Cannabis Buying Quantities & How to Keep Your Cannabis Fresh

Cannabis Measurements 

Marijuana is usually sold in measurements that range from a single gram to 28 grams, which equals one ounce. The type of cannabis flower will impact how much you receive, as sativa strains are fluffier than indica strains, which are more compact. Keep in mind, that an eighth of sativa will be a different amount of buds, then a bag of indica buds, yet you are still getting the same amount of product. The measurements go like this;

Gram – A single gram is the lowest amount of bud that you can buy. This amount should give you enough cannabis for either two joints or a few decently sized bowls. When buying a gram, you should expect to have a few small to medium sized flowers.

Eighth – An “eighth” of an ounce, or 3.5 grams. A container this size will give you several small to medium flowers. For casual consumers who smoke only once or twice a day, an eighth could last up to two weeks, depending on the smoking method.

Quarter – A quarter of an ounce equals 7 grams. You should expect twice the amount of bud that comes in an eighth. A quarter of an ounce will be enough flower to fill half of a tall prescription bottle.

Ounce – Consisting of 28 grams, an ounce is a good amount of cannabis. Considering that the average joint consists of roughly 0.49 grams of cannabis, an ounce should yield you about 56 medium sized joints.

How much cannabis can you legally buy? 

Oklahoma law states:

“A single transaction by a dispensary with a patient, or the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) if patient is a licensed minor, or caregiver is limited to three (3) ounces of usable marijuana, one (1) ounce of marijuana concentrate, seventy-two (72) ounces of medical marijuana products, six (6) mature plants, and/or six (6) seedling plants. “

Keeping Your Cannabis Fresh 

Once you have bought your cannabis you will most likely smoke it within a reasonable amount of time, however, you should still try to preserve the potency and integrity of the cannabis flower by storing it properly until it is used. Temperature, light and air determine the rate of degradation in cannabis flower and can make all the difference on the shelf life of your cannabis.

Temperature and humidity levels – If cannabis bud is stored in a place with a temperature higher than 77 degrees Fahrenheit, the terpenes and cannabinoids in the flower can degrade, this means less potency when the flower is smoked. High temperatures can also encourage mold, and the cannabis flower will have to be thrown away if this occurs.

Mold can also be a problem for cannabis flower that has been stored in a place with too high of a humidity level. Some cannabis users have tried storing their bud in the refrigerator only to find mold occurring due to the high humidity level in refrigerators (caused by the frequent opening and closing of the door). Freezers are also an unwise place to store cannabis as the low temperatures can decrease potency by damaging the trichomes of the cannabis.

On the flip-side, if the humidity levels are too low, the flower can become dry and brittle. This cannabis texture leads to harsher smoke when used. Cannabis flower is found to be best stored at 59% and 63% humidity.

Oxygen – The flavor, potency and scent of cannabis flower can decrease if the bud is exposed to too much oxygen. Leaving your bud sitting out in the open will degrade your cannabis, so it’s best to keep it stored in a container when it is not in use.

The best way to keep your bud as potent and fresh as possible, until you use it, is to keep it stored in a cool, dry, dark place. Keeping cannabis in an airtight container, such as a mason jar, is the best way to store cannabis. Your cannabis will do best away from light in a dry place, such as a cabinet. Just be sure to keep the stored cannabis away from appliances that apply heat, such as stoves. Don’t be tempted to put your cannabis in the refrigerator or freezer, since that will not work well.

Under proper conditions, cannabis can keep a healthy form for up to three years. Just keep in mind, that the potency will decrease the longer the flower goes without being used, even if it keeps in good form. One study found that THC levels will lower over time even cannabis that is properly stored. The study states that after one year, the THC content in the cannabis flower decreased by an average of 16.6%. After two years, there was a 26.8% average decrease in the THC content of the flower. In the following years, THC content continued to diminish. So, it’s best to use that wonderful cannabis flower and not try to save it for a rainy day.

How can you tell if your cannabis is still fresh? 

Say, in a few months you clean out your cabinets to realize a small container of bud had fallen behind something in your storage space. Before you smoke your re-found treasure, how do you evaluate if your cannabis is still good?

In this scenario, give your cannabis flower a thorough examination. If the buds look old or brittle or if mold is visible, the cannabis is no longer good. Mold can be found inside the bud and can look like black spots, brown, white, grey or yellow fuzz. If it smells musty, it might have mold, if there is no smell at all, the potency may have decreased.  The texture of the flower should be springy and sticky, but not too moist. If it is not too dry, doesn’t have signs of mold and still smells healthy, then go for it!

One of the best qualities of cannabis is its durability. If you give it a little attention and keep it stored properly, it should last long enough to serve your needs as well as give you the effect you desire. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your Fire Leaf dispensary budtender for more information concerning the preservation of your medical cannabis, and always follow all Oklahoma Laws when doing anything with cannabis or cannabis products.