Ask Dr. Litinas: Why your cannabis deserves better than a Ziploc bag

Ask Dr. Litinas is a column that publishes twice monthly as part of The MichiGanja Report—our free, weekly newsletter about all things marijuana. Click here to sign up.

MICHIGAN—Whether you’re a seasoned consumer or new to the Michigan cannabis scene, one important detail often gets overlooked: proper cannabis storage. How you store your cannabis products can have a big impact on their freshness, potency, and safety.

Here’s a quick guide to keeping your cannabis at its best while protecting those around you:

Why storage matters

Cannabis is a natural, plant-derived product. And like any botanical medicine, it’s sensitive to its environment. Heat, light, air, and moisture can degrade the cannabinoids and terpenes that give your cannabis its effects and flavor. Poor storage can leave you with dry, flavorless or moldy flower and edibles that have lost potency.

Secondly, appropriate storage practices can improve safety in households with children, pets, or guests. Like any medication, cannabis products should be stored securely and out of reach.

Cannabis storage best practices

• Keep it cool, dark, and dry. Store cannabis in a dark place, away from direct sunlight and high temperatures. Excessive heat can dry out flower and degrade cannabinoids like THC and CBD, lowering its potency.
• Avoid excess air exposure. Oxygen breaks down cannabinoids over time, reducing both potency and freshness. Use airtight glass jars or the original packaging if it’s resealable and opaque.
• Lock it up. Whether it’s flower, edibles, tinctures, or vape cartridges, keep your cannabis in a locked cabinet or box, and inaccessible to children and pets. This can ensure no accidental ingestion by them.
• Keep products labeled and separated. If you have multiple products—especially edibles that might look like regular snacks—make sure everything is clearly labeled and stored separately from non-cannabis items.

Cannabis can be an incredibly helpful tool for wellness and relaxation, but like any medication or biologically active compound, it comes with responsibility. Proper storage keeps your products fresh, potent, and ensures they stay in the right hands. Take a few minutes to set up an appropriate storage space. Your future self will thank you.

This content is for education, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before making any health decisions—especially when it comes to cannabis. Products are only for adults ages 21 and up. 

READ MORE: Don’t be scared to talk to your doctor about cannabis

Got a question about weed for Dr. Litinas? Send it in here. We’ll get you a response. 

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