If you’re purchasing hemp flower, chances are you’re going to need to store some of it for later use. This is especially true if buying in bulk. Storing your hemp flower properly is essential to prevent the growth of things like mold and bacteria and to prevent the degradation of the cannabinoids and terpenes. Here are some DOs and DON’Ts to be aware of when storing your hemp flower for an extended period of time.
DOs for Storing Hemp Flower
• Store your flower in an air-tight container such as a glass jar
• Use appropriately-sized jars so that they are at least ¾ of the way full
• Store your flower in a cool, dark place out of direct sunlight
• Use humidity packs
• Keep strains separate
• Keep different batches from different harvests separate
DON’Ts for Storing Hemp Flower
• Don’t store in a warm, bright place
• Don’t store hemp flower in the fridge or freezer
• Don’t store in the bathroom
• Don’t use a tobacco humidor
• Don’t store in the plastic pop-top containers it is sold or shipped in
• Don’t store in a pipe or other paraphernalia
Other Storage Tips
Light, oxygen, humidity, and heat are the main killers to your cannabis. Bright light, heat, and exposure to air will dry out the terpenes and cannabinoids. This can result in an unpleasant and harsh experience when you go to use it.
Properly storing your hemp flower will slow down the natural process of decarboxylation which is the conversion of the cannabinoids. Sometimes, this is sought after and done intentionally. If you notice that older cannabis has a more sedating effect, it could be due to the THC degrading into CBN. But if you let it go too far, you may end up drying out the cannabis completely.
Humidity does something else entirely. Mold and mildew should never be present on your hemp flower. So it’s important to keep humidity controlled to prevent their growth. High humidity should be avoided, but too low of humidity can also dry out the terpenes and cause the flower to become brittle. It is a balancing act. To achieve an appropriate relative humidity, consider using humidity packs specifically designed for this purpose, such as those from Boveda.
The key to the longevity of your hemp flower is keeping it in a consistent environment with little to no temperature, light, or humidity fluctuations. A screw-top or flip-top glass mason jar placed in the back of a cool, dark cabinet will do nicely in most cases.