How To Store Your Cannabis Correctly

It’s crucial to store your cannabis correctly. Failure to store your cannabis correctly will expose it to low or high humidity, hot or cold temperatures, unwanted light, and unnecessary air.

As a result, you could destroy your cannabis stash—resulting in wasted money, unpleasant side effects, insufficient aroma, and inadequate potency. 

In short, a complete nightmare—especially if you’ve purchased an expensive, high-end cannabis strain. 

Here’s the good news: with the proper storage conditions, you can preserve your cannabis stash for years without damaging it. 

In this article, we’ll educate you on how to store your cannabis for maximum safety!

Why You Must Store Your Cannabis Properly

In 1976, the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology found that cannabinoids will stay stable for up to two years if you store them correctly. 

However, the research suggested users must keep the cannabis away from sunlight, avoid exposure to hot or cold temperatures, and prevent humidity. There isn’t a definite shelf life on cannabis; it depends on the strain and the storage conditions.

Nonetheless, we know one thing for sure: poor storage can destroy your cannabis in weeks (let alone months or years). So all beginner cannabis users must learn how to store weed. 

The Best Way to Store Your Cannabis

1. Keep Your Cannabis at the Correct Temperature
   The recommended temperature for cannabis storage is below 74 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, mold and mildew thrive in temperatures above 74 degrees Fahrenheit, causing unpleasant flavor and harsh consumption. 
   
   Keep your cannabis stored at a temperature between 65 and 55 Fahrenheit. Anything below 55 Fahrenheit may damage your cannabis by degrading the cannabinoids and terpenes.
   
   
2. Decrease Exposure to Light
   
   Although cannabis plants thrive in light during some growth stages, UV rays can destroy your overall cannabis quality after harvesting. As a result, we recommend storing your cannabis away from a direct light source (i.e. sunlight).
   
   Don’t worry if you don’t have a dark room to store your cannabis. Instead, you can use opaque containers with duct tape to cover areas where light may reach your cannabis. This option is affordable, stress-free, and practical.
   
   
3. Reduce Air Exposure
   
   High oxygen levels can rapidly degrade your terpenes and cannabinoids. Here’s the truth: your cannabis will lose potency if you dry it out due to air exposure, so it’s essential to reduce air exposure. You can achieve this by keeping your cannabis stash in an airtight container.
   
   However, if you expose your cannabis to too much oxygen, it will convert into CBN—a weaker version of THC that may improve sleep quality. In addition, use a glass container for storage because it’s better at protecting cannabis from oxygen.
   
   
4. Monitor Your Humidity Levels
   
   Humidity control is essential for your cannabis. Of course, this can be challenging if you live in a tropical or subtropical climate. Regardless, high humidity levels encourage the growth of the two enemies of cannabis: mold and mildew.
   
   In contrast, low humidity levels can dry your buds out, leading to weaker cannabinoids and terpenes. We recommend maintaining a relative humidity level between 54 and 63%. You can use humidity packs inside your storage container to maintain the ideal humidity.
   
   
5. Avoid Moving Your Cannabis Around
   
   If possible, you should keep your cannabis stationary. Moving your cannabis causes friction that damages buds and causes a loss of trichomes. In both cases, this will majorly reduce the quality of your smoking experience.
   
   Similarly, be very gentle if you need to move your cannabis. Keep it in the container, protect it from sunlight, and avoid sudden changes in temperatures and humidity.

Signs Your Cannabis Is Damaged

Fortunately, cannabis usually gives us signs when the elements—light, humidity, heat, and air—have damaged the cannabis stash. Here are some telling signs:

Crumbling Weed: Your weed shouldn’t crumble easily. It’s a telling sign that your weed is old, damaged, and past its best. 

Strange Aroma: You may notice your weed smells different or has lost its aroma. Unfortunately, that’s a sign the elements have damaged your cannabis during storage. 

Mold: It’s not simple to spot mold; you must look closely. Typically, moldy weed has a white powdery or fuzzy appearance (although it can be small). 

Consuming damaged cannabis shouldn’t harm you. However, you may experience striking differences in texture and potency. 

That said, consuming moldy weed can be dangerous, leading to potential sickness. If you notice mold—as painful as it might be—it’s probably wise to throw it away. 

Don’t Destroy Your Cannabis: Store It Correctly Today

You deserve to enjoy the best benefits from your cannabis. If you fail to store your cannabis correctly, you won’t get the best advantages and may become sick. Unfortunately, many beginner cannabis users are unsure how to store their cannabis. 

Some research suggests cannabis loses around 16% of its THC annually, so it’s always a good idea to consume your cannabis as soon as possible. Nonetheless, if you need to store your cannabis—you’ll have the best chance of preserving your marijuana by following our tips. 

At Toke, we know the importance of choosing the best cannabis strain for you. That’s why we built a platform to help you find the best marijuana with the best accessibility and convenience. 

Find out more about how Toke can help you today!