Basics and Importance of Medical Cannabis Flower Storage

Like many other forms of medication, storage for certain forms of medical cannabis is a vital consideration. This is especially true when dealing with traditional cannabis flower, which has gone through several popular storage methods over the past few decades.

At Whole Leaf Medical Dispensary and CBD, we’re proud to offer a wide selection of medical marijuana flower to all our patients. Why is storing your bud in the proper ways important, and how should you go about doing this? Let’s take a look at some simple areas to keep in mind here.

Why Proper Cannabis Flower Storage is Important

Cannabis is technically an herb, hence the popular slang, and this means storage is important for keeping it fresh. This is a process all our growers and harvesters will kick off from very early on in the harvesting process, where drying begins with the curing process that allows moisture to evaporate.

Once the flower is in your possession, properly storing it is very important. It won’t technically expire, but old bud that’s not stored well will lose much of its taste and effectiveness with enough time. If you handle it correctly, however, your cannabis may stay both fresh and potent for up to several years.

Practices to Promote

There are several areas you should consider when it comes to proper marijuana storage:

• Separate strains: There are numerous different cannabis strains out there, each with differing flavors, highs and overall benefits. Especially if you use different strains for different purposes, you’ll want to store each in its own separate container from the jump.
• Airtight glass: After several decades where various other methods popped up, most in this world are in agreement: Glass jars like Mason jars are the top option for storing cannabis long-term. They completely control the air and prevent odors from escaping. We recommend using a jar that’s only a big larger than the amount of flower you want to store, which will keep too much oxygen from flowing in.
• Cool, dark conditions: Once placed in a proper glass jar, we recommend storage in a drawer or some other cool, dark area. Too much warmth or humidity can lead to mold on the cannabis, and too much heat will dry out the bud and begin to break down cannabinoids.

Practices to Avoid

• Too much handling: Cannabis flower contains trichomes, which are crystal-like areas that produce the flavors, terpenes and cannabinoids in the plant. But too much rough handling can dislodge them and lower your potency, so take care not to over-handle bud. Use a grinder when looking to break it down, as this will hold excess trichomes.
• Plastic bags: Plastic bags are okay for short-term storage, but not for anything longer than an hour or two. The seal is not as good, and plastic also creates static and may remove trichomes and lower your potency.
• Fridge or freezer: Cool temperatures are good for cannabis flower, but cold or frozen temperatures are taking it too far. These ranges will damage trichomes and increase the risk of mold forming.

For more on proper storage of your medical marijuana, or to learn about any of our alternative medicine solutions, speak to the staff at Whole Leaf Medical Dispensary and CBD today.