As the commonality of medical cannabis continues to increase in the UK, keeping dried medical cannabis flower is essential to ensure the longevity and safety of prescribed medication. As medical cannabis packaging plays a significant part, there are specific qualities to bear in mind that mean that certain qualities are favoured for preservation. Below, we explore all you need to know about why keeping medicinal cannabis fresh is important, and what the best packaging options are to do so.

Why Is Keeping Medical Cannabis Fresh Important?

Cannabis, unlike other medications, contains active compounds, including THC and CBD, as an organic product. Over time, these can degrade if not stored correctly, as cannabis is a delicate product. As a result, keeping medical cannabis stored correctly ensures that its medicinal properties are preserved for longer, and that it continues to be an effective medication without premature expiry.

How Long Will Cannabis Stay Fresh?

If stored correctly, cannabis flower can stay fresh for six months to a year. However, it will start to degrade between three and six months if it isn’t stored correctly.

To maintain the quality and efficacy of medicinal cannabis, our tips below will help you ensure that your cannabis is preserved for as long as possible.

How to Keep Cannabis Fresh Longer

To keep medical cannabis at its most effective, there are a variety of methods which should be used to store it to ensure that it maintains its quality and efficacy for as long as possible. The methods we recommend are:

Airtight, Sealed Containers

Oxygen is a significant cause of cannabis degradation, so it needs to be protected from its exposure when it’s not in use. Therefore, it’s important to use airtight containers, as these are specifically designed to protect cannabis from oxygen exposure and maintain its freshness.

Not related to its preservation, but equally as important for medical cannabis storage is the use of child-resistant packaging. As cannabis is harmful to children’s health, it’s highly important and legally required for medical cannabis to be provided in child-resistant packaging. These packaging products are designed to prevent access to children while remaining accessible for adults, preventing unintended, accidental consumption.

Storing in a Cool, Dry Place

Though UK weather rarely reaches extreme highs or lows, keeping cannabis flower at the optimal temperature is key to ensuring its longevity. High heat can cause cannabinoids to break down, while freezing temperatures can affect the flower’s texture and consistency. As a result, it should be stored between 15°C and 20°C, away from areas in the home that can experience especially high or low temperatures.

In addition, humidity can have a large impact on cannabis flower. If kept in an especially humid place, such as the kitchen or bathroom, it can lead to mould growth. Not only will this make it a less effective medication, but it also presents risks to health. On the other hand, too low a humidity can dry it out and also affect its potency.

Therefore, it’s best to store medical cannabis flower in a cool, dry place that isn’t susceptible to fluctuation in heat or humidity, such as a cupboard or drawer.

Protection from Light

Cannabis is particularly sensitive to light, as UV rays can break down cannabinoids and reduce the effectiveness of the product. Therefore, it’s important that it is stored away from exposed areas, such as windowsills, to keep it effective for longer. As explained above, a cupboard or drawer is the best place to store cannabis as a result of being fully protected from light.

As an additional protection, packaging cannabis in amber glass jars is worthwhile, as these are effective in preventing UV light from reaching its contents.

Medical Cannabis Packaging at Origin

To ensure that patients are able to preserve their medical cannabis for as long as possible, high-quality packaging is essential.

At Origin, we have a wide range of medical cannabis packaging that is designed to reliably and conveniently preserve cannabis products. Including a wide selection of plastic jars, clamshell containers, and sealable bags, many of which are child-resistant and approved to ISO8317 and 16 CFR 1700.20 standards, you can find the ideal option for dependable preservation.

To discuss your requirements further for reliable cannabis packaging, controlled substance packaging, or CBD packaging, get in touch with us today. A member of our team will talk through your best options, including the option for custom packaging.