HOW TO KEEP CANNABIS FRESH

“How long is my cannabis good for?”

We are really not surprised that this is such a common question – who doesn’t want to keep their nuggs as fresh and potent as possible? At some point, we’ve all asked this question, perhaps you’ve found a few buds tucked in your winter jacket from last year, or worse – an eighth in a plastic baggie stored in the garage you completely forgot about (or maybe just forgot where you hid *ahem*) – leading to the next question – “is this still good to smoke?”

Light, air, moisture, and temperature all have profound effects on cannabis. Improper storage can turn your beautiful green into a dry, crispy weed that will almost certainly bother the ol’ wind-pipe.

So, how do you keep your marijuana fresh? It’s simple: Proper storage. While cannabis is not labeled with an expiration date, there are some vital components to consider if you want to keep it fresh. One of the most important things to consider is humidity control. When the humidity levels are too high or too low, this can lead to some, not so fun fungi.

HUMIDITY

Humidity control is a key element to keeping mold impurities off your cannabis. It can be a bit of a balancing act to store your cannabis in a regulated environment with the precise relative humidity (RH) ranges, however the general rule-of-green-thumb is to keep cannabis between 59% and 63% RH. Anything higher than 65% will increase the chance of developing mold however, if your RH drops too low, you risk your trichomes becoming brittle and drying out the essential oils.
The 59% to 63% RH range is essential to preserving potency, colour, aroma, flavour and importantly in keeping bud rot at bay. So how do we provide our precious reefer a hospitable environment? … enter Bodeva Packs.

BODEVA

When cannabis is stored at its ideal relative humidity, impurities will be kept away, and its lifespan will be extended. Thankfully, Boveda provides 2-way humidity control packs that protect cannabis from contaminations. These humidity control products from Boveda were created in answer to the need for proper storage and allows you to retain the freshness and potency of your cannabis like never before. 

How do they work?

Boveda had its start in the cigar industry as an efficient alternative to using humidifiers. Due to the similarities in storing cannabis and tobacco, many of those in the medical marijuana sector began using the same Boveda packs used for cigars for cannabis. 

“Simply place a Bodeva pack in the storage container and let it handle the rest.”

Boveda’s humidity control continuously responds to the enviromental conditions by adding or removing moisture until the pre-determined RH (relative humidity) level is determined. Whats more, their product requires no additional work on behalf of cannabis users – simply place a Boveda pack in the storage container and let it handle the rest. #easypeasy

Note: King Tuts adds a BOVEDA Humidity Pack into all packaging to ensure product stays at the perfect 62% Humidity. You’re welcome 🙂

OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS…

TEMPERATURE

Best practices for cannabis storage are in a cool, dark place. This is largely due to the fact that mildew and other molds thrive in temperatures between 25-30 degrees Celsius. Excessive heat can not only lead to development of cantaminations, but dry out our cherished cannabinoids and terpenes – no one wants that! If these essential oils along with plant material get to dry, it can result in a hella harsh smoke.

Should I put my weed in the freezer then? 

No, you should not. The freezer is the best place to store your post sesh munchies AKA ICE CREAM (peanut butter cookie dough please). But when it comes to storing your beloved dope, it is definitely not a good idea?

Here are two major reasons:

DECARBOXYLATION

Lower temperatures slow the process of decarboxylation of cannabinoids, the process that transfers THC-A into THC and eventually degrades into the less desired CBN. What in the world does that mean, you might ask? To put it simply, decarboxylation is a chemical process that occurs when drying/curing of your bud. Raw cannabis contains a lot of THC-A, which is non-psychoactive, and through the process of decarboxylation it turns into THC #HOLLA

TRICHOMES

These fine white hair-like particles that cover your bud are not only the reason each strain has a unique taste and smell, they are also where cannabinoids like THC and CBD are most concentrated. Less Trichomes = less high.
Freezing your weed causes these trichomes to crystalize like little snow balls that are extremely fragile in nature. Even if the handling of your bud is kept to a minimum, the prized trichomes will break off into whatever storage device you are using.

**PRO-TIP remember, heat rises and heat will quickly dry out your cannabis. So don’t store your jars in cabinets that are above appliances that produce heat like an oven, microwave or refrigerator. 

LIGHT

Light is one of the biggest causes of degradation in cannabinoids. And more specifically, UV rays. These rays are known to break down many organic and synthetic materials. Likely you have noticed the way your grass turns brown at the end of a sunny summer, or how paint colour fades with exposer, similarly UV rays will degrade your cannabis over time. Therefore, it is essential to store your marijuana away from direct sunlight.

AIR

Just as cannabis needs oxygen during growing and curing, when it comes to storing your cannabis, the right amount of air is imperative to keeping your bud fresh. Not enough air can drastically affect the RH ranges, especially if the cannabis was not dried completely before storage.
Too much air, on the other hand, hastens the cannabinoid degradation process. Storing your cannabis in an airtight glass jar is a good way to control air. 

Do you have your own storage methods for marijuana?  What works best for you? Let us know in the comments below.

STAY LIFTED WEEDFAM!