No matter how well-cured weed is, it won’t last very long if you don’t know how to store it properly.
In fact, properly cured and stored cannabis can last up to two years without losing its potency. This is what makes weed storage so important.
If you’re planning to have a stash for more than a few weeks, you’ll need to learn the proper way to store weed and the best containers to use.
(SPOILER ALERT: The best storage isn’t in a plastic bag!)
How to Store Weed Properly
The BEST way to store weed long-term is to store it in an airtight glass container, in most cases, a jar.
That’s because glass protects cannabis from exposure to air and the elements, which can spoil or taint it. It also doesn’t contain chemicals that can affect the weed’s potency.
In this case, the most common solution, a plastic container, presents problems like chemicals seeping in and static electricity — both of which can ruin the quality of your buds.
You should also store the jar in the dark so it doesn’t get exposed to harsh light. But make sure that where you put it isn’t humid either.
It would also help if you looked for weed storage solution features like UV-proofing and smell-proofing for your containers for added protection.
Humidification pods attached to the lid can also keep the moisture in the jar within optimal levels.
Do You Really Need Special Containers for Storing Weed?
Yes, you need special containers for weed — ESPECIALLY if you’re keeping them for more than a few weeks.
Good marijuana storage keeps the buds aromatic and potent by protecting them from the elements.
If you don’t put cannabis in a good airtight storage container, you can lose the compounds that weed is known for.
These important psychoactive compounds are cannabinoids and terpenes.
Cannabinoids interact with cannabinoid receptors at the surface of cells and can affect the following:
- Memory and cognition
- Psychomotor performance
- Pleasure and reward responses
- Pain perception
Out of the 66 cannabinoids in weed, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most well-known. If you expose weed to light, THC will be converted into cannabinol (CBN), a non-intoxicating cannabinoid.
Meanwhile, terpenes are what make strains smell and taste different from one another.
These psychoactive compounds are pretty sensitive to environmental factors like moisture and temperature. If exposed, these chemicals are broken down, and the buds lose their potency.
Aside from that, a good storage solution serves as a safety precaution if you have children or pets in your household.
Ingesting cannabis can be dangerous for children since it can cause vomiting, confusion, and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, it can even cause low blood pressure and hallucinations.
What Should I Consider When Choosing Weed Storage Solutions?
As you can guess, storing weed isn’t as simple as putting them in a bag and keeping them out of reach of kids and pets.
When looking for the right storage container for your cannabis, you should first understand what factors can affect your stash:
- Temperature – Terpenes, which give cannabis its aromatic characteristics, evaporate at HIGH temperatures. Aside from that, marijuana with no terpenes produces harsh and unpleasant smoke. Mold and mildew also thrive at higher temperatures. The IDEAL temperature for storing weed is 70° F at most. The fridge offers low temperatures but not a good level of humidity — so it’s best not to put your jars in there either.
- Light – Light serves as the most common reason for weed to break down quickly. That’s because UV rays from the sun can BURN UP the terpenes and cannabinoids in cannabis. To prevent this from happening, you must get opaque stash jars or store weed where sunlight can’t reach it. If the buds are exposed to light, it shouldn’t be a problem as long as it doesn’t happen too often; otherwise, their cannabinoid and terpene properties will degrade.
- Humidity Levels – Moisture is a HUGE threat to cannabis since it also encourages the growth of mold and mildew. On the other hand, keeping the buds too dry is also bad since it will cause the terpenes and cannabinoids to degrade. It’s best to keep your stash between 59 and 63 degrees relative humidity. It can be hard to predict and control humidity levels, so you should consider getting humidifying capsules.
- Oxygen Exposure – Too much oxygen will cause the weed to degrade faster. Meanwhile, too LITTLE air can cause humidity levels to increase. So, the best way to prevent oxygen exposure is to use a vacuum sealer. That said, an airtight container will do. Make sure to choose the RIGHT SIZE as well, since having too much space will still allow air into the container.
Something else to consider when looking for storage containers is to get something child-resistant.
This ensures that any children in the household will be unable to open or tamper with the container.
Does Weed Go Bad?
Weed doesn’t “go bad” in the same way foodstuffs do since it DOESN’T have an expiration date.
Instead, its chemical makeup changes to the point where it loses its potency and flavor.
However, mold problems will certainly make weed unusable. In that case, it really will go bad.
How Do I Know if Weed Has Gone Bad?
It’s not safe to use weed when you notice mold. Some signs of mold growth are:
- Dark spots
- Gray or white spots
- Musty smell (like hay)
- Tastes off
These signs may be hard to catch, so check carefully before using your cannabis.
Using moldy weed shouldn’t cause serious health problems. But you MIGHT experience some nausea, vomiting, and coughing.
However, people with weak immune systems should be more careful since the bacteria or fungi from the smoke can cause major health issues — or even death.
Using Old Weed
If that isn’t the case, you can still use your stash. However, if marijuana hasn’t been cured or stored properly, you’ll notice that it won’t be potent or fresh anymore.
Old weed also shouldn’t cause any health problems, as long as you don’t have underlying conditions.
Some signs that your weed is growing old and losing its luster are:
- Different or no smell
- Harsh taste and smell
- The spongy or crumbly feeling when you break it off
How Long Does Weed Last?
Well-cured and well-stored cannabis can maintain full flavor and potency from six months to a year. Marijuana starts to lose its potency after the one-year mark.
A study shows how much potency weed loses after one year:
- 16% THC lost at 1 year
- 26% THC loss at 2 years
- 34% THC loss at 3 years
- 41% THC loss at 4 years
However, the lifespan of your stash depends on how well you store it.If you’ve been careful with it, you can keep it fresh for up to 2 years. If not, you’ll only be able to fully enjoy it for a few weeks.
Best Cannabis Storage Containers
Now that you know the best way to store weed, below are a few good marijuana storage containers to try:
1. Smell-Proof Glass Jars
Glass jars, particularly glass MASON jars, are very convenient. After all, you can get them almost anywhere.
These jars are smell-proof and can protect your stash from air and moisture.
Since these are typically large, ensure your jar is at least 3/4 full to prevent too much air from entering the container.
As you use up your supply, you’ll need to switch to a smaller jar, too — this means buying a few storage jars from the get-go to ensure long-term freshness.
These containers tend to be transparent, so make sure to keep your stash in a safe, dark place.
2. UV-Proof Glass Jars
There are UV-proof containers you can get for storing small quantities of weed.
Aside from ensuring a dark environment, they’re also smell-proof and improve your weed’s quality by letting it age more without making it brittle.
3. Stori Stash Box
Stori Stash Box has a few storage pods to hold the buds.
They’re color-coded, too, and come with dry-erase markers so that you can mark strains and dates. The jars and doob tubes are also made of food-safe aluminum.
The lid of this container can even double as a rolling tray if you need it!
4. Herb Guard
Herb Guard is a brand that offers UV-proof and smell-proof containers.
It can only accommodate small amounts, but Herb Guard containers are airtight and of good quality.
Get one with a Humidipak to help you control the moisture too.
5. Cannador
Cannador is a perfect solution since it’s specifically designed to store cannabis, giving you peace of mind knowing you have nothing to worry about.
It’s an organizer that comes with glass jars to help you store different strains separately.
It preserves the freshness of the weed by keeping moisture out — but it doesn’t make the environment too dry to the point that the buds age quickly.
Cannador is VERY convenient — and has a great coffee table-worthy design to it as well!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We’ve answered some of the most common questions regarding cannabis storage below:
Should I Cure Weed Before Storing It?
Yes, you should cure weed before putting it in the jar.
That’s because curing ensures that the cannabis reaches peak potency before storage. It also gives you the ideal moisture level, so you don’t have to worry about mold.
You should cure your weed for at least 4 weeks before storing it. If you don’t, they may maintain higher moisture content, leading to mold growth.
Some people even cure weed for 4 to 8 weeks. In fact, some strains work best if you cure them for at least 6 months!
Does Keeping Weed in a Fridge Keep It Fresh?
Storing cannabis in the fridge, unfortunately, does NOT keep it fresh.
Putting it in the fridge (or freezer) will make the trichomes more fragile. This will cause them to fall off the cannabis when you handle it frozen. They’ll even lose their potency.
Aside from that, it’s very difficult to control the humidity inside the fridge/freezer.
So while keeping the jar in a dark place and at a low temperature, the moisture can give you mold problems.
Can I Store Weed in a Plastic Bag?
No, weed will NOT do well in plastic bags or plastic containers.
One issue is that plastic gathers static electricity, which will damage the weed.
Another problem is that plastic contains a ton of chemicals. Most plastics are derived from fossil fuels, and these chemicals can seep into your cannabis.
Storing cannabis in a plastic bag can also contribute to mold problems.
If you HAVE to use a plastic bag, remove as much air as possible and minimize manual handling to prevent static electricity from developing.
It’s also ideal that you only use plastic for transit.
Otherwise, keep your stash in a glass jar.
Can Weed Be Stored in Cigar Humidors?
No, cigar humidors are not ideal if you need to store cannabis.
As the name implies, these wooden storage containers are designed to preserve the freshness of CIGARS.
They have a hygrometer for humidity levels, which is great. Unfortunately, the relative humidity is higher in this storage box, encouraging mold growth on cannabis.
Another problem is that the boxes are made with oil-containing woods like cedar, which can affect how the weed smells and tastes.
That said, there ARE wooden containers specifically made to keep your marijuana stash safe — such as Cannador.
Be careful that you don’t confuse containers meant for cigars with those used for weed.
How Long Does Weed Stay Fresh in a Ziploc Bag?
If you need to store weed in a Ziploc bag, do it for as short a time as possible. A few weeks is the limit.
Again, that’s because plastic bags can cause problems like mold and static that will ruin the buds’ potency.
Is Weed Better in a Jar or Bag?
Weed is better in an airtight glass jar. This keeps it fresh, untainted, and good-smelling.
It’s preferable if you have a vacuum sealer too.
Conclusion
The best way to store weed is to put it in an airtight glass jar. This ensures that the buds remain high-quality when you use them.
An Herb Guard jar, especially one with a Humidipak, is UV-proof, smell-proof, and can control humidity. Meanwhile, Stori Stash boxes have additional features like a rolling tray and color-coded containers.
Only put cannabis in a plastic bag if you’re transporting them. Even then, handle them gently to prevent static and plastic chemicals from messing with the buds.
