With summer coming up, many cannabis consumers are starting to question how to keep their weed fresh for longer. If you don’t plan to use all your cannabis in one sitting, you’ll want to figure out how to store weed safely in warmer weather. Storing your cannabis properly will make it last much longer. Good storage techniques preserve flavor, freshness, and potency. You could keep the flower good for several months or longer, depending on how you store your weed.
At Native Sun, a dispensary with locations around Massachusetts, we are here to help you learn how to store weed properly.
The Importance of Proper Storage
Improper cannabis storage will change the quality of your weed drastically. If you expose the flower to warm, bright conditions, there will be a degradation of the cannabinoids and terpenes. You’ll notice a distinct change in the taste, potency, and scent of the cannabis. Although heat causes issues with the quality of your weed, UV light exposure will have the most damaging effects. THC levels drop due to light exposure and will degrade at a rate of 0.5% for each hour of sunlight exposure.
Although the quality of weed is important, warm, humid conditions can also pose safety concerns. You could inadvertently cause mold growth, making the flower unsafe to consume. If there’s any visible mold on the cannabis flower, it must be disposed of immediately.
Storage Barriers
Fresh cannabis can be enjoyed safely in warmer weather, but you have to look out for several components that can affect the weed. The following will cause weed to degrade over time:
- Heat: High temperatures will suck the moisture out of your cannabis flower and cause it to dry out. The cannabinoids in the flower, including THC and CBD levels, will degrade rapidly. As a rule of thumb, storage temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit are considered too warm.
- Humidity: Humidity must be controlled when storing cannabis. You have to achieve the perfect level. Too much humidity promotes mold growth, while not enough humidity will dry out the flower rapidly. Most producers recommend a humidity level between 65% and 70% for weed storage.
- Light: Indirect and direct sunlight causes quality issues and strips the weed of its cannabinoids and terpenes. Any weed storage solution requires storing it away from a light source.
- Oxygen: Good cannabis storage practices include using containers. If you don’t use a container, oxygen will speed up the degradation process.
How to Store Weed Safely in Warmer Weather
There are several methods to consider when choosing how to store your weed during the summer. Luckily, several products and processes will prolong the lifespan of your cannabis flower. When stored correctly, cannabis flower can typically stay fresh without any type of change in potency or flavor for up to six months. Some methods may even help your cannabis last for a year before noticing any quality changes.
Temperature-Control Storage Containers
One of the easiest methods to prevent issues caused by summer heat is to use specialized cannabis storage containers. The containers maintain a consistent temperature, typically around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. They may also come with a built-in humidor to regulate the humidity levels. The airtight containers are rechargeable and may be reused.
Container Materials
The type of storage material will also affect summer storage of your weed. During the summer, you’ll want to avoid plastic materials. Plastic, in general, isn’t best for weed storage because it can cause trichomes to get removed from the buds of the flower. You’ll also need a container that can be sealed tightly. The container must reduce oxygen exposure as much as possible. Once put in the container, try not to open the container often to limit air exposure.
The following are a few containers you can use safely in the summer for weed storage:
- Glass Jars: Glass creates an airtight environment and will stop terpene loss. Mason jars with lids work well since they create a tight lock. Colored mason jars are preferred since they can block out light, too.
- Metal Containers: Metal options are durable and will block out UV light. Unlike glass, you’re not likely to damage a metal cannabis container. Metal containers will also not transfer any flavors or taste to the cannabis.
- Ceramic Containers: A clean ceramic container will also work well during the summer for weed storage. Ceramic materials are great for controlling temperatures and effectively blocking out light.
Keep the Cannabis in Somewhere Cool and Dark
Store your cannabis in a cool and dark place, such as a drawer, cabinet, or closet. You’ll want an area that has a stable temperature. You don’t want to keep it anywhere where the temperature fluctuates, like a car or near a windowsill. During the summer, a hot car can reach temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in minutes. At this temperature level, your cannabis flower will become harsh and brittle quickly. If you don’t have a storage container with humidity controls, monitor the relative humidity in your home.
Avoid Refrigeration and Freezing
A common misconception is to keep your cannabis in the fridge or freezer during the summer months. Refrigerators lack stable temperature control, especially when used daily. Fridges tend to have too much humidity, which promotes mold growth. Freezers will make trichomes brittle and cause them to break off. The effects of improper cannabis storage include reduced flavor and potency.
Treat Your Weed Right at Native Sun
Cannabis is a plant and must be treated in the same manner as other plants. Warm weather can have a poor effect on the quality of weed. To save money and time, use a good storage container and avoid high temperatures and direct light.
Whether you’re shopping for flower or the best storage containers to keep them in, Native Sun is here to help. Our dispensary has locations throughout Massachusetts, including recreational stores in Hudson, North Attleboro, and South Boston. Our budtenders are always available with cannabis flower recommendations and how to find the best storage solution for your stash.
