So you are wondering whether you can freeze your weed, or if you need to store it a different way. The quality and potence of your weed can decrease overtime when stored improperly. Of course we want to treat our beloved plant the best way to enjoy it as much as possible. To help you out we wrote this article about the important factors when storing your cannabis, the pros and cons of freezing weed, tips for freezing your weed and much more.
Important factors when storing weed
How to freeze cannabis the best way?
Does weed go bad?
Like with all organic products, cannabis has a shelf life. Over time, cannabis undergoes degradation, and without proper storage, its quality decreases. Our beloved plant loses its aesthetic appeal, while the composition of the cannabinoids and terpenes change. Common risks, such as mold, can also emerge.
Storing anything organic needs a bit of know-how, and weed is no exception. Signs of expired weed include changes in flavor, a foul aroma, and an increasingly brittle texture.
When cannabis goes bad, the crucial terpenes and cannabinoids break down. Most important, THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis, transforms into CBN. There is not much research available about CBN but it is seen as a non-intoxicating cannabinoid similar to CBD.
The quality of the high may decrease as terpenes and cannabinoids degrade, impacting aroma, flavor, and overall effects. Consuming old weed, even if you endure a diminished experience and unpleasant taste, is not recommended. Moreover, using moldy weed is strictly advised against.
Important factors when storing weed
There are four key elements when storing cannabis: Temperature, humidity, light and friction. If these elements are respected you can keep your weed fresh for a long period of time, and the risky process of freezing might not even be necessary.
- Temperature: Heat dries out the plant, which can lead to devastating consequences. The ideal temperature is for storing your cannabis is between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius. This range helps to preserve the cannabinoids and terpenes that give cannabis its potency and flavor. Temperatures above 20 degrees can degrade these compounds, while temperatures below 10 degrees can slow down the decarboxylation process, which is necessary for THC to be psychoactive.
- Humidity is the next key element in storing weed properly. The perfect humidity level is somewhere between 55 and 65 percent. This helps to prevent your weed from drying out or becoming moldy. If your cannabis is dry, you can try rehydrating it by placing a small piece of orange peel or a damp paper towel in the container. If you notice any mold, throw away your cannabis immediately.
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Light, especially ultraviolet (UV) radiation, can be as detrimental for the potency and flavor of your weed as the previous elements. UV light turns THC into CBN, which as previously discussed is pretty similar to CBD and will not get you high. It also breaks down terpenes, which are the responsible compounds in cannabis for its unique and delicious smell and taste. In addition, UV light can damage the trichomes, the tiny glands that produce cannabinoids and terpenes, making the cannabis less potent and less pleasant to use. Finally, exposure to light can make cannabis produce chlorophyll, which gives it an unpleasant taste and can also reduce its potency.
Therefore we recommend to always store your weed in a dark place, to protect it against the destructive UV light. - Friction can also destroy your weed. Those tiny hair-like things on your weed are called trichomes. These are very fragile, messing these up will mess up your high. Be gentle with your stash and make sure you don’t crush or crumble your weed.
At Open Your Mind we have designed a unique stash box with 3 airtight glass jars. This gives you plenty of storage space to protect your weed against light and friction. Glass jars are non-porous and will not absorb any of the cannabinoids or terpenes in your cannabis. When you make sure to follow the other elements, you can store your weed in our stash box for more than 12 months.
Only start thinking about freezing weed when you want to store it for more than 12 or maybe even 24 months. So if you are very frugal with your stash, or you have a lot you want to freeze, make sure to read further.
Pros of freezing cannabis
Just like freezing vegetables, it is possible to freeze your cannabis. The method is a bit controversial, however, and we would not recommend it unless you need to store a large amount of weed for several years. On the other hand, weed will keep for years in the freezer, which makes it possible to keep your weed fresh for a much longer period than any other storage technique. The cold temperature slows down the degradation process, including the breakdown of cannabinoids and terpenes.
In humid environments the chances of getting mold in your cannabis increase. Freezing your weed can help mitigate this risk as the low temperature inhibit the growth of mold and other potential harmful microorganisms that can destroy the quality of the plant.
Freezing your stash also can help to retain the potency of the THC and CBD for a longer period of time when done correctly.
As with most things, there are some potentials risks and downsides to this method.
Cons of freezing cannabis
Freezing your weed can increase the potency, freshness for a long period of time while protecting it against mold, but there are some important points to consider.
The trichomes in your cannabis get more brittle when frozen. If not handled carefully, these can break off, potentially reducing the overall potency and quality of the cannabis.
When not stored frozen correctly and airtight, a layer of ice can develop on top of the plant. The exposure to oxygen, when not packed airtight, leads to this ice layer. Therefore it is important that when you have frozen in your stash you will not open it up halfway to get enough for one evening. Just get the full package out once you are ready.
When frozen weed is exposed to warmer temperatures, condensation can occur, leading to moisture. Excessive moisture can contribute to mold growth, so it's crucial to allow the cannabis to reach room temperature before opening the container to minimize this risk.
How to freeze cannabis the best way?
As discussed, freezing your cannabis might not be the best solution if you intend to store it for shorter than one year due to the potential risks. When you made the decision to do so, here is a step by step guide to freeze your cannabis the best way.
- First and foremost, make sure your cannabis is thoroughly dried. Excess moisture can lead to mold growth during freezing. Most people say to dry out your weed for at least 4 weeks before you start the freezing process.
- After that, trim all excess leaves and stems from the buds. You can use these separately to make keef or tea.
- Put your weed in an airtight container, such as a glass jar or any other moisture-resistant solution. This will help to prevent freezer burn and protect the quality of the buds. You can consider to use vacuum-sealed bags for another layer of protection.
- Once the cannabis is frozen, you don’t want to open up the container to take some weed and close it again. Separate your cannabis into smaller portions based on your usage needs. This helps minimize exposure to air and moisture when you only thaw what you plan to use.
Tip: label each container with the strain name and date of freezing. - Remove air as much as possible before sealing the container. Be careful to not crush or crumble the weed.
- Put the sealed containers or bags in the back of the freezer to have the best consistency in temperature. Keep the freezer temperature consistently low. Fluctuations can lead to condensation inside containers, which may contribute to mold growth.
- When ready to use, remove the desired portion from the freezer and allow it to come to room temperature before opening the container. This helps prevent condensation inside the packaging.
- Handle frozen cannabis with care to avoid breaking off trichomes, preserving them contributes to the quality of the cannabis.
- Once back on room temperature there is only one thing left to do: enjoy!
Can you freeze hash?
Just as with weed it is possible to freeze your hash when you want to preserve it for a longer period of time. The principles are the same, however it might be a bit easier as you don’t have to worry about damaging/breaking the trichomes.
Make sure the hash is well dried, divide into smaller portions based on your consumption needs, wraps or seal the hash airtight and remove excess air when possible. Same as with freezing weed, make sure to allow the hash to come to room temperature when taking out before opening the package. This way you can freeze hash effectively.
Can you freeze edibles?
Yes, you can freeze edibles to extend their shelf life. The freezing process slows down the growth of bacteria and mold, which can cause edibles to spoil. Properly stored edibles can last for several months in the freezer.
Make sure to wrap the edibles tightly to prevent it from drying out or absorbing any moisture. After that, place your edibles in an airtight container to protect it from freezer burn. simply thaw them in the refrigerator or at room temperature. They should be just as good as the day you made them!
The same principles apply for different kind of edibles. Whether you have leftovers of THC gummies or you made a big space cake, when freezing it correctly you should be good for the next months.
Conclusion
It is definitely possible to freeze your weed, however we would discourage doing so when you intend to use it within the next 12 to 24 months. Due to the risks in the freezing process it might damage the quality of your weed. It is not necessary to take this risk when you need to store it for a shorter period of time.
In most cases it is better to store your weed in an air tight glass jar, and control the temperature, humidity, light and friction. Our stash box might be your ideal solution to store your weed in a unique and fashionable way.
