When it comes to storing cannabis, discretion is key. Most people know it’s important to hide cannabis products from heat, light, and air to keep them fresh. However, odor containment is another major consideration when storing weed for travel or at home.
For dispensaries and other commercial businesses, failing to hide the smell of marijuana can lead to serious compliance issues with significant financial penalties. One Colorado marijuana grow quickly racked up $14,000 in fines over repeated odor issues.
Smell-resistant and smell-proof cannabis bags eliminate most potential issues by keeping valuable terpenes and cannabinoids inside the bag. This ensures cannabis products stay fresh while also blocking odors from escaping and drawing unwanted attention. In this article, we’ll explain how smell-proof and smell-resistant bags work, and provide some of our favorite options for storing and transporting cannabis.
How smell-proof bags work
Unlike older Mylar bags, turkey bags, and cheap weed baggies, smell-proof bags are engineered using advanced materials and technologies that work together to prevent odors from escaping. They typically feature multiple layers of odor-blocking materials—like activated carbon or polyethylene—to trap and neutralize scents. With the proper seal, these layers create a secure barrier that contains the odor molecules, keeping them from seeping out and exposing what’s inside.
Smell-proof vs smell-resistant
When it comes to keeping odors contained, there’s a significant difference between smell-proof and smell-resistant bags. While both fall under the category of flexible packaging containers, their effectiveness varies based on their construction and sealing methods.
Smell-resistant bags are designed to reduce the permeability of odors. They typically feature multi-layer materials that slow the diffusion of scents. While they can mask odors to a large degree, some molecules can still escape through microscopic pores or seams. This means smell-resistant bags are not foolproof and may not fully contain strong odors.
On the other hand, smell-proof bags are engineered to be completely impermeable to odors. These bags often use advanced materials with barrier properties that prevent any scent molecules from escaping. However, achieving true smell-proof status requires more than just advanced materials—it also necessitates a specific sealing method.
To make a flexible packaging container truly smell-proof, you’ll need a heat seal. This process uses heat to melt and fuse the edges of the bag, creating an airtight seal on all four sides. Without this airtight seal, even the most advanced materials can’t prevent odors from leaking out. Heat sealing ensures that no air—and therefore no odor molecules—can pass through, making the bag completely smell-proof.
Smell-proof bags for weed
The cannabis industry offers a wide variety of high-quality weed packs to control odors and preserve valuable terpenes and cannabinoids. Whether you’re looking for a small, discreet pouch as a consumer or a larger duffle bag size storage solution to extend the shelf life of cannabis, there’s a discreet cannabis packaging option on the market for you.
Here are a few of our cannabis smell-proof bags and smell-resistant containers:
TerpLoc ¼ pound bags
Perfect for medium-sized storage needs, these ¼ pound packaging bags use TerpLoc technology to maintain optimal humidity and odor control, ensuring your cannabis stays fresh and aromatic throughout its stay in the bag. Whether you’re a distributor looking for packaging or a medium-heavy consumer, this is a great option. You can either purchase a one-off pouch or opt for a bulk haul.
SafeVac TerpLoc 11″ rolls
These versatile rolls allow you to create custom-sized bags to meet various storage needs while keeping odors inside the container. This is another great option for manufacturers, distributors, and consumers alike.
TerpLoc 55-gallon drum liner
Calling all large-scale producers and distributors: this one’s for you. These drum liners provide industrial-strength odor protection, making them perfect for cultivators dealing with significant quantities of cannabis.
TerpLoc 27-gallon white tote liner
Another great option for large-scale storage, these tote liners are ideal for maintaining the freshness and aroma of large quantities of cannabis.
ExIce fresh frozen bags
Fresh frozen bags are engineered to prevent condensation build-up and freezer burn on fresh frozen flower. They’re also UV-resistant, antimicrobial, anti-static, and fully water soluble, ensuring your cannabis remains in top-notch condition even in freezing environments.
Mossy giant custom TerpLoc bags
Looking for something unique? You can’t go wrong with TerpLoc custom cannabis packaging with nearly endless customization options to fit any vibe.
A prime example is this Mossy Giant design—the third in a four-piece limited-release series titled “The Mother Plant.” With only 2,000 units produced, this bag quickly became a favorite at the Grove Bags office. Not only does it serve as a practical storage solution, but it also stands out as a collectible item customers will want to add to their cart.
Smell-proof backpacks
While smell-proof bags are perfect for compact storage, smell-proof backpacks offer a similar level of discretion with the added value of convenience and greater capacity. The smell-proof backpack is ideal for anyone who needs to transport larger quantities or additional items with discretion and style. Both products utilize similar odor-blocking technologies but differ in size and functionality, making it easy to choose the right solution based on your specific needs.
Here are some of our favorite smell-proof backpacks:
Skunk Bag Rogue
The Rogue backpack is designed for adventurers, featuring a waterproof double zipper and weather protection to keep your gear secure. It includes padded gadget pockets, thermal temperature control, and a combination lock for added security. The Rogue’s dimensions are 20″x12″x6″, and it incorporates SK9 Smell Proof Tech with a Carbonflow filtration system to trap odor molecules.
Skunk Bag Nomad
The Nomad backpack stands out with its rugged design and multiple storage options. It features a combination lock, water-resistant zippers, and a padded laptop compartment. The bag is built to handle rough conditions while keeping contents secure and not allowing unwanted odors to escape.
Skunk Bag Urban
The Urban backpack is perfect for city dwellers, combining sleek design with functional features like smell-proof technology and a durable build. It includes a padded laptop sleeve, multiple pockets for organization, and a secure locking mechanism to protect your items.
Cookies Orion Black Smell-Proof Backpack
The Cookies Orion Black Smell-Proof Backpack is designed to keep your items secure and odor-free. It features a spacious main compartment, a front utility pocket, and multiple internal pockets for organization. The backpack is equipped with smell-proof technology, padded shoulder straps for comfort, and a sleek black design. Perfect for daily use, it ensures your belongings remain discreet and protected while you’re on the go.
FIREDOG Smell-Proof Backpack
The FIREDOG Smell-Proof Backpack is designed to keep odors contained and your belongings secure. It features carbon lining for odor control, waterproof zippers, and multiple compartments for organization. This backpack would be ideal for travel, daily use, or outdoor activities, offering both functionality and discretion.
FAQ
Do smell-proof bags work?
Yes, smell-proof and even some smell-resistant bags do an excelling job of hiding the vast majority of odors from the human nose. However, a heat seal is typically required to ensure a smell-proof bag can function properly.
What kind of bags are actually smell-proof?
Most bags labeled as smell-proof are actually just smell-resistant, which might be good enough for most uses. In order for a bag to be completely smell-proof, you must apply a heat seal to close the bag. Other closure systems like zippers and locks will not block all odor molecules from escaping.
What’s the best smell-proof material?
The best smell-proof bags don’t rely on a single material. They instead rely on multiple layers of materials with activated carbon or polyethylene to neutralize and block odors from escaping.
Can you smell through sealed cannabis bags?
Yes, odor molecules will move through the seal of a bag if it’s closed by hand or with a zipper. The best way to reduce the chance of odor escaping is with a heat seal to melt the materials and completely seal the opening.
How big are odor molecules?
Odor molecules are measured in nanometers. Molecules we can smell tend to be small, around 1 nanometer or less. For reference, viruses that move through the air like COVID-19 are as large as 120 nanometers. That’s why it’s so difficult to keep odors contained in bags without a permanent seal, often accomplished through heat.
