In a perfect world, cannabis would never expire. Without losing strength or quality, you could buy a large quantity, store what you don’t need, and keep it on hand until it was gone. On a fundamental level, however, cannabis is a plant, and even if cured for long-term preservation, plants do not stay forever.
If you plan to retain cannabis for more than a few weeks, you should learn about long-term storage. How should cannabis be stored for extended periods of time? What is the shelf life of cannabis? Will keeping cannabis for a long period harm your buds? A detailed guide to long-term cannabis storage, the best storage containers, and other issues is provided below.
The Basics of Cannabis Storage: How to Store Weed
Why keep weed fresh in the first place?
Most individuals prefer to keep their cannabis fresh since it improves the smoking experience. Weed that is damp, stale, or poorly maintained doesn’t taste nice. However, keeping cannabis fresh requires more than flavor retention.
Drying causes terpenes to deteriorate and cannabinoids to change or spread, making cannabis brittle, flavorless, and ineffective. If cannabis accumulates an excessive amount of moisture, it may become susceptible to mold and mildew growth. Coughing and nausea are only two of the many unpleasant side effects of smoking anything with mold and mildew.
The importance of appropriate storage
Proper cannabis preservation requires taking every precaution to avoid mold and mildew while preserving the vital terpenes and cannabinoids. Terpenes contribute flavor and scent, whereas cannabinoids give effects. Terpenes and cannabinoids deteriorate over time and in response to environmental factors.
The Four Foundations of Extended Storage
When it comes to conserving cannabis for as long as possible, there are four key elements to consider:
- Temperature: Terpenes and cannabinoids are best protected around 70° F (21° C) or lower.
- Humidity: The relative humidity should be between 55 and 65 percent.
- Oxygen: Airtight protection reduces terpene and cannabinoid oxidation, which causes terpenes to evaporate and cannabinoids to degrade.
- Light: Heat and UV light degrade and produce cannabinoids, perhaps converting THC into the non-intoxicating cannabinoid CBN.
The best options for long-term cannabis storage
Stay away from plastics
An airtight glass storage container is the best choice for long-term marijuana storage. Glass protects the cannabis from the air and contains no hazardous elements.
UV Defense
A glass jar with a UV-protective covering, such as glass jars, which have a tight-fitting silicone sleeve to filter light and provide shock protection, is an excellent alternative for light protection, as is just keeping the jar dark.
Controlling humidity and moisture
Finally, moisture or humidity can damage weeds that have been stored for an extended period of time. Moisture exposure may provide a challenge. Your cannabis should not be exposed to heavy moisture or high humidity. As previously stated, this could promote the growth of mold or mildew. However, you don’t want your cannabis to become too dry. The good news is that this can also be handled with the right resources. Humidification pods, for example, attach to the lid of a metal jar to keep the optimum moisture levels in the jar, protecting the cannabis’s quality.
Choosing the Best Containers for Storage
The best weed storage containers protect the plant material’s quality and give resistance against the major threats.
Without a question, the best material for a storage jar is glass. In an emergency, a glass mason jar would be significantly superior to a plastic bag or container. Because glass might be fragile, the jar should preferably have some type of shock protection.
When selecting a stash jar for cannabis storage, look for one with built-in features to aid in long-term cannabis preservation. When selecting a stash jar, some important aspects are:
- The proper jar size for the amount
- Some form of humidity regulation
- An effective seal that prevents exposure to air
- A UV-blocking exterior
- Protection against smells
How long does cannabis last? Does cannabis have an expiry date?
What is the true cannabis storage duration? According to the majority of reports, cannabis can live for six months to a year if properly cared for. In general, you should consume cannabis within six months of purchase to fully enjoy its flavor and potency. According to previous study, marijuana begins to lose its potency around the one-year mark. Check this out:
- One year later, 16% less THC.
- THC loss of 26% after two years.
- THC loss of 34% after three years.
- THC reduction of 41% after four years.
However, in practice, the lifetime of cannabis varies depending on the storage circumstances. Maintaining optimal conditions prevents mold growth, preserves terpenes and cannabinoids, and extends the freshness of cannabis. Pulling out your flower after six months and still having a good stockpile is not uncommon for those who employ the best long-term cannabis storage solutions.
How about mold?
Weed does not “go bad” until it begins to mold, at which point it may become dangerous to smoke. Mold forms on weeds that are exposed to excessive wetness. It might be difficult to diagnose because it can appear as dark patches, gray or white spots, or simply a “off” odor. Aside from mold issues, cannabis will not “go bad,” but it will lose flavor and power. After then, it will no longer produce the same effects, scents, or flavors.
Is it best to store cannabis in a plastic bag or container?
To put it briefly: no. When it comes to preserving the quality of marijuana, whether in a plastic bag or another container, plastic presents certain issues. First and foremost, you do not want your cannabis to come into contact with static electricity when it is being stored because plastic attracts it. The static could disrupt the plant’s fragile and brittle trichomes, which contain the highest concentration of terpenes and cannabinoids.
The chemical composition of plastic is another issue. The majority of plastic comes from fossil fuels, and some of it contains pollutants such as fluorinated chemicals and bisphenols, which are cause for concern. Furthermore, most plastic bags are not airtight enough to protect cannabis from the long-term effects of external air.
What is the shelf life of cannabis stored in a Ziploc bag?
Some time, but you don’t want to put it at risk for any longer than necessary. If you have to store your cannabis in a Ziploc bag, don’t keep it there for too long. The limit should be a few days. To avoid static, if you do place cannabis in a bag, remove as much air as possible and handle the bag and cannabis as little as possible.
Additional FAQs About Cannabis Preservation
- How long should cannabis be cured before storage?
It is generally recommended that the buds have been cured for at least four weeks. Although it is preferable to keep cannabis when it is at its most potent and tasty, uncured cannabis may contain more moisture, which can lead to mold growth.
- How long is it safe to store cannabis in a bag?
As previously stated, plastic is not an ideal material for long-term marijuana storage. In fact, it may be preferable to discard the plastic bag your cannabis arrived in within a few days. Plastic bags, particularly those with a zipper, will quickly dry out your flowers. If you are not intending to use all of the flowers at once, your best bet is to find another way to store them.
- Is it safe to store cannabis in the freezer?
Is it feasible to freeze cannabis for long term storage? It isn’t the best idea, but yes. The trichomes on cannabis are extremely susceptible to freezing; if you handle it when it is frozen, the bulk will fall off. Furthermore, if freezing is not done carefully, moisture contamination is likely to occur.
- Can cigar humidors be used?
Cigar humidors are designed specifically to preserve the freshness of tobacco cigars. These wooden storage boxes may also have a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels. However, cigar humidors are not good for preserving marijuana. Cedar and other oil-containing woods are commonly used to construct humidor boxes, which might alter the flavor of the cannabis stored inside. Furthermore, higher humidity levels are used to sustain tobacco, which may allow mold to grow on cannabis.
- How can you determine whether marijuana is harmful?
You cannot assume that a cannabis that has been preserved for a long time is bad because aged weed may not necessarily be ugly. You should evaluate color, fragrance, and consistency. Old weed often becomes tan or brown, with a weak or hay-like odor, and can be crumbly and brittle. Inadequately stored cannabis can also grow mold, which appears as white fuzz, dark blotches, or white or grey patches. Although smoking aged cannabis can be unpleasant, it is often harmless. However, smoking moldy cannabis might be dangerous, so avoid it.
- Are there any storage methods for larger amounts of cannabis?
Many growers use vacuum-sealed bags or containers for larger volumes, which are often equipped with humidity control equipment like as humidity packs to ensure correct moisture balance. Many individuals find that a large glass jar (up to one gallon) works best for home storage when accompanied with a humidity-control device and an airtight lid.
- Do indica, sativa, and hybrid strains require different levels of storage?
In general, indica, sativa, and hybrid strains all respond similarly to basic storage conditions like as temperature, humidity, oxygen, and light. Though these differences are more strain-specific than strictly indica or sativa-related, some strains may have more sensitive terpene profiles that are vulnerable to varied influences of the storage environment.
- If I don’t know the original THC%, how can I tell if my cannabis has lost its potency?
Laboratory testing would be the most reliable technique. Anecdotal evidence, on the other hand, includes a change in appearance, aroma, and the effects of use. If the cannabis smells less pungent or more like hay, it has likely deteriorated.
- Can I detect if the humidity level in my storage container is suitable based on natural indications like texture or scent?
Maintaining the appropriate humidity level maintains the cannabis feeling bouncy to the touch. If it is too dry, it will crumble easily, but if it is too moist, it may feel sticky or clammy. Another indication that cannabis is too dry is a hay-like odor.
- Can cannabis edibles or concentrates, like hash or oils, be stored in the same way as flowers?
Not always. Although some humidity levels are optimal for cannabis flowers, edibles and concentrates require different circumstances. Edibles, like all other foods, should be stored in a dark, cool environment. Concentrates should be kept away of direct sunlight and in a cool environment, typically in airtight glass or silicone containers.
- How do Evergreen jars differ from other UV-protected jars that are available?
Evergreen jars are distinguishable from others by several qualities. They have a tight silicone sleeve that absorbs shock from small drops and bumps, blocks sunlight, and is both aesthetically beautiful and comfortable to hold. The Evergreen jar’s lid provides an airtight seal and has an outside finish designed for labeling with an erasable marker.
- What should I do if my cannabis was briefly exposed to adverse storage conditions? Is it feasible to “revive” it?
A humidity pod can help you maintain the proper humidity level for your flower’s terpenes to be viable. Moisture can be returned to a dried-out product to restore its freshness. Terpenes, on the other hand, cannot be recovered once they have been lost.
- How often should I check to see if my cannabis is still in excellent condition after storage?
A good rule of thumb for long-term storage is to check in every few weeks. Make certain that the humidity and odor do not alter, and that no mold grows. Incorporate some type of humidity control system to ensure that your cannabis maintains inside the correct humidity range.
- Are there many brands or types of humidity pods to consider, and how do they work?
Humidity packs or pods emit or absorb moisture to maintain a specific relative humidity level within a storage container. Boveda and Integra Boost are well-known disposable pack brands, while Evergreen is the sole producer of reusable pods.
- Is it best to keep various strains separate, or can I combine them in the same container?
Strains should ideally be kept separate. Because each strain has a unique terpene profile, combining many strains may cause the aromas and scents to blend, making each strain less distinguishable.
- Does grounding cannabis affect its quality or durability when stored?
Indeed, grinding can accelerate deterioration by increasing the surface area exposed to air, light, and moisture. Buds should be preserved whole and ground as needed.
- Is it feasible to recycle or use old or weakened cannabis?
When less potent cannabis is combined to generate tinctures, oils, or butters, the intended effects are still achieved. It’s also useful for baking and cooking.
- Does terpene degradation cause any specific symptoms?
A change in the scent profile of the cannabis or a decrease in its aromatic intensity, particularly if the muted aroma persists after grinding, would be indicators. Terpenes are what give cannabis its particular aromas, so if your flower starts to smell like hay or loses its characteristic scent, the terpenes are most likely degrading.
