Whether you're buying cannabis and hemp flowers from local dispensaries or online shops or probably growing it in your backyard, you need to know how to store the product appropriately. This would keep the flower fresh for a long time and give you a desirable experience. But ironically, only some weed users take this task seriously. Those who are just new to the cannabis world are still exploring many essential things about these popular herbs. So, how about you, one of the millions of people using weed products?
You can always learn how to store cannabis and hemp flowers correctly no matter where you find yourself. Once you get the hang of it, you'll reap the benefits of having weed supplies that could last longer. This is a practical way of maximizing the value of your purchase as you don't have to buy now and then. So, read the following guides when storing your cannabis and hemp flower for your best advantage.
Why Store Your Cannabis and Hemp Flower?
Storing cannabis and hemp flowers is very important if you want to preserve their potency and flavor for a long time. If they are not appropriately kept, the flowers will be exposed to destructive elements such as extreme temperatures, high or low humidity, light, or air. When that happens, the quality of the products would change and render an unpleasant experience.
If the weed flowers are stored correctly, they can remain stable for long periods. According to research published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, cannabinoids can have a shelf life of up to 2 years if adequately cured for at least four weeks and kept in an optimal storage environment. That means that you can essentially control how long your flowers can last.
Best Ways to Store Cannabis and Hemp Flower
Now that you understand how important it is to keep your flower fresh, it's clear why you have to do your share. You're doing yourself a great favor once your weed supplies last longer - for obvious reasons. While some ways discussed below might seem self-explanatory, they would still teach you valuable insights to achieve the best results.
Store Flowers Using Airtight Containers
Don't just use any container that you can grab at home. There's a huge difference when you utilize the airtight ones for storing your cannabis and hemp flowers. This material can trap all the moisture in your bud and keep circulating the air in the container. It also blocks fresh oxygen, which can oxidize and degrade the active elements in your weed. Some airtight containers that you can use include double-seal ziplock bags, glass jars, and sealable Tupperware, as they can keep the flowers fresh and prevent them from drying out or growing mold. Interestingly, they can also keep the fresh fragrance of the flower for your pleasant experience.
Avoid High Temperature and Light Exposure
Look for a cool and dry place where you can store your cannabis and hemp flowers. Please don't leave it somewhere else where it may be exposed to the extreme heat that could potentially cause mold and mildew. You surely wouldn't want to smoke moldy weed as it triggers coughing and nausea. Likewise, avoid exposing the herb to the daylight to keep it from overheating, getting too humid inside, and drying out. Bear in mind that UV light can damage the cannabinoids in the cannabis flower and destroy the chlorophyll and terpenes. When that happens, your fresh flower will look and taste like grass. We suggest using an opaque storage container and placing it in a dry drawer or cabinet to protect the flower from unwanted heat and light.
Mask the Smell of Cannabis and Hemp Flower
Although an airtight container can keep your flower fresh, it does not guarantee that it can preserve the fragrance of the weed. So you might as well consider what experts do for that purpose. You can also use dryer sheets in the weed drawer to mask the smell of the flower. But still, make sure that you are using an excellent container to retain the original form and avoid the weed tasting like dryer sheets. We recommend using a smell-proof container or something made with silicone and thick plastic to ensure that the distinct aroma of CBD hemp flower is kept under wraps.
Store Weed Flowers in Your Fridge
If you want to keep your cannabis and hemp flowers in storage for more than three months, the best place is in your fridge. But you still need to keep the material in an airtight container to avoid the possible degradation from oxygen and prevent the fridge smell from contaminating your cannabis buds. Whenever possible, use a fridge that doesn't contain any food to preserve the raw aroma of your flower. You may consider beer or wine coolers as they can help in keeping cannabis flowers fresh even for a year or so. Ensure that you properly maintain the flower in the container as the fridge causes too much condensation and puts the herb at risk of molding and brittle.
Factors to Consider When Storing Weed Flowers
Throughout storing cannabis and hemp flowers, several factors should be considered to achieve its ultimate purpose. You should pay attention to these things, or you might be doing it the wrong way. Whether you're a beginner or a regular customer, here are the key factors that would matter in this endeavor:
- Temperature - the ideal temperature of the environment where you keep your flowers should be under 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, because that could dry out the herb's terpenes and cannabinoids. Once that happens, the taste and potency of the material would degrade.
- Air and light - don't forget that when cannabis and hemp flowers are exposed to air and light, their quality is affected, too. It's because these elements have a direct impact on temperature and humidity. UV rays can degrade cannabis over time - so keep your flower out of direct sunlight.
- Humidity - if you keep your cannabis and hemp flowers in humid environments, you risk growing mold. It can also make the material brittle and harsher to smoke. The best practice is to keep them in a controlled environment that could preserve their color, aroma, and flavor profile. You may consider using humidity packs that can help monitor and control humidity levels.
Do Cannabis and Hemp Flowers Expire?
Neither of the two weed flowers expires. However, their potency and flavor will change over time, especially when exposed to air. You may notice that the buds become weaker as the cannabinoids and terpenes gradually break down. This is why proper storage is essential to slow down that process and ensure that the buds remain viable for as long as possible.
Interestingly, it's a different story when you ask about other cannabis products like tinctures and edibles. These varieties, unlike flowers, have an expiration date. As a consumer, you have to check the packaging to know how long your supply will last. If you're buying flowers from a medical or recreational dispensary, you can look at the harvest date, which helps you choose the freshest weed in the market.
How Long Will Weed Flowers Store?
You can store your cannabis and hemp flowers for as long as you want, but the question is, when is the best time to use them? According to experts, these herbs are in their best condition within one year of harvest. When it comes to proper storage, the same routine applies - using an airtight container and keeping them in a cool location and away from light. If you do this with the utmost care, the flowers could remain viable for around three years.
The key to the long-term storage of weed flowers is reducing the amount of oxygen in the container. But since oxygen would inevitably enter as you open the jar every time, you should necessarily use a vacuum sealer with an oxygen absorber thrown inside. Keep in mind that without proper control of oxygen absorption, your flowers would gradually break down the active cannabinoids, affecting their potency and flavor.
Ideal Temperature to Keep Weed Flowers Fresh
Setting or finding the right temperature for your cannabis and hemp flowers is very important. It can affect the potency and flavor of your products, making them harsh to consume. For example, storing the flowers at high temperatures can cause the terpenes to diminish and the buds to dry out. On the other hand, storing them at too low temperatures can cause degradation of terpenes and cannabinoid content. We recommend controlling the temperature of the storage environment below 74 degrees to prevent mold and mildew. Generally, the ideal temperature is approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit but no less than 55 degrees.
Best Storage Containers for Weed Flowers
Although there is no such thing as a perfect storage container, it doesn't mean that you can't use a material that's perfectly suited for keeping cannabis or hemp flowers fresh and viable. Some materials are considered more optimal than others. Some can be used temporarily, while others can accommodate both short-term and long-term storage. Here are the best storage containers that we have known so far:
Glass Mason Jars
These jars are widely used for storing dried flowers as they come with some advantages. Since they are made of glass and have a metal lid that offers a complete seal, you can make them airtight, which is very important. It's also proven more optimal in maintaining humidity and temperatures during the storage period. But when using this material, make sure that you place it in a dark place due to the risk of light degradation.
Titanium Jars
Many cannabis and hemp users are doing away with metal containers, especially long-term storage. It's because metals can drastically alter the taste of weed flowers over time. If that also concerns you, the best alternative is a storage material that minimizes light exposure. So, titanium jars could fit the standards. Unlike metals such as steel or aluminum, this one would not change the flavor of the flower but rather serve as a protection.
Humidor
A humidor is another ideal material for keeping cannabis and hemp flowers viable for an extended period. This is a humidity-controlled box that's usually used for storing cigarettes. But there are products designed explicitly for dried marijuana, although it entails some costs. It's a practical choice because this material can preserve and store small amounts of up to four different weed strains.
Tight Sealing Plastic Bags
If you have purchased a small number of weed flowers and don't intend to keep them longer, you can use a tight-sealing plastic bag for storage. This is not an ideal material, but it's better than just leaving your stash completely exposed to the harmful elements, as previously mentioned. When using plastic bags, ensure that the seal is tight and you don't agitate the content to reduce the risk of static electricity affecting the buds. It's also essential to store the bag in a dark and cool environment to achieve the best results.
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Why Do Weed Flowers Go Bad?
No matter the source, cannabis and hemp flowers will decay. They are like any other flowers, after all. It would be best to consume them within a period where they are still fresh and have stable cannabinoids. The shelf life would substantially depend on how you store the herbs. You must understand what causes flowers to go bad. A phenomenon called oxidation is triggered by several factors, such as heat, UV light, and excessive humidity. When that happens, the cannabinoids are transformed into different substances. So, the goal of storing your flowers should be to prevent oxidation in any way possible.
Helpful Tips for Storing Weed Flowers
Proper storage of cannabis and hemp flowers is undeniably a task that shouldn't be overlooked. To achieve its intended purpose - that is, keeping the herbs fresh - there are three ways to follow:
- Control the temperature
- Control the humidity
- Prevent exposure to light
You can accomplish those preservation goals by employing different strategies, but in most cases, you'll get the best outcomes if you observe the following:
- Dry the flowers to an optimum moisture content before storing
- Keep the flowers in glass jars, not bags, for long-term storage
- Place the weed jars in a plastic tote or other sealed containers
We suggest using a separate refrigerator to control the storage area's temperature and prevent fluctuations that can affect the quality of buds. You can set the temperature to a steady 50 degrees Fahrenheit to keep the flowers at a constant temperature ideal for preservation.
Final Thoughts!
Storing your cannabis and hemp flowers properly will help preserve their potency and flavor, which is essential for a desirable experience. You can use an airtight glass jar packed as tightly as possible and then place it in a dark and cool environment. It's also crucial to buy your flowers at a reputable dispensary. Look for products that are freshly harvested to enjoy quality cannabinoids and terpenes. Apotheca.org is the company you can trust for your weed supplies. Check out our collection of hemp flowers today!
