With dispensaries coming to West Virginia within the next few months or so, many are looking deeper into the type of medical marijuana formats that you will be able to purchase.
One of the most popular formats of medical marijuana, and simply marijuana in general, is marijuana flower. Flower is the raw cannabis form that is traditionally smoked, vaped or used in extracts and edibles. Flower will be available for sale at West Virginia dispensaries once they are up and running!
You can stay up to date on everything marijuana in the state by following our blog and you can register for your medical marijuana card with us if you have a qualifying medical condition. Call us or schedule an appointment online today!
This brings about the age old question… does marijuana go bad?
The short answer is yes but not to worry, the life of marijuana flower can be prolonged! Keep reading for all you need to know about proper marijuana flower storage, the best ways to keep your stash fresh and how you can get flower in West Virginia for yourself.
Why is Proper Storage Important?
Moisture:
Moisture is the number one threat to marijuana flower. If your flower is overly moist it can develop mold or mildew overtime. If moldy or mildewy marijuana flower is consumed, it can lead to very dangerous health consequences.
Humidity levels where your flower is stored should be less than 65%; if over that, you can risk having moldy or mildewy marijuana flower.
There is a fine line though. While too much moisture can make flower go bad, flower can also be too dry. If flower loses too much of its moisture, it can become brittle which will make it lose its potency, terpene profile and overall effectiveness to treat your medical condition.
Good news! This is not totally on you! Finding the right balance between moist and dry flower starts before you even buy marijuana at your local dispensary.
Cultivators who process the marijuana flower dry the flower out first and then put it through a curing process. If the flower is properly cured by the cultivator, the moisture in the flower will slowly dissipate without losing any of its cannabinoids and terpenes.
The moisture levels will lower to around 6-9% before it is placed into packaging that will keep it safe from excess oxygen. Once you take it out of the package, it is up to you to maintain that balance so you can get the most out of your medical marijuana flower!
Temperature:
The second biggest threat to your marijuana flower is temperature. The best temperature to store your flower at is around 70 degree Fahrenheit.
Temperature also goes hand in hand with the moisture enemy. High temperatures in combination with high humidity is the recipe for flower ending up with mold or mildew. On the other hand, high temps can also dry out the flower too and cause the terpene profile to evaporate.
The best thing to do is to keep your flower in a cool, dry place such as your pantry, closet or drawer.
Light:
Exposure to light is actually the largest contributor to the loss of cannabinoids and terpenes. If you are able to store your flower in a dark temperature controlled environment, it is said that marijuana flower can last 1-2 years!
A lot of people like to store their flower in mason jars around the house. Although this is more aesthetically pleasing, UV light can still get in since the container is clear. The best thing to do is to store your marijuana in some sort of container that is opaque since it will filter out the UV rays.
Interestingly enough, this is why beer bottles are brown and not clear. Brewers know that brown containers will filter out UV making their beer retain its integrity. You can apply this same concept to your flower storage!
Make sure that these opaque containers are tightly sealed. Exposure to oxygen can essentially make your flower lose its flavor, cannabinoids and terpenes profile making it less effective for your medical condition over time.
Also keep in mind to reduce the oxygen in the container itself as well. So make sure to have a smaller container that is airtight with not a lot of space for air in it. In other words, don’t have a large jar for a few buds. Obviously, it is impossible to get all the air out of your container, but minimizing it to the best of your ability can make your stash last!
The Best Way to Store Marijuana Flower
When you are able to keep in mind that moisture, temperature and light all affect the integrity of marijuana flower, you will be able to keep your flower fresh for longer.
Although keeping flower in mason jars or sandwich bags are some of the most popular ways to store marijuana, it’s also one of the worst ways. Dispensaries even can have their marijuana flower in glass jars simply because the traditions are hard to break.
Just remember that once marijuana flower is in your hands, it is up to you to extend its life so that you can best treat your medical condition. All you have to do is keep your flower in a cool, dark place in an opaque container that is airtight!
How Can I Access Flower in West Virginia?
Although dispensaries are not open yet in the state, the registry for medical marijuana is officially open in West Virginia. With West Virginia Marijuana Card, the process of getting your medical marijuana card in order to purchase flower from a dispensary is easy!
All you have to do is have proof of residency in the state, be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition and have an official written certification from a licensed physician.
We can help you with all of this!
You deserve relief. Don’t wait another day! Call us at (877) 303-8424 or schedule an appointment online today.
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
West Virginia Marijuana Card’s mission is to everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
If you have any questions, call us at 877-303-8424, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out West Virginia Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in West Virginia.