Storing Cannabis: Keep It Fresh and Potent

You've invested in quality cannabis—now don't let improper storage ruin it. Cannabis degrades over time, losing potency, flavor, and appeal. Environmental factors like light, heat, air, and humidity can accelerate this degradation dramatically. Understanding proper storage helps you maintain product quality from purchase to consumption.

Whether you're storing flower, concentrates, or edibles, good storage practices protect your investment.

What Degrades Cannabis

Several factors contribute to cannabis degradation:

Light is the primary culprit. UV rays break down cannabinoids and terpenes. This is why cannabis is often sold in opaque or UV-resistant containers. Leaving cannabis in sunlight or bright artificial light accelerates degradation.

Heat speeds up the breakdown of organic compounds. High temperatures can cause terpenes to evaporate and cannabinoids to convert into less desirable forms (THC slowly converts to CBN, for example).

Air (oxygen) oxidizes cannabinoids and terpenes. Excessive air exposure slowly degrades potency and flavor.

Humidity extremes create problems on both ends. Too much moisture encourages mold and mildew growth—a serious safety concern. Too little moisture makes cannabis brittle, harsh, and less pleasant.

Time affects everything. Even with perfect storage, cannabis slowly degrades. Fresh cannabis is generally superior to old cannabis.

Ideal Storage Conditions

Cool temperature: Store cannabis in a cool location—ideally between 60-70°F (15-21°C). Avoid heat sources like radiators, sunny windowsills, or warm closets.

Darkness: Keep cannabis away from light. Store in opaque containers or keep containers in dark places like drawers or cabinets.

Controlled humidity: The ideal relative humidity for cannabis storage is 55-65%. This keeps flower from becoming too dry (under 50% RH) or too moist (over 65% RH).

Minimal air exposure: Store cannabis in appropriately sized containers—not so large that there's excessive air inside, but not so packed that flowers crush.

Airtight containers: Good seals prevent air exchange and help maintain consistent humidity.

Storage Containers

The right container makes a significant difference:

Glass jars (like Mason jars) are excellent for flower. Glass is non-reactive, doesn't affect flavor, and seals well. Amber or opaque glass provides UV protection.

Purpose-built cannabis containers are designed for this exact use. Many include humidity control features and UV protection.

Plastic containers are common but not ideal. Plastic can build static (which pulls trichomes off flower) and may affect flavor over time. If you use plastic, choose food-grade containers and don't store long-term.

Silicone containers are popular for concentrates because sticky extracts don't cling to silicone like they do to glass. However, some terpenes can be absorbed by silicone over time.

Original packaging varies in quality. Some dispensary packaging is designed for good storage; other packaging is just for transport. Transfer to better containers if needed.

Humidity Control

For serious flower storage, humidity control packs are popular:

Two-way humidity packs (like Boveda or Integra Boost) release or absorb moisture to maintain specific humidity levels. 58% or 62% RH packs are common choices for cannabis.

These packs prevent both over-drying and excess moisture, helping maintain ideal texture, weight, and freshness.

Replace packs when they become rigid (they start soft and become hard when exhausted).

Storing Different Product Types

Flower: Use airtight glass jars with humidity packs, stored in cool, dark locations. Well-stored flower can maintain quality for 6-12 months, though fresher is generally better.

Pre-rolls: Store like flower. Many people transfer pre-rolls into glass containers rather than keeping them in original tubes.

Concentrates: Store in glass or silicone containers in cool, dark places. Some people refrigerate concentrates, but this isn't necessary for most products. Avoid freezing unless you have a specific reason.

Edibles: Follow package instructions. Most edibles store like their non-infused counterparts—keep chocolate cool, store gummies in their sealed packages, etc.

Tinctures: Store in original bottles in cool, dark locations. Dark glass bottles protect against light degradation. Refrigeration can extend shelf life.

Cartridges: Store upright in cool locations to prevent leakage and keep oil near the heating element. Avoid extreme temperatures.

What NOT to Do

Don't refrigerate flower unless you have a specific reason and take precautions against humidity changes when removing.

Don't freeze flower unless you truly need very long-term storage. Freezing makes trichomes brittle and prone to breaking off.

Don't store in the bathroom or other humid areas.

Don't store near heat sources like stoves, heaters, or electronics.

Don't store in direct sunlight even briefly.

Don't crush or compress flower unnecessarily.

Don't store in bags if you can avoid it—bags offer poor protection compared to rigid containers.

Signs Your Cannabis Has Degraded

Dry, crumbly texture: Flower that turns to dust easily has lost too much moisture.

Harsh smoke/vapor: Degraded cannabis often tastes harsher than fresh product.

Muted aroma: If cannabis that used to smell potent now smells like hay or has little scent, terpenes have degraded.

Visible mold: Any fuzzy white growth means the product should be discarded entirely.

Color changes: Dramatic color shifts from green toward brown or yellow indicate age and degradation.

Key Takeaways

Proper cannabis storage protects against degradation from light, heat, air, and humidity. Use airtight glass containers, store in cool dark places, and consider humidity control packs for flower. Different product types have slightly different needs, but the basic principles remain consistent. Well-stored cannabis maintains its potency, flavor, and appeal far longer than improperly stored product.

This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. Individual experiences may vary. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your wellness routine.