Keeping Your Cannabis Fresh

Proper storage of cannabis is critical for keeping it as potent as possible.

While storing cannabis is not difficult, there are four important factors that can affect its freshness and potency:

• Rule #1: Heat will dry cannabis out, while too much moisture can cause dangerous bacteria to grow.

• Rule #2: Light is harmful to the trichomes (the sticky resin glands attached).

• Rule #3: Air will dry cannabis out and lessen its potency.

• Rule #4: Too much handling causes the trichomes to come off.

The best way to store cannabis is in an airtight mason jar that has a good seal. One of the old time dark colored cheese jars with the wire swing top is ideal if you happen to have one -- they are ideal for keeping out air, heat and light.

Store the jar in a cool dark place. You can store it in the fridge (not the freezer), but keep an eye out for mold. Fresh flower will actually “cure” better using this method, producing some sweet smelling buds!

When your cannabis was grown, we waited until the trichomes were just right before harvesting to create the best potency possible from those plants. You want to preserve those sticky resin glands and handle them gently as they fall off easily.

The two biggest myths about storing marijuana are keeping it in clear plastic bags and freezing it, which break most of the rules.

When you freeze cannabis buds, those potent little trichomes become like tiny icicles. This makes them stiff and brittle and actually makes them fall off and break off the buds. The more you handle the buds in and out of the freezer, the more you lose those active ingredients that help alleviate the symptoms you‘re trying to address.

Also, all plastic bags have some static, and even this static attracts the resin glands that you are trying to protect and keep intact, which means you are reducing the potency slightly. If you must use plastic bags, use them seldom and for small quantities.

It's also a good idea to keep the quantity of cannabis you wish to store separate from your daily supply

If you don't have a jar, you can place it in a brown bag (or any dark paper), and then in your plastic bags. Also remove any air that you can.

Refrigerate, or keep in a cool place (a basement works well) where there is no light and little activity -- prevent any constant movement or handling. This will keep your cannabis both fresh and potent for a very long time.

These guidelines also apply to concentrates -- just use a smaller jar!

To protect the potency and taste of your cannabis for long periods, smart storage is a must! Rough handling, heat, light and air exposure degrade trichomes!

Harborside is dedicated to providing safe and legal access to cannabis for adults 21 and over. If you would like to know more about doses of cannabis and proper ways to store it, feel free to contact us.

We are available to assist with all of your cannabis and alternative healing needs. Feel free to drop us an email whenever you have a special request for a cannabis product or service -- we'll do our best to help!