Storage Issues

[evanescence]

So let's say one needed to store a reasonable quantity of MJ. Is freezing it the best option?

[Michael]

So let's say one needed to store a reasonable quantity of MJ. Is freezing it the best option?

To the best of my knowledge and experience, the answer is yes. :)

[Americano]

So let's say one needed to store a reasonable quantity of MJ. Is freezing it the best option?

No. The first step to long-term storage is proper curing. That's most commonly accomplished using Mason canning jars with sealed lids. For the first week unseal the jars daily for five minutes, resealing them. Second week every other day and third week twice. That will purge the remaining sugar and chlorophyll left from proper drying (the common causes of harsh taste).

Place sealed jars in a dark, cool place (closets are good). Light deteriorates THC. Three months curing in the jars is considered adequate, six months better and a year plus best. Good for five years if kept from light.

[evanescence]

by long term, I mean a few months. A quarter of a lb already dried.

[Americano]

by long term, I mean a few months. A quarter of a lb already dried.

Dried is not cured. Four ounces will fit in three Mason jars.

[evanescence]

Dried is not cured. Four ounces will fit in three Mason jars.

Is it worth it when an oz will be used each month? I'm just trying to keep the quality..it came from Cali. :)

[Americano]

Is it worth it when an oz will be used each month? I'm just trying to keep the quality..it came from Cali. :)

Yes. If unsealed it will deteriorate. Freezer storage risks mold development as it isn't cured and still retains moisture.

[evanescence]

Mold surely couldn't grow in the freezer so you must mean that it will mold after I take it out, right? If so, I'm sure there are ways to keep it from molding somehow. At least I hope. I may try the mason jar thing, though.

[Americano]

Mold surely couldn't grow in the freezer so you must mean that it will mold after I take it out, right? If so, I'm sure there are ways to keep it from molding somehow. At least I hope. I may try the mason jar thing, though.

The sealed jar method of curing and storage is universally practiced by most cannabis affectionados. It's actually a small scale duplication of commercial environmentally controlled drying facilities utilized by tobacco growers. I also have a vacuum sealer for 'excess' storage.

Links if you want them:

"You may be wondering why mold can grow in your freezer. Mold doesn’t die when temperatures drop below 32 degrees, they lay dormant until temperatures raise, or they are set out to warm up."

"Dry marijuana can be stored in a frost-free freezer, but some of the THC on the outer part of the buds may be damaged when frozen. A refrigerator is in the right temperature range but they tend to be humid (unless you can control the humidity)."

[evanescence]

The sealed jar method of curing and storage is universally practiced by most cannabis affectionados. It's actually a small scale duplication of commercial environmentally controlled drying facilities utilized by tobacco growers. I also have a vacuum sealer for 'excess' storage.

Links if you want them:

"You may be wondering why mold can grow in your freezer. Mold doesn’t die when temperatures drop below 32 degrees, they lay dormant until temperatures raise, or they are set out to warm up."

"Dry marijuana can be stored in a frost-free freezer, but some of the THC on the outer part of the buds may be damaged when frozen. A refrigerator is in the right temperature range but they tend to be humid (unless you can control the humidity)."

Yes, I would be interested in vacuum storage.

[Americano]

Yes, I would be interested in vacuum storage.

Low equipment investment with satisfactory results. Use food quality bags, not the supermarket stuff. But cure it before sealing for quality consumption purposes. It's very popular with quantity minded commercial growers due to the complete absence of exterior odor for transport purposes and a quick wipe with a 10% bleach solution removes all exterior handling and preparation traces.

[evanescence]

Where could I get the proper equipment? I unfortunately shop at Walmart and I doubt they have anything of real quality.

[Americano]

Where could I get the proper equipment? I unfortunately shop at Walmart and I doubt they have anything of real quality.

No, you're fortunate in shopping at Walmart. They have consumer food quality vacuum packagers for probably well under $50 and it's difficult for most retailers to beat Walmart prices. The US economy has spurred renewed interest in buying food in quantity and storing same. Other than the electric bill for freezing it versus canning, I'd applaud the trend. Most of the consumer vacuum packagers include a few food quality bags, enough to suit your immediate requirements. They'll also include an order form for replenishment, but I'd recommend internet retailers for that purpose.

[evanescence]

Excellent. I'll check it out, but I already stuck what I had in the freezer. It was in separate plastic baggies, and then in one of those giant zip lock bags. Then over that, in a walmart bag.

[Americano]

Excellent. I'll check it out, but I already stuck what I had in the freezer. It was in separate plastic baggies, and then in one of those giant zip lock bags. Then over that, in a walmart bag.

As posted you'll lose THC value on the outside bud edges by freezing them. But I'm a connoisseur with unlimited access to premium quality buds at any time and like perfection, so you probably won't even notice the difference. Enjoy!

[evanescence]

As posted you'll lose THC value on the outside bud edges by freezing them. But I'm a connoisseur with unlimited access to premium quality buds at any time and like perfection, so you probably won't even notice the difference. Enjoy!

You're right..I likely wont. Access to decent bud around here is sparse. This particular bud is from Cali and it's awesome. A small reduction wont likely make a difference for me. However, I am still interested in better storage for the future..

[Michael]

Access to decent bud around here is sparse.
:lol:

I live in Canada. :D

Btw, where is "here"? (I suppose I could lookup your IP address and figure it out, but I'm too lazy to do that!)

[evanescence]

:lol:

I live in Canada. :D

Btw, where is "here"? (I suppose I could lookup your IP address and figure it out, but I'm too lazy to do that!)

East, TN.

[Americano]

You're right..I likely wont. Access to decent bud around here is sparse. This particular bud is from Cali and it's awesome. A small reduction wont likely make a difference for me. However, I am still interested in better storage for the future..

Tennessee and Kentucky actually grow significant amounts of quality sensimilla but, like other growing areas, distribution is divided between very local (in the immediate growing area) and large cities, including northern cities. Demand for quality (read expensive) in between those destinations just isn't there primarily due to general socioeconomic conditions. Mexican dirt weed still services large numbers of consumers due to the fact that its 'dirt' cheap.

California is a good example of different areas. In growing areas quality bud sells for ~$150-200 an ounce or $2000-2400 a pound after harvest and the same weed is $400oz (or more for cured organic) in San Francisco or LA. Medical dispensaries sell it by the gram and its very expensive due to California's tax burden on each distribution step and the costly logistics of assembling individual medical marijuana user licenses for large, secured grow operations.

In any area for any product it all boils down to who you know and how far down the distribution line you happen to be.

[evanescence]

Tennessee and Kentucky actually grow significant amounts of quality sensimilla but, like other growing areas, distribution is divided between very local (in the immediate growing area) and large cities, including northern cities. Demand for quality (read expensive) in between those destinations just isn't there primarily due to general socioeconomic conditions. Mexican dirt weed still services large numbers of consumers due to the fact that its 'dirt' cheap.

California is a good example of different areas. In growing areas quality bud sells for ~$150-200 an ounce or $2000-2400 a pound after harvest and the same weed is $400oz (or more for cured organic) in San Francisco or LA. Medical dispensaries sell it by the gram and its very expensive due to California's tax burden on each distribution step and the costly logistics of assembling individual medical marijuana user licenses for large, secured grow operations.

In any area for any product it all boils down to who you know and how far down the distribution line you happen to be.

Yeah, it's pretty dry here often. I refuse to buy dirt weed. (Although what I smoke would likely be dirt weed to you :()TN is the second largest producing state after Cali, and still dry. We sort of figure it was being shipped out in large quantities.

[Michael]

... California is a good example of different areas. In growing areas quality bud sells for ~$150-200 an ounce or $2000-2400 a pound after harvest and the same weed is $400oz (or more for cured organic) in San Francisco or LA. Medical dispensaries sell it by the gram and its very expensive due to California's tax burden on each distribution step and the costly logistics of assembling individual medical marijuana user licenses for large, secured grow operations.

In any area for any product it all boils down to who you know and how far down the distribution line you happen to be.
Yes, it certainly does seem that there is always a huge difference between 'rural' and 'urban' when it comes to the price and quality of pot. And I do like living in the downtown core of the city. :D

Btw, I know of two people with legitimate prescriptions to smoke pot (one is skitzo, the other is epileptic). I've heard from them that the government-run 'medical pot' store here in Toronto (:lol:) sells remarkably good quality for relatively decent prices ($10 to $15 per gram). They sell different quality product at different price points too!

Not quite up to the highest BC-hydro standard that some of us may be accustomed to, but definitely decent grade product as good as (or better than) anything normally available 'on the street'. :)

[evanescence]

Usually a schizo wouldn't get a prescription for pot. Interesting.

[Michael]

Usually a schizo wouldn't get a prescription for pot. Interesting.

He may have the prescription for something else. I don't know him that well! :lol:

It may be possible that his 'prescription' isn't fully kosher. :shrug:

He is the only son of a rather wealthy family - what is often called a 'trust-fund-kid' in the US. He gets a fat check in the mail each month and has never worked at any job.

[Americano]

Yes, it certainly does seem that there is always a huge difference between 'rural' and 'urban' when it comes to the price and quality of pot. And I do like living in the downtown core of the city. :D

Btw, I know of two people with legitimate prescriptions to smoke pot (one is skitzo, the other is epileptic). I've heard from them that the government-run 'medical pot' store here in Toronto (:lol:) sells remarkably good quality for relatively decent prices ($10 to $15 per gram). They sell different quality product at different price points too!

Cannabis is no different than any other commodity in that pricing is generally stepped down as quantity increases directed by lower costs for transportation. handling, packaging and middleman margin requirements. Medical dispensaries knew gram pricing in a monopoly circumstance would ensure consistent required margin regardless of supply.

Not quite up to the highest BC-hydro standard that some of us may be accustomed to, but definitely decent grade product as good as (or better than) anything normally available 'on the street'. :)

Sometime when you're feeling adventurous I suggest trying an organic, cured grow. Regardless of flushing, there's no way hydro growing can eliminate chemical content restriction of micronutrients to plants. Most hydro growers are quantity oriented for market purposes and seldom, if ever, bother to cure their product. I say seldom because there are boutique hydro growers who are fanatics about quality while most are after the income. It does resemble the difference in taste between a Havana Cigar and an imitation.

[evanescence]

He may have the prescription for something else. I don't know him that well! :lol:

It may be possible that his 'prescription' isn't fully kosher. :shrug:

He is the only son of a rather wealthy family - what is often called a 'trust-fund-kid' in the US. He gets a fat check in the mail each month and has never worked at any job.

I tend to hate people like that.

[Americano]

He may have the prescription for something else. I don't know him that well! :lol:

It may be possible that his 'prescription' isn't fully kosher. :shrug:

He is the only son of a rather wealthy family - what is often called a 'trust-fund-kid' in the US. He gets a fat check in the mail each month and has never worked at any job.

At that level of wealth any prescription is there for the asking.