Weed Wisdom: Defining Reggies and How You Can Spot Them

The world of cannabis is nothing if not rich with slang terms. From “schwag” to “blunts” to “doobies” and beyond, the sheer variety of code names for types of weed (and ways to ingest it) can feel overwhelming. Today, we want to introduce you to one that may have a real impact on your cannabis experience (and your wallet). It’s regs or reggies and it’s a term that means “low-quality weed.”

In today’s post, we’ll answer the question: “What are reggies?” We’ll share the story behind these less-than-perfect buds. Most importantly, we’ll tell you how you can spot them.

Ready? Let’s roll!

Different Types of Weed: What are Reggies?

There are countless types and strains of cannabis, and countless factors help determine its overall quality. Was it grown indoors or outside? Was it treated with pesticides or grown biodynamically? These are all important considerations the folks here at Mission Dispensaries take into account when we source the top-shelf cannabis we sell at our dispensaries. That’s why we always include important information such as the strain, the grower, the cannabinoid ratio, and other facts to help you make an informed decision about your purchase.

Even if you don’t have authoritative information on exactly where your cannabis came from, there are still a number of ways to tell if you’re handling a low-quality weed or not. Let’s start at the top.

The Nose Knows

Cannabis—like countless other plants and natural products—contains aromatic oils called terpenes. In addition to lending their characteristic aromas and flavors to different cannabis strains, they impart important medicinal effects.

Terpenes are also fragile, meaning that they degrade over time. If you’re sampling cannabis and notice a lack of rich aroma, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with mid-grade weed strains—at best.

Trust Your Eyes

High-quality marijuana should be a vibrant green, possibly with orange, yellow, or red purple accents from the characteristic pistillate hairs. If the color is a dark green with significant areas of brown, it’s a good sign that male plants were allowed to mingle with the female ones. Because unpollinated female plants produce the best and most potent resin, this is a sign that you’re dealing with some improperly cultivated weed.

On the same note, healthy and carefully tended cannabis should show a visible quantity of trichomes. A dusting of these alluring, crystal-like structures—they often appear as a silvery-white powder on the cannabis flower—signals the presence of the potent, cannabinoid- and terpene-rich resins we look for when we’re sourcing high-grade cannabis.

And finally: If you see a high proportion of stems and seeds, we suggest you avoid this cannabis. It’s not necessarily bad for you, but then again with so many options for world-class cannabis at your fingertips, why mess around with low-quality weed that doesn’t have the full benefit profile?

We sincerely hope today’s post is of service to you. Look forward to more content in the coming months about cannabis science, different types of weed, and other authoritative information about the fascinating world of cannabis. And if you have any other questions like “what are reggies,” just ask! We’re always here to help.