It is important to understand how air temperature, light, and humidity interact with the chemistry of cannabis. Considerable time, effort and resources are put into growing and harvesting marijuana in ideal conditions; however, this is only part of the process.
Once the marijuana has been harvested, treated and dried, it also needs to be packaged and stored before it can find its way to its next destination. Many factors affect how long the packaged cannabis will stay fresh and potent. When you know how to control these factors, you will be able to keep your marijuana yield fresher for longer periods of time.
Why are packaging and storage so critical?
Storage is critical because cannabinoids and terpenes are volatile, which means that they are not stable. Over time, even in ideal conditions, there is a small amount of loss. In order to protect these valuable compounds, you should keep degradation to a minimum and store your cannabis correctly; otherwise, you risk losing precious compounds.
We know it is inevitable that cannabinoids and terpenes will be lost over time. Among other factors, natural causes of this degradation include:
- Oxidization
- Decarboxylation
- Isomerization
- Photochemical responses
- Evaporation
You should focus on controlling the environmental conditions that may enhance the cannabis’ natural decay. The most important factors include light, air, temperature, and humidity. Let’s look at these elements below:
Light and Temperature
According to research, light is the most significant factor affecting cannabinoid loss. If you leave the buds in the sun, they will rapidly lose terpenes and cannabinoids. The same can be said for artificial light. Keeping the harvested and cured cannabis flowers stored in a dark place will avoid the dramatic loss of valuable compounds.
The best way to improve the storage of cannabis is to remove all sources of light. Mildew and other moulds on cannabis and other organic matter thrive in temperatures between 77°F and 86°F.
Thus, basic precautions of keeping your cannabis in a cool, dark place will go a long way. Ideal storage temperatures range between 60°F to 68°F degrees; however, you can get away with temperatures as low as 50°F.
Air Oxidation and Containers
Air oxidation causes substantial loss of cannabinoids and terpenes, no matter the temperature. Your cannabis yield must have as little exposure to air and moisture as possible.
Vacuum bags are a recommended method for keeping marijuana packed and stored in ideal conditions. Polysprout’s vacuum seal bags act as a barrier against oxygen and moisture and are ideal for persevering and protecting the valuable THC and CBD profiles of your cannabis flower.
With vacuum seal bags for cannabis production, you can ensure your cannabis harvest is packed and stored safely until it can make its way to the consumer. Our high grade vacuum bags are also designed to protect the flower as it undergoes flash-freezing.
Ideal Storage Lifespan
When stored under ideal conditions, you can expect your cured cannabis harvest to be relatively stable for up to two years.
Ideally, once the dried flower arrives at its final destination, it should be used by consumers within six months in order to prevent the loss of THC compounds.
Undetermined Expiry Date
You could say that marijuana has something of a “best used by” date. Over time, terpenes and cannabinoids in various marijuana products can degrade, thus causing them to lose potency and have a weaker effect.
Depending on how they are processed, cannabis can degrade into various kinds of cannabinoids with different effects than the user may expect.
Quick Do’s and Don’ts on Storing Cannabis
When it comes to getting the most out of your stash, there are a few rules of thumb to follow:
- Keep it cool: High temperatures dry out your marijuana yield and cause terpenes to evaporate. In addition, you should avoid freezing temperatures since they can burst the delicate trichomes, resulting in low-potency cannabis.
- Keep it dark: UV light can fade and break down your bud’s cannabinoids and terpenes. Keep the containers stored in a dark place, and never leave your marijuana in the direct sun.
- Keep it away from moisture: Moisture is the best way to make your buds mouldy.
Having the right container for your harvest is one of the most important ways of preserving cannabinoids and terpenes and ensuring it will be protected from moisture and oxygen.
Vacuum seal bags are an effective way of packing and storing cannabis until it can safely reach the end-user.
At Polysprout, preserving the vital terpenes and cannabinoids responsible for the active qualities of a cannabis harvest is what we do best! For more information about our vacuum seal bags, contact Polysprout today.