I'm on a mission to try them all at least once. :thumbsup: So far I've tried about 20 different kinds from the main dispensary that I frequent. Probably 20-30 left on my list. :jointsmile:

Look for stuff thats obviously sticky with resin.
Look for well trimmed buds. Buds with leaves on them are a sign of an amateur grower or a product that was rushed through the finishing process and came up light - so they left more leaves on the buds to make up for low weight issues.
ASK the vendor. Most dispensaries should be able to offer some description of the kind of pain relief each medicine will provide.
Keep personal records. I have an Excell spreadsheet. I keep notes on all the bud I buy and all the bud I'm given as samplers from friends and growers I meet. I write a description about the look, smell, taste, effects at 5 min - 15 min - 30 min - 45 min etc - also after taste, munchies, pain relief, high and endurance ( how long it lasts).
Smoke a lot of different stuff and keep records. Smoke it the same every time. My method is 2 hits out of my glass pipe. Then I record data and wait at least 1hr before another hit. I know that sounds boring to some people, but I'm seriously interested in pain relief that doesn't put me on the couch and doesn't cause me to eat the whole damn refrigerator. I'm doing my own rather unscientific research and keeping records. Maybe some day they will be of use.