Examining packaging / storage

Violet Glass storage jars

Salutations

I have complained about the current packaging for cannabis products as wastefully large, multiple materials- so difficult to recycle, and poorly sealed- both for air exposure and access to children.  But lets take a closer look at how and why-


The best quality packages have been opaque dark jars with a tinfoil vac seal and push and screw top.  (Broken Coast)
Although still needlessly large, at least they have a freshness quality other types did not.  Check the package date and wonder to yourself- What is keeping it from getting dried out in the 2 months it took for it to reach you?

Dried cannabis flowers lose potency of THC through time, exposure to UV light, oxygen and humidity. 

Large scale production often calls for large scale packaging and storage before final distribution.
After plant material has been cut, it must be given a first trim to remove large fan leaves, larger stem sections and any undesirable flower to be used for concentrates or milled product.  It will then stay in a first cure stage where buds are left to dry on stems until the resinous glands have started to crystallize and off gas. 

A secondary trim to manicure individual buds before being moved to another humidity controlled environment to achieve its final state.   There is just as much an art to growing as there is to curing in the hands of master growers.  Often rushed in "commercial" grows with a product either overly dry, or still holding dangerous humidity that could lead to mold or other post packaging rot. 


Vac packaging has been a long time staple of breeders. Once a final cure is reached, you can package tightly and with a decent amount of odor protection- great for shipping or storing large volumes.


"Top Shelf" bud will hopefully never see packaging until your order is placed. Moving from perfectly cured Violet Glass jar ware, or stainless steel humidors kept between 59-63RH to ensure maximum terpene preservation. Once you've seen the almost gem like displays of perfectly cured cannabis you will immediately skip the line to flavor country.


Plastic bags trap gasses that the curing plant is trying to release, and keeping them in there can often give your weed a bit of a greenhouse scent.  Keeping it in the dark is key, using opaque containers made of glass or steel.  Plastic can actually bond with your precious trichomes and degrade the container over time to boot.  Wood is nice,  but don't use a cigar humidor, as they often will end up flavoring your stored product in ways you didn't intend. (CEDAR)  Otherwise consider ordering some cannabis specific storage solutions like desiccants and vac pump jars.

A kief box is something that is a fairly popular choice that has the added benefit of allowing you to neatly clean up any crystals that would normally get lost. Now treat yourself to the worlds simplest concentrate- Kief! And for you connoisseur types- high end stuff from Cannador.