There’s a general rule when it comes to cannabis; if you don’t store it properly, you may end up with dried-up flowers which are ready for the garbage can only a few days after you buy them. Getting a consistent smoke and the full value out of your purchases depends on your capability to lock in the potency and freshness of your cannabis. When stored properly, the weed will maintain its dense and sticky feel. In addition, the buds will retain their exquisite colors and the beautiful trichome coat.
Whether you are an occasional smoker or you like to indulge in cannabis on a daily level, you should know these foolproof tips on how to keep your weed fresh.
How Long Does Weed Stay Fresh
Sometimes, weed can remain fresh even after several months, whereas other times it will quickly crumble into fine dust in just a few days. Generally speaking, any weed that has been harvested, dried, cured, and stored professionally lasts longer. The typical shelf life is between six months to one year. That being said, the storage conditions can greatly affect the weed’s freshness.
If you’re wondering how to keep your weed fresh, the most important step is the temperature. Cannabis flowers should be kept in a controlled environment since extreme temperatures can dry out the weed’s terpenes and cannabinoids and therefore destroy its potency.
Cannabis humidity is another important factor that impacts the herb’s freshness. When kept in environments that are too humid, mold can start growing on your stash. On the other hand, weed can become harsher to smoke when kept in too dry conditions. Therefore, you should keep the cannabis flower in a controlled environment. The ideal humidity range is between 55% to 62% RH as it keeps the buds fluffy and sticky.
Finally, direct exposure to air and light impacts humidity and temperature, causing the cannabis flowers to degrade over time. That’s why it’s recommended to keep your weed in airtight containers stored in dark places.
Does Dry Weed Lose Potency
Well-preserved cannabis can last for up to one year. After that, it begins to lose its aroma and potency. With time, the chemical components of cannabis start to break down and the herb loses the main psychoactive component, THC, and its strength. After one year, cannabis loses about 16% of its THC. The loss will grow to 26% in two years, 34% in three years, and 41% in four years.
How Do I Know If My Cannabis Is Old?
The weed’s aroma is the first thing that noticeably changes if the product is past its prime. The bad weed either smells differently or loses its aroma together. If it has been sitting for too long, it might even smell harsh and a bit pungent.
Moreover, the weed’s appearance is also a telling sign of its freshness. Old weed that is either too moist or too dry will crumble or feel spongy when you break it off. While consuming old weed shouldn’t harm you, you won’t get the experience you desire.
Be mindful of any color change as it can indicate that there is mold growth, and smoking moldy weed could potentially make you sick. You should also be very careful when inspecting your stash since mold can often look like trichomes. Weed that has grown mold is usually darker in color or shows discoloration in certain spots.
Can You Restore Dry Cannabis using VaporBeads
Restoring dry cannabis is possible, but the process is quite delicate and requires patience. However, there are a few methods that could work.
Use Distilled Water
Distilled water is an essential ingredient when restoring your weed. This water has been evaporated and freed from any impurities. Such chemically pure water is often used in humidors. dip 1/4 of the bead case in distilled water and then shake off the excess water. Place in your humidor and in 24-48 hours, you will notice your flower goes from brittle and dry to sticky and moist.
Best Temperature to Store Your Weed
When thinking about how to keep your weed fresh, the temperature is one of the crucial factors to consider. The ideal temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 21 degrees Celsius. This temperature provides the necessary balance to keep the cannabis moist just enough to keep its texture and retain its potency. A temperature higher than the ideal can destroy terpenes, affecting the weed’s effects and flavor.
Best Ways To Keep Your Weed Fresh
Carefully prepared cannabis can remain stable for up to two years if stored well. However, most weed smokers have less than ideal conditions for storing their products. So if you’ve ever wondered “how to keep my weed fresh without using specialized humidors”, check out these tried-and-true methods.
Use a Glass Container
Metal containers can affect the aroma of the flowers, whereas plastic can cause the buds the trichomes to separate due to the static. So, when considering how to keep your weed fresh, glassware is one of the best storage materials. If your cannabis has been well dried before storing, glass jars with tight-fitting lids are a good option.
You can go the extra mile and get a Miron jar to add another protection layer and block UV light that degrades THC. Ensure its lid is tightly closed to prevent the air from getting in it. Finally, consider using a humidity pack inside to ensure the environment is controlled and prolong the shelf life of cannabis.
Invest in a Specialized Cannabis Humidor
Dubbed the fanciest option, a cannabis humidor is the best intermediate-term solution for keeping your cannabis in a controlled humidity environment. A humidor is a wooden-lined box with a hygrometer that monitors relative humidity. People often store their cannabis in cigar humidors, however, it’s crucial to understand that the conditions that favor cigars don’t work for weed because cigar humidors are lined with cedar and that can taint the taste and smell of your buds.
Keep It Away from Air, Heat, and Light
The most important thing to remember is to keep the container away from light, heat and air. Whatever storage method you opt for, it should always be kept in a dark, cool place. Additionally, ensure that the buds fit snugly in the container. Packing it tightly will leave little space for oxygen to get inside, which would affect the humidity and quality of the weed.
Avoid Accidental Contamination
Be careful not to cause accidental contamination. Keep pipes, lighters, and other apparatus in a separate container as the buds may absorb any odor, affecting the end-flavor experience. Likewise, keep one strain per jar to avoid any flavor contamination.
Source: cannador.com
