Platinum blazing is a slang term that refers to smoking high-quality cannabis strains that are covered in shiny, crystalline trichomes. It originated in cannabis culture and is associated with smoking top-shelf, premium marijuana buds.
The term “platinum” refers to the vibrant silvery-white color of the trichomes, the tiny mushroom-shaped resin glands that contain high concentrations of cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Quality cannabis strains often appear platinum, silver, or frosted due to a thick blanket of glistening trichome heads.
“Blazing” simply means smoking weed, so platinum blazing describes the act of smoking platinum-grade buds that are visibly packed with trichomes and expected to deliver potent effects. It’s essentially a flex — smoking the best of the best marijuana.
Where did the term platinum blazing come from?
Like a lot of cannabis slang, the origins of “platinum blazing” are hazy. The term likely emerged sometime in the 1990s or 2000s as high-quality strains became more readily available and potency increased dramatically compared to old school weed.
By the late 1990s, the average THC percentage of marijuana strains was approaching 15%, double what it was in the 1970s. The explosion of medical and recreational cannabis markets in the 2000s accelerated selective breeding for higher THC levels. Top-shelf strains today can exceed 30% THC.
As weed got stronger, more descriptors were needed to differentiate mids from chronic, schwag from dank. The crystals blanketing ultra-potent strains were so pronounced that platinum became shorthand for the best of the best buds worthy of blazing.
The rise of legalization and social media accelerated the popularity of the term. Cannabis reviewers on YouTube and Instagram coined platinum to hype up strains dripping in trichomes. It became a flex and signifier of status in legal markets and on the black market.
What does platinum weed look like?
Platinum strains exhibit a distinct appearance thanks to prolific trichome production and optimal harvest timing. When grown, cured, and stored properly, the buds will be covered in mushroom-shaped, bulbous trichome heads that refract light, creating a glistening sheen.
This ultra-frosted look results from ample trichome density combined with a strong stalk that keeps the head elevated off the surface of leaves and calyxes. The trichomes should be intact, not broken off or flattened. They serve as visual evidence that the harvest and curing process preserved potency.
In terms of color, platinum strains can range from silvery white and pale green to different shades of purple depending on genetics and growing conditions. But they generally won’t appear gold, brown, or red, which can indicate degradation of cannabinoids from poor storage. Visually, platinum weed is light-colored and sparkly.
Characteristics of platinum weed
Appearance isn’t everything when it comes to cannabis quality. Here are some other defining characteristics of platinum-grade flower:
Potent THC and terpene content
Platinum strains inherently have very high THC levels, generally 20% or greater. They also tend to have robust terpene profiles greater than 1.5%, filling your nose upon opening a jar. These compounds work synergistically to deliver immediately noticeable euphoric effects.
Proper curing and storage
To achieve platinum status, buds must be slowly cured for 7-14+ days to achieve the perfect moisture content between 55-65%. They are then kept in carefully monitored, low-humidity environments to prevent degradation. Improperly dried and stale weed cannot be considered platinum.
Minimal stems and seeds
Being the cream of the crop, platinum weed will be trimmed of stems and properly manicured into dense, sticky nugs. Seeds are a sign of poor growing, so platinum bud will be seed-free. No self-respecting cultivator would put out seeded packs of their $350/oz concentrate weed.
Fluffy bud structure
Platinum strains exhibit the classic indica visual structure – tight, compact, dense buds covered in trichomes. They should break up fluffy, not crumble. Hard, brittle buds were improperly dried. With platinum weed, scissor should slide through like butter.
Ideal moisture content
Properly cured buds with elevated trichome heads will give slightly when squeezed but also feel sticky and oily. If too dry, the trichome heads fall off. Too moist, they get flattened and crushed. Platinum weed retains the perfect spongy texture.
Nose-filling aroma
Given the robust terpene content, platinum strains hit your nose through the bag appeal alone. Opening a jar should flood your olfactory system with tangy, gassy, skunky, fruity aromas that attack the senses. Muted odors mean degraded trichomes.
Popular platinum strains
While any well-grown cannabis strain can exhibit platinum qualities if cultivated perfectly, some hybrid lineages tend to churn out new hits with platinum-level bag appeal and potency. Here are a few 2020s strains known for going platinum:
Jealousy – THC 26-28%
This Cookies Family cross of Gelato #45 x Sherb BX has a frosted lime green and purple coloration with vanilla berry flavors. The dense, trichome-encrusted structure looks like it was dipped in Christmas snow.
Hippie Crippler – THC 22-24%
Don’t let the ominous name fool you. This earthy, diesel-flavored hybrid strain is covered in sparkly trichomes that hit hard and create visual appeal. The dense buds are flecked with shades of purple and forest green.
Divorce Cake – THC 25-27%
Bred by Jbeezy of Seed Junky Genetics, this cross of Wedding Cake x Platinum has a sweet, nutty, earthy flavor profile and large colas smothered in shiny trichomes with hints of purple.
Ice Cream Cake – THC 20-24%
This Indica-dominant hybrid strain bred by Seed Junky is a cross of Wedding Cake and Gelato #33 resulting in creamy vanilla-frosting flavor and tightly packed buds coated in sugary trichomes true to its namesake.
Slurricane – THC 22-26%
This pungent cross of Do-Si-Dos and Purple Punch has rock-hard dense nugs wrapped in purple leaves with pistils that elongate into silver and lavender hues after curing. Potent and pretty.
| Strain | Genetics | THC % | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jealousy | Gelato #45 x Sherb BX | 26-28% | Frosted lime green and purple buds with vanilla berry aroma |
| Hippie Crippler | Unknown hybrid | 22-24% | Dense sparkly olive green buds with diesel aroma |
| Divorce Cake | Wedding Cake x Platinum | 25-27% | Sweet nutty earthy purple trichome-coated buds |
| Ice Cream Cake | Wedding Cake x Gelato #33 | 20-24% | Creamy vanilla frosting smelling silver-white buds |
| Slurricane | Do-Si-Dos x Purple Punch | 22-26% | Rock hard purple trichome covered nugs with berry aroma |
What makes weed turn platinum?
Now that you know what platinum cannabis looks and smells like, what factors actually cause buds to exhibit platinum bag appeal during cultivation and processing?
Genetics
Some strains have genetic tendencies to turn platinum after a proper grow and cure. Breeders select for trichome production, coloration, bud density, and terpene profiles. Strains like Gelato, Runtz, and Zkittlez are prized for their platinum-potential.
Growing environment
Key environmental inputs like lighting, nutrients, and curing create ideal conditions for plentiful trichome development. Indoor grown platinum weed benefits from precise irrigation, humidity control, and full-spectrum LED lighting.
Harvesting time
Knowing the perfect time to harvest is critical. Too early, and trichomes are still growing. Too late, and they begin to deteriorate. Platinum weed is snipped at peak maturity once trichomes turn cloudy white but before they amber for maximum shine.
Proper drying and curing
Buds must be slowly dried then cured for at least 2 weeks at controlled humidity levels around 60% RH. This preserves delicate trichome heads that would otherwise break off if the flowers are rushed into too-dry storage.
THC and terpene content
Selective breeding and optimal growing conditions allow platinum strains to achieve 20%+ THC levels and greater than 1.5% terpene content for full flavor and stupid-strong effects.
Flushing
Flushing the plants properly in the final weeks remove residual fertilizer salts that can inhibit trichome development. Unflushed weed tends to have weak terpene expression and smaller trichomes.
Bud density
Platinum strains often exhibit densely packed bud structure with more calyxes for trichomes to coat. Looser airy nugs with more leaves don’t stack up quite as much frost.
Coloration
While not required, vibrant pigments like purple and pink hues enhance bag appeal. The right strain and schedule of low temps at the end can bring out exotic streaks of color.
How to smoke platinum weed
Now for the fun part: smoking platinum-grade flower in all its sticky glory. Here are some tips for enjoying platinum bud to its fullest potential:
Use a grinder
Breaking up platinum buds with your fingers won’t cut it. Use a quality herb grinder to get a fine, even grind that vapes or burns smoothly.
Try small doses first
With THC percentages north of 25%, a little platinum weed goes a long way. Start with small puffs or a thin joint to gauge potentcy before going ham.
Use vaporization over combustion
Vaping platinum bud at precise temperatures between 350°F and 410°F will provide the full flavor and effect profile without burning up all those terpenes and cannabinoids.
Smoke or vape it fresh
Once dried and cured, platinum weed is at peak freshness for about 6 months in optimal storage. The trichome heads and terpenes start degrading over time, so smoke it while its literally covered in crystals.
Don’t neglect secondhand smoke
Even the secondhand smoke from platinum strains can get you lifted thanks to generous vapor output. Just standing near someone chiefing Hippie Crippler will give you a solid contact high.
Cherish the flavor
With platinum strains, you can actually taste the depth of flavors like creamy lemon-lime Gelato or sweet grape-vanilla Runtz. Take smaller tokes to let the nuanced terpene profile coat your palate.
Get some magnification
Using a magnifying scope or macro lens lets you inspect platinum trichomes up close in all their mushroom-capped glory. Plus you can monitor coloration so you harvest at just the right time.
Conclusion
In cannabis culture, the term “platinum” refers to only the most elite, top-tier strains exhibiting extreme potency, vivid colors, and copious shiny trichome production resulting in dazzling bag appeal. It’s the pinnacle of cannabis connoisseurship.
While platinum strains look gorgeous thanks to a blanket of crystal resinheads, they also deliver powerful effects courtesy of 20%+ THC levels and an abundance of terpenes for full flavor. Only proper growing and curing techniques can coax out platinum-level quality.
Smoking platinum weed is a special experience thanks to unmatched potency and terpene expression. The shine and sheer amount of intact trichomes serve as visual proof that you’re enjoying the best possible version of that strain. Just don’t chief too hard on the Hippie Crippler your first go around. Take it low and slow with platinum-grade flower.