How long can I store my cannabis and still be able to enjoy its pleasures.
Well, you may have asked yourself this question once or twice throughout your cannabis career. Maybe when you’ve stumbled upon a misplaced bud in the bottom of your jeans pocket or one that has slipped down the back of the sofa.
At some point, you’re going to need to store your stuff, so read on and get clued up on storing your stash.
Just like a fine wine in a cellar or whiskey in a barrel, cannabis enjoys being stored in a cool, dark place. Although there is no actual ‘shelf life’ for cannabis, there are some key things to consider when you are storing it for any considerable length of time.
What’s The Best Temperature To Store Cannabis?
Mildew and mold can start to grow on your cannabis when it is at a temperature between 77-86F, so you want to avoid storing within this range. If you store your cannabis somewhere that is excessively hot, it will dry out the cannabinoids and terpenes you have been lovingly nurturing for the past several months. The oil and plant matter will also dry out leaving you with a harsh smoke.
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So, that leaves you with the cool, dark option for storage. Storing your cannabis this way will also help it in terms of slowing the decarboxylation process of the cannabinoids. This process changes THC-A into THC, its psychoactive cousin.
How Does Humidity Affect Cannabis Storage?
Humid environments are great for growing mildew and other molds, so you MUST ensure that you have control over the humidity levels in your cannabis storage areas. This can be easier said than done, however, and achieving a suitable Relative Humidity (RH) can be difficult. So here are a couple of things to consider:
- Warm air holds more moisture than cold, so keep it cool, dark and dry.
- Maintain an RH of between 59%-63% (this will maintain consistency, color, flavor and odor of your cannabis).
- Below RH of 63% will not allow mold to grow.
- If your RH is to low in your cannabis storage area your weed will lose essential oils and your cannabis will dry out.
Your Cannabis Storage Area And Light
Your cannabis will be deteriorated by ultraviolet (UV) rays in the same way that grass turns brown in the sunshine. UV, according to a University of London study conducted in the 1970s, is the largest single factor in degrading cannabinoids.
It also concluded that, if stored in the correct environment, cannabinoids remain stable for up to 24 months (they remain usable for much longer than this). Storing your cannabis away from direct light will also allow you to control the temperature of your cannabis storage area.
Your Cannabis Storage Area And Air Control
Cannabis requires plenty of oxygen to grow and cure, but as far as storing weed goes, you just need sufficient air to keep it fresh and maintain its qualities.
Insufficient air during cannabis storage and the RH will be thrown off. Excessive air, on the other hand, will accelerate the cannaboids’ degradation along with any other organics exposed to the oxygen. Difficult, I know, and that’s why there are a variety of small vacuum attachments available to minimize oxygen in your cannabis storage containers.
Cannabis Storage – Do And Don’t Checklist
Do
- Store in a cool, dark place.
- Use a container with a neutral charge e.g glass.
- Control RH level with a hydrometer or Boveda.
- Vacuum seal your cannabis storage containers to minimize oxygen.
- Store your cannabis strains separately.
- Continue to improve your cannabis storage routines with products from companies like Cannador and The Bureau.
Don’t
- Use a refrigerator to store your weed.
- Freeze your cannabis.
- Use plastic bags or boxes for cannabis storage.
- Store cannabis near electronic appliances.
- Use a tobacco humidifier – it can alter the flavor of your weed.
- Store your cannabis along with your other marijuana accessories.
Cannabis Storage – Other Considerations
- Cannabis-infused products, such as edibles, will have differing storage guidelines. You should make yourself aware of how to store these correctly and the duration that they can be stored for and still remain effective and safe to consume.
- Cannabis concentrates are less vulnerable to mold and mildew due to them having less biological material. It is still recommended that you follow the cannabis storage guidelines above to avoid potentially degrading the product.
So, now you are ready to store your weed correctly until the time that you to enjoy its many pleasures.
