A beginner’s guide: How to preserve CBD flower
Humanity's relationship with hemp and CBD dates back thousands of years. Hemp, a variety of Cannabis Sativa, is one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world!
CBD is derived from hemp and non-hemp plants. CBD flower may be from any part of the Cannabis Sativa lineage that produces no more than 0.3% of THC - the mind-altering cannabinoid. It’s important to note that CBD doesn’t produce a “high.”
In this guide, we talk about how to preserve your CBD stash to get the most out of it.
The ABC’s of CBD
The discovery of the endocannabinoid system in the 1990s sparked renewed interest in CBD and its use to manage the symptoms of various health conditions. In recent years, there’s been a significant shift in the legal and societal perception of cannabis/CBD, with many countries and states legalizing both medical and recreational cannabis.
This led to increased research, enhanced production/distribution, and better access to CBD products. However, while the legalization of cannabis and CBD has advanced, knowing and understanding the laws and regulations for CBD herbs in your state is vital.
CBD (cannabidiol) has surged in popularity due to its potential health benefits, broader legalization, acceptance and other factors including:
Health and wellness
There is a growing interest in natural and alternative approaches to health and wellness. These days CBD is often used for its potential therapeutic properties, such as pain relief, anxiety reduction, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Legalization
As more countries and states have legalized or decriminalized cannabis products, including CBD derived from hemp, it’s become more accessible to consumers.
Awareness
Positive testimonials -- nothing beats first-person experience.
Some of the most popular products that can be used to incorporate CBD products into your wellness lifestyle include oils, tinctures, edibles, topicals, vape goods, skincare, pet products, and more!
Why you should preserve your CBD flower
There are many good reasons to protect and preserve your CBD. Like many natural compounds, CBD can degrade over time, especially when it’s exposed to light, heat, or air. Proper preservation ensures retained potency.
Correct storage also protects your CBD products from contamination. By prolonging the shelf life of your CBD products, you’ll avoid wastage and enjoy consistent product, effects and quality.
Preserving your CBD herbs maintains and safeguards their potency, freshness, and overall quality, allowing you to get the most out of your stash’s potential therapeutic benefits. Improving your overall enjoyment while also making it more cost-effective.
CBD is one of the essential active compounds found in hemp, and proper preservation maintains CBD’s potency in your flowers, ensuring you receive the desired therapeutic effects. Light, heat, and air exposure can degrade CBD over time, reducing its effectiveness.
Like any other plant material, CBD flower has a limited shelf life. By preserving it correctly, you can extend its freshness and usability, saving you from having to replace it more frequently.
It’s important to keep in mind that consistent dosage is critical if you use CBD for wellness purposes. Proper preservation helps to maintain the cannabinoid content and overall quality of the herb, allowing you to achieve consistent results with each use, which is especially essential if you follow a specific dosing regimen.
From the vantage point of an Epicurean, CBD herbs often have distinct aromas and flavors that can enhance your experience. Proper storage techniques help retain these great qualities, ensuring you enjoy your flower’s natural smells and taste.
Properly preserving CBD flower also helps protect it from being contaminated by mold, bacteria, or other pollutants. Storing your CBD buds in airtight containers and appropriate conditions reduces the risk of microbial growth.
Finally, CBD flowers can be spendy. By preserving CBD flower correctly, you can extend its shelf life and prevent wastage. Are you convinced? Curious how to do this? Here are some ideas to help you get started.
6 Tips for preserving CBD flower
There are several effective methods you can use to preserve CBD flower and maintain its freshness and potency. These preservation techniques will extend the shelf life and maintain the quality of your CBD herbs.
1. Proper storage
Invest in airtight containers, preferably some that are made of opaque glass. They should be moisture-resistant and have a tight seal to prevent air and light from entering. Avoid using plastic as it can leach chemicals into the herbs.
2. Think like a vampire
Store your CBD herbs in a cool, dark place far away from direct sunlight. Excessive heat and light can quickly degrade cannabinoids and other beneficial compounds.
3. Avoid the open air
Oxygen can contribute to the degradation of cannabinoids, so it’s important to minimize air exposure. Make sure that your storage containers are sealed tightly to prevent air from entering. You can also consider using vacuum-sealed containers or oxygen absorbers for additional protection.
4. Keep it cool
If you have a large quantity of CBD buds you won’t use right away, they can be stored in the refrigerator. However, keeping them in airtight containers is crucial to prevent moisture and odors from affecting your stash. It’s also important to avoid frequent temperature fluctuations.
Freezing also helps to preserve CBD herbs' freshness for longer. Divide your nugs into smaller portions before storing them in airtight containers or freezer bags, and be sure to remove as much air as possible before sealing. Just don’t forget to leave the flower to thaw at room temperature to prevent condensation leading to excess moisture.
5. Grind it up
To maintain potency, it’s best to grind your herb just before you’re ready to use it. Grinding releases aromatic oils which can make them degrade more quickly.
6. Inspect frequently
Periodically check your CBD bud for any signs of mold, discoloration, or an unpleasant smell. If you notice any of these indicators, it’s best to discard the affected portions.
Wellness and self-care
Today, CBD is widely recognized for its potential therapeutic properties, and many people use it for various health and wellness purposes. CBD can be an integral part of your wellness and self-care routine. Talk to your healthcare provider, and see if CBD is right for you to use as a pain relief, anxiety aid, or wellness supplement.
Now you’re ready to prepare, preserve, and enjoy some high quality well-preserved CBD herbs!
Written by: Gina Neilson
