The best way to store marijuana and keep the trichomes sticky and potent requires four primary factors that should be considered when storing marijuana. It’s important to consider these factors if you’re someone who likes to consume, smoke and keep marijuana on hand. Whether you’re a connoisseur or casual enthusiast, keeping marijuana in tiptop condition should be carefully considered since the longevity, taste, flavor and potency all depend on proper storage.
Exposure to Sunlight
Exposure to UV-B, which is the light that is responsible for sunburns, reduces THC levels. This is completely the opposite when growing marijuana, however, and the distinction should be carefully noted. When THC levels degrade, potency decreases, which ultimately translates to the effect marijuana has on your nervous system. Therefore, keep your marijuana in a cool and dark place.
Exposure to Air
Oxygen also degrades THC, so the less exposure your marijuana has to air, the better. Flushing your container with nitrogen can also improve the longevity of your marijuana because nitrogen disperses oxygen. It is an odorless, tasteless gas that is normally injected into our food packaging because it will not allow mold or bacteria to grow.
Moisture Control
Humidity is an important factor because if there is too much of it, bud can run the risk of mold growth, yet too little and your buds will become bone dry making the trichomes brittle and tasteless. A happy middle ground exists between 50% to 65% RH, which is substantially lower than what cigars are kept at. A well-known myth that needs to be addressed is the use of fruit as a way to add moisture to bud. This is actually one of the worst things you can do to marijuana because once the fruit starts to decay it will inevitably invite bacteria and mold growth to any organic matter inside of the container. When the fruit dries, similar to a sponge, it will release all of its moisture too quickly causing extremely high humidity levels. This is why it’s important to have a 2-way humidity system that will absorb and emit moisture as needed to stabilize the water-vapor ratio. We recommend using Boveda® products as well as the Humidity Bead System®.
Geography and Climate
Humidity levels differ all over the world, and even change with the seasons. As the seasons change, so does the humidity and temperature. One important thing to consider is the ambient temperature and humidity inside of your home. For example, for those that live in the south where it’s more humid, it’s important to take into account that the air conditioner is usually on most of the day, which typically dries out the air. With low temperature usually comes low humidity, so keep in mind that the interior of your home may not reflect the humidity outside. Alternately, for those that live in the north, the winters can be so cold that humidity levels can drop into the teens, which causes severely dry conditions.
Dry Bud Revival
If you have dry bud, fear not, it can easily be revived by adding moisture. The trichomes will swell and wither as moisture enters and leaves the buds. If the buds have been properly cured, the amount of time it takes for a bud to fully lose its water (known as evaporative loss) can take much longer than bud that’s been cured too quickly. Genetics also play an important role; some marijuana strains are genetically predisposed to receive mold more easily than others, whether certain moisture thresholds are even met. The same goes for their susceptibility to fighting bacteria.