Cannabis preservation: long-term storage and quality preservation

Proper cannabis preservation preserves quality and potency for years:

**Conservation basics:**

*Quality degradation factors:*

- Light (UV radiation)

- Oxygen (oxidation)

- Moisture (mould/drying out)

- Temperature (chemical reactions)

- Time (natural degradation)

*Cannabis shelf life:*

- Optimal conditions: 2-4 years

- Average storage: 1-2 years

- Poor conditions: 6-12 months

- Extracts: Longer shelf life

- Edibles: Shorter shelf life

**Optimal storage conditions:**

*Temperature:*

- Ideal: 15-20°C

- Cooler = longer shelf life

- Avoid frost (<0°C)

- Minimise fluctuations

- Cellar temperatures often optimal

*Humidity:*

- Optimal: 55-62% RH

- Above 65%: Danger of mould

- Below 50%: Terpenes vaporise

- Use humidity packs

- Aim for constant values

*Light protection:*

- Complete darkness ideal

- UV radiation particularly harmful

- Brown/opaque containers

- Cool, dark rooms

- LED lighting for inspections

*Oxygen minimisation:*

- Airtight containers

- Vacuum sealing for long-term storage

- Nitrogen flushing

- Minimised air exposure

- Fast handling

**Storage container:**

*Glass containers:*

- Airtight Mason Jars

- UV protection (amber glass)

- Various sizes

- Easy to clean

- Neutral flavour

*Vacuum-sealed bags:*

- For long-term storage

- Oxygen removal

- Space saving

- Portionable

- Single use

*Special container:*

- CVault Container

- Miir Canisters

- Medical Grade

- Integrated Humidity Control

- Premium options

**Humidity Control:**

*Boveda Packs:*

- 58% or 62% RH

- Automatic regulation

- Long life

- Different sizes

- Partially reusable

*Integra Boost:*

- Alternative to Boveda

- 2-way Humidity Control

- Natural Salts based

- Indicator available

- Competitive pricing

**Vacuum sealing:**

*Vacuum sealer setup:*

- FoodSaver or similar

- Special cannabis bags

- Oxygen-barrier materials

- Heat-sealing capability

- Portioning options

*Vacuum technology:*

- Lightly moisten cannabis

- Do not compress too much

- Double-sealing for safety

- Dating of the packages

- Strain identification

**Freeze-drying (Advanced):**

*Freeze-drying advantages:*

- Maximum shelf life (10+ years)

- Terpenes and cannabinoids preserved

- Mould risk eliminated

- Weight reduction

- Professional technique

*Freeze-drying process:*

- Flash-freeze at -40°C

- Vacuum sublimation

- Moisture removal (99%+)

- Specialised equipment needed

- Industrial application

**Monitoring and maintenance:**

*Regular inspections:*

- Monthly quality checks

- Mould detection

- Humidity level check

- Flavour assessment

- Visual inspection

*Rotation system:*

- FIFO (First In, First Out)

- Use oldest stock first

- Labelling with date

- Inventory management

- Quality tracking

**Train-specific storage:**

*Indica vs. Sativa:*

- Dense Indica: More risk of mould

- Airy Sativa: Less susceptible

- Adjust RH accordingly

- Separa