When considering how to store your cannabis products, two main factors come to mind: safety and condition. First, is the cannabis going to be in a place that is safe for everyone I expect to enter that space, and is the cannabis safe from anyone who might enter? Second, is this container going to keep my cannabis in the best condition as I consume it? Personally, I like to keep my nugs in a bowl carved from jade held aloft by glittering cherubim, but the angels charge overtime and their wings dry out the weed, so …

Let’s first go over what not to do. Stop keeping your weed in makeshift containers and baggies—it dries out too fast, which causes the weed to crumble and the trichomes to break off, diminishing your high. Don’t store your cannabis in the freezer, either; this also causes the trichomes to fall off, reducing its flavor profile and strength. Don’t use fruits or vegetables to rehydrate dried-out weed. It’s a popular practice to keep a bit of fruit peel or lettuce mixed with your dried herb while storing larger amounts over long periods. But there is always a chance of mold developing, and I have found it made my rehydrated weed kind of “leathery.” Proceed at your own risk.

Now what to do. Probably the most important element of weed storage is monitoring humidity. You want to aim for 59 to 63 percent relative humidity to keep your plants fluffy and tasting great. There are options, from cheap and easy humidity packs to multi-thousand-dollar humidors built specially for cannabis. Other factors that can degrade your weed are light, temperature, and air, so dark, airtight containers are best. Keeping them out of the sun and away from heat sources will ensure that your sweet, sticky buds stay fresh.

For on the go, I recommend either a sweet, locally made glass nug jar or a multilevel jar/grinder with a locking lid. Some amazing artists blow and pour glass in the Northwest, and with very little effort you will be able to score a one-of-a-kind art work to show off. Having a grinder on the go is also a real lifesaver for joint smokers.

Unless you live as an absolute hermit (shoutout to all my noise-musician friends), there is a chance someone could get into your weed stash without realizing what they are doing. For a variety of reasons, this is not cool, and As a good weed user, it’s your responsibility to keep this from happening. If there are kids in your world, it’s imperative that you keep a fresh outlook on where you store your cannabis. Weed is as legal as it can be in Washington, as well as seven other states, and 29 states plus Washington, D.C. have legalized medical use. As use becomes more common, authorities are seeing more and more accidental dosings as children mistake pot gummies, weed sodas, and other products for candy. Several specially designed locking cases on the market are built just for holding medicine at home. If you need to keep your smoking completely secret, consider a sneaky hiding space like a hollowed-out locking diary. For complete control over access, many people simply turn to a small home safe, and put it out of their minds.

stashbox@seattleweekly.com