The food industry has been using nitrogen flushing for packaging since the 1970’s. Marijuana vendors have just started to use nitrogen flushing. Nitrogen flushing can be expensive and time consuming. The question is whether the advantages of nitrogen flushing for marijuanapackaging outweigh the costs and inconvenience. 

 marijuana packaging

How does nitrogen flushing work?

Standardvacuum packaging removes the oxygen from a container. Vacuum packaging works well for products like jerky or coffee, because it protects them and extends their shelf life. Nitrogen flushing goes beyond normal vacuum packaging by driving the oxygen out of the container and then replacing it with nitrogen.This creates a small positive pressure which covers the product, acting as a protective cushion. High heat is then used to seal the bag. Potato chips for example, are packed in nitrogen flushed bags.

 

Advantages of nitrogen flushing.

Oxygen converts the THC in marijuana tocannabinol, or CBN, which lowers the psychoactive attributes of the marijuana. Nitrogen flushing stops this conversion. It keeps the marijuana fresh in appearance and taste, for an extended time and is one of the few packaging techniques that masks the aroma of marijuana.  Essentially, nitrogen flushing prolongs the shelf life of the marijuana, so that it keeps its strength. Nitrogen flushing also helps keep marijuana free of molds. Nitrogen flushing has the final benefit of keepingdelicate products from being crushed.

 

Disadvantages of nitrogen flushing

A good quality, commercialnitrogen flushing and sealing unit, suitable for use with marijuanapackaging costs from $5000 to $35,000dollars. There are other less expensive packaging techniques that keep marijuana fresh and conceal the aroma. Nitrogen flushing also takes more time than regular packaging, adding another layer of difficulty to retail and dispensary marijuana packaging.

 

After weighing the advantages and disadvantages, Nitrogen flushing seems to be a technique best suited for large grow farms that have just harvested their cannabis, and need to storeit for a longer period. For medical and recreational retailers who sell their productquickly, simplermarijuana packaging techniques work just as well, and are less expensive and time consuming.