Cannabis is a plant, and the moisture within that plant can be affected when storing it at freezing temperatures. Many people often wonder if you can freeze weed and how it affects it. We’ll answer that question below and explain why the type of weed you’re freezing matters.
You can freeze cured weed to slow the natural breakdown of THC over time. However, when frozen, the trichomes of cannabis buds, where THC is located, become fragile and can break off, leading to decreased weed potency. For this reason, freezing edibles is often more effective than freezing buds.
Let’s take a look at many important considerations when freezing marijuana.
Marijuana is best frozen if it needs to be stored for a long period of time. Studies by the University of Mississippi show that cannabis stored for one year at room temperature will lose 16.6% of its THC potency. When stored in a freezer, cannabis loses only 4% of its potency in a year. This is a massive difference and shows the effectiveness of freezing cannabis.
If you decide to freeze weed, be sure to freeze it in an air-tight container to prevent freezer burn. Also, be sure it is in a secure area and prevent it from shifting around.
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Freezing Cured vs. Uncured Marijuana
If you plan on freezing your cannabis, be sure it is cured first. Uncured marijuana cannot be frozen unless it is flash-frozen. When flash-freezing uncured cannabis, it should be in an industrial freezer that is set near -38℉ to preserve the potency properly.
Freezing uncured marijuana in a standard freezer set to 0℉ will not allow the marijuana to cure properly. Uncured marijuana should be kept in a cool, dry place and exposed to oxygen every so often in order to maximize potency.
Cured marijuana can be preserved in a standard freezer set to around 0℉ to -4℉. However, due to the risks involved with storing cannabis in a freezer, this method is not recommended for short-term storage.
Flash freezing is also possible with cured marijuana, but it is preferred to flash freeze the plant immediately after harvest if you want to maximize the potency of the THC. Cured marijuana that is flash-frozen will have less potency than uncured marijuana that is flash-frozen.
Benefits of Freezing Marijuana
- Slows degradation: By refrigerating, you can slow down the decarboxylation process. This preserves the potency even if your weed is frozen for months.
- Firmer buds: If you have firm buds, they’ll be easier to handle when you grind and roll them later on.
- Potent edibles: The potency remains high, making edibles like THC cookies taste even better.
- Retain THC levels: THC levels drop barely 4% in a year of refrigeration. THC levels drop within as little as a few weeks at room temperature.
- Prolonged storage: Refrigerate your buds and smoke them a year or two later. Never worry about losing potency.
There are several benefits that come with freezing marijuana. These benefits include slowed degradation, firmer buds, and increased potency for cannabis extractions and edibles.
The cold temperatures of a freezer slow the decarboxylation process of the plant. Decarboxylation is the process that activates the psychoactive properties with the use of heat. Because a freezer slows down this process, the degradation of the cannabis will be slowed. Slowed degradation can help marijuana retain its potency.
In a freezer, the cold temperatures lock the moisture into the plant matter. This process creates a firmer bud. Firm buds are easier to manage and hold their shape.
Storing marijuana in a freezer can help maximize the potency levels for cannabis extractions and edibles. Typically, for extractions such as live resin, marijuana is flash frozen immediately after harvest to retain the potency levels.
When frozen, the trichomes of the plant that contain the THC become brittle. When the trichomes are brittle, they are more easily separated from the plant matter, which is beneficial during cold extractions.
What Happens to Marijuana When it Freezes
The moisture and terpenes of the plant will be frozen and hold onto their potency. Freezing cured marijuana can negatively impact its overall potency if the product is not stored properly.
Uncured marijuana can be flash-frozen immediately after harvest. If frozen at the proper temperature, the cannabis will cure during the flash-freezing process. However, if the cannabis is not flash-frozen correctly, the plant matter can retain moisture. Excess moisture can negatively impact the potency of the cannabis.
When is Freezing Marijuana a Good Idea?
Freezing marijuana is a good idea if you want to store it for an extended period of time and retain its potency. If you know you aren’t going to be able to consume your weed by the time it goes bad at room temperature, then it’s probably a good idea to freeze it. However, storing cannabis in a freezer for any amount of time can make the trichomes, or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) crystals, fragile.
When the trichomes become fragile, they can break off and lower the overall potency of the cannabis. Because of this, it is not wise to store marijuana in the freezer if you plan on consuming it anytime soon.
Another reason to freeze marijuana is to preserve the terpenes so the product can be used to create edibles or extracts. Flash-freezing cannabis skips the long drying and curing process. The process maximizes the plant’s potency for use in edibles or extracts.
To answer the question of whether or not you should freeze marijuana, consider when and how it will be consumed.
Cons and Risks of Freezing Marijuana
Freezing marijuana is not recommended if you plan on consuming the product soon due to the risks involved. When storing cannabis in a freezer, there are a few risks you should consider.
As mentioned in the benefits above, the trichomes can become brittle and break off easily. If the frozen cannabis is not being used for extraction or edibles, and the trichomes have become separated, the potency of the cannabis can be decreased.
Because of this, freezing cannabis to be smoked is not ideal. Rolling joints and packing pipes can be difficult with cannabis that was once frozen. The structural integrity of the cannabis can be permanently altered once it is frozen and then thawed again.
When thawing frozen marijuana, there is an increased risk of condensation soaking the buds and ruining them. Unless the marijuana is stored in an airtight container in the freezer, then plant matter can retain some moisture when frozen. It is important to remember that you should never try to thaw marijuana using an oven or microwave.
Freezing for Smoking or Vaporizing
If you are looking for a way to store cannabis that you will be smoking or vaporizing, you should only freeze it if you plan to store the cannabis long-term. Cannabis will retain its potency if frozen long-term.
However, when frozen for a short period of time, there is a risk of the trichomes breaking off and negatively impacting the THC levels. During a short period of time in a freezer, the levels of THC will not be preserved significantly more than cannabis stored at room temperature.
The cannabis can also become wet during the thawing process. The moisture from the condensation can harm the quality of the plant matter and increase the risk of mold. It is not recommended that you freeze the cannabis you plan to consume within the next few months.
Freezing Cannabis for Extraction
When harvesting cannabis that will be used for extraction, many growers will flash freeze the uncured product. Flash freezing freshly harvested cannabis is ideal for maximizing the potency of extractions. The flash-freezing process can also save time and money since it bypasses the drying and curing steps of the harvest.
Once harvested, the marijuana must be put in a vacuum-sealed container before flash freezing. This helps to lock in the flavor, moisture, and terpenes of the marijuana. You can store Flash-frozen marijuana for up to two years.
If you are freezing cannabis for extraction in a standard freezer set to around 0℉, you should be sure to cure the cannabis before storing it in the freezer. This is because uncured cannabis cannot cure properly without exposure to oxygen. The potency will not be retained in the same way it would with flash freezing.
Cured cannabis can be frozen for extraction in an airtight container or if it is vacuum-sealed. Concentrates such as live rosin and live resin can only be extracted from frozen cannabis. If you are not flash-freezing uncured cannabis, freezing cured cannabis in a standard freezer will be just as good for extraction.
Freezing Marijuana for Making Edibles
Marijuana can be frozen to be used for making edibles. Typically, if a harvest does not have an A-grade appearance, the grower may choose to use marijuana to make edibles. The harvest can be flash-frozen to preserve the terpenes in the buds.
Many edibles are made with the use of extracts. Because of this, flash-frozen cannabis is ideal for making edibles. The potency of the cannabis is preserved in the process, which helps to make a more potent edible cannabis product.
Traditionally cured cannabis can also be frozen and used for edibles, but it will not be as potent as cannabis that has been flash frozen. When freezing cured marijuana, store it in an airtight or vacuum-sealed container.
Be patient if you ever have to thaw the marijuana to make infused products for edibles. Never microwave the marijuana while it thaws.
Can I Freeze Weed Brownies?
Yes, freezing weed brownies is a very effective way to retain their potency. Since edibles like brownies get harder when frozen and can stick together, it’s a good idea to wrap them separately. I personally have frozen weed brownies many times, and I haven’t noticed any loss in their potency. If you have more brownies than you can consume in a few days, it’s a great idea to put them in the freezer.
Best Temperature to Store Marijuana?
If you’re looking to store cannabis for a long period of time, then freezing it around 0℉ to -4℉ (the temperature of most household freezers will work fine. If you’re looking to consume your cannabis in a short time period, The ideal storage temperature for marijuana is 60 to 70℉. All cannabis should be kept out of the sunlight if possible. If you live in a very hot region or cannot find a cool, dry place to store your cannabis, a fridge or freezer will suffice.
Keeping cannabis in a cold environment will slow the decarboxylation process and prolong the lifespan of the THC. However, this is only true over long periods of time, such as six months or longer.
When storing cannabis for a short amount of time, 70℉ is an appropriate temperature to retain the potency of the THC in cannabis. This temperature is ideal for creating the perfect balance of elasticity and firmness for the buds.
Temperature warmer than 70℉ creates the risk of too much humidity or moisture. Cannabis that retains too much moisture could grow moldy. Dry climates also put cannabis at risk of becoming overdried. Cannabis that is overdried becomes crumbly and harsh to smoke.
FAQs About Freezing Cannabis
Can you freeze edibles?
Yes, you can freeze edibles. Similar to most food products, edibles can keep for up to 1 to 2 years in a freezer. The flavor and potency should stay intact when stored in a freezer. However, the longer you store it, the more of a chance there is of the flavor and potency being impacted. Be sure to defrost edibles slowly at room temperature before consuming. Sudden changes in temperature could affect the taste of the edibles.
Can you refrigerate edibles?
Yes, you can refrigerate edibles. Many edible products require refrigeration to retain their potency. If you are purchasing edibles from a retail store, the packaging typically provides storing instructions. When making edibles at home, it is best to keep them in the fridge when in doubt to avoid spoilage.
What is the best storage container for marijuana?
The best storage container for marijuana is an airtight glass jar. Glass containers are preferable over plastic because the static electricity in the plastic can attract the fibers of the marijuana. The fibers that contain THC tend to stick to plastic and can be difficult to remove from plastic bags or containers. Having a container that is airtight is essential to prevent overexposure to oxygen. Being exposed to oxygen can dry out the marijuana and decrease its potency.
Does marijuana lose potency if it dries out?
Marijuana that has become dried out can lose its flavor and become harsh to smoke. The plant matter will become crumbly and difficult to manage when rolling joints or blunts. When the marijuana becomes overly dry, the trichomes can crumble and fall off. If the trichomes fall off, the potency of the THC in the cannabis is reduced.
What humidity level is ideal for storing marijuana?
The ideal humidity level for storing marijuana is between 54 and 63% relative humidity (RH). When kept at this ideal RH level, the marijuana will retain its potency and texture. The trichomes will not become brittle or break off at this RH level. This RH level can also prevent the presence of mold on the marijuana.
TLDR: Storing Cannabis in a Freezer
- Marijuana can be frozen and stored to preserve its potency and keep it fresh for a long period.
- Studies show marijuana can be safely frozen between -4℉ and 0℉.
- Freezing can have benefits in cases of long-term storage when done properly, including preserving high TCH levels, slowing down degradation from heat, and creating firmer buds for rolling.
- Frozen buds also make for great edibles, such as TCH cookies, due to preserving the extracts in the plant.
- Smokers won’t get any short-term benefits from refrigerating, and it’s only useful for long-term preservation.
Storing cannabis in a refrigerator or freezer is not an ideal method for keeping the product as fresh and potent as possible for short-term use. However, flash-freezing cannabis can be beneficial for the production of extracts or edibles.
Refrigerating or freezing marijuana is also helpful if the product needs to be stored for a long period of time (over six months). Storing cannabis in a cold environment for a long length of time can preserve a significant amount of the plant’s potency.
Studies have shown that there is a significant benefit to storing cannabis in a cold environment for one year compared to cannabis that has been stored at room temperature. However, it is important to keep in mind that these benefits are not as noticeable when storing cannabis for a short amount of time.
Because of this, the ideal temperature to store cannabis for short periods of time is 70℉. Refrigerators and freezers are only beneficial in storing cannabis for an extended period of time.
Wrap Up:
That does it for this article. Let us know your experiences with freezing cannabis. Do you think your bud retained its potency longer because you froze it?