Take these Fine Fettle Soft Drops, for example. The package as a whole contains 200mg of THC total. However, because the potency is measured by weight in the processing stage, each Soft Drop in the 20-pack contains 10mg THC, which is comparable to some lower-dose edibles in other states.
Before accessing medical cannabis products, Georgia residents must meet with a doctor who is certified to assess their eligibility for a Georgia medical marijuana card. and have one or more of the following conditions for medical cannabis access. Currently, Georgia’s program lists 17 qualifying conditions.
Along with having one or more of the qualifying conditions, a patient must be able to prove they are a Georgia resident with a valid driver’s license or state identification card. Georgia charges $25 for annual registration, which is a separate fee from your approval/recommendation from a licensed doctor.
Additionally, the Compassionate Use Program in Texas only allows for oral ingestion of low-THC products. While capsules and tinctures are available, smoking or vaping cannabis is illegal, even under the low-THC program. In some cases, Texas does allow smokable hemp products that contain less than 0.3% delta-9 THC.
Through the Compassionate Use Program (CUP), the state’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) operates an online registry of qualified physicians who can prescribe low THC to patients with specific medical conditions. The registry is designed to prevent more than one doctor from registering the same patient. The doctor can input safety and efficacy data regarding the patient’s treatment into this registry for best practices..The registry is also accessible to law enforcement agencies.
After the doctor approves a patient for the CUP, the doctor will enter a prescription in the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT). After that, the patient can pick up the prescription at any approved dispensary. Patients must submit their ID, name, date of birth, and the last five digits of their Social Security number.
Public opinion is already shifting: a 2023 poll found thatroughly 76% of Georgia residents support full medical marijuana legalization. Meanwhile, a February 2025 survey revealed that 62% of Texans favor the legalization of adult-use cannabis for adults 21 and older. These numbers reflect a growing disconnect between public sentiment and existing policy frameworks.
While expanding cannabis access in these states has historically faced political resistance, there are emerging signs of potential change. In Georgia, some lawmakers have shown increased willingness to discuss expanding the state’s low-THC program into a more comprehensive medical marijuana system, though progress has been slow and often met with bureaucratic hurdles. In Texas, a traditionally conservative stronghold, modest expansions of the state’s Compassionate Use Program in recent years indicate that incremental reform is possible, especially as public support continues to rise and as neighboring states adopt more permissive laws. However, significant barriers remain, particularly among leadership figures who have historically opposed broader legalization efforts.
Still, as new officials are elected and advocacy efforts gain traction, pressure may mount on both state governments to better align legislation with the will of their constituents. If current trends continue, both Georgia and Texas could see meaningful expansions to their cannabis programs in the coming years, especially as advocates consistently put pressure on those in power.
Among those who are certified to receive low-THC cannabis in Georgia and Texas, many feel that the low percentage and minimal choices for product selection limit them. Many continue to be curious about the state of cannabis reform under a new presidential administration.
For those with medical status and those without medical status but wish to be a part of it, advocating for the benefits of cannabis on their conditions can be a helpful movement for continuing to show their local government that the plant is beneficial to their lives and overall health as a state citizen.
As political officials continue to change and the mindset on cannabis keeps evolving, there can be pushes for change in both Georgia and Texas to achieve the next level of medical cannabis status to benefit those within the program.
The answer lies in crystal-like structures called trichomes that cover the surface of cannabis flowers. This is where the cannabis cultivation magic happens because they produce and store the majority of compounds responsible for the plant’s potency, flavor, and therapeutic benefits. Trichomes are the plant’s primary defense mechanism, protecting it from pests and environmental stressors.
Trichomes are tiny, hair-like glands that cover the surface of cannabis plants. Primarily found on the flower (buds) and leaves, the word “trichome” comes from the Greek word for “hair”—a fitting name for their delicate, hair-like appearance. These tiny structures create a shiny, sticky layer on cannabis flowers, giving them their signature frosty look. They also produce and store cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and terpenes.
Terpenes are the aromatic compounds in cannabis that give the plant much of its unique scent. Terpenes also enhance cannabis’s therapeutic and psychoactive effects through the entourage effect. Cannabinoids like THC produce psychoactive effects, while CBD and other compounds contribute to overall therapeutic benefits. The concentration and combination of the compounds shape the overall impact of the cannabis-consuming experience.
People often refer to trichomes as the ‘crown jewels’ of cannabis because they play such a critical role in determining the quality, potency, and therapeutic benefits of the final product. Trichomes store up to an impressive 90% of a cannabis plant’s THC in its trichomes. Trichomes also protect cannabis plants from pests, pathogens, and environmental stressors. Their sticky resin deters herbivores and helps the plant survive harsh conditions.
Researchers have identified hundreds of trichome metabolites, including hundreds of cannabinoids and terpenes, yet we still lack a complete understanding of cannabis trichomes. That’s because genetic differences, growing conditions, and environmental factors influence trichome development and metabolite production. High metabolite levels in cannabis should be toxic to the very cells that produce them, prompting further research into how our cells manage and properly store these components.
UV light studies also help scientists understand trichome maturation in cannabis flowers and identify optimal harvest times. The trichome appearance indicates plant maturity, and understanding these visual cues tells cultivators the ideal time to harvest cannabis while achieving the desired effects on the final product.
Clear Trichomes: Clear trichomes appear as the plant transitions from vegetative to flowering. At this stage, the trichome glands produce resin, signaling that peak THC concentration is approaching. However, other cannabinoids are still developing, so cultivators know it’s still too early to harvest the cannabis plant.
Buy Cannabis OnlineMilky Trichomes: When trichomes turn milky or cloudy, the plant continues producing THC and nears harvest time. Most cultivators wait until 50-70% of the trichomes turn cloudy, and the rest become amber before harvesting to achieve a stronger euphoric effect.
Amber Trichomes: As trichomes transition from amber to brown, they indicate that the cannabis plant has matured. However, growers seeking high THC levels must harvest quickly during this transition, as THC begins to degrade into cannabinol (CBN), a compound known for its more sedative effects.
Trichomes heavily influence the final cannabis product and determine the overall quality of what you consume. The tiny crystals that make up trichomes produce and store raw cannabinoids like THCA, CBDA, and CBGA —along with terpenes that shape effects, flavors, and aromas.
Inconsistent results have driven producers to “lab shop,” seeking higher THC reports. These practices create consumer distrust and inaccurate labeling. However, many medical patients rely on consistent dosing for cannabis benefits like pain or appetite stimulation.
A promising method called phytomicrobiome manipulation introduces beneficial microbes to the plant’s roots, potentially stabilizing THC and CBD levels. Standardizing this technique could lead to more predictable, effective cannabis products and a brighter future for cultivation and consumers.
Trichomes come in three main types: bulbous, capitate-sessile, and capitate-stalked. The appearance varies depending on the kind of trichome. Some resemble tiny microscopic bulbs, while others have a stalk and head that can be seen with the naked eye.
Bulbous Trichomes: Bulbous trichomes are the smallest of the three types and cover the entire surface of the cannabis plant. They remain invisible to the naked eye and measure just a few micrometers in size. Although experts don’t fully understand their exact function, they believe these structures secrete resin, contributing to the plant’s cannabinoid and terpene profile.
Capitate-Sessile Trichomes: Slightly larger than bulbous trichomes, capitate-sessile trichomes develop before the cannabis plant begins to flower. They sit flush against the plant’s surface, particularly on the underside of leaves and stems. Although they do produce some cannabinoids, their output remains relatively low. As the plant matures, many trichomes evolve into capitate-stalked trichomes responsible for higher cannabinoid production.
Capitate-Stalked Trichomes: Capitate-stalked trichomes are the largest, most abundant, and the only type visible to the naked eye. They measure between 50 and 100 micrometers and have a long stalk with a bulbous, mushroom-like head. These trichomes primarily produce cannabinoids and terpenes and play a key role in determining the potency and aroma of cannabis. They typically appear during the flowering phase, and growers use their color and maturity to determine the optimal time for harvest.
Cannabis trichomes are tiny, crystal-like structures on the plant’s surface that store the key compounds responsible for its potency, flavor, and therapeutic effects. They play a crucial role in shaping the overall cannabis experience because they contain cannabinoids like THC and CBD, as well as terpenes.
Yes, the amount of trichomes plays a significant role in potency. Trichomes store raw cannabinoids and terpenes that influence aroma and effects. While a higher trichome density suggests higher potency, the cannabinoid and terpene concentrations in the trichomes determine the plant’s strength.
Cannabis potency depends on the concentration of cannabinoids, primarily THCA and CBDA, stored in the trichomes. Genetics, growing conditions, and harvesting time influence cannabinoid and terpene combinations, impacting the plant’s strength and effects. Keep in mind that the plant’s raw THCA must be “decarbed” first, typically with heat, to become psychoactive THC.
The ideal harvest time occurs when 50-70% of the trichomes are milky or cloudy, with the rest turning amber. At this point, the plant contains the highest THC concentration, producing potent and euphoric effects. Overly amber trichomes indicate THC degradation into CBN, which has sedative and weakly psychoactive properties.
Trichomes are at their best when they are primarily cloudy or milky, as this indicates the highest THC concentration, which occurs near the end of the flowering phase, just before they turn amber and degrade into CBN.
Yes, trichomes can turn into kief. Kief is a powdery substance made of detached trichome heads, which accumulate at the bottom of a grinder or are sifted from dried cannabis. It is highly potent due to its high cannabinoid and terpene concentration.
Currently, 24 states sell cannabis recreationally. If you are in one of these states, it’s understandable that you might feel tempted to forget about the medical card process. Even if you qualify as a patient, it’s an application process that does take some information and patience.
