Store cannabis flower in an airtight glass jar, in a dark place, at 60-70°F (16-21°C). Keep relative humidity near 58-62%. Keep the jar away from children and pets. Flower holds peak potency for about 6 months under these conditions. Four things cause most loss: heat, light, oxygen, and moisture.
Temperature
Heat drives THC loss. THC oxidizes into CBN over time, and warmth speeds that reaction. A jar on a windowsill or beside a stove loses potency faster than a jar in a closet. Room temperature works for daily use. A car trunk in summer passes 140°F and can ruin flower in an afternoon. Cold storage slows THC loss, but it adds condensation risk. If you refrigerate, let the container reach room temperature before opening it.
Light
UV light breaks down THC and terpenes. Clear glass lets light through. Use an opaque jar, an amber jar, or a jar kept inside a closed drawer or cabinet. Black plastic pill bottles and metal tins also block light.
Humidity
Dry flower crumbles and loses terpenes. Wet flower grows mold. Mold risk rises above 65% relative humidity. Target 58-62%. Two-way humidity packs hold that range inside a sealed jar. Do not add orange peels, bread, or lettuce. They add moisture and can carry mold spores.
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Air and Containers
Oxygen oxidizes cannabinoids and terpenes. Fill the jar most of the way and close the lid tight. Glass beats plastic. Plastic bags are porous and hold static that pulls trichomes off the flower. Keep cannabis away from items with a strong smell. The resin absorbs odors from coffee, spices, and cleaning products.
Long-Term Storage
For 6 months or more, vacuum seal the flower and freeze it at 0°F (-18°C). Freezing slows THC loss. Thaw sealed containers before opening them, because condensation on cold flower degrades it.
Signs of Poor Storage
Brown color, a hay smell, and a harsh dry hit point to age and bad storage. Terpene loss starts first. Potency loss follows. Flower that shows white fuzz is moldy. Discard it.
What to Avoid
- Direct sunlight and warm rooms
- Humidity above 65% or below 55%
- Plastic sandwich bags
- Storing daily flower in the refrigerator
- Sharing a jar with strong-smelling items
Safety
Keep cannabis in child-resistant packaging, out of reach of children and pets. Keep edibles in their original labeled container, not in a food wrapper. Never move cannabis into a kitchen container that a child or guest might open by mistake.