The Best Way To Store Weed

Like any other dried herbs, dried weed can be stored safely for years! However, how long your weed remains fresh and potent depends on your ability to store it properly while protecting it from degrading. Preserving your cannabis long-term calls for more than just putting it in a plastic bag and throwing it in your underwear drawer.

If you buy your cheap weed online and store it properly, it can stay fresh and potent for as long as three years in the most appropriate conditions! Of course, you can decide to binge-smoke all your flower and save it from going bad.  But, we all like to keep some stash for a rainy day. Right? In that case, follow the professional tips below, and you’ll be able to kick back and enjoy your fresh and still highly-potent weed years to come.

But first, let’s look at the factors that will degrade your weed.

Factors That Cause Weed Degradation

Weed cultivators go to great lengths to package your weed in the most appropriate conditions that preserve its potency and freshness. Once you buy it, it’s now your job to maintain or improve these conditions.

Remember, weed is organic, and unfortunately, exposure to some conditions will change its quality over time like any other organic matter. To ensure your cannabis has a long healthy shelf-life, you need to know exactly what conditions will kill its buzz and how to avoid them.

  • Light

Light is literally your weeds’ worst enemy! It is the largest single factor that negatively affects your cannabis, and it will definitely degrade over time. This is because light carries heat that naturally dries out your cannabis. Besides drying out your flower, it also degrades its cannabinoids and aromatic terpenes by burning them up.

The best way to protect your valuable compounds from untimely destruction by light is by storing weed in an opaque container that can block out all the light and filter out the destructive UV rays. You must never leave your weed in the car or on the window seal.

  • Air

Air/oxygen will dry out your stash fast and hasten its degradation process! While extra air is bad for your weed, you must be very cautious as too little air will change the humidity level in your storage container, which results in mildew or moldy weed.

The most appropriate way to keep your weed fresh for a longer period is by vacuum sealing it. Vacuum sealing eliminates all the extra air from your storage container. However, the downside to vacuum sealing is that not every user has access to a vacuum sealer. Luckily, you can achieve this effect by ensuring you store your weed in a sealable, airtight container.

Most importantly, you must select a perfect size for the amount of flower you are storing. Any extra space in the jar means excess air, which essentially results in weed degradation. Be sure that your weed is not overcrowded either, as the humidity may end up getting trapped inside.

  • Moisture

You’ll want to protect your precious buds from exposure to moisture by all means! Mold is literally envious of moisture on weed. Note that too much dryness will destroy your cannabinoids and terpenes. Therefore, you need to ensure the most appropriate conditions. It would be best if you considered anywhere between 59-63RH- relative humidity in your storage container. Keep in mind that when weed gets too dump, it develops mold, making it less potent and harsh to smoke.

  • Temperature

Higher temperatures will naturally dry out your weed and evaporate the aromatic terpenes! The result will be a harsh, unpleasant toke. You must maintain the ideal temperatures that will not encourage mold or mildew. Temperatures ranging from 75-85 degrees will promote mold. Therefore, your best temperature will be 70°F. This temperature will protect your weed from drying out or evaporating your terpenes while keeping mold and mildew away.

The Best Way To Store Your Weed

Now that you know the factors that will deteriorate and degrade your weed and how to create the perfect environment that will keep it fresh and potent long-term, we can comfortably move on to how you should store your weed and extend its shelf-life.

The worst way to store your weed is by laying it on a tray, leaving it in a clear glass container, or even packing it in a plastic or Ziploc bag. While Ziploc bags are particularly common with most people, it’s worth noting that they are not airtight,  and some can easily be punctured by the stems in your weed. Additionally, these are probably the lowest forms of storing your weed as they do not protect its terpenes and leaves the weed to dry out.

When you store your weed properly, you can expect to continue enjoying its potency and freshness for up to 2years or more. Perhaps you don’t want to extend the life of your weed that long. Either way, you want to get the best out of your cannabinoids and terpenes. Consider the tips below on how to store your weed properly.

  • Storage Container

The creme de la creme of all storage containers is the amber mason jar! They are sealable, airtight, and effectively block out all UV light. Another step up that you may consider when storing your weed is sealable and airtight ceramic containers. They’ll keep your weed fresh and protected from degrading. In comparison, plastic containers are not a good way to store your cannabis as they encourage mold and mildew through sweating.

  • Moisture Content

The absolute best way of controlling and maintaining appropriate moistures in your storage container is using humidity packs. This packs come as a salt-based humidity control sachet. Alternatively, you can preserve your weed in a humidor box that is specifically designed to maintain marijuana humidity. Note that using a cigar/tobacco humidor box in your weed can harm and destroy it.

Previously, weed enthusiasts would place a fruit peel in their weed storage containers to remedy moisture control. However, this method potentially alters the flavor and aroma of your weed and increases the risk of mold development.

The Bottom Line

Many conditions can degrade your weed’s potency and freshness. Extending the shelf life of your cannabis basically involves avoiding exposure to these conditions. This quick guide on the best way to store weed will help you store your weed properly and protect it from any harmful factors.

 

Zoey Roy

I’m Zoey Roy, a Cannabis Compliance Specialist and Cannabis Activist. I am experienced in guiding individuals and businesses through complex cannabis regulations. With a Bachelor’s degree in Research from McGill University, I’ve worked at Neptune Wellness for 4 years as a senior researcher. Now I serve as a Cannabis Industry Analyst at Tilray Brands, Inc. I provide essential support in ensuring compliance, educating clients, and facilitating legal requirements. My expertise extends to marketing and laboratory skills, making me a well-rounded professional in the field.