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Medicinal Cannabis Flower: How to Check Quality and Prepare It for Your Vaporiser

  • Medio
  • Nov 1
  • 3 min read

Medicinal cannabis flower can work beautifully in a dry-herb vaporiser — if the flower is good quality and properly prepared. Below is a patient-friendly guide you can adapt for Medio patients.


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1. How to check the quality of your flower



Even with regulated products, handling and storage can affect quality. When you first open the container, check:



a) Appearance (visual check)



  • Colour: healthy medicinal flower is usually green with orange/brown pistils. Very dark, brown, or dull-looking flower can indicate age or poor curing.

  • Trichomes: look for a light “frosting” — these are the resin glands that contain cannabinoids and terpenes.

  • No seeds/stems in excess: a couple of stems is normal, but a jar full of stemmy material is lower quality.



b) Aroma (terpenes)



  • Open the jar and take a gentle smell.

  • You should notice a distinct, plant-based aroma (citrus, pine, herbal, earthy — depends on the strain).

  • No smell can mean it’s too dry or old.

  • Off, musty, or “wet cupboard” smell → don’t use it. Contact the supplier/pharmacy.



c) Moisture level



Vaporisers need slightly moist, not wet, not bone dry flower.


  • If it crumbles to dust immediately → too dry.

  • If it feels spongy or damp → too wet (harder to vape evenly).

  • Ideal: breaks apart but still a little springy.



If your product seems unfit for use (mould, contamination, broken seal), contact your pharmacist or your Medio prescriber.



2. Storage to protect quality



To keep your flower vape-ready:


  • Store in original container (often opaque/child-resistant).

  • Keep in a cool, dark place (not bathroom, not car, not window).

  • Avoid the fridge/freezer (can damage trichomes and invite condensation).

  • If you live in a very dry climate, ask your pharmacist about a humidity pack (58–62%).



3. Preparing flower for your vaporiser



Step 1: Weigh or measure your dose



Follow the dose your prescriber gave you. If you were given a range (e.g. 0.05–0.1 g), start at the lower end and titrate slowly.



Step 2: Grind the flower



  • Use a herb grinder (not kitchen scissors if you can avoid it).

  • Aim for a medium-fine grind:


    • Too coarse → poor extraction.

    • Too fine/powdery → can clog some vaporisers.


  • Some devices prefer a fluffier grind — check your device manual.




Step 3: Load the chamber correctly



  • Not sure about dry herb vaporisers? Read our post about dry herb vaporisers first.

  • Gently fill the oven/chamber.

  • Don’t overpack — warm air has to move through the plant material.

  • Light tamp is okay, but don’t compact it unless your device recommends it.




Step 4: Set the right temperature



The temperature you set on the vaporiser depends on what effect you are targeting and which terpenes are best to treat your condition. It often takes a bit of trial and error.



Lower temps (155–175°C)


  • Better for flavour and lighter effects

  • You’ll pick up pinene, caryophyllene, myrcene, limonene depending on the strain

  • Good for daytime, anxiety-prone patients, or people new to THC

  • Less harsh on the throat




2. Medium temps (176–190°C)


  • “Balanced” zone

  • You start to get more complete terpene + cannabinoid release

  • Good for pain and general symptom control




3. Higher temps (190–205°C+)


  • More sedating in many strains

  • Helps release linalool and humulene, which boil higher

  • Can be useful at night or for patients chasing stronger effect

  • But: vapour may feel warmer — make sure your device is clea




5. How to tell it’s “spent”



A well-vaped flower (often called “ABV” – already-been-vaped):


  • Turns light to medium brown

  • Loses most of its aroma

  • Produces very little vapour even at higher temps



If the flower turns black → it’s too hot, close to combustion. Drop the temperature.



6. Common problems (and fixes)



  • “I’m not getting vapour.”

    → Grind a bit finer, check battery, raise temperature slightly, don’t overpack.

  • “It’s too harsh.”

    → Lower temperature, check moisture (not bone dry), clean the mouthpiece.

  • “It tastes bad.”

    → Clean your device, use fresh flower, check for overcooking (too high temp).



7. Safety and legality in Australia



  • Use only your prescribed medicinal cannabis.

  • Don’t drive if impaired or if prescribed a product containing THC. Make sure you read our post on the driving laws in Australia.

  • If you develop dizziness, anxiety, chest symptoms, or interact with other meds, contact your prescriber.



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