A Beginner’s Guide to Buying and Storing Weed

Have you recently been prescribed marijuana? Or perhaps you wish to try it now that it’s legal in your area?

Canada is in its second year of legal recreational cannabis. It is quickly becoming a destination where it’s effortless to buy weed. For the best marijuana experience, you should know how to buy quality weed and store it to keep it fresh.

How To Buy Weed in Canada

In October 2018, Canada became the second country in the world to legalize recreational cannabis. It is also the only country in the world, providing legal places to blaze. Ever since its legalization, the Canadian cannabis industry was booming. The cannabis sector contributed roughly $8.26 billion to the country’s gross domestic product.

Regardless of where you are in Canada, adults aged 19 or above can smoke, possess, and share 30 grams of cannabis with other adults. This amount can slightly vary depending on the province as all 13 provinces and territories in Canada have their own set of rules regarding where cannabis can be sold and consumed.

In all provinces except Nunavut, the only way to legally buy cannabis is through government-run retail shops, private dispensaries, or a hybrid. Such stores generally display a seal in the window that indicates the Canadian government approves them. Furthermore, the purchasing experience can also vary from province to province.

In Ontario, cannabis is available for purchase through the government’s e-commerce website, the Ontario Cannabis Store. There are 33 additional cannabis stores authorized to operate in Ontario and sell flowers, pre-rolls, vapes, cannabis oils, capsules, and edibles. The price ranges from $7.95 to $13.25 per gram.

On the other hand, Quebec is home to 41 cannabis stores run by the government-run Société Québécoise du Cannabis (SQDC). They deliver via Canada Post, and the price starts from $5.25 a gram.

Alberta is one of the most fantastic cannabis markets with more than 400 cannabis store licenses and 40 federal cannabis license holders. Prices range from $9.24 to $15.42 per gram based on the retailer.

Can You Buy Weed Online?

Are you wondering how to buy weed online in Canada?

Purchasing weed online in Canada works just like buying things off Amazon and Costco but with a few restrictions as it is a controlled substance. Legal online retailers that specifically sell weed deliver it to your address with a signature from someone of legal age. Most of these online retailers are government-run websites. So, the products are thoroughly tested and sourced from licensed cultivators.

After finding the right online retailer, buying weed is just a matter of creating an account and placing an order. Typically, purchases require a Canadian credit card and personal information, including the address and any ID form to verify the age.

Why Do I Need Special Storage for Weed?

A flower is an organic compound, and just like food, it can spoil when not stored properly. However, weed doesn’t go bad the way a jar of pickle or other food products might. Instead, it goes ‘off’ or moldy.

While old weed won’t necessarily lead to serious health issues, it can get dried out, lose potency and flavor, which is a big deal if you are using it for medical purposes. Light, temperature, humidity, and oxygen are the most significant factors that make weed degrade over time.

According to older research, weed loses around 16 percent of its THC content after a year, and it just continues dropping from there. When stored properly, dried cannabis will last for nearly six months to one year.

Good Weed Storage Options

To keep the weed as fresh as possible, it should be kept away from things that speed up the degradation process and encourage mold growth. Here are the do’s and don’ts of storing weed.

Do’s:

  • Store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight
  • Store in containers with a neutral charge such as glass mason jars
  • In the case of products like Boveda, use a hygrometer to monitor and maintain RH levels
  • Cut short the oxygen exposure by vacuum sealing the jars or by using airtight containers
  • Store the strains separately
  • Look for new storage options and products like smell-proof cases and herb stash storage container

Don’ts:

  • Store in the refrigerator or freezer. Fluctuations in humidity and temperature will increase mold and mildew, and freezing temperatures will cause the trichomes to become brittle.
  • Store in cheap containers or plastic bags as the static charge in plastic attracts the trichomes.
  • Store around electronics or appliances that give off heat.

Maintaining Weed For Long Is Easy

Often users worry about buying more weed in case they have to leave it unused to degrade. However, knowing how to store marijuana properly can help keep as much weed around as possible. Install a good storage system with the right containers and atmosphere, and maintaining your weed for a long time will become easier.