Cannabis is a natural product that can degrade when exposed to certain conditions, such as light and heat. But if you store it in the right way–avoiding those destructive elements–it can last for years.
Find out how to keep your cannabis fresh and potent as we go over the dos and don’ts of cannabis storage. We’ll talk about what to avoid, then give specific recommendations for storing different types of cannabis.
Cannabis can stay fresh and potent for years, but you need to store it in the right environment to ensure longevity.
There are four elements that can cause marijuana to degrade:
Let’s talk about how each can affect cannabis.
The ideal temperature for cannabis flower is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. When stored at higher or lower temperatures, cannabis can start to degrade and experience quality issues.
Exposure to heat and cold causes cannabinoids like THC and CBD to degrade, reducing the potency of marijuana. Long-term exposure to heat can also promote the growth of bacteria and mold.
Cannabis-infused products, like tinctures and edibles, should still be kept away from heat. But note that, unlike flower, infusions can often be refrigerated or frozen.
Cannabis should be stored in a dark environment in order to avoid ultraviolet light. Whether it comes from sunshine or a blacklight, UV light can quickly break down cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, making it less potent. It doesn’t take much time for light to degrade marijuana, to the point that UV light exposure is often the main reason cannabis has reduced effects.
The ideal humidity level for cannabis flower is between 59 and 63 percent. Higher humidity can promote the growth of mold and bacteria, while lower humidity can cause marijuana to dry out. To make sure you have fresh weed, rather than moldy weed or stale weed, you want to keep your cannabis in that humidity sweet spot.
Depending on the climate you live in and the environment in your home, you may need to use tools to get the right humidity level. If you need to go the extra mile for optimum humidity, consider investing in humidity packs or a cannabis humidor box.
Avoid exposing cannabis to oxygen, another element that can promote the degradation of cannabinoids. Exposure to oxygen can dramatically affect potency over time, so cannabis should always be stored in an air-tight container. Exposure to air within a container can also degrade weed, so don’t store it in an excessively large container.
The best storage container for marijuana flower is an air-tight glass container that you keep away from light and heat. An opaque container is ideal, but clear containers like mason jars can work if kept tucked away from light.
For longer term storage, it’s crucial to use an airtight glass container–not a plastic container. Plastic leeches an odor and causes cannabis flower sweat moisture, creating flavor and humidity issues. Plastic baggies also produce static cling, which breaks down flower. Plastic is fine for very short-term storage, but reach for an airtight glass container for long-term storage.
To ensure you keep your flower away from heat, remember not to leave your container sitting out on a counter or tabletop for long. A glass jar can get hot and humid quickly when hit by the sun. Avoid that by storing your container in a cool dark place, like a cabinet.
Cannabis tinctures typically come in an opaque, airtight glass container, which is perfect for avoiding oxygen, light, and humidity. Keep tinctures in their original container and store in a cool, dark place.
Unlike flower, cannabis infusions like tinctures can withstand cold temperatures. If desired, a tincture can be stored in a fridge or freezer.
In most cases, the food aspect of a cannabis edible is more sensitive than the cannabis aspect. Generally speaking, you want to store weed edibles in the best way to preserve the food itself. Often, that’s in an airtight container away from heat, but be sure to check the best way to store your specific edible.
The best storage container for a concentrate depends on its consistency. Glass jars work well for less sticky concentrates, like budder and sauce. Silicone containers tend to be better for ultra-sticky concentrates like shatter.
Whichever material you choose for your container, try to use the smallest container you can to avoid oxygen exposure. Store your container in a cool, dark, and dry place to avoid exposure to heat, light, and humidity.
Q: Can weed go bad?
A: When stored properly, marijuana flower and other marijuana products can last for a very long time. However, when cannabis products are exposed to elements like extreme temperatures, humidity, light, and oxygen, they can go bad.
Q: What happens when weed goes bad?
A: There’s more than one way for marijuana to “go bad.” In some cases, going bad involves losing potency. In other cases, going bad means becoming stale and flavorless, or musty and moldy.
Q: What’s the best storage container for weed?
A: The best container for marijuana is an opaque, airtight glass jar that is a good size for what you’re storing. A good runner up option for keeping weed fresh is a mason jar that you tuck away into a cabinet.
Q: What’s the best smell-proof storage container for marijuana?
A: Any airtight container should keep the smell of marijuana locked away. Airtight glass jars are a good, easily accessible smell-proof container option.
Q: Can you store marijuana in a plastic container?
A: Plastic containers are not a good long-term storage solution for marijuana. Containers like plastic jars and plastic baggies can produce static electricity that breaks off trichomes. They can also cause flower to sweat, creating humidity issues, and are rarely airtight, creating air exposure issues.
Q: Can you put cannabis in the fridge or freezer to help it last longer?
A: We don’t recommend refrigerating or freezing marijuana flower, as that will destroy the plant’s precious trichomes. However, cannabis extracts and concentrates can typically be refrigerated or frozen. Certain edibles, like weed brownies and muffins, also freeze well.
Still have questions about the best way to store your marijuana? Get in touch with a DC Collective team member for personalized guidance.
⚠️WARNING: Products sold on this site can expose you to chemicals including marijuana smoke, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information, go to http://www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
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