Why Storage Matters

When we think about cannabis, we think about a plant. It’s green. It grows in the ground. It uses energy from the sun, carbon dioxide from the air and nutrients from the soil (generally speaking) to grow and reproduce – hopefully making some aromatic, sticky flowers. This plant repairs what it can when damaged, grows new limbs when conditions are right, and even has its own defense mechanisms for pests. It can grow in some of the harshest climates, but once harvested, it becomes vulnerable, susceptible to changes in the environment.

Growers all over the world have their own process for harvesting, drying and curing cannabis. It is largely up for debate as to the best method, but what is clear, cannabis breaks down when not properly cared for.

After harvesting has occurred, cannabis loses its ability to defend or repair itself. Once uprooted, it becomes vulnerable to light, airflow, heat, and changes in humidity. Controlling the environment where your cannabis is stored is crucial for protecting and preserving its integral qualities: its cannabinoid and terpene profiles. This is why your choice in storage is so crucial to your end experience.

The majority of legal cannabis products are packaged in single use plastics, much like the days before legalization (think sandwich bags). Not only is this detrimental to the planet, it can hurt your flowers too. Plastics have been known to leach ‘flavours’ into cannabis. Mylar bags provide little-to-no physical protection for bud structure and delicate trichomes. Plastics also are more likely to cause your flower to sweat – promoting mold growth (if not properly dried and cured prior to packaging). Once opened, many legal packages do not create an airtight seal, exposing your cannabis to airflow and further degradation of your trichomes and cannabinoids.

There are a number of factors that will affect the quality of cannabis when stored for any duration. Ideal storage is inert, non-reactive to the environment. It is airtight, as oxygen degrades THC into CBN (a useful, but different cannabinoid). Airflow, in general, increases the likelihood of over-drying your cannabis, leading to desiccated trichomes and unpleasant flavours. Proper storage reduces exposure to UV light, which degrades your flower; specifically causing discolouration, and deterioration of trichomes (the main source of cannabinoids). Humidity control is also crucial for maintaining consistent quality; without it cannabis can over-dry, or develop mold.