Why Total Cannabinoids Matter More Than THC (And How to Actually Read a Cannabis Label)

Written By Shane Breen

THC has been doing too much talking for too long.

For years, cannabis shelves have trained people to look at one number and make a decision. Higher THC meant better weed. Lower THC meant weaker weed. That thinking was convenient — and incomplete.

If you’ve ever smoked something with high THC that:

  • Felt anxious instead of relaxing

  • Hit fast and disappeared

  • Left you foggy or uncomfortable

  • Didn’t feel worth repeating

You’ve already learned the lesson the hard way.

THC alone does not define quality.
It never has.

What actually determines how cannabis feels is how many cannabinoids are working together — and how they’re supported by terpenes. That’s why total cannabinoids matter more than THC, especially when you’re choosing concentrates like bubble hash.

This article breaks down how to read a label properly, what numbers actually matter, and why Silly Nice Bubble Hash is built around balance instead of hype.

If you want to skip the education and just see what’s available now, the menu is always current at https://sillynice.com/menu.

Why THC Became the Main Focus (And Why That’s a Problem)

THC is easy to measure.
It’s easy to market.
And it’s easy to inflate importance around.

Early legalization leaned on THC because it was:

  • Simple to explain

  • Simple to regulate

  • Simple to sell

But cannabis isn’t simple.

When brands optimize only for THC, they often sacrifice:

  • Flavor

  • Balance

  • Longevity

  • Comfort

That’s why many high-THC products feel sharp, one-note, or exhausting. They hit one receptor pathway hard and ignore the rest of the plant’s chemistry.

Cannabis works best when it’s a conversation, not a shout.

What “Total Cannabinoids” Actually Means

Total cannabinoids refers to the combined percentage of all cannabinoids present, not just THC.

This includes compounds like:

  • THC

  • CBD

  • CBG

  • CBN

  • CBC

  • THCv

  • Acidic forms like THCa and CBDa

Each of these plays a role. Some are psychoactive. Some are modulators. Some smooth, extend, or balance the experience.

When cannabinoids work together, the result is:

  • A smoother onset

  • More even effects

  • Longer-lasting sessions

  • Fewer unwanted side effects

That’s why two products with the same THC can feel completely different.

The Entourage Effect (Without the Buzzwords)

You’ll hear the term “entourage effect” a lot. Here’s what it really means in practice:

Cannabinoids don’t work alone.
They support and regulate each other.

Think of THC as the engine.
Other cannabinoids are the suspension, brakes, and steering.

Without them:

  • THC can feel jittery

  • Effects spike too fast

  • The experience burns out quickly

With them:

  • The high builds gradually

  • The body stays calm

  • The mind stays clearer

  • The comedown is smoother

Total cannabinoids tell you how complete the system is — not just how loud it might get.

Why Total Cannabinoids Matter Even More in Concentrates

Concentrates amplify everything.

That includes:

  • Good chemistry

  • Bad chemistry

  • Balance

  • Imbalance

A high-THC concentrate with weak supporting cannabinoids can feel intense but hollow. A slightly lower-THC concentrate with strong total cannabinoids often feels stronger and better.

This is why experienced consumers start paying attention to the full profile instead of just the headline number.

The Silly Nice Bubble Hash Label (What to Look For)

Let’s look at a real example.

Silly Nice Bubble Hash is built around total cannabinoid performance, not THC marketing.

The Numbers That Matter

  • 53.32% THC

  • 62.86% total cannabinoids

  • Including CBG, CBN, CBC, THCv, and CBD

  • 6.2% terpene content

That means nearly 10% of the cannabinoid profile is doing important work besides THC.

Those “minor” cannabinoids:

  • Smooth the high

  • Extend effects

  • Reduce anxiety

  • Improve physical comfort

They’re the reason the experience feels full instead of sharp.

How to Read a Cannabis Label (The Right Way)

Next time you’re at a dispensary, don’t stop at THC.

Here’s what to look for, in order:

1. Total Cannabinoids

This tells you how much of the plant’s chemistry is actually present.

2. Cannabinoid Variety

Look for multiple cannabinoids listed, not just THC.

3. Terpene Percentage

Terpenes shape effect as much as flavor.

4. Extraction Method

Solventless methods preserve balance better.

5. Lab Transparency

Clear, accessible testing matters.

If a product is loud about THC but quiet about everything else, that’s a signal.

Why Higher THC Isn’t Always Better

Higher THC often means:

  • Less room for other cannabinoids

  • Less balance

  • More chance of anxiety or burnout

This is why many experienced users intentionally choose products with:

  • Slightly lower THC

  • Higher total cannabinoids

  • Strong terpene profiles

They want cannabis that works with their body, not against it.

How Total Cannabinoids Affect the Way You Feel

Here’s how people often describe the difference:

High THC / Low Support:

  • “It hit hard but didn’t last”

  • “It made me anxious”

  • “I felt tired after”

  • “I wouldn’t buy it again”

Balanced Total Cannabinoids:

  • “It felt smoother”

  • “The high lasted longer”

  • “I didn’t feel foggy”

  • “I didn’t need as much”

That second experience is what keeps people loyal.

Why This Changes How You Shop Forever

Once you understand total cannabinoids, you stop:

  • Chasing numbers

  • Falling for inflated THC

  • Being disappointed after opening the jar

You start choosing products that:

  • Feel better

  • Last longer

  • Are worth repeating

This is why education quietly drives sales. People who understand what they’re buying don’t gamble — they select.

Why Silly Nice Builds for Balance, Not Noise

Silly Nice Bubble Hash isn’t designed to win a label contest. It’s designed to win real sessions.

It’s built to:

  • Be used intentionally

  • Be layered, not dumped

  • Deliver calm strength

  • Stay enjoyable from start to finish

That’s why total cannabinoids are prioritized. That’s why terpene preservation matters. That’s why solventless extraction is non-negotiable.

The goal isn’t to shock you once.
It’s to make you want it again.

Final Word: THC Is a Headline, Not the Story

THC tells you how loud cannabis might be.
Total cannabinoids tell you how it will actually feel.

If you want cannabis that:

  • Feels balanced

  • Lasts longer

  • Doesn’t burn you out

  • Delivers repeatable results

Then total cannabinoids matter more than THC — every time.

And if you want a product built around that philosophy, Silly Nice Bubble Hash is exactly that.

Check availability here:
👉 https://sillynice.com/menu

Once you learn how to read the label,
you never shop the same way again.

Shane Breen
Previous

Craft Cannabis in Queens: Why Silly Nice Belongs Here
Next

Bubble Hash as a Daily Cannabis: What Regular Users Need to Know