TerpLoc® by Grove Bags vs Mason Jars

For many growers, curing in mason jars is a long-held ritual. Glass jars have long been associated with careful storage, daily burping routines, and hands-on quality control for decades. They also carry a distinctly DIY appeal: neatly labeled jars lined up on a shelf, buds visible through the glass, a process that feels personal, tactile, and Instagram-worthy. But as cannabis moves beyond small-batch workflows into scaled production and distribution, storage demands extend beyond tradition and aesthetics.

Post-harvest preservation is about more than containment. Oxygen exposure, moisture shifts, light exposure, and transportation conditions all influence terpene expression and cannabinoid stability over time. As expectations around consistency increase, cultivators are examining how glass jars stand up against cannabis-specific packaging’s measurable advantages.

Comparison table

TerpLoc® Packaging by Grove Bags

TerpLoc® technology is designed specifically for cannabis curing, storage, and transport. Rather than introducing external moisture or relying on rigid containers, TerpLoc® packaging uses a proprietary, multi-layer film that creates a stable internal environment to support long-term quality preservation.

By regulating humidity internally, managing gas exchange, and limiting oxygen exposure, TerpLoc® helps maintain terpene integrity, cannabinoid stability, and overall flower consistency. This makes Grove Bags suitable not only for storage, but also for extended curing periods and distribution workflows, particularly at commercial scale.

Mason Jars

Mason jars have long been used in cannabis curing due to their availability, reusability, and ability to create an airtight seal. When managed carefully, jars can provide stable storage for small quantities of flower.

However, glass jars come with logistical and environmental tradeoffs. The carbon footprint associated with glass production, recycling, and transportation is significantly higher than lightweight flexible packaging. In retail settings, the weight of the jar can be two to five times greater than the weight of the flower inside, increasing shipping costs and transit emissions. From a durability standpoint, glass is fragile and prone to breakage during transport and handling.

Clear mason jars can’t provide UV protection. Exposure to light can accelerate cannabinoid degradation unless additional packaging measures are taken.

While jars create an airtight seal, they do not manage internal gas composition. During curing, freshly dried cannabis continues to respire, slowly releasing trapped moisture and gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide from within the buds themselves. In a sealed glass jar, those gases have nowhere to go. Oxygen remains trapped inside unless it is manually released through burping. 

Without active gas exchange, oxidation continues until equilibrium is reached, which can dull terpene expression over time. To counteract moisture fluctuations, many growers rely on added humidity packs, introducing another variable into the storage system.

Humidity control

TerpLoc® packaging maintains a balanced internal moisture environment without the need for added two-way humidity packs. This reduces reliance on external products and helps maintain more consistent moisture levels across batches.

Mason jars do not regulate humidity on their own. As buds continue to release residual moisture during curing, internal humidity can fluctuate unless the jar is manually burped. Many growers add humidity packs to help stabilize conditions, combining routine burping with added moisture control to manage internal balance.

Odor control

TerpLoc®’s multi-layer film structure helps limit odor transfer while protecting flower from environmental exposure. 

Mason jars provide strong odor containment when properly sealed, though repeated opening during burping releases scent (valuable terpenes) when introducing fresh oxygen.

Gas exchange

One of TerpLoc®’s defining advantages is its ability to release excess oxygen while retaining a CO₂-rich internal atmosphere. This moderated exchange helps slow oxidation and preserve terpene expression during curing and long-term storage.

Mason jars do not provide passive or active gas exchange. Oxygen remains trapped until manually burped. Without intervention, the internal atmosphere is static rather than optimized.

Ironically, materials like turkey bags allow uncontrolled off-gassing of oxygen, CO₂, and moisture. Mason jars sit at the opposite end of the spectrum: fully sealed with no exchange at all. TerpLoc® is engineered to fall between those extremes by selectively managing internal gases to provide the best atmosphere for cannabis buds to mature.

UV protection

Clear and windowed Grove Bags include built-in UV protection to help shield flower from light exposure. 

Standard clear mason jars offer no UV protection unless stored in dark environments or secondary packaging. Exposure to light and UV is likely during regular burping.

Scalability

TerpLoc® supports curing, storage, and transport within the same package, reducing labor and container changes. 

Mason jars are heavier and more fragile, making them less efficient for large-scale transport, distribution, and storage when containers are not being used. The cumulative shipping weight of glass can significantly exceed the biomass being transported.

Durability

TerpLoc® packaging is lightweight, flexible, and resistant to breakage, making it practical for both home growers and commercial operators. 

Mason jars are reusable but fragile. Breakage during handling or transport presents operational and safety risks.

Pros and Cons Summary

Grove Bags with TerpLoc® Technology

• Maintains stable humidity without additives

• Actively manages oxygen and gas exchange

• Protects terpenes, potency, and consistency

• Lightweight, durable, and scalable

• Suitable for curing, storage, and transport
  
  

Mason Jars

• Reusable and widely available

• Strong airtight seal

• Heavy and fragile

• No UV protection

• No automatic gas exchange

• Often requires humidity packs

Which option is best for your grow?

Home Growers

Growers looking for a simplified, low-maintenance curing and storage solution may benefit from TerpLoc® packaging’s all-in-one design, which can be used across many seasons, especially in variable climates.

Commercial Growers

For growers who want consistent results with less labor, TerpLoc® can be used for curing, storage, and transport without switching containers or adding humidity products.

Dispensaries and Distributors

Packaging that protects quality during transport and storage while reducing odor transfer and handling risks can help maintain product integrity through the final mile.

Final verdict

Mason jars have played a foundational role in cannabis curing and remain a trusted method for many small-scale growers. Their reliability and familiarity are hard to ignore.

However, glass was not engineered to actively manage oxygen or stabilize the internal atmosphere. As post-harvest expectations evolve, packaging designed specifically for cannabis offers controlled gas exchange, reduced transit weight, and workflow efficiencies that traditional jars cannot provide.

FAQ

Are mason jars good for curing cannabis?

Mason jars are commonly used for small-batch curing because they create an airtight seal. However, they do not regulate the internal atmosphere and require manual burping to release oxygen.

Why is gas exchange important during curing?

Excess oxygen can accelerate oxidation and terpene degradation. TerpLoc® selectively releases oxygen while retaining CO₂, helping maintain a more stable internal environment.

Do mason jars protect against UV light?

Standard clear mason jars do not provide UV protection unless stored in dark environments or secondary packaging.

Are mason jars practical for commercial storage?

Glass jars are heavier and fragile. In many cases, the jar weighs significantly more than the flower inside, increasing shipping weight and breakage risk.

Can TerpLoc® replace mason jars for curing?

Many growers use TerpLoc® as an alternative to jars because it reduces the need for burping, supports controlled gas exchange, and can be used from curing through distribution in the same package.