Whether you're a seasoned smoker or new to cannabis, knowing the best way to store weed can help preserve its flavor, potency and freshness. Poor cannabis storage leads to faster degradation, but with the right approach, you can keep weed fresh for months. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to store cannabis long term and how Evergreen can help in the process

Why Weed Goes Bad & How to Store It Properly for Long-Term Use

Cannabis is an organic material, and like all plant matter, it's sensitive to air, light, moisture and temperature. Without the right environment, it can dry out, lose potency, or grow mold. 

Keeping cannabis fresh for long-term storage starts with protecting against four key threats:

• Oxygen: Too much exposure to air can degrade cannabis, specifically the terpenes.
  • What to do: store in a glass container with an airtight lid, minimize open time
• Light: UV rays will break down the cannabinoids in marijuana and affect the potency of the flower.
  • What to do: store in a dark place and/or an opaque container
• Moisture: Too much humidity will lead to mold and make the cannabis unsafe for consumption. Lack of moisture dries out weed faster. Relative humidity should be in the 55 to 62 percent range.
  • What to do: store in an airtight container and use a humidity control device to maintain humidity level
• Temperature: Temperatures can also affect how long cannabis flower remains ready for use. Extreme temperatures will alter the terpenes and cannabinoids in cannabis.
  • What to do: store your containers in a cool (but not cold) place

Learning how to store weed properly can make a big difference in how long you can store weed and preserve its original quality.

A Few Pro Tips for Long-Term Cannabis Storage: Store your flower in an airtight container – Glass jars with airtight lids are an ideal solution. Label your strains and dates – Especially helpful if you’re keeping multiple types on hand. Read Proper Cannabis Storage & How to Organize Your Weed for organizing ideas. Store your jar in a cool, dark place – A drawer or cabinet is better than a windowsill or hot car.

Common Cannabis Storage Mistakes to Avoid

There’s a right and a wrong way to store flower. While plastic bags are a frequent storage solution for those who purchase weed, they’re not a good long-term solution because even the best ones allow some air to pass through them. 

Plastic bags also create static, which can strip trichomes from the buds. Leaving your stash in an open container is even worse, since the constant exposure to air and light will lead to rapid degradation. And those plastic snap top containers that many cannabis brands use can be even more permeable than plastic bags.

See a more in-depth explanation: Should You Store Weed in Plastic Bags & Containers?

Storing in the refrigerator or freezer is also a no-go when you’re trying to keep weed lasting as long as possible. The changing humidity and temperature will spoil it sooner rather than later, and you’re also more likely to experience mold growth.

A few more things to avoid: Opening containers too frequently — Too much air equals dry, flavorless, less potent weed. Handling buds constantly — Trichomes are fragile. Every time you touch your weed, you’re potentially damaging the good stuff. This is especially true if your flower is dried out. Using organic materials for humidification — Materials such as orange peels and lettuce may introduce contaminants and mold to your stash, and only provide one-way humidification, meaning they will continuously introduce moisture if left unattended.

Choosing The Best Storage Containers

The best weed storage containers offer protection from the primary threats and protect the quality of the plant material. 

Glass is hands-down the best material for a stash jar. You could go with a glass mason jar in a pinch, and this would be far better than a plastic bag or container. Glass can be fragile, so ideally the glass jar would also have some sort of shock protection.

For a stash jar dedicated to storing weed, look for one with integrated features to support long term weed storage. Some important factors when selecting a stash jar:

• The right jar size for the quantity
• Some form of humidity control 
• A good seal to deter air exposure and control odor
• A protective exterior to thwart UV light

Looking for the best options? Here are the Top 5 Stash Jars on the Market Right Now.

As you might expect, we prefer a specialized solution like Evergreen for keeping weed fresh. Our storage containers are airtight to prevent your flower from being exposed to air, and the jars include a silicone sleeve designed to protect against minor drops and harmful light exposure. The lids can be labeled to keep track of dates and strains. All of Evergreen’s storage solutions also include a rechargeable humidification pod to maintain proper humidity levels.

Whether you're storing a personal stash or keeping a quarter-pound of weed fresh, Evergreen offers a smart, durable option for how to store weed for a long time while keeping it organized.

FAQs on How to Store Cannabis

How long does weed last? Does weed go bad?

How long can you store weed really? Most sources state that in optimal conditions, well-stored cannabis can last between six months and a year. The general guideline to enjoy cannabis while it still has all its flavor and potency is to use what you have within six months. Some older studies have shown that weed starts to actually lose its potency after about the one-year mark. Take a look:

• 16% THC lost at 1 year
• 26% THC loss at 2 years
• 34% THC loss at 3 years
• 41% THC loss at 4 years

In reality, however, the lifespan of weed varies depending on how it is stored. If you keep cannabis in the right conditions, you can deter issues with mold, preserve terpenes and cannabinoids, and keep weed fresher for longer. It is not uncommon for someone using the best long term weed storage solutions to pull out their flower well beyond the six-month mark and still have a quality stash.

How long should weed be cured before storage?

The general recommendation is to make sure the buds have been cured for at least four weeks. The goal is to only store weed once it is at its peak potency and flavor, but non-cured weed could also have a higher moisture content that can lead to mold.

How long can you store weed in a plastic bag?

As noted earlier, most plastic is not a good option for long term weed storage.  In fact, if your weed came in a plastic bag, it may be best to get rid of the bag within a few days. Plastic bags, even those with a zipper closure, can dry out your flower in a short time frame. Your best bet is to find a different storage alternative if you are not planning to use all the flower right away.

Should you keep weed in the freezer?

Can you freeze weed for long-term storage? Yes, but this is not the best idea. Freezing cannabis can be especially hard on the trichomes; many will fall off if you handle the cannabis while it's frozen. Plus, unless done in an extremely controlled way, freezing is likely to introduce moisture contamination.

Can you use a cigar humidor to store weed?

Cigar humidors are specifically designed to keep tobacco cigars fresh for as long as possible. These wooden storage boxes may even have a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels. However, cigar humidors are not good for weed storage. Humidor boxes are often made with oil-containing woods like cedar, which can affect the flavor profile of the cannabis stored inside. Further, the humidity levels used to maintain tobacco are higher, which may lead to mold growth for cannabis.

See a more in-depth explanation in: Storing Weed in a Humidor (Can you do it?)

How do you know if weed has gone bad?

Old weed isn’t necessarily bad weed, so you can't really assume weed is bad because it has been in storage for a long time. What you should look at is color, smell, and consistency. Old weed usually turns brown or tan, smells weak or like hay, and may be brittle and crumbly. 

Mold can also make its way into improperly stored weed, which may show up as dark spots, white or gray sections, or white fuzz. Old weed is unpleasant but generally safe to smoke, but smoking moldy weed can be dangerous, avoid it.

Find out more about mold on weed in: Mold on Weed: Here’s What to Know

Are there any storage solutions for larger quantities of cannabis?

For larger quantities, many cultivators use vacuum-sealed bags or containers, often with humidity control solutions like humidity packs to maintain the right moisture balance. For home storage, many find that a large (up to one gallon) glass jar performs well when paired with an airtight lid and a humidity-control device.  If using Evergreen Pods to regulate humidity, use one pod in a quart jar or three pods in a gallon jar.

Is there any difference in storage needs between indica, sativa, and hybrid strains?

Generally, the basic storage principles – temperature, humidity, oxygen, and light – apply uniformly across indica, sativa, and hybrid strains. However, certain strains may have more delicate terpene profiles that can be affected differently by the storage environment, but these differences are more strain-specific than strictly indica or sativa related.

How do I know that my weed has lost its potency if I don't know the original THC percentage?

The most reliable way would be through laboratory testing. However, anecdotal indicators include a change in scent, appearance, and the effects when consumed. If the cannabis smells less pungent or has a more hay-like aroma, it might have degraded.

Are there natural indicators, like scent or texture, to determine if the humidity level inside my storage container is right?

A proper humidity level ensures the cannabis remains slightly springy to the touch. If it's too dry, it'll crumble easily, and if it's too moist, it might feel sticky or damp. A hay-like smell can also be indicative of overly dry cannabis.

Can cannabis edibles or concentrates, like hash or oils, be stored in the same manner as flower?

Not necessarily. While cannabis flowers thrive at certain humidity levels, edibles and concentrates have different needs. Edibles should be stored as you would any food product, often in a cool, dark place. Concentrates should be kept in a cool environment, often in airtight silicone or glass containers, away from light.

What's the difference between Evergreen jars and other UV-protected jars available on the market?

There are several features that set Evergreen jars apart from others. They are fitted with a tight silicone sleeve that blocks sunlight, is attractive and comfortable to grip, and offers shock protection from minor drops and bumps.  The lid on the Evergreen jar offers an airtight seal, and has a specially designed outer finish for labeling with an erasable marker.

What should I do if my cannabis has been exposed to undesirable storage conditions for a short time? Is there any way to "revive" it?

Using a humidity pod can keep your flower at the proper humidity to preserve terpenes. It can also reintroduce moisture to dried out product to restore freshness. Once terpenes are lost, however, they cannot be reintroduced.

How frequently should I check on my stored cannabis to ensure it's still in good condition?

For long-term storage, checking every couple of weeks is a good rule of thumb. Ensure that there's no mold formation and that the humidity and aroma remain consistent. Include some sort of humidity control device to ensure that your cannabis stays in the proper humidity range.

How do weed humidity pods work, and are there different brands or types to consider?

Humidity pods or packs release or absorb moisture to maintain a specific relative humidity level inside the storage container. Popular brands include Boveda and Integra Boost for disposable packs, and of course Evergreen makes the only reusable pod. 

Can I store multiple strains together in the same container, or is it best to keep them separate?

It's best to store strains separately. Different strains have unique terpene profiles, and mixing them can result in the flavors and aromas blending, leading to a less distinct experience for each strain.

Does grinding the cannabis before storage affect its longevity or quality?

Yes, grinding increases the surface area exposed to air, light, and humidity, which can accelerate degradation. It's best to store buds whole and grind them when you're ready to use them.

Read more: How Long Does Weed Last, and Can it Go Bad? Does it Lose Potency After Grinding?

Is there a way to recycle or repurpose old or less potent weed?

Less potent weed can be used to make infused oils, butters, or tinctures where the combined amount can still offer desired effects. It can also be used in cooking or baking.

What are the signs that terpenes are breaking down?

A decrease in the aromatic potency or a change in the scent profile of the cannabis is an indicator, especially when the muted aroma persists after grinding. Terpenes are responsible for the distinct aromas of cannabis, so if your flower starts to lose its characteristic scent or smells more like hay, terpenes are likely deteriorating.

Useful Tips and Additional Resources

• For understanding the nuances of keeping cannabis fresh, consider reading The Best Humidity & Temperature for Storing Cannabis.
• To learn how to restore dried out bud, explore How to Rehydrate Weed That’s Gone Dry
• Seeking a top-tier storage solution? Check out the Evergreen Storage Solution for a comprehensive package.