Recently, the Louisiana House approved a bill that would allow marijuana flower to be sold in dispensaries all over the state! This bill had overwhelming support which hopefully will also be reflected as the bill heads to the Senate for debate.
Marijuana flower is one of the most popular forms of medical marijuana and marijuana in general because it has many benefits. Flower is versatile, gives patients more variety and also is at a lower price point since it is not overly processed.
You can stay up to date on marijuana bills in the state by following our blog and you can also get an evaluation for your medical marijuana card with us if you have a serious medical condition. Call us or schedule an appointment online today!
With flower soon coming to Louisiana, many are wondering… does marijuana flower go bad?
The short answer is yes but no need to worry, the life of marijuana flower can be prolonged! Keep reading for all you need to know about how to keep your marijuana flower fresh and how to get it in Louisiana once it is approved for purchase.
How to Properly Store Marijuana Flower
Threat #1: Moisture
Moisture is the biggest threat to marijuana flower. If your flower is overly moist it can risk growing mold or mildew overtime. If moldy or mildewy flower is consumed, it can lead to very dangerous health consequences.
Humidity levels should be less than 65% where your flower is stored. If the humidity reaches over that, you can risk having moldy or mildewy flower.
Even though too much moisture can make flower go bad, it can also be too dry. If flower loses too much of its moisture, it can become brittle and lose its potency, terpene profile and overall effectiveness to treat your medical condition.
The good news is that this isn’t totally up to you! Finding the right balance between moist and dry flower starts long before buying your flower at the dispensary.
Cultivators dry the flower out first, then put it through a curing process. If the flower is cured properly, the moisture in the flower will slowly evaporate without causing it to lose any of its cannabinoids and terpenes.
The moisture levels should be lowered to around 6-9% before it is placed into packaging. Once you take your flower 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 once it is legal in the state!
Threat #2: Temperature
The second thing to keep in mind when considering flower storage is temperature. The best temperature to store your marijuana flower at is around 70 degree Fahrenheit.
High temperatures in combination with high humidity is the enemy to keeping marijuana flower fresh and effective. These two things can cause mold and mildew together.
On the other hand, high temperatures can also dry out flower too and cause the potency and 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.
Threat #3: Light
Exposure to light is in fact the biggest contributor to the loss of cannabinoid and terpene potency in flower. If you are able to store your flower in a dark, temperature controlled space, marijuana flower can last you up to 2 years!
You most commonly see people store their flower in mason jars. Although this is aesthetically pleasing and a sort of marijuana tradition, UV light can still damage the buds. The best thing you can do is store your flower in some sort of container that is opaque since it will filter out the UV rays.
Interesting fact, this is why beer bottles are brown, not clear. Brewers know that brown containers will filter out UV rays which will make their beer retain its integrity. You can apply this same thought process to your flower storage!
Make sure that these opaque containers are tightly sealed too. Exposure to oxygen can 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 exposure within the container itself. In other words, don’t have a large jar for a few buds. Get a smaller jar where the buds fill most of it up to the top, reducing the amount of air the stays in. 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!
Best Practices for Flower Storage
Keeping in mind that moisture, temperature and light all play a part in keeping the integrity of marijuana flower, you will be able to keep your flower fresh for a longer time.
We usually see people keeping their flower in mason jars or sandwich bags. Although this is super popular it is also one of the worst ways to store flower. Even dispensaries can keep their flower in glass jars simply because it's a marijuana tradition.
Just remember that once marijuana flower is made legal in the state and is in your hands, it is up to you to preserve it 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 and you are good to go!
How to Get Marijuana Flower in Louisiana
As of now, the Louisiana medical marijuana program does not permit the sale of flower at dispensaries. But don’t fret! This could be heading to Louisiana soon as the House recently voted to approve the sale of flower in the state. The bill is heading to the Senate for its final decision!
Once flower is legal in the state, the process of getting your medical marijuana card in order to purchase flower from a dispensary is easy with us!
All you have to do is have proof of residency in the state, be diagnosed with a serious medical condition and have an official written recommendation from a licensed physician.
We can help you with all of this!
You deserve relief. Don’t wait another day! Call us at (833) 253-2943 or schedule an appointment online today.
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
At Louisiana Marijuana Card, our mission is to help 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.
Call us at (833) 253-2943, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Louisiana 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 Louisiana!