How to Keep Weed Fresh and Potent So That it Lasts

Managing to get good weed could be a bit tricky. Besides, having it fresh for several weeks is often, at times, a considerable challenge to overcome. Also, without proper storage, cannabis can dry up or grow mold. Dry weed will have lost a portion of the potency and flavor, while moldy weed is unsafe to smoke; that’s why you need to learn to know how to keep weed fresh.

If you’ve quality weed and want to keep it that way, you’ll have to store it properly not to lose potency. Putting it in a jewelry or sandwich bag won’t do, especially if you want it to last longer. Though weed doesn’t have an expiration date, several factors can ensure that it stays in excellent condition for an extended period.

Why Do You Need to Keep Your Weed Fresh?

You cured weed is a fragile flower that usually needs protecting. Therefore, it is essential to ensure you’re protecting the weed from adverse humidity and temperature, protecting from too much air, UV light, too much moisture and from too much messing around. All of these elements can affect the quality, flavor as well as potency of your buds. However, by following the correct weed storage practices, you can store your cannabis for about two years without it degrading. Besides, like a fine wine, cannabis will taste even better over time.

Now that we understand the importance of proper cannabis storage, let’s check out how to keep weed fresh. Keep on reading!

Ways on How to Store Weed Properly

1. Airtight containers

Airtight containers will help keep your weed potent, fresh and away from different external forces that work against it. We recommend you opt for a glass mason jar. Plastic containers, as mentioned, can make buds sweat unwanted moisture, so these are not recommended. The perfect glass jar should be able to keep your buds away from air exposure by having an airtight seal. So when your weed is stored properly in mason jars, you only need to keep it away from light and heat.

On the other hand, you can store your marijuana in a blacked-out UV airtight glass jar. You can put it anywhere without worrying about your marijuana being degraded by light with this jar. You will, however, worry about the temperature fluctuations.

2. Air control and weed storage

Although weed requires oxygen during the growth stage, too much air exposure during storage can degrade it. When storing marijuana, it requires the proper air to keep it fresh to its original form. Conversely, too little air can significantly affect the RH level, particularly if the buds have not dried up. Also, too much air will accelerate the process of degradation.

3. Humidity packs

Humidity packs can help you store your weed for an extended period. For example, if you exhaust your stash in one week or two, an airtight glass jar is all you need to keep your marijuana free from degradation. Nonetheless, to keep your weed fresh for several months, you require humidity packs. These packs usually help control humidity levels, preserve the weed’s organoleptic qualities, and prevent mold growth.

4. Humidity factors and Weed storage

Humidity management and odor control are essential in preventing contaminants such as mold and mildew from affecting your medical cannabis. Keep your cannabis at an RH of between 59-63% to maintain and improve color, flavor, aroma, and consistency. Mold starts to form at RH above 65 percent, and trichomes start becoming brittle at a relative humidity below 55 percent. Therefore, for this reason, ensure you maintain the correct relative humidity levels of about 59-63%.

5. Light & cannabis Storage

Sunlight and light are some of the essential factors that can degrade your weed. It usually reduces the potency and worsen’s the taste of the bud. In addition, UV rays will degrade your weed over time. The same way a vehicle’s paint starts to fade when it is not garaged, or grass turns brown during summer.

Research by the University of London discovered that light was one of the top factors for marijuana degradation. However, the same research also discovered that when weed is stored under the right conditions, it can still be stable for about two years.

6. Perfect temperatures and cannabis

When storing cannabis, remember that temperatures of about 77℉ and 86℉ are perfect for the growth of mold and mildew. Therefore, you need to ensure that you store your weed in a cool, dark place.

A lot of cold can significantly slow down the decarboxylation process. Also, you don’t want high temperatures either. Too much heat can dry out the cannabinoids and terpenes that have taken several months to develop. Preferably, store your cannabis at temperatures of about 32℉ to 68℉.

7. Cannabis humidors

If you want your weed always fresh, we recommend investing in a cannabis humidor. These little boxes are made explicitly for cannabis storage and are airtight and opaque. Additionally, they maintain relative humidity between 59 and 63 percent, perfect for the storage of cannabis.

Furthermore, if you have multiple strains, it’s advisable to keep them in separate containers. Different strains usually have different traits, so mixing them might not be wise. Instead, store them separately and enjoy their exceptionality.

8. Vacuum seal

Sealing weed in containers crafted from bisphenol-free plastic keeps your bud fresh and healthy for a longer time. In addition, it reduces the likelihood of any airborne contamination coming from humidity. Nonetheless, many disagree with the opinion. They’re usually the option that the slightest exposure to Polymers will damage your weed. Also, vacuum sealing might ruin the trichomes in the weed and deplete the potency of the cannabinoids.

9. Medicine bottle

Empty medicine bottles are a smart way to store cannabis and keep it fresh. These bottles are designed to keep their contents safe from contamination and dry. Besides, the medicine bottles are safe and convenient to carry. However, it would be best to keep several things in mind before storing weed. The main thing is to ensure the medicine bottle is adequately sanitized and dried. Unfortunately, these bottles aren’t much help when trying to control odor.

What Are the 6 Main things to Avoid while Storing weed?

Improper storage of weed will significantly reduce its Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) percentage amount, which will cause a less-intensified psychoactive high.

1. Avoid using a tobacco humidor.

Most cigar or tobacco humidors are created from cedar wood, which has oils that transfer and can influence the flavor of your cannabis. Additionally, tobacco/cigar humidors employ sponges that regulate humidity by adding propylene glycol, which can oversaturate your marijuana.

2. Avoid storing your marijuana in plastic bags or containers.

Plastics can contaminate your marijuana as it attracts trichomes through the static charge. However, if you must use one, make sure it is only for short-term storage.

3. Avoid storing your marijuana together with pipes, grinders or other paraphernalia.

The ash and resin from burnt weed tend to stick around and will hang on any container it’s stored in. Additionally, keeping your supplies separate and clean is a good thing.

4. Avoid storing your weed in a freezer.

Trichomes are delicate, and the freezing temperatures can cause them to be brittle and eventually break off when handled, therefore. Therefore, do not store weed in a freezer.

5. Avoid storing your weed in the refrigerator.

The fluctuations in humidity and temperature can increase the chances of mold and mildew growth.

6. Avoid storing your weed around appliances that produce heat.

As mentioned, too much heat can dry out terpenes and cannabinoids quickly. So, much like a wine cellar, we recommend you to store weed on a low cupboard, a shelf, or in your basement.

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Keep Weed Fresh

1. Is freezing or refrigerating weed bad?

Freezing or refrigerating weed is preferable to storing weed in a too hot or humid area. And although some cannabis users report successful long shelf life of marijuana storage through freezing. However, it is more than possible to lose potency and freshness to icy temperatures; also, this will break trichome resin heads off from the rest of the cannabis before you can consume it. So if you want your weed to be fresh throughout, we recommend storing it in an opaque, sealed container in a cool, dark place with less sunlight to minimize degradation.

2. Is it better to keep weed in plastic baggies or canning jars?

It’s useful for short-term cannabis storage. Besides, transferring your dry weed leaf to a blacked-out UV ray container or a glass mason jar would extend its shelf life by preventing oxidation. However, if you use a clear glass container, ensure to store it in a cool, dark place.

3. How long does marijuana stay fresh?

When weed is stored properly, it can take six months to a year if dried. Over time, it starts to lose its flavor and potency.

4. What is the best smell-proof storage container for cannabis?

The easiest way to keep your weed smell-proof is to ensure it is stored in a robust airtight container with a lid top. Some weed users also use medicine jars to keep the weed from stinking up the house. Besides, online retailers offer different odor-proof containers crafted specifically for cannabis storage.