It’s crucial to store your cannabis properly to ensure that it lasts and maintains its cannabinoid structure, potency, and flavour as long as possible. The key to long-lasting cannabis is to store it in the right conditions – in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Use a clean, airtight container like a mason jar or a ceramic container that can be easily opened and closed/sealed every time. Avoid using plastic or metal containers, as they can degrade the quality of your weed.
By storing your cannabis correctly, you can prolong its shelf life, preserve the beneficial compounds, improve the flavour, and prevent mold and mildew from forming. So, let’s explore the best ways to store your cannabis to make the most out of your precious flower.
Why Proper Cannabis Storage Is Important
Proper storage of cannabis is essential to ensure that your dried and cured buds maintain their quality and potency over time. By storing your cannabis correctly, you can enhance its shelf life, preserve the beneficial compounds in the trichomes, improve the flavour of the buds, and prevent mold and mildew from forming. In this article, we will discuss the importance of cannabis storage, where to store your cannabis, the best storage containers to use, and how to prepare your cannabis for storage.
Where to Store Cannabis
It’s vital to store marijuana products in a cool, dark, and dry area away from direct sunlight. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can degrade the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in the trichomes, leading to a decrease in potency and flavour. High temperatures and damp areas can also promote the growth of mold and mildew on your cannabis. Ideally, the relative humidity for cannabis storage should be between 55% and 65%. Low cupboards, shelves, or flood-proofed basements make suitable storage spaces for your weed.
Best Cannabis Storage Containers
Glass jars or ceramic containers are the ideal containers for storing cannabis. Metal or plastic containers should be avoided as they can negatively affect the quality of your buds. When storing your cannabis in glass jars or ceramic containers, ensure that they are three-quarters full to allow some oxygen to promote curing and prevent mold growth. It’s beneficial to have jars of different sizes so you can transfer your flower to smaller containers as you use your cannabis. This helps maintain the trichomes and flavour of the plant.
Mason Jars as Storage Containers
I’ve been using these Mason Jars as my storage containers for over a decade!
Mason jars, also known as canning jars or fruit jars, are excellent options for storing cannabis. These glass jars have a wide top opening with a rubber seal that creates an airtight vacuum seal. This seal prevents oxygen exposure, oxidation, and helps reduce the smell of cannabis. Mason jars come in various sizes, making them convenient for storing different quantities of cannabis.
Using Vacuum-Sealed Plastic for Cannabis Storage
While plastic baggies are not suitable for storing cannabis due to the trichomes sticking to the plastic, vacuum-sealing your cannabis can be an effective method for long-term storage. Vacuum-sealing prevents air from reaching your cannabis, preserving its potency for up to 18 months. It’s important to keep vacuum-sealed cannabis in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Once you open the vacuum-sealed bag, it’s recommended to transfer the cannabis to a suitable container, such as a glass jar or ceramic container.
Ceramic Container With an Airtight Lid for Cannabis Storage
A well-made ceramic container with an airtight lid is another excellent option for storing cannabis. Similar to mason jars, these containers provide an airtight seal that helps preserve the quality and potency of your buds. Look for ceramic containers that are specifically designed for storing cannabis to ensure optimal storage conditions.
About Freezing Cannabis
While refrigerating cannabis is not recommended due to the high moisture content, freezing cannabis can have potential advantages and disadvantages. If you vacuum-seal your cannabis and store it in a deep freezer, you can significantly slow down the decarboxylation process, preserving the potency of your buds for up to two years. However, freezing can make the buds brittle and cause trichome loss. Proper sealing and avoiding moisture are necessary to prevent mold growth when thawing frozen cannabis. It’s generally recommended to avoid freezing unless you have the means to vacuum seal your cannabis.
How to Prepare Cannabis for Storage
Before storing cannabis for extended periods, it’s important to ensure that it is properly dried and cured. Improper drying can increase the chances of mold or mildew growth on your cannabis. If you plan to use your cannabis regularly, storing it in a mason jar is ideal, as it allows for curing and can preserve the buds’ quality for up to 18 months. For long-term storage, vacuum sealing and storing in a cold, dark, and dry place are recommended.
Consider Using Humidity Packs for Best Results
Utilizing humidity packs made for cannabis, like those offered by Boveda, can significantly enhance cannabis storage. Boveda’s unique approach maintains the ideal relative humidity (RH) for cannabis flower, ranging between 58% and 62%. This stable environment is crucial in preventing trichome damage, terpene loss, overdrying, and mold formation. Boveda’s patented 2-way humidity control, available in different sizes, ensures maximum effectiveness in protecting your cannabis.
Humidity packs create a monolayer shield of purified water over the trichomes, thus preserving the aroma, flavour, and desired effects of the cannabis. This system is worry-free, keeping your cannabis within the ASTM recommended RH range of 55% to 65% for 2-6 months, ensuring a superior smoking experience every time.
The Bottom Line in Weed Storage
Proper storage of cannabis is crucial to enhance your cannabis experience, reduce waste, and save money. With proper storage, you can enjoy the flavours and potency of your cannabis for extended periods. Depending on various factors, cannabis typically “peaks” after three to 12 months of curing, with potency and quality gradually declining after 18 months. To maximize the benefits of your cannabis, avoid storing it in areas with high humidity levels, exposure to UV rays, or extreme temperatures.
FAQs on How to Store Your Weed
Should you keep weed in plastic?
No, you should avoid keeping your weed in plastic, as the trichomes can stick to the plastic, reducing the quality and potency of your cannabis. However, vacuum-sealed plastic bags can be used for long-term storage.
How long does weed stay good?
The storage life of cannabis depends on how it is stored. If properly stored, cannabis can last between one and two years before a noticeable decline in quality. Storing cannabis in a mason jar can preserve its quality for 12 to 18 months.
What temp should I store weed in?
The ideal temperature for storing weed is around 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius). Avoid storing cannabis in extremely hot or cold temperatures, as they can affect the quality and potency of the buds.
Tips on How to Master the Art of Cannabis Preservation
- Airtight Containers: Think of your cannabis like a fine wine. You wouldn’t want your Merlot going stale, right? The same goes here. Use airtight containers to keep the air out and the freshness in.
- Glass over Plastic: Glass jars are like the VIP lounge for your cannabis. They protect your green from air, light, and moisture much better than plastic bags or containers. Plus, they’re reusable and eco-friendly!
- Keep it Cool, Not Cold: You know how in those spy movies, the secret files are always in a cool, dark place? Your cannabis deserves that kind of treatment. Store it in a cool, but not freezing, environment. Freezing temps can break down the trichomes (those tiny crystal-like hairs), and nobody wants that.
- Darkness is Your Friend: Light, especially UV rays, is like kryptonite to cannabis. It can degrade the quality faster than you can say “Superman”. So, keep your stash in a dark place, like a cabinet or a drawer.
- Avoid Humidity Havoc: Humidity can be a real party pooper. Too much, and you invite mold and mildew. Too little, and your cannabis dries out. Aim for that Goldilocks zone: 55% to 65% humidity.
- Separation Anxiety is Real: Different strains? Keep ’em separated. Mixing strains can mix up their unique flavours and aromas. It’s like accidentally blending two fine scotches – a tragic mix-up!
- Stay Clear of Strong Odors: Your cannabis can pick up strong odors, turning your Pineapple Express into Onion Express. Store it away from anything with a strong smell.
- Ditch the Fridge: While it might seem like a good idea, storing cannabis in the fridge can fluctuate the humidity levels too much. Stick to a cool, stable environment.
- No Squishing, Please: Give your buds some personal space. Overpacking can crush your cannabis, damaging those precious trichomes.
- Check Regularly: Like a good gardener, check on your stash regularly. Look for any signs of mold or drying out, and adjust your storage method if needed.
Keep in mind, storing cannabis effectively requires skill and knowledge. By following these tips, you can ensure your stash remains as fresh as when you first acquired it!
Final Thoughts
Proper cannabis storage is essential for preserving the quality, potency, and flavour of your dried and cured buds. By following the methods outlined in this article, you can ensure that your cannabis lasts and provides you with an enjoyable experience every time you consume it. Don’t underestimate the importance of proper storage – it can make all the difference in the world when it comes to your cannabis enjoyment.
Cheers,
Anna Gray
