Post-cure care of cannabis affects not only the actual flower but also the quality of products derived from her, such as concentrates. The most sought-after compounds in flower are her cannabinoids and terpenes.
An ounce of cannabis concentrate contains a greater proportion of compounds than smokable flower.
-Weedmaps
PREVENTING POST-CURE FLOWER FROM DEGRADING PROTECTS CANNABIS VALUE
High-quality flower should produce high-quality concentrates. (The good-in, good-out theory.) But during storage, transportation and packaging—her most vulnerable stages—some cultivators leave that high-quality flower exposed to evaporation.
Left unprotected against moisture loss, flower degrades immediately in bins and jars—even if these containers are tightly closed. Terpenes evaporate. And trichomes get brittle and break off and along with them goes cannabinoids. Then that high-quality flower that cultivators labored over is not as valuable as it could have been.
SHIELDING TERPENES & COATING TRICHOMES PREVENTS QUALITY FROM EVAPORATING
Cultivators safeguard those terpenes and cannabinoids by storing flower with Boveda. Boveda prevents evaporation of terpenes by creating a monolayer of purified water molecules that naturally coats trichomes. And maintaining a precise moisture level with Boveda helps flower hold on to her water content, her water weight and her potency.
GROWING IN POPULARITY: CANNABIS CONCENTRATES
Adults are experimenting with varied ways of getting their cannabinoids. (Not every grandma is comfortable lighting one up, after all.) As legalization continues to take hold, more adults are consuming more cannabis-derived products. As of December 2019, Canadian consumers will finally be able to legally purchase edibles and concentrates. And demand for concentrates and oils has been steadily growing in legal adult-use states.
By 2022, consumption of concentrates and edibles in U.S. will eclipse the use of flower, 50% compared to 36%.
– Arcview & BDS Analytics Cannabis Intelligence Briefing
And quality counts—whether flower is smoked or divined for her compounds. Cultivators looking to increase the marketability of their flower cannot gamble on losing terps or potency. Meticulous care of cannabis and hemp must continue post cure to earn the most from that top-shelf flower. Save the terps with Boveda.
WHAT’S TRENDING BEYOND FLOWER AT CANNABIS TRADE SHOWS
It’s a whole new world out there, and consumers are choose their own adventure. Long gone are the days where the only choices they had was bong or bowl. The refined cannaseurs now opt for high-end solvent-less concentrates or non-alcoholic, THC-infused rosé spritzers. Flower is still popular for purists, but the potency, flavor, and terpene profiles have definitely improved.
Cultivators can’t be everywhere, so here are some new premium cannabis products popping up at cannabis trade shows.
For many, cannabis and coffee go together just like coffee and Sunday morning. Regulators have mostly shied away from co-mingling THC with caffeine until now. Somatik launched an infused cold brew coffee as well as THC and CBD chocolate-covered espresso beans, goji berries and golden berries. This California company was founded with wellness at the forefront (“somatik” means mind-body balance).
To make its signature product, Somatik uses only top-shelf sun-grown flower. Then removes certain terpenes that don’t play well with coffee beans through a nano-emulsification process. Somatik is already dominating the category in its native Golden State. Next up? The food and beverage brand hopes to expand into other adult-use states and Canada.
Papa & Barkley, one of the best-selling cannabis topicals in the U.S., has released Papa’s Select, a line of artisan solventless extracts. Living Extracts, which are created in limited batches, are highly desired because they showcase the essence of the plant and distinct, robust terpene profiles.
The brand makes ice water hash by freezing high quality cured cannabis and then separating the trichomes from the plant using dry ice baths and special plastic bags that sift the crystals. Then live rosin is created by applying extreme heat and pressure to the ice water hash to “squish” out the cannabinoids. The potency of live rosin is higher than traditional rosin.
Despite commanding a hefty price tag compared to other concentrates, Papa’s Select regularly sells out at dispensaries across California.
Beauty is one of the fast-growing segments of the legal cannabis industry, especially the use of CBD in beauty products. Potency No. 710 hemp-based serums, facial washes, masques and SPF sunscreens already have a cult-like following. The brand sources only high-quality, low-THC compounds for its line.
Potency No. 710 was founded by Mandy Lile, a Kentucky native with an esthetician background who moved to Los Angeles in search of greener pastures. The brand name is a clever play on a popular slang term for cannabis concentrates. 710 is code for “oil.” (When you read 710 upside down, it resembles the word OIL.)
The company invites customers to join its 710 Society, yet limits membership to just 710. Cannabis skin care devotees in the Society enjoy member savings, VIP product releases, special event invites and free shipping on all online orders.
Craft cultivation is indeed an art form. Perfectly trimmed and sculpted nugs are beautiful enough to showcase on a mantle—not hidden away in a jar or drawer.
The Apothecarry Indo-Lifestyle brand creates luxury cannabis storage systems and accessories. The company was founded by a 30-something mother and former television executive who wanted to elevate the look and function of flower storage.
The brand’s flagship product, the Apothecarry Case is a showpiece crafted from hardwood. Consumers can customize the case’s features based on how and what they consume—flower, waxes, oils, etc. The removable rolling tray even features a handy cutout, which is like a coaster for a jar. The case’s lock system safeguards against kids or pets getting into your medicine.
And, of course, the airtight Apothecarry is stocked with Boveda to shield terpenes and keep trichomes nice and sticky to preserve their potency.
