THE WELLNESS BLOG

How To Keep Your Medical Cannabis Fresh

keep marijuana freshThough not your traditional pill-in-a-bottle, medical cannabis is still a medicine that comes with its own set of storage needs. Not storing your medical cannabis correctly can reduce the efficacy and potency of the herb while also making it less pleasant to consume. In order to get the most benefit out of your medicine, you need to understand how to properly care for the product. Those of us at Euphoria Wellness have created a list of the best ways to maintain the freshness of your medical cannabis.

First-Off, Things to Avoid

The storage of cannabis shouldn’t be over-complicated, but there are some basic things to avoid.

    • Leaving your cannabis in an environment of prolonged heat will dry out your herb.
    • Leaving your cannabis in areas of too much moisture can actually cause bacteria and mold to grow on the plant, and the bacteria can be quite harmful to your health.
    • If the cannabis is not vacuum stored, or if it is stored in a place with an air-flow, the herb will dry out (much like with exposure to heat) and the potency will be reduced.
    • If you physically handle your cannabis too frequently, the trichomes on the plant will come off and stick to the oils on your hands, reducing the efficacy of the medicine.

Recommended Storage Options

 

Airtight Glass
Many people have different preferences on the type of glass container they like to use. One of the most common is a mason jar with an airtight seal. In actuality, as long as the glass container is airtight, it doesn’t matter what type you use. Glass is impermeable and inert. Air will not pass through the boundaries of the glass. Further, even if temperatures change, glass will not give off any compounds that could damage the cannabis or change its flavor by altering the cannabis terpenes.

There are some things to keep in mind, however. Glass is clear and thus doesn’t protect your cannabis from light exposure. If the cannabis is subjected to prolonged light, the water in the bud can evaporate and your cannabis becomes dry and crunchy, making it uncomfortable to smoke. Make sure to place your glass container in a dark space.

Additionally, cannabis can actually start to “sweat” when temperatures become too high. If your cannabis is trapped in a glass container, the moisture seeping from the plant matter won’t be able to leave the environment and mold can start to form on the cannabis. Place your glass container in a cool space without light exposure and exterior heat sources.

 

A Dark Container, Still Airtight

 

Perhaps you’ve picked up on the theme thus far—your cannabis should always be stored in an airtight place. If you can’t find a glass container, a metal container is the next best thing. Try and find a container made with titanium, as titanium won’t produce gasses which could change the flavor and smoking-quality of your cannabis. The opacity of the metal also keeps light from drying out your cannabis.

Plastic containers are a poor choice because plastic is highly temperature sensitive. Even mild changes in temperature can cause plastic to release gases and compounds, which alter the flavor of your bud and can actually be harmful to your health.

 

Consider a Cannabis Humidor

Cannabis humidors aren’t necessary for safely storing your weed, but they can maintain a perfect condition for bud storage. Cannabis humidors keep humidity levels at 50-65 percent, the perfect humidity for keeping your cannabis fresh without creating conditions for mold growth. The humidor is also opaque and airtight, meeting the other requirements for effectively storing your cannabis.

Euphoria Wellness Wants You to Protect the Quality of Your Medical Cannabis

Euphoria Wellness knows that you value your medicinal cannabis and we want to help you to keep it in pristine condition for optimal benefits. For more information on how to store your medical cannabis, or for medical cannabis queries in general, contact Euphoria Wellness, your Nevada medical cannabis dispensary.

 


This content is not intended as medical advice. The information provided is meant to encourage cannabis education, not replace direct patient-healthcare professional relationships. Always consult your primary care physician or other healthcare provider prior to using cannabis products for treatment of a medical condition.  Any statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products referenced are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Products are only available where the consumption of cannabis is legal.