Flower is our most-commonly sold product, and there’s a lot of nuances to it. However, selling flower is one of the easiest products to sell. Remember, you’re selling an experience.

First, let’s go over some commonly used terms when it comes to flower and deciphering the differences between them.

Phenotype: A “phenotype” is just a certain cut of that particular cultivar. Think of it as you and your siblings. Your mom and dad are your parents, and you and your siblings may have the same parents, but you are different from your sister and brother. You have different characteristics and traits from your parents than those of your siblings. So while you are all “the same,” there are differences between each one. This is where the numbers typically come into play.

Gorilla Glue #4 for example, they planted, say, five seeds, and they kept the fourth one out of that group.

Another example: Gelato #29 shows more sativa characteristics, whereas Gelato #41/42 take on more of the Girl Scout characteristics but each have different dominant terpenes, making the experience slightly different from the #41 pheno to the #42 pheno.

Incross and Backcross:

IX/IX1 = Incross 1

BX/BX1 = Backcross 1

It means, basically, you have 2 parent plants A and B, and (A x B) is the resulting hybrid, or our reference

IX1 = (A x B) x (A x B) [we incrossed, or crossed the plant to itself]

BX1 = (A x B) x A [in this case, the plant was backcrossed to one of its parents to get more traits from that parent plant]

So knowing the lineage of the flower is going to be a big indicator of effects and taste. We try our very best to always have an accurate lineage listed on the sheet on the sales floor, so you can refer to it as well.

A Buds / B Buds / Smalls: As you can guess, this is in reference to the actual bud structure in the packaging.

A Buds: The best of the best. Beautiful colas, tons of trichomes, typically hand-trimmed (but not always), and top-of-the-line, highly-sought-out genetics. These buds typically come in at higher price-points due to these factors. If you or your customers are seeking out premium cannabis, top-notch effects, and “the most bang for your buck,” these buds will get the job done.

Our A Bud staples include DogHouse, Glacier, Glo Farms, Lake State Canna, Light Sky Farms, and Primo Danks

B Buds: Your second-string team. Maybe these buds have a lower THC percentage, maybe the structure isn’t quite there, but the effects are still premium and high-quality. These buds typically have a more “budget friendly” price-point, but you also know you aren’t wasting your money on something that isn’t going to get you where you need to be. You can find some hidden gems in these B Buds, so pay attention to their terpenes and other cannabinoids found in them.

Our B Bud Staples include LivWell / Matter, Redemption, Redbud Roots.

Smalls: “Little Buddies,” “Smalls,” “Popcorn Nugs” are all typical names used for these types of buds. Usually found in the lower branches of the cultivar, these buds will have our lowest price point before you get into shake and pre rolls. Similar to C-List celebrities, they are just like A-Listers, just not as beautiful and sought-after.

Our Smalls staples include our bulk LivWell ounces.

OK fine, but what about Sativas, Indicas, and Hybrids? When are you going to tell me about how to figure that out?
Oh dear employee, if you have learned anything from me yet, please let it be this: Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid are not terms for you to use – so to speak.
While we all know that “sativa” is used to indicate more uplifted, energized, happy, and euphoric, while “indica” is that couch locked, relaxed, pain-relieved, chilled out effects… Then please use those terms. Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid are more about the bud structure, the genetics, the “expression” from each seed, and the time and nuances to growing the different types. SInce you’re reading this in a retail setting, and not in cultivation or production, please don’t use these terms.
Of course, people that have consumed previously have become accustomed to using these phrases, and you can use your knowledge and extraordinary skills to use that opportunity to steer it more into what effects they are looking for out of their flower.

“I’m looking for an indica.”
“Okay, awesome, what kind of effects are you looking for out of your indica? Are you trying to sleep, or just relax and be able to enjoy a movie night?”
“Oh, well, actually, I’ve been having a lot of back pain and I normally enjoy something more like Pineapple Express, but it doesn’t help my back at all.”
“Our Lava Cake by LivWell would be my recommendation for your pain relief. That’s going to be Grape Pie to Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookie, and it’s earthy spice gives lots of benefits in the areas you’re looking for today.” Once you guys figure out how much weight they’re going to buy, you can also say, “Have you tried any edibles for your pain relief? Or a topical like a cream or patch?” This gives you an opportunity to explain the other products and benefits they could gain from them.

Not only did you sell some of our great flower, you also up-sold some gummies and/or topicals too (maybe? hopefully?), and established yourself as not only knowledgeable, but also trustworthy and direct. They feel more confident about their purchase and by extension, their experience in and out of the store by those simple words and the confidence behind it.

There are 30-some dispensaries in Muskegon County, and a lot are within 10 miles of us. Any person over the age of 21 can sell them a bag - heck, anyone in general can on the streets around here as well - but we are offering a concierge service when it comes to cannabis - tailor your knowledge and experiences to make their time the best possible.
Flower in general is about the experience. So just spark it up on your time off however you choose to consume, and keep a diary of YOUR experiences so you can sell it better.

In the meantime, I've created the

Misty Mountain Strain Vault

for you to refer to