If you’ve heard the terms popcorn weed, popcorn bud, smalls, mini buds or even just minis, chances are you’ve noticed some popular strain names at a much lower-than-expected price point. But why?
Usually, when people see a lower price tag, they may immediately assume that something will be of lesser quality. However, when it comes to the aforementioned popcorn buds—that’s not always the case. Learn all about these little wonders, where they got their name, and why they’re making such a big impact in the cannabis space.
What Does Smalls in Weed Mean?
So, what are smalls or popcorn buds anyway? Simply put, it’s the smaller, more compact “popcorn” shaped and sized buds that all cannabis plants produce closer to the base of the plant—hence why they’re sometimes called “smalls.”
Since they don’t typically get as much light exposure as the flowers at the top of the plant, they are smaller and, depending on the strain and cultivation methods, may have slightly lower potency and terpene content than their larger counterparts. But they still have the same genetic profile as the rest of the plant.
Are Popcorn Buds Worth It?
At our family of dispensaries many of our customers ask whether or not buying popcorn weed is worth it, and the answer you’ll almost always get is: Yes!
While there’s no denying the visual appeal of a large frosty flower bud, bigger isn’t always necessarily better. Many popcorn bud offerings, like our very own Small A$$ Bud, are still plenty potent and aromatic, packing the same punch you’d expect of each strain’s namesake.
Meanwhile, lower potency smalls are an excellent option for the many cannabis lovers out there who want lower THC levels, making popcorn bud a great way to enjoy a particular strain that may have otherwise been too potent for them.
For budget-conscious consumers or for anyone who wants to sample new strains before committing to a larger or more expensive purchase, popcorn buds are the perfect solution—the combination of quality and quantity allows you to get a lot of value from these mini buds.
The Benefits of Popcorn Buds
There are many benefits that come with popcorn weed.
Value
For one, you can get more for your money without sacrificing quality. Some people will call smalls “B-grade,” but the truth is, there is often little difference between the popcorn buds and the regular nugs from the same plant outside of size and, perhaps, a slightly lower potency.
Many people prefer smalls since they can get a high quality product for a fraction of the price. If you’re looking to make your money stretch—which many of us are these days—popcorn buds are a great way to ensure you get the most value for your hard-earned cash.
Availability
Heading down to the dispensary to sample that hot new strain you heard about only to find it’s sold out? Since folks often sleep on smalls, you’ll find that you can get many sought-after strains that tend to sell out quickly.
Utility
The small, compact size of popcorn buds makes them great for packing quick bowls or flower vapes without needing much grinding beforehand. With bigger buds, you need to break off pieces of a larger nug to get the small amount you need to do the job, whereas minis allow you to pick out a bud that is the perfect size for your needs—no matter the job at hand.
Thanks to their cost effectiveness, small buds are also great for homemade edibles made with a cannabutter or cannaoil that typically require larger quantities of flower for infusion.
Popcorn buds also give you the opportunity to more easily explore different strains. Think about it: if an eighth of popcorn bud is almost half the price of a normal eighth of the same strain, you can try two strains instead of one. This is especially beneficial if you’re trying a new strain for the first time and want to gauge its effects.
Are Smalls the Same as Shake and Trim?
Another question we often get from our patients and customers is around the difference between popcorn buds and shake or trim.
Trim refers to the parts of the flower that are trimmed post-harvest, which typically include sugar leaves, stems and even small pieces of flower that are trimmed off to manicure and shape the flower into the pristine buds you’re used to seeing on dispensary shelves. Shake refers to the bits of flower that naturally fall off during handling and processing.
Shake and trim contain cannabinoids and terpenes, albeit in lower quantities, and are often packaged together to be sold at dispensaries for a lower price than regular flower or smalls, offering another great, cost-effective option for making homemade edibles that require cannabutter or cannaoil.
Popcorn buds are not the same as shake or trim. These are simply smaller versions of the same flower you already love. In fact, many people have turned to buying popcorn buds exclusively to save without sacrificing quality.
Save Big with Green Goods’ Quality Popcorn Bud
If you want to get the most bang for your buck, Green Goods dispensaries in Maryland carry a wide selection of our house-brand popcorn weed, Small A$$ Bud! With strains like Gary Payton, Gelonade, Glitterbomb, and more, we’ve got popcorn bud to meet your needs and preferences.
Visit us today, and our experienced and friendly budtenders will help you find the best Small A$$ Bud that tick all the boxes— including quality at an unbeatable price. Shop in-store or order online.
Have any more questions about popcorn buds or any other cannabis-related topics? Drop us a line—we’re always here to help!
