How to properly store cannabis

Storing cannabis correctly helps preserve its quality and reduce safety risks. 

Over time, exposure to air, sunlight, heat, or moisture from improper storage can decrease the potency, effectiveness, flavor, and aroma of cannabinoids and terpenes. Improper storage can also increase the risk of contamination or accidental ingestion in children and pets.

Keep reading to learn best practices for cannabis storage, tips to reduce odor, and ways to keep your cannabis secure.

Why proper cannabis storage matters

Cannabis is a plant-based product that naturally breaks down over time through a process known as degradation. 

When not properly stored, exposure to air, sunlight, heat, or moisture can speed up the degradation process. This impacts the potency, effectiveness, flavor, and aroma of cannabis.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive cannabis compound, slowly turns into cannabinol (CBN) when exposed to air and sunlight. Terpenes — additional compounds in cannabis that contribute to its smell, taste, and therapeutic effects — can also degrade or evaporate if cannabis isn’t stored properly.

Mold and mildew are also concerns of improper cannabis storage. If cannabis becomes too moist or is exposed to high heat or humidity, it may grow contaminants that are harmful to inhale or ingest.

Proper cannabis storage helps maintain:

• Potency
• Flavor
• Aroma
• Effectiveness
• Protection from mold or contamination
• Safety for children, pets, and other household members

Can weed go bad?

Cannabis flower can go bad, especially when exposed to air, moisture, heat, or sunlight due to improper storage. Over time, these elements cause THC and terpenes to degrade, resulting in a loss of potency, effectiveness, flavor, and aroma.

One study found that THC almost fully degrades to CBN within 4 years. Even when stored properly, cannabis becomes less psychoactive over time.

Signs that cannabis has gone bad include:

• A musty smell
• Visible signs of mold, such as a white fuzz or gray patches
• A dry, brittle, or powdery texture
• Loss of taste, potency, or desired effects
  
  

Storing cannabis properly in a sealed container with humidity control can help prevent it from going bad and extend its freshness. If cannabis has grown mold or mildew, it should be thrown away.

How long is cannabis good for?

When stored properly:

• Cannabis flower usually stays fresh for 6 to 12 months.
• Edibles typically last 3 to 6 months, depending on the ingredients. Baked goods spoil more quickly (1 to 2 weeks unrefrigerated), while shelf-stable items like gummies or hard candies last longer, especially when vacuum-sealed or refrigerated.
• Tinctures can remain effective for 1 to 2 years, especially alcohol-based tinctures stored in amber bottles. Oil-based tinctures may degrade slightly faster.
• Topicals generally last 1 year or more, especially if they’re sealed and kept away from heat. Check for changes in texture, smell, or color to assess degradation.
• Concentrates, like wax, shatter, and live resin, typically retain potency for 6 months to 1 year. Some may last longer if kept in a fridge or freezer in an airtight, light-proof container.

Cannabinoids like THC can stay stable for up to 2 years.

Even with proper storage, it’s important to check cannabis before each use to make sure it hasn’t gone bad.

What is the best way to store weed?

It’s best to keep cannabis flower in an airtight, humidity-controlled container and store it in a cool, dark place.

Use airtight containers

Limit oxygen exposure by using airtight containers, such as glass jars with rubber seals. 

Avoid plastic bags and containers, which allow air to enter and degrade your products. While plastic containers are affordable, portable, and often used for short-term or product-specific packaging, they can expose cannabis to air, light, and harmful chemicals.

High-quality, food-grade plastics should be used with caution and stored away from heat and light. One exception to this no-plastic rule is vacuum-sealed bags. They are superior to other plastic containers for long-term cannabis storage because they effectively remove air and significantly slow down degradation. 

Metal containers may affect flavor over time unless they are made from high-quality, food-safe materials like titanium.

Control humidity

It’s ideal to store cannabis in 55% to 62% humidity levels. Too much moisture encourages mold growth, while drier conditions can lead to terpene loss. 

Humidity control packets help maintain ideal levels inside cannabis storage containers. They can be purchased online or in dispensaries.

Store cannabis in a cool environment

The ideal storage temperature for cannabis is between 55°F to 70°F (12°C to 21°C). Excessive heat can dry out cannabinoids and terpenes, making your flower less effective.

Storing cannabis in cold places like refrigerators or freezers can damage the delicate trichomes that carry therapeutic compounds and affect its potency.

Keep your cannabis in a dark space

Once it’s harvested, cannabis should be kept away from sunlight. Ultraviolet rays degrade cannabinoids quickly. 

Store your flower in a dark cabinet, drawer, or opaque container to avoid exposure to sunlight.

How to keep cannabis safe from children and pets

Cannabis can be harmful to children and pets. It should be stored out of reach to prevent accidental ingestion.

Here are some tips for safe storage:

• Use child-resistant packaging or locking containers.
• Store products in a locked drawer, cabinet, or box.
• Keep edibles and infused products clearly labeled and away from other food.
• Educate others in your household about safe storage practices.
  
  

If a child or pet accidentally ingests cannabis, seek immediate medical attention.

How to store cannabis so it doesn’t smell

The strong aroma of cannabis is caused by terpenes. While pleasant to some, the scent can be bothersome to others.

To reduce the smell of cannabis:

• Store cannabis in airtight containers.
• Use smell-proof stash boxes or bags that have carbon filters.
• Keep containers in a secondary box or drawer to add another layer of odor protection.
• Avoid heat, which intensifies aroma.
  
  

Should you store cannabis ground or whole?

It’s best to store cannabis as whole buds whenever possible. Grinding cannabis increases its surface area and exposure to air. This speeds up the degradation of terpenes and cannabinoids.

For best results, grind cannabis right before consumption.

How to store cannabis seeds

Cannabis seeds should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark environment.

Here are tips for storing cannabis seeds:

• Use opaque, airtight containers.
• Keep storage temperature below 50°F (10°C).
• Consider using humidity control packets.
• Refrigerate as needed, but avoid freezing.

Properly stored cannabis seeds can remain viable for several years.

How to store other cannabis products

Different cannabis products require different storage methods:

• Pre-rolls: Store pre-rolls in hard tubes or airtight containers to avoid moisture and prevent crushing.
• Edibles: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Perishable items should be refrigerated. Gummies and chocolates can stay in airtight containers at room temperature.
• Tinctures: Keep tinctures in their original glass bottles. Store them in a cool, dark location to maintain shelf life.
• Concentrates: Use glass jars or silicone pucks for concentrates. Store them in a cool place or refrigerate as indicated.

The bottom line: Storing cannabis properly can prolong its shelf life

Proper cannabis storage helps maintain quality, preserve potency, and reduce safety risks.

Keeping cannabis flower in an airtight glass container with humidity control and placing it in a cool, dark spot extends its shelf life and preserves its therapeutic effects.

Safe storage also keeps cannabis away from children and pets. Whether you use cannabis for medical or recreational reasons, these practices will help you get the most out of your products.

Resources

• Cannabinoid home storage practices among a national qualtrics panel of adult users of cannabinoid products in the USA. https://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/30/4/328
• The role of time and storage conditions on the composition of hashish and marijuana samples: A four-year study. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0379073818308818?via%3Dihub
• The stability of cannabis and its preparations on storage. https://academic.oup.com/jpp/article-abstract/28/1/1/6196321?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false

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