into grades such as AA, AAA, AAAA and sometimes AAAA+ or “craft”. The letters are a quick way of saying where a product sits on a quality scale, but they are often misunderstood. This guide explains what the grades usually mean, what sellers look at when they assign them and how to choose a grade that suits your budget. It is general product information for adults 19 and over.

Cannabis grades are informal, not official

The most important point first: the AA to AAAA scale is not a government standard. Health Canada’s packaging and labelling guide sets out what a cannabis label must show, such as THC and CBD content, the cannabis symbol and health warnings. A letter grade is not one of them.

Grades are a trade shorthand that grew out of the dispensary and grower world. A Daily Hive interview with a Canadian cultivator describes a grading scale he developed himself to sort product into tiers, based on characteristics such as bud density, trim, aroma and signs of problems such as mould. That is typical: each seller, or each seller’s suppliers, decides what goes where.

What sellers look at when they grade flower

Different stores weigh things differently, but most grading comes down to the same handful of characteristics.

Appearance and trim

Higher grades usually have well-formed buds that are neatly trimmed, with few stray leaves or stems. Colour should look natural for the strain. Browning, bleaching or dull, washed-out buds tend to push a product down the scale.

Trichome coverage

Trichomes are the tiny resin glands that give buds a frosty or sparkly look. They hold most of the plant’s cannabinoids and terpenes, so heavy, intact coverage is one of the clearest visual signs that sellers associate with higher grades. Rough handling knocks trichomes off, which is why careful trimming and packing matter.

Density and structure

Top grades are often dense and firm, with a slightly springy feel. Lower grades may be airier, smaller or more loosely structured. Density varies naturally by strain, though, so a lighter bud is not automatically lower quality.

Smell

Aroma is a big part of grading. Higher grades usually have a strong, distinct smell that matches the strain’s profile. A flat, faint or hay-like smell suggests the flower was dried too fast, cured poorly or has been stored too long. A musty smell can point to poor storage or moisture.

Cure and moisture

After harvest, flower is dried and then cured slowly, which helps preserve aroma and gives an even burn. Well-cured flower feels dry on the outside but not crumbly, and small stems bend slightly before they snap. Over-dry flower turns to dust when you grind it; overly moist flower feels spongy and may not burn evenly.

Potency, as one factor among many

THC percentage often plays a part, but most graders treat it as one factor rather than the deciding one. A high-THC product with poor trim, weak aroma or a harsh cure is unlikely to earn a top grade from a careful seller. THC is also printed on the label, so you never need a letter grade to know it.

What each grade usually means

These descriptions reflect how grades are commonly used in BC, but expect some variation from store to store.

Grades vary between sellers

Because there is no common standard, one store’s AAAA may be another store’s AAA. Some sellers grade strictly; others use grades more loosely. A few practical ways to compare:

• Look at real photos of the product, where available, and zoom in on trichome coverage and trim.
• Read the product description for strain, aroma notes and THC and CBD content.
• Try a smaller amount first when you are trying a new grade or a new seller.
• Compare within one store. Grades are most useful for comparing products from the same seller, since they follow the same scale.

How to pick a grade for your budget

The right grade depends on how you use flower, not on chasing the top of the scale.

• If you mostly roll or grind, AA or AAA flower is often all you need, since appearance matters less once it is ground.
• If aroma and flavour matter to you, AAA or AAAA is usually where you notice a clear difference.
• If you want to try a premium grade, buy a smaller amount of AAAA and keep a larger supply of a mid grade for everyday use.
• If you are new to cannabis, do not equate a higher grade or higher THC with a better choice. Health Canada’s consumer page What you need to know if you choose to consume cannabis suggests that people who are new to cannabis look for products with less than 100 mg/g (10%) THC, with equal or higher CBD. Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines also recommend lower-THC products. Potency varies, so start low.

Checking flower when it arrives

Whatever the grade, take a quick look when you open a new product. Check that the smell is fresh rather than musty, that buds are not damp or spongy, and that there are no signs of mould, such as fuzzy white or grey patches or a cobweb-like coating. If something looks wrong, do not use it and contact the seller.

Storing flower to keep its quality

Good flower can lose its aroma and texture quickly if it is stored badly. Keep it in an airtight container, away from heat, light and moisture, and avoid crushing it. Health Canada’s safe storage advice is to keep cannabis in its original packaging, locked away and out of reach of children and pets.

Compare grades on our menu

Browse our flower category to compare products by grade, strain and THC and CBD details, side by side. Ready to order? Head to the shop.

Cannabis grades FAQ