Everyone’s guilty of it at some point. You come back from the dispensary with the latest haul, only to forget about your cannabis on the bedside table or bathroom cabinet.
What exactly happens to cannabis under these imprecise circumstances? How do environmental extremes or fluctuations impact weed’s potency, flavor and overall experience?
This article explores the dark side of cannabis storage: What happens when you store incorrectly or neglect your stash entirely? Consider this a cautionary tale!
A Sharp Reduction in Potency: THC and CBD Degradation
Exposed to oxygenation and UV rays, cannabis loses much of what makes it special. According to scientific tests, cannabis left out in the sunlight or open air becomes far less potent in a matter of days compared to its properly sealed counterpart.
This boils down to how THC and CBD interact with the elements. UV rays and oxygen degrade THC and CBD, the main cannabinoids in weed responsible for its psychoactive and calming effects.
Pressing the Mute Button: Fewer Terpenes, Dull Flavor
Sunlight and air aren’t the only hazards for cannabis; improper humidity can deal your stash a death blow.
If the ambient humidity surrounding cannabis is too low, things get dull pretty quickly. It’s like pressing the mute button on the cannabis’ terpenes, those naturally occurring chemical compounds that give weed its unique aroma and taste. As cannabis dries out, it starts to shed its delicate trichomes (that sparkly dusting of fine hairs over the bud), which carry much of the plant’s terpenes.
Harsh Smoke: Overly Dried Cannabis and Burnability
Dry cannabis isn’t just aromatically muted; it’s also tough to smoke.
Properly humidified cannabis produces a rich, mellow and round smoke. By contrast, brittle and moisture-less weed produces a dry, hot, harsh smoke that stings the nose and lungs. At best, it’s unpleasant. At worst, it can seriously irritate your lungs.
Spoiler Alert: Over-Humidification and Mold Growth
Humidification goes both ways. If you live in a humid area of the country (like Florida, Louisiana, parts of California, etc), you need to worry about over-humidification. The same goes for several other regions at varying times of year.
And what happens when cannabis over-humidifies? You get mold growth, which can lead to a host of health problems if smoked. If you spot mold on your cannabis, unfortunately, you need to throw out that investment.
The Bottom Line: How to Store Cannabis to Avoid These Slip-Ups
Properly storing cannabis means controlling for light exposure, fresh air, humidity fluctuations, and heat. Store your stash in an airtight container. Make sure the container is either opaque or kept away from direct light at all times. Add a 2-way humidity control pack to the container to maintain a perfect relative humidity within (you can find Boveda packs online, at any tobacconist, and many dispensaries). Finally, store the stash in an area of the home between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you store it according to these rules, you can sidestep the dire consequences above, enjoying long-lasting, potent, flavorful cannabis every time.
