Whatever your level of cannabis consumption, whether you're a casual smoker or strain hunter, it's important to know how to store weed correctly if you wish to enjoy it for a long time and get the most of its flavor and potency. Cannabis must be kept in a relatively cool, dark, and humidity controlled location. Proper cannabis storage plays a big part in the potency and flavor of your stash and this guide outlines the best practices to ensure that your weed retains its flavor and potency so you can fully experience the entourage effect the way the growers intended.
Why Proper Cannabis Storage Matters
Some people who like to enjoy cannabis on occasion don’t always understand the importance of appropriate storage and have referred to practices like storing it in a plastic bag or adding fruit to 'enhance flavor.' The main problem with inaccurate storage is the potential to damage the buds or invite mold growth. If the flower is exposed to air and light, there’s a great risk of reducing its quality via cannabinoid degradation (like losing THC or THC-A). Additionally, too cold or too hot temperatures along with humidity can alter it's moisture content, so it’s important to find the right environment to keep your buds fluffy, potent and aromatic.
The Science of Cannabinoid Degradation
While it is true that cannabis flower doesn't have an expiration date, we do know that it's quality will decrease slowly over time if it's not stored correctly. Research published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology in 1976 shows that cannabinoids might remain stable for up to two years (if the weed is cured correctly for at least four weeks) while in an optimal storage environment.
How Long Does Weed Stay Fresh?
Weed is most fresh shortly after curing, which can be a 3-4 week process post harvest. If it has been dried and cured properly, kept in a cool and shaded place with proper humidity levels, it might last over six months to even a year before it starts losing strength and flavor. However, if it’s not stored properly, it can quickly dry out and lose its beneficial properties within months.
Sometimes, with improper curing, storage, or drying, the weed can become moldy and go bad. According to a report by the UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), when low potency cannabis was stored at room temperature (70°F) and protected from light, the THC concentration in the buds decreased by roughly 15% after a year.
Additionally, after four years of storage, protected from light, most THC in cannabis decreased by 40%. This means that with proper storage and care, you can enjoy your stash even after one year without having it become a dud.
Key Factors in Storing Cannabis Properly
Temperature Control
What is the best temperature to store weed? Storing weed at high temperatures may cause the terpenes to evaporate and the buds to dry out, creating an unpleasant flavor and a bad consumption experience. Conversely, keeping them at very low temperatures can freeze and rupture the trichomes that would cause the buds to lose their potency. The recommended temperature to keep marijuana fresh is below 74F, with an ideal temperature of about 65F. Just make sure you keep it in a closet, dark corner, or a drawer but avoid placing it near a heater, or outside.
Humidity Control
The best way to store your cannabis buds after curing would be to place them in a cool and dark spot. The appropriate amount of moisture is key since it can be a threat if it's too high. Keeping the relative humidity (RH) between 55% to 65% is ideal for mitigating evaporative loss (keeping the buds from losing moisture) that retains the flavor and sponginess of the buds.
Light Exposure
Another vital element to avoid the loss of potency and freshness is to store weed in a dark place at all times. Exposing your buds to UV light reduces THC levels. To avoid losing its valuable cannabinoids during storage, it’s best to keep your stash away from direct sunlight. However, if you’re unable to store the containers in a dark environment, try to use an opaque container or cover them so they’re not exposed to light.
Best Containers for Storing Weed
Airtight Glass Jars
One of the most traditional ways is in a dark glass, airtight container. Glass jars can be quite useful when storing cannabis, as they will help maintain the potency by protecting the buds from air and moisture as well as completely containing any strong odor. Make sure you keep these jars in a cool environment so they will maintain potency for a year or even more.
Cannabis buds can have a stable shelf life of up to a year or more if they’re adequately stored. If you want to keep your weed fresh for an even longer time, you must follow a few common tips. The sweet spot for storing cannabis is not to have the buds too dry, or else they’ll lose their flavor and freshness. However, if it’s too humid, you run the risk of mold and mildew setting in and destroying your weed.
Cannabis Humidors
Cannabis humidors like those made by Cannador® are a great option because they combine elements of a traditional humidor with a stash box, allowing you to regulate and monitor humidity, label and organize strains, and keep your weed locked in an airtight, dark enclosure. You want the ability to maintain humidity control to keep it consistent and each Cannador® comes with VaporBeads™, which maintains the appropriate relative humidity (RH) between 55% to 65%. Additionally, what makes Cannador® cannabis humidors superior is the interior wood is mahogany, which is a neutral wood that is both good with humidity and won't impart any tastes or flavors on the cannabis like cedar does.
What Not to Do: Worst Storage Methods for Weed
Avoid Plastic Bags and Tins
One of the worst ways to store weed is keeping weed in a tin can. These tin cans let in too much oxygen, which degrades THC over time. Furthermore, without a humidity element, your buds will dry out. This method is okay for the short term, but no more than a week. Keeping weed in rolled up sandwich bags. If there’s no sealer, such as those on Ziploc® bags, then your weed is exposed to oxygen and potentially dry air. This method might be okay for a day or two, especially if you live in a moist climate like Hawaii or Florida, but certainly not in any arid climates like California, Nevada or Colorado.
Never Freeze Your Weed
Should you freeze weed? Never. There's simply no reason to do this and it doesn't help the flower. It freezes the trichomes, making them brittle and easy to snap off. If the trichomes snap off, the bud will lose it's potency since that's where all the cannabinoids and flavinoids are stored. This affects the high and the taste.
Humidity Control Solutions: Beads vs. Salt Packs
Boveda® Packs
Boveda® packs for weed storage come in various sizes and humidity levels and work best in airtight storage containers. Boveda® packs can last between 6 and 10 months before needing replacement. It's lifespan may be increased by minimizing exposure to air. Once the humidity pack begins turning hard, the RH will begin to fall and this will signal the need for replacement.
Humidity Beads
Humidity Beads for cannabis like the VaporBeads are a rechargeable bead system made of medical grade silica which are impregnated with a salt based formula and will maintain a relative humidity (RH) of 58% to 65% when saturated with water. The beads have micropores for excess moisture absorption to give precise humidity control.
Storing Different Cannabis Products: Flower, Concentrates, and Edibles
Storing Cannabis Flower
Store cannabis flower separately in airtight containers to prevent cross-contamination of flavors between strains. It is also recommended that the environment stay between 55% and 65% RH to keep the terpenoids and flavonoids nice and sticky. Terpenoids and flavonoids are oily and sticky, and depend on moisture to help carry its aroma. If the flower dries and experiences a total water loss, the aroma and taste will inevitably diminish. If you want to keep the terpenoids and flavonoids in tact, you will need to maintain the appropriate relative humidity so the flower can maintain its moisture and keep its taste.
In order to get that sticky bounce to your bud, for example when you pinch it, it doesn’t break apart, you need to add an element of moisture to your storage containers such as Boveda Packs or Humidity Beads like VaporBeads.
Storing Cannabis Concentrates
Store cannabis concentrates in a cool dark place with a stable temperature to maintain the cannabinoid composition. It is concluded by study from J W Fairbairn, et. al that "carefully prepared herbal or resin cannabis or extracts are reasonably stable for 1 to 2 years if stored in the dark at room temperature."
Storing Edibles
Store cannabis edibles in a stable place. Because the cannabis in edibles has already been decarboxylated, heat is irrelevant, the cannabinoids have already been activated and just need to be ingested. Therefore, it ultimately depends on what the edible is (chocolate, oil, gummies) for the storage conditions.
Final Tips for Keeping Weed Fresh Long-Term
Cleaning Your Storage Containers
How to clean weed storage containers:
- Use isopropyl alcohol. This is the best cleaner for cannabis storage containers since weed can get sticky residue on your glassware. It easily comes off with alcohol on either a paper towel or cloth.
- You can also use cleaning products like dish soap to remove any left over residue. Should the soap be antibacterial that would be even better to prevent any mold spores from propagating, should they be present anywhere on the flower.
Organizing Different Strains
Organize different strains using labels and keep them separated so you can enjoy the specific cannabinoids for that particular strain. By isolating the strains and only consuming that strain, you can get used to how your body responds to it. If you mix and consume different strains, the overall effect might be great, but you won't know how your body will ultimately respond until you've taken them in isolation (i.e. sleepy or energetic, talkative or introspective).
Investing in Proper Cannabis Storage for Long-Lasting Freshness
Investing in premium cannabis storage solutions like Cannador® ensures your weed remains fresh and potent for an extended period, protecting it from air, light, and humidity.
