How to Store Cannabis Concentrates

Researchers at the Swedish National Forensic Centre (NFC) mapped the chemical and physical behaviors of cannabis resin over a 48-month period to better understand the effects of long-term storage on cannabis. In fact over a four-year period, the samples of resin exposed to air and stored at room temperature lost their THC levels between 64% and 74%. The NFC has since concluded that exposure to air and temperature were the most significant variables. What does it mean?! It means how and where you store your cannabis concentrates matters. Let’s dig deeper.

Concentrate storage

First, take note we’re discussing how to store concentrates and how to store RSO oil. (Check out our tips on cannabis flower storage here.) Concentrates, specifically, are often stripped of living plant matter, which can make them less susceptible to issues like mold. However, contamination and a resulting reduction in quality and potency can occur when concentrates are exposed to air and humidity.

“When dealing with concentrates, because of their density, they often need to be stored at cooler temperatures. This is based on a greater lack of control over breathability, making them more susceptible to condensation and, in turn, mold,” said David Pratt, a veteran Canada-based cannabis consultant and grower experienced in high-tech greenhouse production.

Humidity and temperature are vital for the appropriate storage of concentrates, regardless of their consistencies. Cannabis concentrates are more sensitive to degradation than flower or edibles. If exposed to heat or light, concentrates begin to degrade very quickly. When concentrates degrade, they lose taste and potency and eventually turn brown or black. When kept in a controlled environment of darkness, coolness and dryness, it is possible for some concentrates to last for years without undergoing any significant changes.

How to store RSO oil

Rick Simpson Oil, or RSO, is extracted from cannabis plants using solvents such as ethanol or butane. Named after Rick Simpson, a Canadian man who popularized its use as an alternative medicine, RSO oil contains high levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and other cannabinoids that yield therapeutic effects. The main factors that can affect the shelf-life of RSO are light, heat, air and moisture.

Storing RSO properly is first about choosing the right container. It is best to choose one that is airtight and moisture-proof. Glass concentrate jars are ideal, as the material does not react with the oil or leach harmful chemicals. The glass is also helpful with the sticky nature of RSO. The best location for the storage container is a cool, dark place, like a cupboard in an air-conditioned room or a refrigerator. If storing RSO in the fridge, keep in mind it may solidify due to its high viscosity at low temperatures. If storing an RSO syringe, keep it in its original packaging and keep it out of extreme heat conditions, like by a window or a parked car.

Commercial cannabis concentrate storage

For business owners, concentrate storage is essential to maximizing profit, as improper storage can lead to major losses when product must be sold at cost or cheaper to rotate before expiration.

“Once (cannabis products) hit that expiration date, or you see that you’re within a few weeks to a month of the expiration date, you’ve got to make a decision on what you’re going to do: Either contact the company to get a refund, or you try to sell it at cost,” said Duke Barclay, dispensary owner in California.

Retailers who neglect to splurge on cold storage might find themselves taking revenue losses down the line, according to Brennan Burke-Martin, sales manager a multistate cultivator and concentrate producer.

“We’ve definitely taken losses with retailers on storage stuff,” he added.

Concentrates should be stored per type and can be sectioned into the categories of solventless extraction and ethanol and butane-hash oil extraction. Most solventless products should be stored in a freezer, ideally at less than negative 10 degrees, Burke-Martin said.

Secure cannabis concentrate containers

As a reminder, any type of cannabis concentrate container, especially glass concentrate jars, must be kept out of reach and eyesight of adolescents. Consumption of cannabis by children and teens can lead to medical issues such as dizziness, vomiting, difficulty walking, high or low heart rates, drowsiness, confusion, breathing difficulties or seizures. Locking away concentrate jars and any other cannabis products is best for protecting against accidental ingestion.

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This article was originally posted on May 24, 2022, and updated on Feb. 18th, 2025.