Flower Child or Pre-Roll Lover : Pick Your Puff

Do you know what the best joint is at Starbird?

It’s the ones you roll yourself!

    What’s one of the biggest perks of legal cannabis? Convenience! Gone are the days of waiting for your plug to text back just to score a quarter in a ziplock.Now, you've got nearly unlimited access, plus the luxury of choosing your ideal high. And hey, it even comes in slick packaging, so you know exactly what you're smoking. No more guesswork!

At our Salem dispensary, we’re all about making life easier. With our large variety of pre-rolls, there’s always something for everyone. But here’s a question we get a lot: “Is it better to just buy flower?”

The quick answer? Yup! While we love a good pre-roll at the end of the day, our budtenders typically grab bulk flower and roll their own. But we get it, rolling isn’t for everyone—some people don’t have the time, or maybe arthritis and chronic pain make it tough. Or maybe your roommate isn't too keen on the smell of your loud!

If you're the type who just wants to treat yourself to a couple pre-rolls for the week, great! But if you find yourself craving more after just one, it might be time to switch to flower. In this blog, we’ll break down the pros and cons, so you can figure out what’s more cost-effective and perfect for your smoking style.

Fresher Product

Bananaconda by Wellman Farm

Why is bulk flower usually fresher than prerolls?

Bulk flower tends to maintain its freshness longer than prerolls due to the way it's stored and handled. When you buy flower in bulk, it's typically kept in air-tight, opaque containers that protect it from light, air, and humidity—three major factors that cause cannabis to degrade. These containers help preserve the cannabinoids, terpenes, and moisture content of the flower, ensuring that it remains potent, flavorful, and aromatic when you purchase it.

In contrast, prerolls are made with ground-up flower, which exposes more surface area to air. Once the flower is ground and rolled into joints, it starts to lose terpenes and cannabinoids more quickly due to oxidation. Even if a preroll is stored in packaging, the grinding process speeds up degradation. This can lead to a harsher smoke and diminished flavor over time, especially if the preroll sits on the shelf for a while.

Additionally, bulk flower retains more of the natural structure, keeping trichomes—the tiny, crystal-like glands that produce cannabinoids and terpenes—intact. These trichomes can be damaged or lost during the grinding process required for prerolls, resulting in less potency. With bulk flower, you get the full benefit of its preserved trichomes, which not only enhance the effects but also contribute to the overall taste and aroma of the strain.

For cannabis enthusiasts who value a fresher, more flavorful experience, buying flower is the superior option. It allows you to handle the cannabis yourself just before use, maximizing freshness and delivering the best possible smoking or vaping experience.

Preroll joints from Wellman Farm

Cost Effectiveness

Is bulk flower more cost-effective than prerolls?

When you buy bulk flower, you're typically getting a better deal per gram compared to prerolls, which tend to have a markup for the convenience factor. Prerolls are pre-packaged, manufactured products, meaning you're paying extra for the labor, packaging, and sometimes even the branding that goes into them. In contrast, bulk flower is sold by weight, so you're only paying for the cannabis itself.

Additionally, buying bulk flower allows you to have more control over how much you use in each session. Instead of being locked into the fixed amount in a preroll, you can stretch your supply by rolling smaller joints, using a pipe or bong, or vaporizing your flower. This flexibility means you can make your cannabis last longer, ultimately saving you money in the long run. Moreover, dispensaries often offer discounts on larger quantities of flower, so buying an eighth or more at once is usually cheaper per gram than buying individual prerolls. In short, bulk flower gives you more product for your money, better value in larger quantities, and the freedom to consume in ways that suit your needs.

Flower Rituals vs. Pre-Roll Convenience: Striking the Perfect Balance

Is it better to smoke flower or prerolls?

At Starbird, we like to say that prerolls can feel a bit sacrilegious when it comes to the ritual of cannabis. It’s like getting takeout instead of cooking a meal. Without the tactile experience of handling the flower—smelling the buds, grinding them, and rolling them just the way you like—you miss out on the connection that many consider an essential part of the cannabis journey.

That said, if prerolls are your preference, that's perfectly fine! There are plenty of valid reasons why someone might choose prerolls, and we're always happy to provide the best options available. However, it's important to note that many prerolls are machine-rolled and may sit in storage for extended periods. As a result, the flower inside can become tightly packed, which may cause issues like difficulty lighting or uneven burning. To avoid this, we recommend gently loosening the preroll by giving it a light squeeze, allowing for better airflow. This simple step ensures a smoother smoking experience and helps you get the most out of your preroll.

Ultimately, whether you prefer prerolls for their convenience or bulk flower for the full ritual and control, it all comes down to personal preference and lifestyle. Each option has its benefits, and both can offer a great cannabis experience when chosen with care. At Starbird, we’re here to support your journey, whatever form it takes. Whether you’re lighting up a perfectly packed preroll or rolling your own from our top-shelf bulk flower, we’ll always provide you with high-quality products and expert advice to ensure the best experience possible. The choice is yours—so roll, spark, and enjoy responsibly. Fly high!