Pre-Milled Flower: Pros & Cons

The cannabis industry prioritizes convenience. Over the years, we’ve seen the rise of convenience-centric products like discreet THC capsules and portable vaporizers when you’re on the go.

Another convenient option for stoners is pre-milled or pre-ground flower. The name is self-explanatory, meaning the whole flower you’d purchase from a dispensary has already been ground or milled for you. 

Everyone has their preferences. That’s why we’re breaking down the pros and cons of purchasing pre-milled flower. Read on to find out if this flower option is right for you.

The obvious benefit of pre-milled flower is that it’s already been ground or milled for you. There’s no need to use a grinder.

Thus, pre-ground flower can be better for those who desire quick, easy, and effortless hits without bringing a grinder along for the ride. It eliminates the need for additional smoking accessories.

Stoners can be picky. We all have our preferences. Some consumers may prefer big, large chunks of flower to roll joints, blunts, or smoke through a bong, vape, or pipe.

Extremely ground weed can be difficult to work with, but some stoners use it just fine. A courser grind usually contains more terpenes and flavonoids. If you’re a beginner, this might not mean much to you.

Most of the time, pre-ground or pre-milled flower will be less expensive than whole flower. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s lower quality.

Whole cannabis flower can be very expensive, especially when purchasing top-shelf, premium options from notable brands. Not everyone can afford that every time, meaning pre-milled flower is a great option for stoners on a budget.

This con varies from brand to brand. Unfortunately, many anecdotal reports and reviews state that some brands sell pre-ground flower as a way to make a quick buck with the excess leaves that have fallen off whole flower buds, also known as “shake.”

Shake has a much lower potency and reduced flavors than whole flower. The key to ensuring your pre-milled flower is good quality is by reading into the brand and the product. Does the company note that they use whole flower? Or do they say nothing at all?

If you’re just entering the wide world of weed, pre-milled flower is an excellent option. You don’t need to purchase a grinder as the flower is already ground, and all it requires is something to smoke it with.

In some cases, pre-ground flower is less potent than premium whole flower. Beginners might prefer this, as pre-ground flower still produces a high but not to the extent of high-THC whole flower.

Most brands mill their flower so much that it results in less potency. That’s because whole flower contains all the terpenes, flavonoids, and trichomes present on the buds at harvest.

When ground and milled to a fine and thin consistency, it can result in less terpenes and lower potency, since the THC-filled trichomes have fallen off the bud. This isn’t always the case, but just something to keep in mind.

Pre-milled or pre-ground flower might be the best option for you if:

• You prefer the convenience of not having to grind
• You’re on a budget
• You’re a beginner

On the other hand, whole flower might be the better option if you prefer:

• Higher potencies
• Grinding flower to your own preferred consistency
• Purchasing intact flower with all the trichomes, terpenes, and flavonoids