Here’s how to keep your medical cannabis fresh for a year!

Just leaving it in a baggie won’t cut it—here’s why:

As great as your weed may be, it still needs to be stored properly; otherwise, it won’t last very long. A variety of factors can damage your weed and significantly reduce its potency.

So be sure to keep the following in mind:

Sunlight

Be sure to keep your weed away from the sun, because UV rays destroy THC. As a result, your weed will no longer be psychoactive. You can still smoke it, but your high will be significantly weaker!

Temperature

You should also pay attention to the temperature. Store your weed at temperatures below 20° C. This slows down the carboxylation of the cannabinoids. In other words: Your THC will last longer!

If you store it in a place that’s too warm, THC quickly turns into CBN, which has only a weak psychoactive effect.

But cold temperatures can also damage your weed! In the refrigerator, temperatures fluctuate greatly due to the opening and closing of the door. Plus, it’s often humid in the fridge. Both of these factors can cause your weed to mold or become infested with bacteria.  Unfortunately, the freezer isn’t suitable for long-term storage either, since extreme cold makes the trichomes in cannabis brittle. So you run the risk of breaking the trichomes the next time you handle the weed.

Humidity

When storing cannabis, it is extremely important to maintain optimal and consistent humidity levels. These should be neither too high (which can lead to mold growth) nor too low (which can cause the cannabis to dry out and lose its potency). The ideal, consistent humidity range for storing cannabis is between 55% and 62%. This is the only way to preserve the quality and potency of the flowers, even during extended storage.

The right location

Warm air rises! And as you already know, your weed should be kept away from heat as much as possible. Therefore, don’t store it too high up or near electrical appliances that can emit heat. The best place is on the floor or at a maximum height of one meter. You should also be sure to keep your weed separate from pipes, bongs, and the like, as it could otherwise become contaminated by leftover ash.

Suitable containers

You should generally use plastic bags and plastic containers only for short-term transport. Plastic has a static property that causes the trichomes to be attracted to the plastic. They can break, resulting in a loss of smell and aroma.

Violet glass containers are well-suited for this purpose. They protect the weed from harmful light exposure and keep out mold and moisture. Additionally, they slow down the molecular decomposition process of the cannabis flowers while simultaneously promoting the breakdown of chlorophyll. This makes the weed taste less harsh and all the more aromatic.

Another option is to store it in a vacuum container. This involves completely removing the air from the container, which protects the weed and keeps it aromatic. One drawback of this storage method, however, is that pressure is applied to the weed, which can cause it to dry out more easily and crumble.

Preserving jars are also a good choice thanks to their airtight lids. Just make sure the jar has been thoroughly sanitized if it previously contained food. The jar prevents odors from escaping. Additionally, the material ensures that no aromas are lost.

A humidor is the perfect storage box. A hygrometer visible from the outside prevents the box from being opened too frequently while reliably indicating the current humidity level inside. These humidors are often made of sturdy natural woods, which ensure an optimal climate and a pleasant aroma.

How to Properly Handle Weed

• You should really only open your storage container when you want to take some out. Every time you open it, oxygen enters, which accelerates oxidation. Oxidation breaks down that beloved THC.

• Moving the weed also shortens its life. So don’t handle it unnecessarily, and don’t move the container too often. Movement can cause the trichomes to stick together or break off.

• By the way, you can create optimal humidity levels by placing humidity-regulating two-way humidity packs (such as those from Boveda or Truemidity) in the container with your weed. These either absorb excess moisture or release it when there’s a shortage, ensuring that the weed is constantly exposed to an optimal humidity level of 55%, 58%, or 62%. This keeps your weed fresh, flavorful, and potent for longer.