Cannabis can help a variety of ailments, like stress, anxiety, and sleep. So we want to have a healthy stock on hand, but it’s a living plant, and is perishable after harvest. This involves cutting the plant at the stalk, effectively ending its life cycle and starting the clock. How cannabis is cured, processed, and stored from this point greatly impacts how long it lasts.

When properly stored, cannabis can last for years in your house. However, it will inevitably degrade, even when stored under the most ideal conditions.

New Yorkers can possess or share up to three ounces (85 grams) of cannabis flower and up to 24 grams of concentrates. These same limits apply to licensed NYC cannabis dispensaries like The Alchemy. You can’t consume that much in one sitting, so storage is of the utmost importance. Here’s everything you need to know about storing cannabis.

What Happens to Cannabis Over Time?

Everything in nature is made of naturally-occurring chemicals, and the cannabis plant contains a variety of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that degrade over time. These are the essential components that people look for in cannabis.

As cannabinoids degrade, products lose their potency. When terpenes diminish, it impacts the flavor and smell. And the product will change color as flavonoids deteriorate.

Light is the top factor degrading cannabinoids. The more buds are exposed to light, especially sunlight, the faster they degrade. Heat is also a factor, and THC and CBD degrade quicker in hotter temperatures.

Because cannabis is made of other organic compounds, mold can also be an issue. Mold grows on older buds as they’re exposed to moisture and spores in the air around us. The ideal humidity range for cannabis storage is 55 to 65 percent. Anything below that will dry the buds out and cause them to lose quality and weight. Anything above risks mold growth.

Regardless of the timelines listed below, be sure to inspect any old product for the sight or smell of mold before using it to stay safe.

How Long Does Cannabis Last?

As mentioned above, how long cannabis lasts depends on how well it’s stored. Of course, you can find a wide variety of products in a Chelsea cannabis dispensary. So, we need to further break down how long each product lasts.

Cannabis Flower/Pre-rolls

Cannabis flower is the raw buds harvested directly from the female plant. These are the most premium buds, including the large kola (or cola) bud at the top of the stalk. According to research from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, cannabis buds lose up to 17% of their THC potency after one year, 27% after year two, 35% after year three, and over 41% by the end of four years.

Pre-rolls will dramatically increase the speed of deterioration, as grinding weed breaks it into smaller parts and exposes more surface area to the air and light. While you can still smoke weed that’s four years or older, it will be significantly less potent than the 20% to 30% THC ranges typically sold in an NYC cannabis dispensary.

Cannabis Concentrates/Extracts

Cannabis extracts include a wide variety of products, from kief and hash to live resin, rosin, RSO, distillates, vape carts, and even capsules, and tinctures. These are more concentrated products that remove the plant matter for high concentrations of THC.

Because of this, the timeline in the UN link above is still applicable, although the removal of organic plant matter makes them more resistant to degradation.

Cannabis Edibles/Drinks

Cannabis edibles and beverages have a much shorter shelf life than typical products. This is because it’s dependent on the food/drink product it’s mixed into. The added fats and moisture can be overrun by mold and bacteria quicker than on dry-cured flower or concentrate.

Pay close attention to edible expiration dates, as eating stale, moldy food can cause health problems. Shelf-stable products like infused sublinguals, syrups, hard candies, dissolvables, and alcohols can last longer, especially with proper storage.

Cannabis Topicals

Like edibles, cannabis topicals last as long as the other ingredients, which may degrade faster or slower than cannabinoids. This depends on the exact formulation of the topical, however in general they can last longer than edibles. And they may still be safe to use even after the cannabinoids degrade, albeit without their beneficial effects.

Be sure to ask exactly what’s in your infused topicals to get the highest quality balms, lubricants, and other products.This will help you determine exactly how long they can last.

Where Is the Best Place to Store Fresh Cannabis?

Alt text: Fresh cannabis flower vacuum sealed

Now that you understand the stakes, it’s time to review cannabis storage possibilities. Since different products degrade at differing rates, they have unique storage possibilities. Here are the best places to store the products you buy at Chelsea cannabis dispensaries:

Cannabis Flower/Pre-rolls

Fresh cannabis flower is delicate and must be stored in an airtight container with controlled humidity. Glass mason jars are a popular option, while a vacuum sealer is great for long-term storage or freezing (some go so far as to cryogenically freeze buds). There are also cannabis humidors, typically made of wood or metal.

Boveda two-way humidity packs are perfect for keeping humidity at either 58% (for drier bud or humid climates) or 62% (for stickier bud or arid climates). Be sure to include one in the container with your flower and store it in a dark, cool cabinet or drawer.

Cannabis Concentrates/Extracts

Concentrates and extracts are less susceptible to molding due to the lack of organic matter. This means humidity is not an issue, although light, heat, and air should still be avoided at all costs. Vape pens and carts are sealed from the open air.

Store concentrates and extracts in small silicone or glass containers. You can also wrap them in parchment paper to portion them and prevent stickiness (be extra careful not to use wax paper). The containers can be stored in the freezer, with the exception of vape carts/pens, which have sensitive electronics and small parts that can compromise the structural integrity.

Cannabis Edibles/Drinks

Edibles and drinks should be stored in their original sealed packaging, which preserves them. Once opened, you’ll want to consume them as quickly as possible because exposure to air will cause them to get stale/flat, or moldy. Keep shelf-stable food and drinks in a cool place, including the fridge or freezer if appropriate.

Cannabis Topicals

Topicals are shelf-stable and should be stored in a cool location at room temperature. Placing them in the fridge or freezer is unnecessary and could accelerate the degradation process.

Who Is the Best NYC Cannabis Dispensary?

Alt text: Cannabis concentrate in jar

NYC has a thriving cannabis community, and it can be hard to find the right dispensary. Now that you know how to store your stash, it’s time to load up on the legal limit. That’s where The Alchemy comes in. Our Chelsea cannabis dispensary is here for you, whether you’re a medical marijuana patient or adult-use cannabis customer. We have the widest selection of top-quality cannabis in the city.

Our budtenders are experts and can help you find the right strain and consumption method for your needs at any price range. Stop by our NYC cannabis dispensary in Chelsea to purchase your legal limit today.

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