If you’ve run into a surplus of cannabis and you’re not sure how to store the leftover, then this article is for you. Here, we’ll discuss storage basics, the importance of curing after harvest, and whether or not freezing cannabis is a good idea. Continue reading for more information on frozen buds.
Table of Contents
Cannabis Storage Basics
A proper cure will ensure that your cannabis plant will last longer. They will maintain their flavor and potency longer as well.
Humidity control packs can help ensure humidity levels remain ideal for storing buds.
Store buds in airtight containers. Mason jars are perfect airtight jars for storing cannabis after the curing process. Plastic bags risk drying and losing the potency of your cured cannabis.
Maintain a dark space with a cool temperature for optimal storage of cured cannabis in an airtight storage container.
Cannabis buds frozen in airtight containers vs. plastic bags can last up to two years.
You can keep CBD oil in an airtight container or glass jars for up to two years. Once opened, the cannabinoids will hold their potency for up to six months, depending on storage conditions. It’s not recommended to store CBD oil at home in overly hot or cold conditions.
Important Parts: harvesting cannabis plants
These are the essentials when it comes to harvesting cannabis before drying, curing, and storing your weed.
Sugar leaves
Sugar leaves are smaller than fan leaves and produce quite a bit of resin. These leaves are where the buds are formed, and unlike fan leaves, they can be saved after trimming for pre-rolls, extracts, or edibles.
Flowers
There are no male flowers; only female plants produce buds. They are small and teardrop-shaped, with pistils attached to bracts. You’ll notice shimmering trichomes, and the more, the better. They that contain CBD, THC cannabinoids, and terpenes. Flowers are typically dried then ground to smoke and store weed.
Pistil
In a nutshell, the pistil is the plant’s reproductive system. It contains thick strands which look like white hairs. The job of the stigma is to collect pollen, which is why they start white and eventually turn yellow. While these reproductive parts are vital to plant growth, they do not affect potency or taste.
Trichomes
The trichomes are the tiny, sugary crystals covering and protecting the buds. They come from the plant tissue glands of leaves, stems, and the calyx on male or female cannabis plants. The more trichomes, the more potent your plant will be, even though you can’t see them well with the naked eye.
When is Harvest time?
Harvesting weed typically requires four steps: cutting plants down, trimming the buds, drying, and curing cannabis before smoking.
If you utilize wet trimming, the process involves cutting the female flowers and then allowing them to dry.
For dry trimming, you’ll remove the female plants, hang them to dry, cut the buds off and complete the curing process before you store cannabis.
An outdoor harvest in North America should happen between September and November, depending on your specific area and local climate, and the type of seed you’re using. Harvesting should occur seven to ten weeks after the flowering stage to grow weed indoors, depending on the strain.
Is it Vital to Dry and Cure Cannabis?
The trimming and drying process is crucial to enjoying your cannabis buds thoroughly. While the curing process isn’t essential, it’s still an excellent idea to be patient and allow the cannabis flower to cure in a jar. Curing buds enhance their flavor and quality and enable them to be stored for longer.
Next, you’ll learn the essentials for the drying process and alternative methods for storing weed.
Things to Consider when Drying Cannabis
Friction, humidity, light, and temperature are the top concerns after harvest. Follow these tips to maintain fresh, safe-to-use buds.
Humidity level
For proper drying, humidity levels must be maintained between 45 and 55 percent. If you are experiencing difficulty with a humid climate, investing in a dehumidifier or a humidity pack could be helpful to allow the individual buds to dry completely.
Temperature
When you dry marijuana buds, you’ll want to keep your drying room temperature between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 degrees Celsius. If you have a temperature-controlled air conditioning unit, setting it to 20 degrees Celsius and 50 percent humidity level should do the trick.
If airflow becomes a problem while drying or curing cannabis, investing in a small fan to circulate air while you dry and cure would be an excellent idea; however, remain cautious not to allow the small fan to blow directly on your drying weed.
Lighting
Not only should the drying room be cool, but it will also need to be dark to dry cannabis. No light should be able to enter the room or touch the drying buds. This will ensure that the chlorophyll is completely removed, leaving room for the flavorful, aromatic, and terpene-rich marijuana flower to shine.
Wet trimming vs. Dry trimming
Wet trimming is a process that involves trimming before you dry the marijuana flower.
Immediately following harvest, you would cut off the leaves before the drying and curing process.
Wet trimming benefits include:
- easier to trim
- less time to trim
- faster drying and curing time
- lower risk of mold or mildew
- less space needed to dry buds
Dry trimming is when you cut down the plants, hang dry buds with the leaves intact, and then trim them afterward.
Dry trimming benefits include:
- speed to dry marijuana can be controlled and adjusted
- results in higher quality dry weed
- Less messy to trim when dry
- Less harsh, more flavorful smoking experience
Can Freezing Marijuana Affect its Potency for Microdosing?
When considering microdosing cannabis, freezing marijuana can potentially affect its potency. According to the microdosing cannabis ultimate guide, freezing can cause the trichomes to become brittle and break off, leading to a decrease in potency. It’s best to store marijuana in a cool, dark place for microdosing purposes.
Can I freeze weed?
Technically, yes. But is it a bad idea? Also, yes. While there are ways to freeze dry your buds, freezing them after being thoroughly dried and cured is more than likely a recipe for disaster. If you decide that frozen marijuana is the way to go, vacuum sealing and glass containers will be your best friends. However, the weed will likely not be as potent and will not bounce back to its original form.
In saying this, you can freeze other forms of cannabis concentrate like wax, shatter, and tinctures, and they will do much better since it has gone through decarboxylation. Keep in mind, either way, you should never keep your marijuana products stored in the freezer for longer than six months.
Disadvantages of Freezing Weed
- Frigid temperatures cause trichomes to become brittle and damaged. Friction causes frozen buds to lose their trichomes more quickly because they will fall off at even the slightest touch.
- Freezing marijuana slows down the decarb process of cured weed, causing it to lose its flavor, potency, and aroma.
- Frozen weed often collects ice crystals (freezer burn) on the nugs, making them more susceptible to mold and mildew.
Alternative Weed Storage Methods
One of the vital steps to properly store cannabis is using high-quality storage containers. Glass jars with a tight seal are ideal for protecting your buds from humidity, parasites, climate issues, and mold. There are even jars with a UV-proof finish or a violet/dark brown tint to further protect your weed from the light. Cannabis stored in a closet, pantry, or drawer will also work.
In Conclusion
While you can put harvested, dried, and cured cannabis through the freezing process, it’s probably not the best option for weed storage. If you do freeze it, be sure to place in properly sealed storage containers, label it, and be diligent about checking the plant material for mold, freezer burn, and anything “off” before use.
