How to Store Weed to Keep It Fresh

Protecting Your Investment

You've just purchased some premium cannabis from AstroJoints, and its aroma, flavor, and frosty trichomes are perfect. But how do you keep it that way? Improper storage can quickly degrade your flower, turning potent, flavorful buds into dry, harsh, and less effective product. Following a few simple rules can preserve the quality of your cannabis for months.

The Four Enemies of Cannabis Freshness

To store your weed correctly, you need to protect it from four main culprits:

• Light: UV rays are the single biggest factor in cannabinoid degradation. Direct sunlight will break down THC and other essential compounds.
• Air (Oxygen): Too much oxygen will speed up the degradation process. However, a complete lack of air isn't ideal either, as cannabis needs to breathe a tiny bit.
• Moisture: Too much humidity can lead to mold and mildew. Too little humidity will cause the trichomes to become brittle and the flower to dry out, resulting in a harsh smoke.
• Temperature: High temperatures can dry out your cannabis and cause terpenes to evaporate, ruining the flavor. Cool, but not cold, temperatures are ideal.

The Do's and Don'ts of Cannabis Storage

DO: Use Airtight Glass Jars

Glass is the gold standard for cannabis storage. It's impermeable and won't transfer any unwanted flavors or chemicals. An airtight seal minimizes oxygen exposure. Mason jars or specialized cannabis humidor jars are perfect. Store these jars in a cool, dark place like a cupboard or closet.

DON'T: Use Plastic Baggies

The classic plastic baggie is one of the worst ways to store cannabis. The static charge on plastic can pull trichomes off your buds. They are not airtight, offer no protection from light, and do nothing to regulate humidity.

DO: Maintain Proper Humidity

The ideal relative humidity (RH) for storing cannabis is between 58% and 62%. The easiest way to achieve this is by adding a two-way humidity control pack (like those from Boveda or Integra) to your glass jar. These packs automatically add or remove moisture to keep the RH in the perfect range.

DON'T: Store it in the Refrigerator or Freezer

This is a common mistake. Freezing temperatures cause the fragile trichomes to become brittle and break off, drastically reducing your flower's potency. The temperature and humidity fluctuations of a refrigerator can also increase the risk of mold.

The Quick Guide to Perfect Storage

1. Get an airtight, opaque or UV-protected glass jar.
2. Add a 62% RH humidity pack.
3. Store the jar in a cool, dark place (like a closet or drawer).
4. Avoid constantly opening the jar, as this exposes it to fresh oxygen.

By following these simple steps, you can ensure your last bud from the jar is just as fresh and potent as the first.