TAC and Cannabis – Are number hunters onto something?

THC, TAC, CBD … the world of weed has all kinds of fun acronyms. If you’ve been in a legal state for a while and taking full advantage of that fact, you start to recognize what these numbers mean to you, even if you’re not 100 percent on what they actually mean. One particular acronym that gets tossed about a lot is TAC.

The number chasers at a dispensary are always easy to spot. They’re examining the packages closely, asking questions about numbers, and seem highly selective about what they want. Are they onto something?

Is a TAC number a true indicator that a certain strain is going to be the best? Maybe not as much as you suspect. Let’s do some acronym exploration without getting too scientific.

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So, what does high TAC really mean?

TAC stands for Total Active Cannabinoids. Cannabis is filled with active cannabinoids, and you probably know a few: THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), for example, are two major cannabinoids.

However, cannabis contains anywhere from 80 to 100 cannabinoids, which undeniably means there are many minor cannabinoids. You may recognize some of these two, such as CBN (cannabinol), CBC (cannabichromene), and THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin).

The thing is, not all major or minor cannabinoids have noticeable bioactivity and only a handful of them are going to lead to psychoactive effects. That TAC number you see, well … it includes every cannabinoid, major and minor, noticeably effective and not noticeable at all.

TAC vs THC – The Real Rundown

So, TAC tells you how many biologically active cannabinoids are in a certain strain. But THC, this is something a little more worthy of attention. The THC percentage given on a flower like Grapes & Cream, at 28 to 31% THC, tells you exactly how much THC a flower holds. This is extremely important—the number explains how psychoactive or “potent” a strain can be.

The TAC number will be higher than THC numbers on every strain. However, high TAC alone is not a fair indicator of how potent the strain will be in terms of psychoactivity. THC is a much more reliable representation of what to expect in terms of how the strain will affect you.

Cannabinoids + Terpenes – The Real Lowdown

All those THC and TAC numbers are no doubt important, but the true determinant of a specific strain’s effects won’t be based on either of these alone. Cannabis is best selected by examining all the wonderful facets that cause us all to have so much love for the plant. In other words, look at the big picture.

Imagine ordering tacos. You know the taco will have beef and cheese, but you have no idea what else will be included. The cook could throw in some guacamole and change everything. They may mix in some minced habaneros, onions, or garlic. What if they add tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, or beans? Is this a hard shell taco or is it wrapped in a soft flour or corn tortilla?

The point is when you only consider the TAC and THC, you are ordering up a taco with beef and cheese and have no idea what else will affect your end experience. You need to know the other ingredients, such as CBD and the terpene collection.

For example, by all appearances, with its up to 30% THC content, you may think Elvis is going to run the risk of serving up the ever-dreaded paranoia that can come with highly potent strains. BUT Elvis is an all-star with more than just the THC rhinestones on its coat. This strain also boasts 1% CBD, which helps mellow out that undesirable anxiety with some high-THC Sativas. Plus, the strain is high in three key terpenes: limonene, beta-caryophyllene, and myrcene, all three of which are known for soothing anxiety and keeping you relaxed.

Are number chasers in Massachusetts onto something?

Not really. Some are truly after those high TAC and THC numbers because they want the most potent strains they can find. However, if you are after some other experience beyond what high THC alone can deliver, get to know your bud on a deeper level, bud. You’ll be tailoring experiences for yourself like a pro in no time flat.

Look for Inferno Flower, which is always labeled with all the numbers you need.

Whether you are chasing numbers or you’re getting to know cannabis on a deeper level, Inferno is working behind the scenes to keep our customers educated. All Inferno flower offers a deep explanation of the bigger picture. Be sure to take a look at our strain library or take a closer look at the labels on your fave Inferno strains.

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