can i just throw them in a zip-loc into the freezer, or do i have to dry em before i throw it in freezer. or would it be a bad idea to throw it in the freezer. for later use, to make butter or hash.

dry them first

what would be the best way. open and exposed on the newspaper?

i just leave them in an open drawer in my closet. its one of those cheap plastic drawers that you get at walmart and its easy to tote around so i just trim over them. its the type of plastic that weed doesn't stick to. I wouldn't use newspaper since the ink can leak and that's just icky. You can go to your grocery store and buy those cheap tossable baking pans with the plastic tops, both the pans and tops are good for drying buds and skuff on. I dry all my skuff/buds in the same closet where i keep it dark and ventilated at ambient room temperature. Its incredibly dry here in CO so I don't need to worry about mold but if its relevant to your region then try to keep the humidity down past 45%