Storing Your Cannabis

Proper storage is important to preserve your harvest to be enjoyed and protect it from rapid and unnecessary degradation. Exposure to light, heat, and oxygen can degrade the quality and reduce the potency of your cannabis. External air dries out bud very quickly, making it unpleasant to use. This is especially important here in Saskatchewan where it is very dry. In addition, oxygen reacts with THC, causing it to slowly change into another cannabinoid called cannabinol, or CBN. This is usually not desired and so storing your cannabis the right way is important. With this is mind, it is best to open the main storage container as little as possible, so many people keep a smaller container on hand with a few days’ worth of flower, refilling it as needed. This reduces the amount of external exposure for your main stash of cannabis, helping to preserve it long term.  

A Word About Humidity Packs

You may have seen or purchased cannabis that comes with small square “humidity packs”. These look like moistened napkins, and are filled with moisture regulating gels and other humidity regulating substances. In the author’s experience, if your cannabis is properly dried and stored, these are unnecessary, and may even contribute to quality degradation themselves. Many people claim cannabis stored with humidity packs acquires an off taste and flavour and becomes very muted in its original profile. While this is anecdotal, it is still probably better not to use these if not necessary.

There are many choices of containers to store cannabis. Glass mason jars, metal containers with airtight lids, sealable plastic bags, and anything else that has an airtight seal. A good rule of thumb is that if you can smell it, it is not airtight. 

Glass Mason Jars

The best choice (in the author’s opinion) and the most common choice for many personal growers. The come in a variety of sizes, are reusable, easy to clean, inexpensive, and are usually adequate for the average 4 plant-growing Canadian’s needs. Use the same ones as are used in canning and food preservation. A 12 pack of 2L jars usually costs between $20 and $25, and can hold approximately 50-60g of dried cannabis each. These are the best for long term storage, but make sure they are kept in a dark place as light can degrade the buds

Stainless Steel Containers

These are usually larger volume than the glass jars. They are also a good choice as they can be easily cleaned, are reusable, opaque, and come in various sizes up to 20L (5 gallons). They often cost substantially more than glass mason jars, and in the author’s experience, do not seal as well as mason jars. They are an excellent choice for larger harvests and are often used in the commercial cannabis industry.

Plastic Zip Bags

Exactly what they sound like. These are sealable bags made of thick, mostly impermeable plastic. Also sometimes referred to as "mylars". They come in various sizes and are less expensive than stainless steel but more expensive than glass mason jars. Some of them have alleged “terpene locking technology” and other such marketing gimmicks but in the author’s experience, do the poorest job for medium to long term storage. They work well for short term storage and are commonly used for cannabis sold in legal cannabis stores.