Curing and storing your marijuana properly not only preserves the flavor and consistency but also saves you money by extending the life of your flower.

Lesson #1 in 420 Budgeting: Purchasing cannabis in bulk is the most economical way to keep a constant supply around. Buying an ounce in bulk over the 28 individual grams ends up saving you enough money for ten more grams! However, when you purchase in bulk, either from a dispensary or directly from the grower, you will typically receive the herb in a plastic-based container. If you want the quality of your medicine to last, follow these simple essential steps for storing your herb:

1. Invest in a long-lasting, airtight storage system. The go-to is almost always glass jars because mason jars are easy to find, relatively inexpensive, and guarantee freshness. There are some downsides with glass jars, though, the number one being their fragile nature. I learned this the hard way by dropping a quart-sized jar on a tile floor and watching glass shards rain down upon my precious Platinum Cookies. If you have multiple glass jars, there is also the potential of jars hitting each other and breaking which would also be a fatal move, because no one wants to smoke glass accidentally. The curing cannabis plant is very sensitive to light, so if you can, find green or blue mason jars to help limit any degradation.

If you have the budget to invest in a slightly more durable option, there is another airtight container that ensures the quality of your herb remains A-1. C-Vaults are relatively new to the market (within the last couple of years) and at TKO Reserve we use them to cure and store all our product. C-Vaults are stainless steel containers built specifically for curing and storing cannabis. They were designed to maintain a consistent humidity level which is crucial for a proper cure. The thing I love about C-Vaults is that they come in extra-large sizes that can store up to 2 pounds!

It’s important to burp your container if you still feel moisture in the flower (beyond the natural sticky nature of the herb). Open your container for ten minutes every 24-36 hours until you’ve reached your desired texture.

Pro-Tip: Use one large container for your long-term storage and one personal sized container for your daily use. This will limit the number of times your long-term storage container is exposed to air. Also, every time you open your container terpenes are released and lost into the air (that’s what causes the buds to smell so good!) so limiting the number of times you open your container will preserve the terpenes — your herb’s aroma and flavor.

2. Find a dark, cool storage location. A spot that’s accessible butdoesn’t leave your cannabis vulnerable to light degradation. This step is crucial because heat and light will diminish the quality of the flower over time. Heat causes THC to convert to CBN while light will gradually turn your beautiful green herb to an unappealing brown. The terpene profile can also degrade when exposed to excess heat and light. So it’s best to keep your containers out of direct sunlight and away from heat. I’ve found a closet or cabinet close to your typical smoking station works best.

3. Keep some humidity packs nearby. Humidity packs are great for long-term storage because they prevent your stash from drying out. They’re even better for redeeming herb that has turned crunchy from overdrying. A dry environment can not only rob cannabis of its wonderful stickiness but also of its enticing aroma and flavor.

Boveda packs are designed specifically for C-Vaults (there’s a nifty little holder for the packs on the underside of the vault’s lid) but Boveda packs can be used in glass jars or even plastic containers.

Integra boost is another brand of humidity packs that can be used to maintain consistent humidity levels.

If you’re dedicated to DIY solutions, you can place a wet paper towel inside of a ziplock bag to create your own version of a humidity pack. Leave an inch or two of the bag open and place in the container with your cannabis for at least 24 hours but no more than three days. Be sure that the open side of the ziplock is facing upwards and not downwards where it could leak on your flower. After a day or two, open the jar and check on your marijuana. Test a few different buds for their level of stickiness and if it still feels dry, gently shake the jar, add a fresh humidity pack, and store your herb for 24-72 hours.