AA, AAA+, Premium, Exotic, Mids and Quads: Understanding Weed Grade Language

Cannabis grade language can sound official because the same words appear across menus, stores and conversations.

AA.

AAA.

AAA+.

AAAA.

Quads.

Mids.

Premium.

Exotic.

Top shelf.

These words can help adults communicate quickly.

They do not come from one universal Canadian government grading system.

AA Weed

AA is familiar retail shorthand.

At Jane Finch Cannabis, AA Weed is an established flower collection.

The label helps narrow the menu.

It does not guarantee one THC range, aroma profile, bud size or cultivation method.

AAA and AAA+ Weed

AAA is another familiar cannabis retail term.

AAA+ suggests positioning slightly above basic AAA language.

At Jane Finch Cannabis, AAA+ Weed is its own established collection.

Use the current category for current products.

Use this guide for the terminology.

Premium Weed

Premium is broad quality-positioning language.

A product may be positioned as Premium because of:

• genetics;
• producer;
• aroma;
• trim;
• cure;
• presentation;
• scarcity;
• current menu positioning.

The word still does not create one mandatory THC or quality formula.

Exotic Weed

Exotic can suggest:

• unusual genetics;
• distinctive aroma;
• rarity;
• strong bag appeal;
• high-end positioning.

It is not an official government grade.

At Jane Finch Cannabis, Exotic Weed is a separate collection.

Mids

Mids means cannabis someone considers middle-of-the-road.

The exact reason can vary.

The speaker may mean:

• average aroma;
• average presentation;
• ordinary trim;
• average value;
• simply “not top shelf.”

Because mids is subjective, ask what characteristic they mean.

Top Shelf

Top shelf generally signals premium positioning.

It can overlap with Premium, Exotic or quads language, but the words are not exact synonyms.

The useful question is:

What characteristic is making someone call it top shelf?

Quads / AAAA

Quads is common Canadian slang for AAAA.

It generally suggests premium positioning.

It is not tied to one mandatory THC percentage, bud size or terpene level.

Grade Language Does Not Replace Product Information

A grade term does not replace:

• producer;
• cultivar;
• THC/CBD;
• package details;
• current price;
• current product notes.

Use the grade to narrow the browse.

Use the actual product information to understand the product.

THC Is Not the Grade

Higher THC does not automatically mean a higher grade.

THC is one important measurement.

Grade language often includes things THC does not directly measure:

• aroma;
• trim;
• cure;
• freshness;
• bud structure;
• visible trichomes.