Who Decides Cannabis Grades in Canada?

No government agency decides whether cannabis is AA, AAA, AAAA, or AAAA+. These are informal quality labels usually assigned by retailers, producers, and cannabis sellers.

In practice, the business selling the flower decides how it fits within its own grading system. This means a product labeled AAAA at one retailer may be labeled AAA or AAAA+ somewhere else.

Does Health Canada Grade Cannabis?

No. Health Canada regulates legal cannabis production, testing, packaging, labeling and safety requirements but it does not use an official AA-to-AAAA+ grading scale.

Cannabis products must display regulated information, including THC and CBD content. For dried flower, labels also include details such as net weight and required product information. These requirements help consumers compare products using measurable information rather than informal letter grades.

Who Assigns AAAA Grades?

Cannabis grades are typically assigned by:

• Producers describing their own products
• Retailers organizing flower into price or quality tiers
• Legacy market sellers using long standing informal terminology
• Cannabis consumers and reviewers sharing subjective quality opinions

A seller may consider bud structure, visible trichomes, aroma, trim quality, moisture level, cure, freshness and overall appearance when deciding whether a product is AAAA or AAAA+. However, there is no universal scoring system or outside certification that verifies the label.

Why Do Grades Vary Between Sellers?

Cannabis grading is subjective. One retailer may reserve AAAA+ for a very limited craft selection while another may use AAAA+ more broadly for premium flower.

For example, TWD Shop lists both Pink Gasoline AAAA+ (Craft) and Lazer Fuel AAAA+ (Craft Weed) as AAAA+ products. Each product should still be assessed on its own listed characteristics, not solely on the shared grade.

What Should You Use Instead of Grades?

Use letter grades as a starting point, not a guarantee. Compare the individual product by reviewing:

• THC and CBD information
• Terpene, aroma, and flavor details when provided
• The producer or grower
• Package or harvest date
• Product photos and descriptions
• Customer reviews
• Price relative to comparable flower

THC and CBD information on regulated products is based on testing for the relevant lot or batch, making it more useful for comparison than an informal AAAA or AAAA+ label.

Are AAAA and AAAA+ Still Useful?

Yes, as long as you understand what they are. AAAA and AAAA+ can help retailers signal that a product is positioned as premium flower, but they are not official Canadian grades and do not guarantee a particular potency level or experience.

For more on the label itself, see What Does AAAA Mean on Cannabis? and Is AAAA+ a Real Cannabis Grade?.