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Every weed pro knows that storing your flower is almost as important as choosing the right strain. When you let it get exposed to oxygen, your bud goes downhill fast, and your money goes right along with it.
The freshest cannabis gets minimal exposure to sunlight and oxygen once cut, and it’s stored in temperate areas with moderate humidity. Those factors damage the trichomes and terpenes in a marijuana plant, which are the parts responsible for that flavor, color, and fragrance you know and love.
Cannabis plants are so sensitive to heat, light, and humidity that growers only expose them in strategic doses. And once the bud is trimmed, the flowers need to be stored in a sealed, dark container quickly to avoid spoilage.
Ziplocs? Not if You Want Fresh Bud
That means if you pictured (or were using) a sealed baggie to hold your stash, that container method is out the window. There’s way too much potential for air leakage, it doesn’t block any UV rays, and your delicate flower can be easily squashed. Even plastic “Tupperware-style” containers won’t work because you seal air in with the plants.
So how do you find the container that will keep your cannabis fresh? We have the answers here.
1. Decide Where You’ll Store Your Stash
Before you start shopping for a container, first, you’ll need to know where you’re going to store it. If you live alone or with responsible adults, this isn’t too big of a deal.
As long as you find a dark place away from sunlight that stays about 60-68 degrees Fahrenheit, you’re safe.
Note that this area should not be in a room that gets a lot of humidity, like a kitchen or bathroom, or is too dry. If you’re not sure about the humidity level in the safest storage place, consider investing in a humidor. These boxes store fragile items like cigars, books, and clothing, and it’s ideal for keeping your weed fresh.
The right spot could be a drawer, cupboard, or box in an out-of-the-way location. If it’s small, measure the area (width, length, and height) and shop for a container that fits all dimensions.
2. Remember: Glass is Always Right
Many weed experts swear by glass containers, and for a good reason. When it comes to keeping your storage 420-proof, glass is always the right option.
Glass jars (think: mason jars) have a seal that closes the container and forms an airtight barrier. Anything stored inside is safe from the destructive effects of oxygen, aside from the air that’s trapped inside when you close the jar. That’s why when someone cans veggies, they fill the jar as near to the top as possible before sealing the goods.
Another benefit of glass is that it protects the contents from UV light. Clear glass doesn’t do this as well as amber, blue, and green, which block most of those damaging rays from hitting your flower.
If you have little ones in your house, those glass jars can help you follow the child-resistant packaging 420 laws in your state. Per all state laws (although the details vary), you must keep marijuana away from the curious hands of children.
You can’t store your flower in a container that little hands can easily break, tear into, or otherwise damage. Glass jars, complete with child-resistant closures, satisfy most state laws on this topic.
What About Metal?
Metal might sound like a good alternative to glass, and it’s relatively shatterproof. Plus, there are plenty of stylish metal containers with lids where you can store things like flour and sugar. Those might match your kitchen decor, but they’re not the best choice for anything with flavor, including cannabis. Metal containers affect the taste of their contents.
Since you need to keep the container clean between batches, you need something easily washable. Metal and water don’t mesh well. If you don’t try it thoroughly, it can rust, which affects the freshness of your flower.
Still, if you don’t want a glass jar or you can’t find one that fits your preferred storage space, there are alternatives. Your dispensary likely sells smaller containers designed for keeping weed fresh while staying discrete. Ceramic jars with airtight lids work well, too, and they’re easier to open if your hands don’t work as well as they used to.
3. Protect the Contents
Now that you have the container and spot perfect for keeping that valuable flower safe, it’s time to protect the contents.
If you didn’t get a dark-colored glass, you’ll need to find something to wrap the bud in or wrap around the container. A clean napkin or paper towel will work, although it’s not optimal. Place your bud in the middle of a scrunched-up sheet, close it loosely (don’t squish it), and set it in your container.
Parchment paper and aluminum foil are better than paper towels and napkins. Wrap the flower gently in the paper or foil, then put the package inside the storage bin. Both of these effectively prevent damage from light and oxygen that might sneak in when you open the lid.
Finally, look for humidity packets if you aren’t using a humidor. These packets keep the environment of the container at a temperature relative humidity of 62%, ideal for fresh weed.
One thing to note: Never store cannabis in a fridge or freezer. You might see this as a suggestion on your favorite social media reels, but it’s not safe for the trichomes we talked about earlier. Going from warm to cold and back will cause them to break off, and your stash won’t have the taste and aroma you love. More importantly, you won’t get the THC and CBD benefits.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect container for something as fragile as cannabis flower is an important decision.
Look for an area in your home where it can stay at ideal temperatures and humidity levels and is far away from harmful UV rays. Then, grab a container that fits in that space, keeps out the light and oxygen, and protects your stash from curious fingers. Glass jars are an ideal solution, but you have other alternatives that work well, too.
