If you don’t know how to store weed properly, it can end up drying up or growing mold. Dry weed will have lost a good portion of the flavor and potency while moldy weed is unsafe to smoke.

If you’ve got quality weed and you want it to stay that way, you’ll have to try harder than a jewelry or sandwich bag. Especially if you’re planning to make it last for a while. Leaving the job to a bag alone will turn your sticky buds brittle within a weeks time.

A few simple measures will ensure your stash is still smokable the next time you reach for it. There are a few ways to better store weed for extended periods of time.

Before we go deeper into that discussion, though, we want to offer you a deeper understanding of what happens when your weed starts to age.

• Lost THC

As weed is exposed to heat, oxygen, and UV light, the cannabinoids within, including THC, will begin to break down. It doesn’t happen too quickly, but the change can become noticeable after a few weeks. It won’t leave you sober, but a joint won’t get you as high as the one you rolled when you first got it.

• Conversion to CBN

As that THC breaks down, it doesn’t just disappear. In fact, it’s converted into another cannabinoid, known as CBN. This cannabinoid has some mild psychoactive properties, but it doesn’t get you high on its own. This conversion mainly occurs when weed is exposed to oxygen and heat, although the process takes time.

• Lost Flavour

Lost THC won’t be the only consequence of keeping your weed in a warm spot. As it gets weaker, it’ll also taste and feel harsher upon smoking. This, of course, is a result of the terpenes drying out over time. Excessive light and moisture will bring about their downfall as well. You may need Best Smell Proof Containers to help you.

If you’re more inclined to smoke CBD-rich strains, you may wonder whether any of this applies to you. Well, since CBD is also a cannabinoid, and since the buds also have terpenes, it too can degrade with age. The high isn’t a factor, but you’ll miss out on the other potential benefits of CBD.

Ideal temperatures for storing cannabis

Mildew and other molds on cannabis and other organic matter thrive in temperatures between 77° and 86° F, so basic precautions of keeping your cannabis in a cool, dark place will go a long way. Excessive heat can dry out the cannabinoids and terpenes that have taken months to develop. When these essential oils get too dry along with plant material, it can result in a hot, harsh smoke.

Lower temperatures also slow the process of decarboxylation of cannabinoids, the process in which THCA converts into the intoxicating cannabinoid THC. THC eventually degrades into CBN, a cannabinoid with different effects and properties. Additionally, warm air holds more moisture than cold air, which brings us to the next consideration.

Humidity factors for cannabis storage

Humidity control is paramount to keeping mildew and other mold contaminants away from your cannabis. Keeping your cannabis stored in a controlled environment with the proper relative humidity (RH) ranges can be a bit of a balancing act, but the general consensus is to keep cannabis between 59% and 63% RH when stored to maintain and enhance color, consistency, aroma, and flavor.

Light settings for storing cannabis

Harmful UV rays break down many organic and synthetic materials. Similar to the way your grass turns brown at the end of a long sunny summer, or how a car’s paint begins to fade when it is not garaged, UV rays will degrade your cannabis over time.

A study conducted at the University of London in the 1970s concluded that light was the single biggest factor in the degradation of cannabinoids. The same study concluded that cannabinoids maintain stability for up to two years when stored under the proper conditions, though it can remain effective and safe to consume for much longer as the essential oils slowly break down over time. Storing your cannabis out of direct light will also help you control the temperature.

Air control for cannabis storage

Double-check jar tightness to ensure every terpene is conserved. (Leafly)

While cannabis needs oxygen during growing and curing, storing your cannabis in a container such as a Mason jar with just the right amount of air is crucial to keeping it fresh and true to its original form. Having too little air can greatly affect the relative humidity, especially if the buds are not completely dried before storage.

Too much air, on the other hand, will speed up the degradation process as the cannabinoids and other organic matter are exposed to oxygen. There are a variety of hand and electric vacuum pump attachments available for canning jars that will help you minimize oxygen exposure.

Things get a bit complicated when there are small children or teens in the house — you simply cannot leave your weed out in the open. A 2016 study that looked into storage and disposal of medical cannabis reported some concerning numbers regarding improper marijuana storage. 

Don’t leave cannabis unlocked

Over half of the patients interviewed for the study and 83% of caregivers had their medical cannabis stored in unlocked places, regardless if there were any children in the household. 

Although there was no unintentional digestion of medical cannabis among the interviewees, the researchers pointed to data from other studies that showed an increase in cannabis digestion by young children after marijuana legalization. 

Be extra careful with edibles

The study pointed out that most accidental ingestion by children happened because the cannabis was packed as food products.

Try to avoid leaving out edibles, including brownies, gummies, or anything that looks appealing to children. Look at storing medical cannabis, including edibles, the same as you would keep prescription drugs or other harmful substances away from children and teens. 

Be open about it 

Finally, try to talk to your kids about medical marijuana and the way it helps you. Talk about the positives and negatives, including its effects on teens and adolescents. Let them know it is your medicine and label each container with a certain mark that will tell children they are not allowed to eat from that jar. The situation is trickier with teenagers, so it might be better to keep the medical cannabis locked and out of sight. Have an open conversation with your kids about medical cannabis instead of hiding the fact that you are using it as a medicine. 

Keeping your cannabis stashed in airtight glass or mason jars will preserve its aroma, flavor, and potency. Exposing medical cannabis to air and light can contribute to the buds losing their potency faster.  If properly stored, dried cannabis flowers can keep their freshness for up to a couple of months. If you have teens and children around the house, make sure to lock or hide medical cannabis. 

Patients, caregivers not informed on storing medical cannabis

A 2016 study looked into the storage and disposal of medical cannabis among 123 cancer patients treated with medical cannabis and 37 caregivers. The study reported high rates of suboptimal storage and a few incidents of theft, diversion, and unintentional digestion.

When it comes to the storage and disposal of medical cannabis, 38% of the patients had not received information from any medical professional, while 43% of the respondents who received information on storage, got it from nurses. 

According to the authors of the study, caregivers “were found to be particularly unlikely to have received information regarding the safe storage and disposal of medical cannabis.” Up to 65% of caregivers had not received information regarding the storage of medical cannabis. 

The numbers show an apparent lack of information regarding the storage and disposal of medical cannabis. Luckily, patients and caregivers showed high interest in receiving advice on the storage and disposal of medical cannabis from growers and physicians. 

All of these numbers show the need for more established regulations regarding better storage of medical cannabis. Both growers and pharmacies should be responsible for better storage—for example, by providing lockboxes—and accept the medical cannabis that caregivers want to return. Physicians should make it a mission to inform their patients on properly storing the herb. 

But, until that becomes a regular practice, use these tips to store your medical cannabis properly and keep it out of reach of children and teens. 

No Plastic Bags

Storing cannabis in plastic bags isn’t right. It may affect the potency and taste of the buds. Moreover, the baggies can’t hold the odor of cannabis.

However, you can use plastic bags for the short term, but not extended periods of time. For instance, you can store cannabis in the baggies when traveling. 

Invest in Airtight Glass Containers

Using airtight glass containers is one of the best, cost-effective options to store cannabis to preserve its freshness. Don’t confuse these containers with plastic airtight jars.

Glass containers are perfect for long-term storage. Additionally, they provide ultimate protection from external forces. The sealed container ensures protection from exposure to the air. Nothing can enter the container until you open it. Glass doesn’t change the flavor of the substance, thus you get what you put in it.

Store in a Cool & Dry Place

After putting your buds in airtight glass containers, the next step is to place it away from light and heat. Store in a cupboard, drawer or find a place that remains dark throughout the day. Remember, if your glass jar gets warm from the sun, it may sweat from inside, thus increasing the risks of mold.

However, you can use ultraviolet airtight glass containers, which are perfect for protecting cannabis from light. So, invest in these containers to prevent marijuana from heavy-lighting effects. Still, you need to take care of the temperature inside the jars. By the way, ECO Farm weed container can be your great choice!

Use Humidity Packs

If you want your buds to stay fresh for months, you can introduce humidity packs to the airtight containers. You can find a wide range of packs with different humidity levels. If your flowers are too dry, they need higher relative humidity to preserve the quality.

By maintaining proper humidity levels, you can keep your marijuana buds fresh for every smoke. 

Freeze The Buds

You can freeze the buds to preserve their potency for years. Remember,  before freezing, dry your buds completely and store them for at least 28 days. This method works well if you have a lot of buds, and you want to preserve them for many years. 

However, you should avoid handling frozen buds. This is because the trichomes can easily break at a freezing temperature. So, keep the buds for some time to come to room temperature, and then handle them carefully.

Use Parchment Papers

For long-term storage, it’s necessary to reduce the damage. And, parchment papers can help you in this. Simply wrap the buds in the papers, and put inside the glass containers. The time taken by the external force to reach the buds will increase, thus minimizing the chances of break down.

Advice to Cannabis Users

• Before putting buds for long-term storage, make sure they are cured for at least 4 weeks.


• Dry out buds completely otherwise jars will sweat during the curing process. If there’s moisture in your buds, it means they aren’t ready for storage. Aim at 55-63 percent relative humidity.


• Store buds away from the light because the harmful UV rays may affect the potency.


• Don’t expose buds to high temperatures. Avoid placing the storage containers near the stove or electric appliances. The ideal temperature for storing cannabis is 60-70F degrees.


• Avoid storing cannabis in plastic or metal containers. However, you can use these materials for short-term storage, not for long-term.

Access Cannabis Legally

Medical marijuana is legal in more than 30 US states including California. To buy, possess, and use cannabis products, you require a medical marijuana doctor’s recommendations.

• Sign up an account


• Talk to a licensed doctor online through HIPAA-compliant platform


• Receive your PDF rec letter in the email instantly

By getting a medical marijuana grower’s license, you can grow your own cannabis plants at home. This helps you to produce high-quality, customized marijuana products for managing your symptoms completely. Talk to a licensed doctor to get your grower’s license.

ECO Farm Carbon Smell Proof Weed Combo Container

• 100% SMELL-PROOF ACTIVATED CARBON – This patent pending product offers superior odor proof control, even dogs can’t smell what’s inside. Perfect for trapping smells to avoid unwanted attention in public places and keep things discreet in your home, at work or while travelling. These premium lockable smell proof bags are dog tested and approved.


• COMBINATION LOCK – Keep your valuables safe and protected with this smell proof bag. Moreover, these hidden scent stash bags prevent unnecessary incidence where children or pets can get in contact with your goods.


• WEATHERPROOF – You know your stash are well protected when the four elements were kept in mind during the design process. This odor proof bag can take the heat, the cold and everything in between. More importantly, the outer shell is water resistant keeping your techs and herb safely protected inside.


• DURABILITY MEETS FUNCTIONALITY – Designed to stand the test of time with heavy duty constructed materials, these odor proof bags can be used daily for years to come. Moreover, this case is modular to help keep your stash organized to the way you like it – perfect for your grinder card, rolling papers, lighters, baggies, pipes and more.

Abscent Odor Absorbing Weed Container Bag

The Bag by Abscent Minded is a odour absorbing travel-size bag.Abscent's Toiletry Bag is the ideal size for carrying all of your compact goods. The carbon contained in this bag has a life of 2 years before starting to smell.

Pair them with a backpack or duffel to keep items separate, or use it by itself when you don't have much to carry. This is a must-have smaller carry bag.

Features: Double-lined premium quality activated carbon lining, new antimicrobial lining to protect the carbon, H2O-guard zipper for 100% protection, water resistant exterior and a spacious main compartment. Strategic stitching and carbon-packed seams offer an ideal odor-absorbing composition.

Cannabis is effective in managing symptoms of various conditions. It’s important to note that cannabis flowers degrade over time. To preserve their flavor, taste, and medicinal properties, you need to store them properly. Temperature, humidity, and air are some of the major cannabis degradation factors. It’s recommended to store marijuana buds in airtight glass containers. Avoid using plastic bags, which may affect the buds’ potency and taste. Store the containers in a cool, dry place to keep them fresh. Don’t expose buds to high temperatures. Maintain temperature 60-70F degrees and relative humidity 59-63 percent.