Grading Matrix

Giving Tree Farms and the other members of the Hive Mendocino Cooperative use a standard grading matrix to evaluate all processed batches prior to releasing them to the wholesale market. The farming standards carried out by Hive Mendocino and its farms ensures that all batches remain in compliance with the sustainability requirements of The Cannabis Conservancy's certification program SIMPLY CLEAN and SIMPLY ECO. All farms are independently audited by third-party inspectors to ensure compliance in the sustainability program. 

Aroma and Cure. Smell and/or aroma tend to be the most critical component considered in the purchasing decision. Though certain terpenes and aromas are considered more desirable, there is a broad interest in a wide variety of scent profile. Often, the more unique the better. If the plant material has been subject to oxidation, and the smell has degraded to a "hay-like", "old" or "musty" aroma, the product will receive a score of 1. 

Cannabinoid Profile. The grading system for cannabinoid profiles is based on current and regional market trends. As the market changes, this will be adjusted accordingly.   We acknowledge that THC potency and dominance is not an indicator of true value but it is important in marketability.          

Color. The color of the dried flower clusters should be consistent throughout each sample and should not show signs of grey or black which are indicators of fungal infection. Dried flower clusters with a high density of trichomes can appear bright whitish and crystalline. Dried flower with a high oil content may present with a light glistening sheen. Dried flower clusters that are bright with consistently healthy coloring and a light glistening sheen will score the highest in this category. 

Manicure Quality. Hand-trimmed flowers will score highest in this category. Selective, scissor-point trimming is noticeably more desirable in the current market. Broad scissor, or machine-trimmed flowers, will score lower, and excessive shaving (calyx cutting) can render the product unmarketable. A careful balance must be struck here to score highly, too loose or too tight of a manicure will hurt scoring. If machine trimming was used, and the product shows evidence, the material being assessed will receive a score of 1 in this category. Missing or mangled apical dried flower clusters structures will be considered a sign of machine trimming. A microscope must be used for this portion. 

Ripeness & Trichome Development. Intact, plump, shiny, engorged trichome glands will score best here. Ripeness will be determined by assessing trichome gland color and pistil hair color. Trichome glands should be mostly cloudy, with lesser amounts of amber, and clear glands. As flowers pass peak ripeness cloudy glands will progressively take on an amber appearance as oxygen begins to infiltrate the secretory cells at the base of the gland head; the more amber/brown glands the lower the score. Before glands have reached peak ripeness, they will appear clear and transparent, which will lead to lower scores. Pistil hairs should appear plump and healthy with an orange or red hue. Like the trichomes, pistil hairs will become progressively browner and begin to shrivel as the flower passes peak ripeness; this will lead to a lower score. Before pistil hairs have reached peak ripeness, they will appear white, or purple/pink which may also lead to lower scores in this category. 

Size. Dried flower clusters for processing into jars should be no smaller than a dime (1/2") and not larger than two (2) inches in diameter or length. The presentation of the material is also of importance. When assessing quantities of dried flower clusters there should be absolutely no crumbly, leafy debris in the bottom of the packaged dried flower clusters. There should be uniformity to the product throughout the bag, lot & batch. Dried flower clusters that are just under the two (2) inch diameter or length threshold and are presented free of debris and do not have a disproportionately large amount of small flower clusters will score best in this category. 

Structure. Uniformly dense dried flower clusters with compact structure and limited stem exposure will score the highest in this category. Large trimmed dried flower clusters (>2 inches dry) should be broken down into smaller sections to avoid concealing internal botrytis damage/sporulation or discoloration. Loose, airy flowers with abnormally wispy and/or a 'stretched' structure will score lower in this category. dried flower clusters that are too dense may cause concern in this category, especially as to dense of dried flower clusters can be a vector for contamination issues. dried flower clusters that are excessively large due to a lack of density may also score lower category. The density portion of this category will be based on the average volume that one pound of a specific varietal tends to occupy. (i.e. - OC pounds that are excessively large in size/volume will score poorly in this category. Whereas OG pounds that are of a compact volume will score higher in this category.) 

Terpene Profile. Myrcene and Beta-caryophyllene terpene dominance are the most common in cannabis. As the industry becomes more familiar with terpene profiles this rubric will be adapted. Grade according to the total terpene count. Please reference the R&D tests conducted by an ISO accredited lab for scoring.                                                                    

All rights reserved. Please contact sales@givingtreefarms.org for more information.