How to Read a Dispensary Menu (Without Getting Ripped Off)

2026-09-12 · GREENLINE

Walk into any Monroe dispensary and you're hit with a wall of information: strain names, THC percentages, terpene profiles, tier labels. Most of it is designed to make you spend more. Here's what actually matters.

THC Percentage: Important, but Overrated

The number everyone looks at first. Higher THC doesn't automatically mean "better" — it means stronger. A 30% flower will hit harder than a 20%, but you'll also use less of it per session.

The real question: What's the cost per milligram of THC? A $30 eighth at 25% THC (875mg total) costs $0.034/mg. A $45 eighth at 35% THC (1,225mg) costs $0.037/mg — actually worse value despite the higher percentage.

What the Tiers Mean

Michigan dispensaries typically label flower in 3-4 tiers:

• Value/Bottom Shelf: Older harvest dates, lower THC, but perfectly fine for casual use
• Mid-Tier: The sweet spot for most people — decent quality, reasonable price
• Top Shelf/Premium: Freshest, highest testing, frostiest buds. 50-100% markup over mid
• Exotic/Reserve: Limited drops, hype strains. Often more marketing than substance

Terpene Profiles: The Underrated Metric

Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that give cannabis its smell, flavor, and much of its effect. Two strains with the same THC can feel completely different because of their terpene profile.

Key Terpenes to Know

• Myrcene: Earthy, musky. The "couch-lock" terpene. Dominant in indica-leaning strains
• Limonene: Citrus, uplifting. Associated with mood elevation and energy
• Caryophyllene: Peppery, spicy. The only terpene that interacts with cannabinoid receptors
• Linalool: Floral, lavender. Calming, commonly associated with relaxation
• Pinene: Pine, forest. Alertness and memory retention

Look for total terpene content above 2% — that's generally a sign of well-grown, properly cured flower. Below 1% and you're probably looking at old or poorly stored product.

Weight Formats and Real Value

Cannabis is sold in standardized weights, but the per-gram price varies wildly:

• 1g (gram): Highest per-gram cost. Good for trying a new strain, terrible for regular use
• 3.5g (eighth): The most common purchase size. Moderate per-gram cost
• 7g (quarter): Per-gram cost drops 15-25% vs. eighths
• 14g (half ounce): Another 10-15% savings per gram
• 28g (ounce): Best per-gram price. If you know what you like, buy here

GREENLINE normalizes every product to price per ounce so you can instantly see which size and store gives you the most for your money.

Red Flags on Dispensary Menus

• No harvest/test date: Could be sitting on shelves for months
• Suspiciously high THC (38%+): Lab shopping is real in Michigan
• No terpene data: Usually means they don't want you to see it
• "Sale" price with no reference price: If everything is always on sale, nothing is