3 Benefits of Pre-Packaged Cannabis Flower

Flower is — and continues to be — the primary category sold at dispensaries. According to data, flower made up 58% of total sales in 2020.

But how it’s sold isn’t consistent.

• Deli-style = flower is weighed out from a clear storage container for each purchase
• Pre-packaged = flower is weighed out and packaged ahead of time

Continue reading for 4 reasons why cannabis dispensaries choose to pre-package flower.

1. Pre-packaging reduces risk of contamination

Pre-packing your flower provides a clean and quality product for your client. The more cannabis is handled, smelled, and examined — at every stage of the supply chain — the more susceptible it becomes to contaminants, like mold and mildew.

Think about an average transaction taking place in a deli-style dispensary:

• A customer asks to look at a certain strain of flower.
• The budtender opens the jar for them to see.
• The customer puts their nose into the container to smell it.
• The budtender reaches into the container to pick out some nugs. Sometimes they use chopsticks (that have probably touched countless other surfaces).
• Repeat until the jar is empty.
• Wash the container (ideally, but not always), refill it with new flower, and repeat.

This is a common scenario, but a basic understanding of germs makes it less appealing. While it’s unlikely that viruses or bacteria will be transferred from flower, it is likely that the quality of the bud will be impacted.

The quality of the product is dependent on the brand and its cleanliness, but also on how the flower is processed, shipped, and stored.

With deli-style, most dispensaries clean and reuse storage containers.

Pre-packaging — when done with stringent packaging and sealing processes — can help ensure customers receive a clean, uncontaminated product.

Finally, pre-packaging helps ensure compliance with cannabis packaging and label regulations. In many states, marijuana flower must be sold in opaque, child-resistant, resealable packaging. Labels must include specific details, such as warnings, ingredients, and expiration date.

Choosing to pre-package means every package is labeled and handled according to state regulations, reducing risk and taking human error out of the equation.

2. Pre-packaging seals in the flower’s freshness

With deli-style, containers are either left open, or continually opened throughout the day to let customers sniff and/or actually package up the bud. Exposure to air makes the flower dry out faster, which will impact quality.

Pre-packaging flower seals in humidity and preserves the desirable compounds that give cannabis it’s aroma and flavor.

Research has shown that exposure to light and air can degrade cannabinoids and terpenes over time.

Pre-packaging also improves the shelf life of your flower. This means less spoilage, which impacts your bottom line.

However, how products are packaged and sealed is vital. Many brands are choosing child-proof glass containers, packaged in a box to block out light, and include humidity packs to keep the product fresh, similar to packaged foods.

Part of sealing in freshness is also sealing in scent. For dispensaries that wish to create a more clinical or upscale retail environment, controlling odors may be desirable.

In addition to freshness, there’s an opportunity with pre-packaging to expand your brand identity with stunning visuals and curated experiences. Much like the joy of opening a new iPhone, modern dispensaries create experiences for customers through their packaging, often with a nod to eco-friendliness and sustainability.

3. Pre-packaging improves inventory control

Cannabis flower naturally loses weight due to moisture evaporation. This impacts customer satisfaction and bud quality, but also causes discrepancies in your inventory.

Pre-packaging flower prevents weight loss, especially in drier climates. It also prevents loss of shake and kief due to handling.

A switch to pre-packaged flower may not be as disruptive as you think.

There’s also a middle ground. Consider a hybrid model where some bud is pre-packed, and some is available for deli-style. At a minimum, allow you to see and smell small samples of your flower.

Is pre-packaged cannabis right for you?

While it may seem beneficial to allow customers to look at, smell, and pick desired nugs, the negatives of the deli-style process are beginning to outweigh the benefits. However, pre-packaging weed may not be the best solution for all dispensaries.

The dissenters teach us that quality and reputation are everything. Prove that pre-packed cannabis is as good as, or even better than, the deli-style option.

Originally published at https://flowhub.com.