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If you know BC Craft, you already know the difference. There’s a reason people still seek out small-batch, legacy-grown cannabis—it’s built on decades of experience, perfected techniques, and a deep respect for the plant.
At Victoria Cannabis Company (VCC), we don’t just grow cannabis; we preserve a tradition that’s been shaping BC’s cannabis culture for over 25 years. While corporate cannabis focuses on maximizing output and chasing THC numbers, craft growers focus on quality, from the genetics we select to how we cure every last bud.
For many long-time cannabis enthusiasts, legalization wasn’t just about access—it was about protecting BC’s rich cannabis heritage. The old ways of growing, curing, and hand-processing flower have always been the key to exceptional cannabis. But corporate cannabis has introduced mass production methods that prioritize volume over quality, leaving behind the attention to detail that makes BC Craft stand apart.
So, what actually makes craft cannabis different? And why does tradition matter at every step of the process?
Let’s get into it.
At its core, craft cannabis is about mastery. It’s the difference between a hand-stitched leather bag and a factory-made knockoff. Both serve the same function, but only one carries the weight of craftsmanship.
Craft cannabis is defined by small-batch production, where growers focus on quality over quantity. Instead of massive greenhouses filled with conveyor belts and automated processes, craft growers work in controlled environments, hand-trimming each bud and ensuring that the plant is never rushed to market. The goal is to preserve the plant’s natural terpene profile, structure, and potency, giving consumers a full-spectrum experience that’s often lost in large-scale production.
Unlike corporate cannabis, which often prioritizes high THC percentages and fast turnaround times, craft cannabis is about the entire experience. The effect, the aroma, the flavour, and the smoothness of the smoke all come from meticulous cultivation and processing techniques that require time, patience, and skill.
This attention to detail results in cannabis that’s not just strong, but balanced, flavourful, and true to its genetics. It’s what makes craft cannabis more than just a product—it’s an art form.
Hang-drying is one of the oldest and most effective methods of drying cannabis, yet many large-scale operations have abandoned it in favor of faster, industrial drying racks. At VCC, we hang-dry every single plant, allowing the buds to cure slowly and evenly.
This process helps maintain the natural structure of the flower, preventing the buds from becoming too compressed or brittle. Hang-drying also allows the plant to retain more terpenes, the aromatic compounds responsible for a cultivar’s unique flavour and scent.
Corporate cannabis often rushes this stage, using heated drying rooms or industrial-scale drying trays to speed up the process. The result? Harsh smoke, weak aromas, and diminished flavour. By contrast, VCC’s hang-dried flower is smoother, richer, and far more enjoyable to smoke or vape.
There’s no way around it—hand-trimming takes time. But that time is what makes the difference between a perfectly sculpted bud and something that feels like it came out of a wood chipper.
Machine trimmers may be fast, but they’re brutal on trichomes, the delicate resin glands that contain cannabinoids and terpenes. These trichomes are where the magic happens—they hold the flavour, the effects, and the essence of the plant. When a machine slams buds against metal blades, trichomes are lost, and so is quality.
That’s why VCC hand-trims every bud. This process ensures that each nug is trimmed with care, preserving every crystal-coated surface and delivering the full intended experience of the cultivar. Hand-trimming also means that only the highest-quality buds make it into a package, as our team can spot imperfections that a machine would never catch.
Curing isn’t just an afterthought—it’s one of the most critical steps in cannabis production. Rushing this process is like drinking wine straight from the barrel—it hasn’t had time to develop its full complexity yet.
At VCC, we cold-cure our cannabis for up to six weeks, ensuring that:
Terpenes are preserved. Terpenes are volatile compounds that degrade quickly if not handled properly. Cold curing locks them in, keeping the full aroma and flavour intact.
The smoke is smoother. Ever had cannabis that felt harsh on your throat? That’s often a sign of improper curing. Cold curing allows chlorophyll to break down naturally, removing the harsh, planty taste.
Potency is maximized. Cannabinoids continue to develop throughout the curing process. Rushing it means missing out on the full spectrum of effects.
Corporate cannabis often skips this step, cutting curing time down to just a few days to get product on shelves faster. But a rushed cure = a rough experience. At VCC, we take our time—because craft cannabis should never be rushed.
Choosing craft isn’t just about getting better cannabis—it’s about supporting the people who built BC’s cannabis culture.
Large corporations often outsource their growing or consolidate operations into massive, impersonal warehouses. Meanwhile, craft growers are:
Local and Independent – Many have deep roots in the legacy market and are committed to keeping cannabis culture alive.
Creating Jobs in BC – Supporting small-scale growers, processors, and retailers rather than funneling profits to corporate shareholders.
Every time you choose craft cannabis, you’re putting money back into your community and ensuring that authentic BC cannabis culture survives in the legal market.
Not all cannabis is created equal, and when it comes to craft cannabis, the difference is easy to see, smell, and experience—if you know what to look for. Whether you’re a seasoned consumer or just starting to explore premium cannabis, understanding what makes a high-quality bud stand out will ensure that you’re getting the best possible experience.
The nose knows when it comes to craft cannabis. A properly grown, dried, and cured flower will have a potent, complex aroma that hits you as soon as you open the jar. You might pick up bright citrus notes, earthy pine, sweet vanilla, spicy pepper, or even gassy, skunky undertones—all of which come from the plant’s terpene profile.
On the flip side, if your cannabis smells like hay, grass, or has little scent at all, it’s a sign of poor curing or rushed drying. When cannabis is dried too fast, terpenes evaporate, leaving behind a bland or “grassy” smell. Similarly, mass-produced cannabis often sits in storage for too long, leading to stale, lifeless flower.
Craft cannabis, like what we produce at Victoria Cannabis Company (VCC), is cured slowly and intentionally to preserve its terpenes and deliver an aroma that’s just as enjoyable as the smoke itself.
High-quality cannabis should be dense, sticky, and well-formed—not brittle, loose, or packed with shake. Properly cultivated and cured buds retain their structure, showcasing tight calyx formations coated in frosty trichomes.
When you break apart a good craft bud, it should have a slightly spongy feel—dry enough to snap but still fresh enough to hold its shape. If the bud turns to dust instantly, it’s been over-dried. If it feels wet or spongy, it wasn’t properly cured and could be at risk for mold.
Corporate cannabis often prioritizes fast growth and high yield over structure and density, leading to airier, less potent buds. Craft cannabis, on the other hand, is grown slowly and intentionally, ensuring that each bud is chunky and dense.
Many consumers have been trained to chase THC percentages, but the real magic of cannabis comes from its terpenes and other volatile organic compounds. These aromatic compounds are what give cannabis its flavour, scent, and nuanced effects—they’re the reason some cultivars energize you, while others melt you into the couch.
THC alone doesn’t dictate the quality of a cultivar. A high-THC flower with low terpenes can feel flat and one-dimensional, while a well-balanced cultivar with a strong terpene profile delivers a far more complex and enjoyable experience.
When shopping for cannabis, look for products that list total terpene percentages. Anything above 2% total terpenes is generally considered high quality, but it’s not just about the number—it’s about which terpenes are present and how they interact.
At VCC, we prioritize terpene-rich cultivars that don’t just hit high THC numbers but deliver a complete sensory experience—from rich aromas to bold flavours and lasting effects.
Even the best-grown cannabis can be ruined by poor curing. The curing process is where cannabis develops its full flavour, potency, and smoothness, and when done right, it results in a burn that’s clean and flavourful from start to finish.
A well-cured bud will break apart easily without crumbling into dust. It should feel slightly sticky to the touch, indicating retained moisture and terpene preservation. When cannabis is too dry, it burns hot and harsh, destroying terpenes in the process. When it’s too wet, it can develop mold and bacteria, leading to an unpleasant and potentially unsafe smoke.
At VCC, we cold-cure our cannabis for up to six weeks, ensuring that each bud reaches peak smoothness and potency before it reaches the consumer. Many corporate growers rush this process, curing for as little as a few days to get product out faster—but the difference is night and day when it comes to the final experience.
When you open a jar of craft cannabis, your senses should immediately tell you that it’s something special. The rich aroma, sticky structure, complex terpene profile, and expert curing all work together to create a premium cannabis experience that’s impossible to replicate with mass production.
At Victoria Cannabis Company, we don’t cut corners—because cannabis done right takes time. If you’re tired of dry, bland, or harsh corporate cannabis, it’s time to experience the craft difference.
📖 Want to dive deeper into BC Craft? Check out our latest blog posts:
The History of Cannabis in BC: From Prohibition to Craft Culture
The History of Cannabis in BC: From Prohibition to Craft Culture
🔎 Looking for true craft cannabis? Visit our Farmgate Store to explore our latest releases.
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