The Secret To Storing Cannabis Long-Term and Preserve the Freshness

Whether you grow your own or enjoy stockpiling, keeping your weed fresh is the most important thing to consider. Old weed is bad weed! It loses its potency and flavor if it is not stored properly. How you store your cannabis makes a huge difference in how long it can last. 

On the other hand, it is a herb that has oils and other goodies infused in its moisture and over time, the good stuff will evaporate eventually. Storing your marijuana properly will at least put off the inevitable until you can enjoy your it. Here are some of the key factors to take into account to extend the life of your weed. 

Getting a handle on the basics

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of storing weed, there are a couple of things to point out. When it comes to storing most things, a cool and dry place is your best location. For cannabis, this is no different. Although it will extend its shelf-life, it will lose some potency eventually. 

Cannabis has no official expiration date but a good rule of thumb is six to 12 months of storage. However, if you are wondering if your stash is still any good, the color will give you a good indication. If the colors are bland and faded, then the potency has dropped quite a bit. 

Looking at the temperature

Mildew and mold are two of the biggest enemies of your MJ and they thrive in temperatures between 77° and 86° F. Add some sunlight to the mix and your cannabis can go off in a matter of days. 

The heat does not only help mildew and mold to develop but it also breaks down the cannabinoids and terpenes that are responsible for all the wonderful effects that we have come to know and enjoy. You will know immediately that your weed was in heat for too long if the smoke feels harsh and hot. 

Speaking of humidity

The other factor that increases the chances of mildew and mold to start taking over your stash is humidity. These guys enjoy a humid environment, which is why you need a controlled area where the relative humidity is between 59% and 63%. This maintains the color, flavor, aroma and consistency of the weed. 

Dropping over to the other side of the spectrum and storing your stash and storing your weed in an area where the relative humidity is below 59%, then you run the risk of drying it out the essential oils and making the trichomes brittle. 

Get away from the light

When the plant is still growing, sunlight is your biggest friend, but when the herb is cut down and cured, you want to keep it out of direct sunlight at all costs. Like anything else in this world, when direct sunlight is involved, deterioration is not far behind. UV rays will degrade your marijuana over time, like the dashboard of your car. 

This is such a serious precaution to take because it was proved that UV rays are the single biggest factor that speeds up the degradation of your weed. 

What you use is important

Although you have all the conditions right and keep your stash in a dark room, the container that you use could be the thing that spoils the batch. While not many people know this, plastic is about the worst container you could use as it acts as a type of greenhouse. 

Your weed starts to sweat and this ends up drying everything out. If you know your weed, you will know that a dry smoke is a harsh smoke.

Curing of scratch

When you grow your weed, there is nothing as disappointing as a batch of flowers that end up in the trash. To ensure that every batch you cure comes out brimming with flavor, you need to use glass jars. Make sure you have enough jars and never try and over-fill them. 

A good rule is to fill the jars only ¾ full. This will allow the flowers to breathe and gradually dry out without creating too much moisture. Before you put the buds in, make sure you separate them and trim the sugar leaves. 

All you need to do is add some moisture fighter sachets. These sachets either absorb or release moisture, depending on the conditions in the jar. 

Moving from the curing jars

Once your weed is sufficiently cured, then you can go and pack them in their permanent containers. The keyword you are looking for is Air-tight. Glass and ceramic containers are by far superior to any other storing container. 

Second to these jars are vacuum bags. The air in the containers does some serious damage to your weed, so seeing that these bags are devoid of air, they also work well. Just ensure that there is not any excess moisture in the bag or it can also cause some damage. 

To be on the super-safe side, sterilizing your containers before transferring your weed is always recommended as it ensures that no contaminants can creep in the mix. 

Cold storage

Many people have asked the question of whether you can freeze your weed to help it last longer. The mere thought of doing such an act sends chills down the spine of the conventionalist. 

The truth is that freezing your weed is not a bad idea at all. Research has shown that when it is properly stored, it can last for up to two years and maintain a very high level of potency. 

The key is to try and not touch the buds as the trichomes will quickly fall off. When you are ready, roll a blunt or two, take it out of the freezer and let it thaw naturally. Although it preserves the weed pretty well, the top layer of buds might be sub-par. The rest of the stash, however, will be as good as the day you stuffed it in the freezer with all the good stuff still preserved.      

When it comes to the best packaging to keep your bud fresh we've got you covered!  Drop us a message at hello@rollyourownpapers.com and we'll sort you out with the perfect packaging for your exact requirements.