Storage Methods: How to Properly Store Your Weed

Whether you're a seasoned stoner or a casual recreational user, there's no debating that legal weed is widespread here in the U.S. In fact, arguing that cannabis is anything other than a money-making cash cow is straight-up false. Experts predict the U.S. legal marijuana industry will be worth as much as $70.6 billion by 2028. Polling shows the average American's support for legal weed at an all-time high, and enough states have legalized it to the point where 1 in 3 Americans have access to legal weed in their home states. Simply put, there's a lot of legal weed here in the U.S., so cannabis consumers must have a wealth of weed storage options for their various products! Thankfully, we here at Where's Weed are here to provide a comprehensive resource of the best ways to store weed, how long you can store it before it goes wrong, and how to keep it moist long-term!

So with all of that in mind, let's dig into detail about how to safely and effectively store your weed, what to store it in, and why those storage methods matter for stoners and recreational users in legal states all over the U.S.!

Why Proper Storage Methods Matter

While it's undoubtedly true that legal cannabis is popular and widespread here in the U.S., that doesn't mean that the price of cannabis products is reasonable across the board.

While developed and mature markets like those in California, Washington, Oregon, and Colorado have seen massive price dips for the consumer, East Coast markets like Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey still cost medical patients and recreational users an arm and a leg. One of the best ways to get the most bang for your buck is by properly storing and caring for your cannabis flower with the help of special weed storage containers. These specially made weed containers are made specifically for holding and preserving cannabis products, helping consumers keep and use their products over the long term instead of benign forced to throw them away or resort to drastic measures like vacuum sealing weed products.

Another factor to consider is your state's particular cannabis laws. In Massachusetts, for example, not correctly storing more than an ounce of cannabis products in a weed storage box with a lock can result in a $100 fine and confiscation of your cannabis products. In Oregon, parents who don't properly secure and lock away their cannabis products are subject to Child Protective Services investigations and stiff legal penalties if their kids get into their stash of edibles. Not to mention the harm that consuming weed can do to our furry friends! The best way to avoid trouble with the law is to secure that cannabis properly!

The final factor to consider is mold. Like it or not, your cannabis flower is susceptible to getting moldy if you don't care for it properly. The worst part is that once that mold starts growing, usually presenting as white spots on the exterior of your buds, there's no saving that cannabis. If you care about your health and don't want to deal with an expensive trip to the emergency room, then throwing it away is the only option you have.

How to Properly Store Your Weed

Now that we've broken down why proper storage is necessary financially and legally, let's break down exactly how to store your weed safely. Without appropriate storage methods, you're risking wasting your expensive cannabis and getting into legal troubles, so it only makes sense to try and do things right!

When figuring out a proper storage container for your weed, there are a few key factors to consider; the biggest threats to your weed's well-being and longevity are as follows.

Light
Oxygen
Humidity
Temperature

Now we know that there's a lot to consider here. At the very least, it's more complicated than keeping your buds in an air-tight baggy, crossing your fingers, and hoping the results you got when you punched "how long does weed stay good in a plastic bag" into your search engine of choice are trustworthy.

Thankfully, we here at Where's Weed are around to break each of those factors down and go in-depth on why each matter to the longevity of your cannabis flower. So without too much further ado, let's get right into it!

Light

Simply put, too much direct light is terrible for your cannabis flower. Research shows that light might be the thing that ages your buds the fastest, suggesting that cannabis stored in the dark lasted up to a year longer than buds exposed to direct light. On top of that, prolonged exposure to light reduces the amount of THC in the bud. That exposure to air will turn the THC into CBN, reducing the psychoactive effects of that cannabis flower.

To prevent this, you'll want to store your cannabis buds in a dark or brown airtight container, like the containers your cannabis usually comes in from the dispensary, instead of a clear one. Research shows that dark-colored and brown bottles block about 30 percent of UV rays, leading to longer-lasting cannabis buds and fewer THC losses.

Oxygen

Just like with light, long-term exposure to oxygen will break down and decay your cannabis. The air will naturally further dry out your cannabis buds and transform that THC into CBN, making your weedless potent and psychoactive.

The best way to reduce air exposure to your cannabis is to get something like an airtight mason jar or specially-made airtight storage containers to hold your cannabis flower. That airtight seal will protect your herb from the air, ensuring it stays fresher for longer!

Temperature

When it comes to the temperature of where you're opting to store your weed, it's a lot like the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. If you keep your weed somewhere that's consistently too warm; you drastically increase the chances for the growth of mildew and mold that will ruin your weed. If you store it somewhere that's consistently too cold, like a refrigerator, you'll freeze and destroy the delicate trichomes and decrease the overall potency of your weed. Regarding temperature, it is about finding the sweet spot that's just right!

Ideally, the best middle ground temperature to store your weed at is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity

The moisture level in the air, otherwise known as humidity, plays a massive role in the longevity of your cannabis flower. Research shows that a relative humidity level above 65 percent increases the likelihood of your buds getting moldy. The levels of moisture in your cannabis are so crucial for the longevity and safety of the product that the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), which develops technical standards across many industries, published the "Standard Specification for Maintaining Acceptable Water Activity (aw) Range (0.55 to 0.65) for Dry Cannabis Flower" in May 2018.

Your best bet for controlling humidity is similar to a tried and true method used with cigars for decades, a specially-made humidor for weed. These products control how much airflow and moisture gets into them, ensuring that the cannabis inside is well-protected and preserved. Suppose a humidor box would take up too much space. In that case, you can always pick up a smaller humidity solution like pods or capsules that can be inserted into the container holding the cannabis to keep that interior at the best humidity for weed storage.

The Bottom Line

Storing and preserving your weed is always good if you want the most bang for your buck. Proper storage of cannabis can extend how long it will last, reduce the chances of it going bad due to mildew or mold, and lead to a better smoking experience once you get around to using that flower for something. As long as you're willing to invest in the right products you'll need, you'll get the most out of your cannabis in the long term!