Efficient Cannabis Storage: Top Tools and Tricks

Getting the same level of freshness and intensity out of your weed stash every time you pull it out does not happen by chance. It requires deliberate care, guided by understanding its properties and the correct tools to preserve them.

Fortunately, while efficient storage of cannabis needs your careful attention after you understand how to go about it, the process is quite simple. In this guide, we will walk you through all you need to know, from understanding the shelf life of cannabis to the tools you need to know on how to keep weed fresh.

Does Cannabis Expire?

Cannabis will not go bad like day-old rice, but it still has a limited shelf life. Cannabis will slowly lose its flavors and potency over time, and if you leave it alone for long enough, it will rot and decay.

How Long Does Weed Stay Good?

How long is long enough, though? That depends on many factors. Exposure to elements like light, air, and moisture speeds up the degradation process and will strip cannabis of its flavor and potency in just a couple of weeks.

But on average, you can expect to retain about 80 percent of the flavor and potency of your stash in a year with proper storage. Your mileage may vary widely though, depending on the strain, quality, and how well the weed has been kept from its harvesting till it got into your hands.

How to Store Weed

Having a good background on the proper storage of weed is important to increase the expiry date of your cannabis stash. Even when you don’t intend to keep your weed for months, good storage will help you maintain its freshness. Here’s a breakdown of how to do it:

Airtight Containers

The first thing to do is to prevent air from coming into contact with cannabis. Not only will oxygen erode the cannabinoids and terpenes in the buds, but air will also expose it to moisture, encouraging the growth of mold, which can directly spoil the stash.

Airtight containers are a perfect and cheap solution to keep air away. Mason jars and other glass jars are easy to find around the house — as long as you make sure that the lid still seals well. You can also take it a step further and buy specialized weed storage jars that come in all kinds of amazing designs for a bit of flair.

Light Control

Light is just as pervasive and as damaging as air is to cannabis. Direct exposure to sunlight or any strong light source will strip away the cannabinoids and leave your stash functionally empty.

All this is to say that you should always keep your cannabis jar in a dark place away from light. A closed cabinet or drawer is a good place to keep them and under the bed works well as always. You can use a dark container in the first place or wrap your jar in a dark fabric — to not take any chances.

Humidity Regulation

Perhaps, the worst nemesis in your storage journey is water. Water simply doesn’t jell well when storing things. Moisture will promote the growth of bacteria and mold and quickly ruin your cannabis stash.

Decarbing or drying out your weed is a great way to get rid of the moisture that comes in cannabis buds, but it comes at the expense of losing its flavors and freshness.

On the other hand, investing in humidity packs and a hygrometer is the best way to keep weed within optimal humidity levels. This requires more effort, but flavor purists don’t mind investing the extra work to keep their stash clean and fresh. For most people, however, simply sealing weed in container away from dampness already yields satisfactory results.

Temperature Maintenance

Can you freeze marijuana? Unfortunately, not. Room temperature works best for storing weed. Both hot and cold environments degrade weed and can easily affect its flavor and potency. So, keeping your weed in freezers, near radiators, ovens, or heaters is not the best idea. And make sure your storage drawer is far away from windows in winter.

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What Tools Do You Need in Storing Weed?

The right tools make the most difference in the efficiency of your cannabis storage. Some basics are vital, but you can take it as far as you want if you want to keep your stash in the freshest state possible. Here are some essential items you need to store your weed — just don’t go too crazy:

Glass Jars

Rather than keeping your weed in plastic bags, choose a glass jar for long term weed storage. Unlike plastic, glass is chemically inert and will not absorb flavors nor leak substances into your weed. Plus storing weed in jars with airtight lids will strictly keep moisture away.

Glass jars are easy to find around and if you don’t have one, they are easily available for cheap. Another reason glass is a good containers for weed is its see-through effect, which lets you inspect your stash clearly without having to open the jar and risk exposing it to air.

Humidity Packs

Humidity packs are small packs that contain silica gel. They are used to keep humidity levels within the optimal levels. They can absorb moisture from the jar whenever it is excessive and release it whenever it is dry to keep the weed between an ideal 55 and 62 percent humidity level.

You can find them at local hardware and gardening stores. Many cigar shops and weed dispensaries also carry humidity packs these days. Throwing a few humidity packs into your glass jar together with your cannabis stash will help keep it fresh for the longest time possible without additional effort from you.

Hygrometer

It might be worth investing in a hygrometer if you are planning to keep specialized strains, especially those bred specifically for their flavors. Or if you have a large stash on hand. Hygrometers are devices used to measure the humidity levels in the air around you.

With a hygrometer, you can easily confirm that humidity levels are within the accepted range for the most efficient storage for weed. Some even come with features that help you adjust the humidity levels if you are worried about how to keep weed moist and preserve natural flavors.

UV-Protected Containers

UV-protected containers are specialized containers that block out the harmful rays from the sun and other light sources to preserve your stash. The jar glass is usually coated with materials that block out UV rays, and they add an additional protective layer to one of the most damaging elements of cannabis — light.

UV-protected containers are not significantly more expensive than regular containers but they might be harder to source locally. Many marijuana dispensaries carry them nowadays and you can buy them online from retailers on Amazon.

What is the Ideal Humidity for Weed Storage?

Weed is best preserved between 55 and 62 percent humidity level. Consider getting a hygrometer to track the humidity in your storage if you are concerned about going beyond the optimal humidity.

Top Methods to Keep Cannabis Storage Optimal

Now that the basics are out of the way, it is time to introduce you to pro tips to get the most out of your storage efforts.

Spread your Stash

It might seem counterintuitive to keep spreading your stash around, but dividing them into several smaller containers means you only have to risk a small portion exposed to light and moisture whenever you need to take some out.

Have a Labeling System

It is easy to forget which stash you took out of last if you don’t have them properly labeled, which leaves your efforts at spreading it useless. Find paper tapes and carefully label each container according to the labeling system you choose.

Think about Pets

While it goes without saying that you should keep your stash out of the reach of kids, we often overlook pets. Pets can trash your stash, break your jars, and unravel weeks and months of effort at preserving your cannabis stash. So, remember to keep your pet’s movements in mind when choosing where to store your weed.

Keep a Proper Rotation

One of the best weed storage tips that is often overlooked is to use older cannabis you have before you reach out for newer ones. This will help you enjoy your weed at its best and also prevent neglect and wastage of older batches. Rotating your stash is easier when you have a proper labeling system. Your rotation will also guide you on when you need to replenish your stash so you don’t buy more than your rate of usage.

Does Weed Lose Potency When It’s Old?

Yes, regardless of how well-preserved weed is, it will degrade naturally with time till it loses all its potency. But the tips and tricks we have covered will help you keep the potency high for several months and possibly years.

What Are the Risks If You Don’t Keep Cannabis Storage Conditions Proper?

Poor storage conditions will make it go bad quickly. It loses potency, and the same dosage will carry less high as air, light, and moisture degrade the cannabinoids and other active ingredients.

Cannabis buds will also dry out and become brittle as they lose moisture, losing their natural flavors and aroma. Mold and mildew can also quickly grow on cannabis exposed to the air, making it unfit for consumption. Even worse, the buds might absorb contaminants like pesticides and fertilizers that can be poisonous.

Conclusion

Cannabis storage is important for protecting the potency of your stash, after covering the vital tips about keeping fresh weed, we are confident you can enjoy them without storage anxiety ever again.

You can find all the cannabis storage tools you need on our online store at Verts dispensary or walk into any of our physical stores to replenish your stash.

Keeping Cannabis Storage Efficient: Tools and Tricks