Effect of short-term storage on cannabinoid content of dried floral hemp (Cannabis sativa L) inflorescence

Abstract

Floral hemp, a plant rich in cannabinoids, has gained attention for its potential therapeutic properties. It is crucial to have proper storage conditions that will maintain the cannabinoid content. To the best of our knowledge, very little has been done on the storage conditions of dried floral hemp. Hence, this study investigated the effect of storage conditions like moisture content, temperature, storage time, light exposure, and packaging materials, on cannabinoid stability in dried floral hemp. The cultivar ‘Quick Spectrum’ at two moisture levels (8.5 and 4.5%) was stored over a 6-month storage period. Results indicated that a higher amount of cannabinoids samples was retained at 8.5 ± 1% moisture compared to samples at 4.5 ± 0.5%, even though total CBD, total ∆9-THC, and total CBDV content remained statistically the same throughout the storage period, and was not affected by temperature, lighting, and packaging material. In contrast, certain individual cannabinoids, such as CBDVA, CBD, ∆9-THCA, and ∆9-THC were significantly affected by temperature and lighting. Notably, higher storage temperatures (22 °C) and light exposure (F15T8/F5 fluorescent light) increased the degradation and decarboxylation rate of cannabinoids. These findings showed the importance of optimized storage conditions for floral hemp, especially long-term storage. This will help provide standardized storage protocols to aid producers, testing laboratories, distributors, and consumers in making informed decisions about storage practices and advancing quality control in the hemp industry.