Popcorn buds are the small, rounded flowers that grow on a cannabis plant's lower branches. They come from the same plants as the big top buds, just smaller and less showy, which is why they usually cost less. Whether they're worth it depends on how you'll use them and what the label says.
What popcorn buds are
Cannabis flowers form all along a plant's branches. Big, dense buds tend to develop near the top, where light is strongest, while lower flowers get less light and stay smaller.
Growers sort these small buds out and sell them on their own, often as "popcorn" or "small buds," a name that fits their size. Our tour of cannabis plant anatomy shows where each kind of bud forms.
Why popcorn buds cost less
Mostly, it's about looks. Big buds fill a jar and catch the eye, so they sell for more, even when small buds come from the same harvest.
Potency is a separate question. Greenhouse research has found that buds at the bottom of the plant can carry lower cannabinoid levels than the top bud. In one study, some lower buds tested up to 90% lower.
Pruning and extra light in the lower canopy narrowed those gaps in other studies, so popcorn from one grower may test close to its top buds while another's may not. The label matters more than bud size.
The upside: price, same strain, ready to grind
- Lower cost per gram, which makes popcorn a natural budget cannabis flower option.
- The same strain, so you get its familiar aroma profile, though intensity can vary.
- Easy to grind for joints, bowls or a dry-herb vaporizer.
- Low-stakes sampling when you want to try a new strain.
Popcorn buds vs. regular buds: when each makes sense
| What you want | Popcorn buds | Full-size buds |
|---|---|---|
| Lower cost per gram | Usually the better fit | Usually priced higher |
| Rolling or packing bowls | Grinds fast | Works, with more breaking up |
| A showpiece jar | Less eye-catching | Dense, photogenic buds |
| Predictable potency | Check each label | Check each label |
Our comparison of buds, shake and popcorn nugs adds shake to the mix.
Choosing a strain: terpene and type cues
Pick popcorn buds the way you'd pick any flower. Aroma is a good starting point, since citrus, pine, pepper and earthy notes come from terpenes. If you liked a strain's full-size buds, its popcorn is a natural next try.
Indica, sativa and hybrid labels are loose hints. The THC number, terpene details where listed and your own notes tell you more. Our budtenders can help you look for small buds with a profile you already like.
Checking lab results and the harvest date
Michigan requires every cannabis package to list THC and CBD content, with a note that actual values may vary by 10%. Labels must also show the harvest date, the testing lab and the test date.
Some packages also show a packaging date, but the harvest date is the one Michigan requires, and it says more about freshness. Aroma fades in storage, so fresher flower tends to smell brighter. Our guide to reading a cannabis label walks through every line.
Storage tips for small buds
- Keep them in an airtight glass jar, somewhere cool and dark.
- Keep them away from heat and sunlight, which speed up THC breakdown.
- Grind just before use. In storage research, ground flower lost aroma compounds faster than whole flower.
For the full routine, see how to store cannabis.
At High Society, flower selection changes with what's in stock and varies by store. Browse your store's menu in our online shop, then order ahead for in-store or curbside pickup. For adult-use shopping, you need to be at least 21 and carry government photo ID.
