A new service has been announced that will help Missouri cannabis consumers, patients, and industry stakeholders to, for the first time, define truly high-quality cannabis flower.

The Cannabis Cultivar Selection Scale (CCSS) provides an independent, science- and experience-based evaluation that helps consumers and retailers move beyond THC percentage as the primary measure of quality.

Unlike reviews or competitions rooted in personal preference, CCSS offers a consistent, unbiased, and complete assessment of cannabis flower available on dispensary shelves. The service is designed to give consumers a clearer understanding of what they’re buying and to support cultivators who prioritize quality.

Displaying a Cannabis Cultivar Selection Scale rating on packaging or promotional materials offers a quick, easy reference for quality that gives consumers something palpable to discern, an accessible guide to help make confident purchasing decisions in a crowded market.

“For too long, the driving qualifier for cannabis has been THC percentage. No other product with such a rich tapestry of flavors, unique identifiers, and key compositional notes relies on something as trivial as potency to dictate its worth, nor should cannabis.”

“Cannabis is so much more than THC, and it has been difficult historically to point to any metric to quantify or distinguish really good cannabis flower. As a result, both industry buyers and retail consumers often default to THC percentage and ‘potency’ as something tangible to show value, we’re hoping to change that,” said B.E. Dunn, Founder and COO of CCSS.

“For years, there have been reviews and competitions. But as great as those are, they’re fundamentally rooted in preference and discernment of individuals. The Cannabis Cultivar Selection Scale aims to change the discussion, moving away from THC percentage and potency to focus on the total profile of the plant and the true characteristics of the flower. We have created an educated scoring system that will help educate retail staff and consumers, while offering a different talking point and an open door to further discussion. Those who are passionate about the plant know that true quality isn’t indicated by THC.”

   

CCSS wasn’t developed with only consumers in mind; the Cannabis Cultivar Selection Scale benefits cultivators by offering a trusted, third-party validation of their flower quality. The score provides a meaningful and marketable distinction that helps elevate cultivars based on overall quality. “Simply put, a CCSS score showcases in one label what growers, budtenders, and consumers have been trying to define for years—the quality of cannabis,” Dunn explained.

“Excited to partner GCA Labs with B. E. Dunn & CCSS as we work together to help define quality flower in Missouri’s cannabis industry. I’m especially looking forward to shifting the narrative away from simply ‘high potency.’ There’s so much more to flower quality, and to creating a truly enjoyable cannabis experience,” said Jess Cooksey, Chief Operating Officer of GCA Labs.

The goal of CCSS is to provide both consumers and cannabis industry professionals with an easily understandable metric of quality for quick reference, and to create conversation and educational opportunities. Public results will be released following official scoring periods, giving Missouri cannabis users a new way to evaluate and explore cultivars in a competitive and evolving marketplace.

To learn more about CCSS, visit SelectionScale.com.

Cannabis. Quality. Defined.

About CCSS

Founded in 2024, the Cannabis Cultivar Selection Scale (CCSS) is an independent cannabis evaluation service based in Missouri. CCSS provides a standardized scoring system for final packaged cannabis flower, combining laboratory data with blind, experience-based assessments. Built on the principles of fairness, transparency, and integrity, CCSS was created to help consumers, retailers, and producers better understand and define quality in cannabis. By shifting focus away from THC percentage and highlighting the total composition of the flower, CCSS aims to promote education, drive informed purchasing decisions, and elevate product standards across the industry.