Cannabis packaging stays front and center in the dispensary experience. This is a major touchpoint for consumers faced with walls of options. How packaging looks is important to draw people in, but it is worth so much more than its face value. Methods for storing weed are instrumental in keeping products fresh and ready to use, and that starts at production.
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Each type of packaging has its pros and cons, from higher price to lasting quality. Certain options are specific to joints, flower, or concentrates–each requires a slightly different shape and function. This is how to properly judge a cannabis product by its cover.
Pre-roll tubes
If sales data is to be believed, people love pre-rolls. These products come in a packaging size dependent on how many joints are in a unit. Plastic tubes with a squeezable pop top are most common and can fit two large joints if need be. Many tubes will contain one.
There are also joint packs, which might come sealed in small plastic bags within boxes. Saints have made a name for themselves in Washington state with limited edition decorative art packs of joints. Check the packaging dates on boxed joints in case they are loose rather than sealed up inside.
Some joint packs come in jars, which is an ideal method for lasting flavor and quality smoke. Check the packing job at the dispensary to ensure the tips or ends of the joints are not smashed into the jar.
Pre-rolls move quickly and often will not be aged months on shelves. Still, check the dates, especially for the products packaged in bags.
Flower packaging
Dried herb is a beloved cannabis products. Connoisseurs can not help but take a sniff of a weed-filled jar, and even beginners have memories of hitting a joint or seeing one passed around. There are two ways modern weed is most commonly packaged: bags and jars.
Mylar bags
Mylar bags are a packaging solution made of polyester film and are often used to preserve pharmaceuticals, food, and now, weed. Cannabis flower packaged in mylar might not keep as fresh as other options, but it tends to be a cheaper choice for manufacturers.
This savings trickle down to the consumer with more affordable pricing, but be sure to check the packaging date to ensure the product won’t be crispy or flattened. Dry weed makes for a harsh smoke; it is best to avoid it. This is also not the most eco-friendly packaging; these bags will end up in landfills.
Glass jars
Premium weed is often sold pre-weighed in jars, sometimes with plastic lids and other times with metal. There are also corked options that bring high aesthetic value but can be tricky to get completely airtight. Glass jars are a fantastic packaging option but are often pricier. This, like mylar, translates to the price.
Those who want to live more sustainably will also appreciate glass over mylar. The glass vessel is recyclable in most markets, provided the plastic lids are removed and tossed.
Dab containers
Dabbable concentrates like live resin and shatter come in a few types of containers. Small glass containers are standard, and make it easy to scrape up every last glob. Silicone tubs are seen often for aftermarket use, but are rarely used by brands. These are useful for more solid concentrates, but things may get sticky the more viscous the wax. Before trusting one of these, be sure it is a medical-grade silicone. Medical grade uses a curing system that makes it more hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and durable.
Shatter and other BHO were once formed into coins and folded into parchment, but this time-consuming practice is less common now. Dip Devices has a branded clam shell container made with medical-grade silicone lining perfect for using their ceramic-tipped products. These have proven useful for everyone, not just Dip users.
Cannabis packaging equates to product longevity
Properly packaged pot tends to last longer with more prominent terpene profiles. Knowing what these materials are and how to best utilize them makes for an informed customer. These tips can help even the inexperienced canna-curious consumer find their perfect product.
