Imagine this: it’s Friday. You’ve just had a long week and all you’re looking forward to is a quiet evening. Just you, some good food, your favourite show, and a special pre-rolled joint you’ve got tucked away for a special occasion.
You light that baby up. Take a puff. And your mouth starts to feel like something dead just crawled inside.
The pre-roll you just bought about a week ago has gone bad. And just like that, there goes your plans for a chilled Friday night in.
How did this happen? You’re probably wondering to yourself. People say your pre-rolls can last for weeks, even months. What went wrong? Did you get a bad batch?
Maybe. But before jumping to that conclusion let’s take a look at how you’re storing your pre-rolls, because believe it or not there’s more to stash preservation than just throwing your pre-roll joint into a sealed container.
What is in a pre-rolled joint?
Before we get into how to store pre-rolled joints we need to understand all the components that make up this delightful doob. Your typical pre-roll is made up of these three basic ingredients: cannabis flower, pre-roll fill and pre-roll paper.
Cannabis flower
Traditional pre-rolls are filled with either indica or sativa cannabis flowers. There are also hybrid strains which offer the best aspects of both flower types. Finally there are infused pre-rolls, joints which have either added THC or flavors to give you an enhanced and more fun experience.
If you’re a first timer and are downright confused about which strain suits you, rest assured that ultimately it doesn’t really matter all that much. What’s most important is choosing the right product to match whichever experience you’re looking for.
For recreational use, you can’t go wrong with fruit infused pre-rolls such as Blueberry Night Dream for a relaxing and refreshing experience or a Mango Maui Wowie to lift up your mood and keep you going longer than the Energizer bunny.
Pre-roll fill
Pre-roll fills are made up of clippings and bits and bobs of a cannabis plant. These can be in the form of buds, sugar leaves or larger pieces of the cannabis flowers known as shakes and nugs.
These are not just there as filler. A neat and tightly packed joint is essentially for a pre-roll that burns evenly and smoothly.
Pre-roll paper
Speaking of smooth burning, the quality of the pre-roll paper used is also an essential part of the pre-roll joint experience. The type of material is carefully chosen to not only burn evenly but also to protect the freshness of the cannabis flower it houses.
You’ll often find pre-rolled joints made with organic hemp wrap, refined white paper, unrefined brown paper, organic hemp wrap and even palm leaves.
Fun fact: some of the flavored pre-rolls come from the pre-roll paper itself instead of the cannabis flower and filling. Yup, some brands have engineered their pre-roll paper to be infused with specific flavors and even alter the color of the ash when burnt.
How to (properly) store your pre-roll joints
Now that we’ve gained a little more appreciation of what it takes to make a pre-roll we can now talk about storage methods to keep it fresh for as long as possible.
Conventional wisdom calls for an airtight container which is to be stored in a dry, dark place. Essentially what we’re trying to do is to minimize the amount of light, humidity and temperature our pre-roll is exposed to.
UV light can damage the terpenes in a pre-roll over time and cause it to lose its potency, so avoid leaving it anywhere near a window. Stashing it away at the back of your cupboard or pantry is usually a safe bet but make sure everything else in there is dry and cool as well. Humidity is the worst enemy against preservation as bacteria and mould love to party in warm, moist places.
Best containers to store pre-rolls
Mason jars
The most common and inexpensive containers to store your joints. Chances are you already have a few lying around your kitchen. If you are planning to use these long term, make sure the airtight lids are secure and the jar is about the same length as your joints. With big jars you run the risk of trapping excess air, and that can lead to staleness.
Mint tins
Many brands sell their pre-rolls in mint tins. They’re light, durable, easy to carry and most importantly, airtight. They can come in sizes as small as 5-packs or up to as many as a dozen. Once you’re done, just give them a good wash and you can reuse them to store your future pre-rolls.
Doob tubes
Doob tubes look like mini test tubes except they’re usually made out of plastic and designed to hold a single pre-roll. They’re airtight, moisture resistant and smell-proof for discreet storage. Some brands package single pre-rolls in a doob tube, so you can just reuse those. But if you wish to purchase more you can easily find them online or any physical store which sells cannabis or tobacco.
Other things to look out for
Sometimes a product is just poorly made and no amount of care and storage can make up for dodgy quality. But there are a few things you can take note of before filling up your shopping cart.
Packaging
A well-designed package should not only attract buyers but also keep the product fresh and safe. Look for materials which are of premium quality and food-grade. This will not only keep the pre-rolls at an appropriate temperature but also avoid any unwanted chemical reactions with the cannabis.
Handling
Rolling a joint requires skill, patients and care. You can tell a pre-roll was made with poor craftsmanship if it looks bent, compact unevenly and not properly sealed.
Texture, color and odor
With proper storage, people have successfully kept their stash fresh for up to a year. But unfortunately sometimes despite our best efforts, contaminants can get in and spoil a batch. Before lighting one up, it’s always worth noticing if there are any changes to the texture, color or aroma of your pre-rolls.
Sometimes degradation can also come in the form of reduced potency. If you find yourself having trouble finishing a pack, consider buying singles for the time being.
Sure, that might mean more trips to the store. But at least it reduces the chances of stale or expired pre-rolls and money down the drain.
