Storing medicinal cannabis safely 

When a medical professional is considering prescribing medicinal cannabis to a patient, it is vital that they make patients aware that medicinal cannabis must be stored in its original packaging. Teaching patients how to store cannabis should include ensuring that it cannot be improperly accessed, that it is kept in a place and container that can not be accessed by children.

It is also important to make patients aware that if medicinal cannabis is not stored appropriately, the quality, efficacy and safety of the product may  potentially be  compromised. 

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What kind of packaging should medicinal cannabis be stored in? 

The first element to storing medicinal cannabis correctly relates to the packaging the patient should be advised to keep it in. Keeping the medicinal cannabis at the appropriate temperature, not removing it from its original packaging and limiting its exposure to light and humidity are all key components to storing medicinal cannabis properly. In addition, medicinal cannabis should be stored in a place where it can not be accessed by children. 

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Packaging

Keeping medicinal cannabis in its original packaging is the best way to store it. The original packaging will have the product label, advising the patient the cannabinoid content of the medicinal cannabis. It is a requirement that patients keep their medicine in the original packaging for legal purposes. It should also have the dosage advice, instructing patients exactly how much medicinal cannabis they should take over what time period, and whether food is required. 

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Airtight containers 

Medicinal cannabis should be kept in an airtight container to reduce its degradation. The more cannabis is exposed to oxygen, the more quickly it degrades. The majority of medicinal cannabis packages are resealable, so whether its a pouch or tub, healthcare professionals should advise that patients securely close the packaging to reduce unnecessary oxygen exposure following administration. 

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What kind of conditions should medicinal cannabis be kept in?

The storage conditions of medicinal cannabis are largely defined by the specific format of the medicinal cannabis, packaging and testing that the product has undergone, as well as where the medicine is likely to maintain the highest quality. 

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Temperature

Medicinal cannabis should be kept in a cool environment, as too much heat can lead to increased loss of moisture and a reduction in potency and shelf-life overtime. Depending on the type of medicinal cannabis, patients should also be warned that excessive heat exposure may also present a risk of mould growth especially if combined with high humidity. 

Storing medicinal cannabis under 25C C is the optimal temperature to make sure that the flower does not dry out. Similarly, if it’s exposed to too much cold, terpenes and cannabinoids within the medicinal cannabis can become damaged. 

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Light

The exposure of medicinal cannabis to light has shown to be one of the most significant factors in its degradation. Ultra-violet (UV) rays degrade the medicinal cannabis by breaking down its cannabinoids and the terpenes. If the medicinal cannabis’ exposure to UV is limited, and it’s stored properly, this can enable the product to maintain stability of cannabinoids and preserve its shelf-life. 

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Humidity 

Excess moisture can have a hugely detrimental effect on medicinal cannabis. It encourages microbial growth on the plant, upsetting the balance of terpenes and cannabinoids it contains. It also creates ideal conditions for mould and mildew to flourish, which can rot the medicinal cannabis. 

To mitigate medicinal cannabis degradation, patients should be advised to keep their prescription in a cool and dry environment outside of direct sunlight.

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How long can medicinal cannabis be stored for? 

Healthcare professionals should advise their patients  to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to how long their medicinal cannabis can be stored for.  

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Can some medicinal cannabis formats be stored for longer than others? 

How long cannabis can be stored for will also depend on the format of cannabis a patient has been prescribed. While how long medicinal cannabis can be stored depends on its ingredients and the prescription and advice a patient has been given, generally edibles and dried flower can be stored for shorter times, while tinctures, oils and creams may be stored for longer periods.  

Most medicinal cannabis products will state their storage conditions and the duration they can be stored for directly on the packaging or on the Consumer Medicines Information Sheet. Healthcare professionals should familiarise themselves with this information to better enable patients to maintain consistent access to safe and effective medicines. 

Healthcare professionals can learn more about the details surrounding medicinal cannabis regulation and storage by accessing the healthcare professionals portal.  We would also be more than happy to help with any queries you might have.