What's the best way to store weed?
The way you store your weed has a major impact on its taste, smell and quality. Yet, many people don't give much thought to how they store their weed. Usually just a ziplock bag is used. But this is certainly not the best way to store your cannabis. To keep buds fresh, it is important to take into account various variables, such as light and air. In this blog, we explain the best way to store weed.
Why store your weed properly?
Do you store your weed in a plastic bag? Many people opt for convenience and use plastic bags. Plastic also keeps biscuits fresh, and bread and licorice and many other products. But weed is different. If you don't store it properly, it will cause your buds to lose flavor, strength, and quality. And that is of course not what you want.
How come weed gets worse if you don't store it properly? Under the influence of light, air and high temperatures, the substances that give cannabis its distinctive smell and taste are broken down. But your weed will also lose potency. THC, the substance that causes the high, is converted to CBN, which does not produce a significant high. You can also see and feel from the texture that weed has become old. It feels crumbly and dry, rather than moist and sticky. So it's really important to make sure you choose a good way to store your weed.
Properly stored cannabis can last for six months to a year. It's best to use it before then, though, otherwise the buds will lose their flavor, and you'll end up with a pungent smoke.
What should you pay attention to?
First of all, it is important to ensure that your weed is properly dried if you have grown it yourself. This will be cured. Although this takes a lot of time (four weeks or more), you will benefit greatly from this. Properly cured buds are so dry that mold is unlikely to develop, but they are not dried out. Once the curing process is complete, you can store your buds. You should pay attention to the following points:
1. Temperature
Weed stays good longest at a temperature between 15 and 20 degrees. THC and the other cannabinoids remain intact for the longest time. Higher and lower temperatures can negatively affect the effectiveness of the cannabinoids.
2. Air
Preferably store your weed in airtight jars, so leave them closed as much as possible. The more the buds are exposed to air, the more oxidation will take place. Oxidation is a process that will break down cannabinoids and other substances. So you want to limit this as much as possible.
3. Light
Light also has a negative effect on weed. It is mainly the ultraviolet radiation from the sun that can lower the THC content in the buds. The trichomes are also lost under the influence of light. The buds will become less sticky and may become crumbly. So choose a good dark storage place for your weed.
4. Humidity
It is also important to pay attention to the humidity. The optimum relative humidity for storing cannabis is between 58 and 62%. This will help prevent mold from forming and keep the buds dry without drying out.
5. Pay attention to hygiene
When you use a storage jar to store your weed, it is of course also important to pay attention to hygiene. The pots must be clean. Before you put the weed in, it is best to wash the jars. This way you can prevent bacteria and fungi from contaminating your stash. Allow the jars to dry thoroughly before storing your weed.
Storing weed: what not to do?
Above, you could read which factors are important when choosing the best way to store your weed. However, there are also some things you shouldn't do.
Store in the refrigerator or freezer
The refrigerator and freezer are of course great appliances, with which we can keep many different types of food fresh for longer. That may also be the reason that some cannabis users think that they can also store their weed there. But whether your weed is in a jar or a bag, the fridge and freezer will not do your weed supply any good. The temperature in the fridge is not stable (because you open and close it often). This can cause your weed to mold.
But especially the cold is disastrous for cannabis. This will cause the trichomes to release, causing your weed to lose potency and soon become unusable.
Store in plastic bags
Many people store their stash in plastic bags. If it concerns a temporary storage location, this is not a problem. But if you want to keep weed good for a long time, this is not recommended. Plastic is intended as an insulating material. As a result, a static charge easily builds up on the surface. That is why you always see that dust remains on plastic. Unfortunately, it can also attract the trichomes of your buds, making your weed less potent.
Another drawback is that plastic is known to affect the taste of your weed. And finally, moisture can get into plastic bags. This can lead to mould, something you naturally want to prevent.
The Best Preservation Method
Now that you know what to look out for and what to avoid, the question remains: what is the best way to store your weed? Those are airtight glass jars. These keep moisture and mold out. And if you close them properly, they also keep odors inside, which in turn can prevent nuisance.
Special stash vacuum containers are also ideal. These have a special vacuum seal, so you can store your stock airtight. Stainless steel storage containers are also a good option. Stainless steel does not give any chemical reactions and will not affect the taste or smell of your weed. Do you still have your stock of weed in plastic containers or bags? Invest in a good stash can and you will enjoy your weed for longer.
