So you’ve harvested or purchased some nice buds and you want to put some away for later use? It’s important to know how to store your weed properly in order or ensure a pleasant consumption experience – even if it’s months down the road.
Storing your Cannabis correctly preserves its quality so that you can enjoy it for a long time to come. It’s up to you to protect your precious pot from natural enemies, such as mold, humidity, and exposure to light.
Plastic baggies should never be used for long-term weed storage. First of all, the buds will get crushed with any movement of the bag in your pocket, bookbag, or purse. This creates a powdery mess of shake at the bottom of the bag and breaks apart the flowers you’re hoping to keep intact. Also, odors permeate easily out of plastic baggies, even sealable ones. Aside from the issues with security and stealth, this permeation is also indicative of your buds losing scents and flavors, both obvious and subtle, to the air.
If odors are getting out, that means moisture is released as well, resulting in dried-out buds that lack flavor and burn harshly and unevenly. A small amount of moisture is essential in long-term cannabis storage: buds that dry out completely taste unpleasant and are less potent. The late great Ricky Powell used to call this “fart dust”.
Find some airtight mason jars, preferably opaque, and do not overstuff them. Be sure to select an appropriate size for the amounts of cannabis you plan to store. You don’t want too much space in your jar because extra space means extra air, and your buds will dry out faster.
Never store cannabis in a refrigerator or freezer. Temperatures and humidity levels inside fridges fluctuate too much and aren’t set at ideal levels to begin with. The freezer is even worse, as temperatures below freezing can separate trichomes from your pot.
Also remember, heat rises and heat will quickly dry out your cannabis, so don’t store your jars in cabinets that are above appliances that produce heat like an oven, microwave, or refrigerator. Keep your jars in a dark, cool, dry place such as a closet or drawer and you’ll be enjoying your homegrown Cannabis at peak potency and flavor for months, if not years, to come.
