How to Store Weed Properly to Keep It Fresh

Why learning how to store weed matters

Cannabis changes after it leaves the store. Light, warmth, air and moisture all work on it over time, and the result is flower that smells flat, tastes harsh or, in the worst case, grows mold. Knowing how to store weed protects what you paid for and keeps each product closer to the condition it was in when you bought it.

Storage also matters for safety. Edibles and drinks can look like ordinary snacks, and any cannabis product should be kept away from children, pets and guests who should not have access to it.

The good news is that proper storage is cheap and simple. A few containers and a sensible spot in your home cover almost everything. Below we go through the main threats, then each product type in turn.

What are the four things that spoil cannabis?

Most storage advice comes down to controlling four conditions:

• Light. Sunlight and strong indoor light break down the compounds that give cannabis its aroma and potency. A dark cupboard or drawer is ideal.
• Heat. Warm spots dry products out and can damage vape oil and concentrates. Room temperature, roughly 60 to 70 degrees F, works well.
• Air. Repeated exposure to air speeds up drying and loss of aroma. Airtight containers help, and so does opening them only when you need to.
• Humidity. Too dry and flower turns brittle and harsh. Too damp and mold can grow. A relative humidity of about 55 to 62 percent is a common target for flower.

Get those four right and most products will hold up well.

How should you store cannabis flower?

Flower is the most delicate product you can buy. A clean, airtight glass jar is the usual choice, because glass does not add odors the way some plastics can. Keep the jar in a dark, cool place rather than on a sunny shelf or near the stove.

Small humidity control packs, sold for this purpose, can help keep flower in that 55 to 62 percent range. Avoid storing flower in the fridge or freezer. Temperature swings can cause condensation, and cold makes the resin on the buds brittle, so it breaks off when handled.

Grind only what you plan to use. Whole buds hold their aroma longer than ground flower. Browse our flower menu to compare package sizes, and buy amounts you will finish while they are still fresh.

How do you store pre-rolls and infused pre-rolls?

Most pre-rolls come in a sealed tube or tin, and that original container is a good place to keep them. Store it in a cool, dark drawer until you are ready to use it.

Multi-packs need a little more thought once opened. If you have a few left, move the open pack into an airtight container so the remaining pre-rolls do not dry out. Keep them away from car dashboards, windowsills and other spots that heat up during the day.

Infused pre-rolls contain concentrate as well as flower, so heat can make them sticky or uneven. The same cool, dark, closed approach works for them too.

How should concentrates and vape cartridges be stored?

Concentrates react quickly to air and warmth. Close the container tightly after each use, handle the product with a clean tool, and keep it somewhere cool and dark. Do not leave the jar open while you use it.

Some concentrates change texture over time, turning thicker or sugary. That is a normal physical change and not, by itself, a sign that something is wrong.

Vape cartridges and all-in-one devices hold up well stored upright at room temperature, away from direct sun. A hot car can thin the oil and cause leaks, so do not leave vapes in a parked vehicle on a warm day. Keep batteries and devices clean and capped when not in use.

How do you store edibles, drinks and tinctures?

Edibles and drinks are sold in child-resistant packaging, and that packaging is the safest place to keep them. It also keeps the label with the product, so you always know the milligrams per serving and the total in the package.

Once a multi-piece pack is opened, reseal it fully or move it to another closed, labeled container. Follow any storage directions printed on the package, since some drinks and baked goods have specific instructions after opening. You can compare formats and serving sizes on our edibles menu.

Tinctures should be capped tightly and kept in a cool, dark place. Lotions and balms are among the easiest products to store: close the lid, use clean hands, and keep them away from heat.

How do you keep cannabis away from children and pets?

Proper storage is as much about who can reach your cannabis as how fresh it stays. A locking box or a cabinet that children cannot open is the simplest safeguard, especially for edibles and drinks that look like everyday food.

Keep every product in its original child-resistant packaging with the label attached, and store it out of sight. Pets can be drawn to the smell of edibles and flower, so keep those up high and closed.

The State of California offers guidance on safe storage and talking with family members on its Let's Talk Cannabis page. It is a useful read for any household that keeps cannabis at home.

Why does freshness start at the counter?

No container can bring back flower that was stale when you bought it. Check the packaging date on the label, choose sizes you will use while fresh, and ask staff how long a product has been on the shelf if the label is unclear.

Markt. is a licensed dispensary at 3625 Cahuenga Blvd W, near Universal City, and our Los Angeles cannabis dispensary page explains how we serve shoppers across the city. Browse the live menu, order ahead for in-store pickup, and bring a valid ID showing you are 21 or older.

Frequently asked questions

Related pages