Why Is It Important To Store Your Flower Properly?
Maintaining the quality, flavor, and effect of your cannabis flower can be preserved if certain precautions are used in your storage. This way you can have the highest quality experience and maybe even save some of those favorite strains you just can’t bring yourself to smoke the last of. But exactly how long can you store cannabis flower? Research published in 1976 by the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology stated that “cannabinoids can remain stable with a shelf life of up to 2 years if the cannabis is properly cured for at least 4 weeks and kept in an optimal storage environment.” But what is an optimal storage environment?
Temperature
The general cannabis storage rule you will hear is “cool, dark, and dry”. High temperatures can dry out the flower while the cold temperatures can burst the trichomes and degrade their potency. It is recommended to keep your cannabis flower stored between 55 degrees and 75 degrees fahrenheit.
Light Exposure
Probably the most noticeable factor when you notice damage from storing your cannabis is the damage from UV exposure. This ‘sun bleaching’ is extremely visibly noticeable as it drains the cannabis of the green color and transforms the buds into a ghostly pale yellow. UV light can degrade the terpenes, cannabinoids, color, and moisture of your flower. The best way to avoid light damage is to avoid direct sunlight exposure. You can achieve this by using a drawer or closet, or anywhere that is dack as your storage area. If that option is not available to you, you can also use opaque jars that protect from sun getting on the flower.
Humidity
Humidity is an extremely important factor to keep in mind as too high of humidity can cause mildew or mold to grow, and too little humidity can dry your product out. The recommended Relative Humidity should be between “54% and 63% Relative Humidity”. You can purchase products, like Boveda Packs, to help make your storage jars maintain this level of humidity. Or alternatively you can try and keep the level of humidity correct by not leaving too much or too little air space in your storage container.
Cleanliness
The last step for maintaining your storage area is to keep it as clean as possible. Regularly checking that your jars and area do not have dust or water or anything that could possibly introduce any factor of contamination. This will allow you to store with peace of mind.
Type of Storage Container
Overall the most recommended material for a jar for storing cannabis flower is glass. It is non porous and airtight. Metal can cause the flavor to change overtime. The same thing can happen with plastic, and the static charge from the plastic also causes those precious trichomes to fall off. If you are a fan of the idea of a humidor to store your cannabis in a humidity controlled wood option, beware and be careful not to purchase a cigar one. These can flavor the cannabis with a cedar taste and there are now cannabis specific options that both preserve the flavor and is dialed in for the needs of cannabis storage more. If you follow these pieces of advice, you should be able to store and preserve your cannabis flower in the most optimal way - ensuring amazing effect, flavor, and smell every time.