To avoid harsh hits and uncontrollable coughing fits the bud should be properly cured after drying. Normally it's not, because as soon as its dry they want to sell it for as big of a turnover as possible.

Good weed is cured weed, and cured weed [if done well] shouldnt make you cough at all.

And the amount you cough has nothing to do with THC. It might be partly something to do with the resins, but definatly not the chemical.