Cannabis quality grades can feel confusing when you’re scrolling through an Ontario menu full of AA, AAA, AAAA, and “top‑shelf” labels. This guide breaks down what those terms mean, how dubs compare to quads, and how to spot real quality when you shop at Weedistillery.
Walk into any Ontario cannabis shop online or in person and you’ll see labels like AA, AAA, AAAA, and “top-shelf” scattered across menus. If you’re new to cannabis or just trying to stretch your budget, these grades can feel like alphabet soup. What actually separates a $60 ounce from one that costs $140? Why do some people swear by quads while others are perfectly happy with dubs? And is top-shelf cannabis really worth the premium price tag?
The honest answer is that cannabis quality grades aren’t official government standards. They’re more like industry shorthand that’s stuck around since before legalization. But they’re still useful—if you understand what they actually mean. This guide breaks down how cannabis is graded, what separates dubs from quads, and how to make smart choices at Weedistillery and beyond.
What Cannabis Quality Grades Really Tell You?
Cannabis quality grades started as a way for growers and retailers to communicate quickly about flower without getting bogged down in lab reports. They describe a mix of factors: how dense the buds are, how clean the trim is, how loud the smell is, and how intact the trichomes remain. Think of it like how restaurants might describe a steak, “prime” versus “choice” tells you something real about what you’re getting, even if it’s not the whole story.
In Canada, the grading system typically looks like this:
- A or AA (often called “dubs”) – Budget-friendly, smaller buds, more visible leaf, solid effects but less nuance
- AAA – Middle ground; decent trim, good potency, reliable flavor
- AAAA (quads) – Dense, hand-trimmed, heavy trichome coverage, complex terpene profiles
- AAAAA+ or top-shelf – The cream of the crop; rare cuts, exceptional lab results, meticulous handling
Weedistillery’s menu structure follows this pretty closely, organizing their ounce specials into AA and AAAA tiers so you can match your budget to the experience you want. That transparency matters when you’re trying to figure out whether to spend more or save money.
Understanding Cannabis Quality Grades: Dubs Versus Quads
“Dubs” is street slang that usually lines up with AA-grade flower. Here’s what you typically get:
Smaller, less tightly packed buds. You’ll see some visible stem and leaf matter. The smell is present but not always comple, you might get the main note (citrus, diesel, sweetness) without all the layered subtlety. Potency usually sits in the 12–18% THC range. For the price, dubs deliver solid effects; they’re ideal if you smoke regularly and want to keep costs down, or if you’re mixing flower into edibles or joints where bag appeal doesn’t matter as much.
“Quads” (AAAA) sit near the opposite end. These buds are:
Dense, hand-trimmed, and covered in visible trichomes, that frosty, crystalline look that signals high potency and rich cannabinoid content. The smell is strong and multi-layered; open a jar of premium quads and the aroma jumps out. THC content often ranges from 20–26%, sometimes higher. The smoke or vapor is smooth, with pronounced flavor that matches the strain profile. Quads cost more, often double or triple the price of dubs, because they demand careful cultivation, extended curing, and meticulous trimming.
The real difference between dubs and quads boils down to this: dubs are reliable, functional, and affordable. Quads are an experience. If you care about flavor, want to taste the specific terpene profile of a strain, or prefer shorter, more satisfying sessions, quads justify the price. If you consume a lot and prioritize value per gram, dubs make financial sense.
What Makes Top-Shelf Cannabis Different?
Top-shelf cannabis is a step beyond typical AAAA quads. It usually describes:
Small-batch or limited-run strains that don’t always make it onto every menu. Exceptional phenotypes or “cuts” of popular strains think of it as the best plant from the best grower’s garden. Lab results that highlight not just THC but also terpene percentages and cannabinoid profiles. Meticulous handling from dry room to packaging; some top-shelf cannabis is trimmed by hand, cured in humidity-controlled environments, and stored in premium packaging.
Top-shelf cannabis often comes with a story: a craft grower’s signature strain, a collaboration between a breeder and a brand, or a limited seasonal release. The premium price reflects scarcity as much as quality. It’s what you reach for on weekends, when friends visit, or when you want to appreciate the nuances of a strain rather than just getting high.
For many Ontario consumers, the jump from AAAA to top-shelf is less critical than jumping from AA to AAAA. But for connoisseurs, it’s the difference between a solid whiskey and a single-malt scotch.
How to Spot Quality Cannabis When You're Shopping
Appearance matters. AAAA and top-shelf buds should look dense, vibrant (green, purple, or even gold depending on the strain), and covered in white or amber-tinted crystals. If buds look loose or heavily leafed, they’re probably AA or lower. Smell is huge, open the jar and take a sniff. Premium cannabis should smell strong and complex. If it smells weak or dusty, that’s a red flag.
Trichome coverage is one of the clearest visual markers. Trichomes are the tiny, mushroom-shaped crystals on cannabis flowers that contain cannabinoids and terpenes. Read more on terpenes to understand how they shape your experience. AAAA buds look frosty because they’re covered in intact trichomes. AA dubs often show more leaf and fewer visible crystals.
Weedistillery Cannabis Quality: Bridging Price and Experience
Browse our AA and AAAA flower selection at Weedistillery and you’ll notice they don’t hide the lower-priced options behind fancy photography. AA ounces sit right next to AAAA, with clear labeling and pricing. That honesty is refreshing in a market where every retailer wants you to feel like you’re buying the best thing on Earth.
Weedistillery’s approach to cannabis quality grades means you can choose based on what you actually care about: budget, flavor, potency, or a mix. Their ounce specials across AA, AAA, and AAAA tiers, organized by strain type (Indica, Sativa, Hybrid), make it easy to find what fits your routine. Same-day delivery across Ontario cities means you’re not guessing about freshness; the cannabis reaches you quickly after you order.
Who Benefits Most From Each Grade?
AA (dubs) work well for regular smokers, medical users on tight budgets, and anyone who mixes flower into edibles or joint wraps. Consistency of supply and locked-in pricing matter more than terpene complexity.
AAA appeal to people who want quality and flavor without paying the AAAA premium. You get noticeably better trim and smell than AA, with solid potency and good flavor.
AAAA (quads) are for people who prioritize the full cannabis experience—taste, aroma, smoothness, and visual appeal. If you session slowly and appreciate the finer points of a strain, quads make sense.
Top-shelf cannabis is for special occasions, enthusiasts, and anyone who wants the absolute best their budget allows.
The Bottom Line
Cannabis quality grades exist because they’re useful shorthand, not because they’re scientifically defined. But they do correlate with real differences in how cannabis is grown, handled, and smoked. Understanding what separates dubs from quads, and why top-shelf costs what it does, helps you make choices that match your priorities and wallet.
Premium cannabis Ontario options have come a long way. Retailers like Weedistillery have made it easier to compare across grades and find exactly what you need. Whether you’re chasing trichomes or just want reliable flower at a fair price, the grading system gives you language to shop with confidence.
FAQ
Q: What’s the difference between AA (dubs) and AAAA (quads) cannabis?
A: AA cannabis, or “dubs,” features smaller, less dense buds with visible leaf matter and moderate potency (typically 12–18% THC). AAAA, or “quads,” are premium, hand-trimmed buds with dense structure, heavy trichome coverage, and higher potency (typically 20–26% THC). The difference comes down to cultivation care, trim quality, and overall appearance.
Q: Is top-shelf cannabis the same as AAAA?
A: Top-shelf cannabis usually refers to AAAA or rare AAAAA+ tier buds. While AAAA is premium, top-shelf specifically denotes the finest available on a menu at any given time, often a small-batch or exotic strain with exceptional terpene profiles and lab results.
Q: Why does AAAA cannabis cost more?
A: AAAA cannabis commands higher prices because it demands careful cultivation, extended curing, hand-trimming, and quality control. Master growers invest more time and resources to achieve dense buds, high potency, and complex flavor. The cost reflects the craft and effort.
Q: How can I tell the quality grade of cannabis by looking at it?
A: Look for dense, tightly packed buds; vibrant green or purple colors; visible white or amber trichomes (the “frostiness”); and clean trim with minimal leaf. Lower grades show looser structure, more leaf matter, and fewer visible trichomes. AAAA buds should smell pungent and fragrant immediately when the jar opens.
Q: Is AAA cannabis good enough for regular smokers?
A: Yes. AAA cannabis offers solid quality, good potency, and pleasant flavor at a fair price. It’s a popular choice for daily users who want reliable effects without premium pricing. AAAA is worth considering if you prioritize taste complexity and potency nuance.
Q: Does Weedistillery offer different cannabis grades in their ounce specials?
A: Yes. Weedistillery’s ounce specials include AA (budget-friendly around $60) and AAAA (premium at $140+) options, organized by quality tier and strain type (Indica, Sativa, Hybrid). This makes it easy to pick based on budget and preference, with same-day delivery across Ontario.
