You’ve gone through the process of finding that perfect strain of weed that delivers the exact experience you’re looking for. Now, you want to stock up on the good stuff so you know you’re covered. But is that a good idea, or will it just result in your weed expiring before you can enjoy it?
The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might hope, but like always, we’ve got you covered. Let’s look at how to know if weed has gone bad, why you shouldn’t smoke old weed, and how to extend the shelf life of your bud.
How Does Weed Go Bad?
Weed is organic matter, so just like other organic items — including flowers, produce, and even human beings — its composition changes over time. You can’t stop time from passing, but time isn’t the only thing that causes weed to deteriorate. Light, moisture, high temperatures, and oxygen exposure can all lead to the breakdown of cannabinoids and terpenes. These compounds are responsible for producing marijuana’s potency, flavors, and aromas.
The truth is, when we ask does weed go bad, what we’re really asking is does THC go bad, since it’s ultimately the THC that causes the feeling of being “high.”
And, yes, THC does go bad and eventually degrades into something called cannabinoid cannabinol (CBN). CBN is not as psychoactive as THC. Instead, it’s known to have more of a sedative effect (CBN is even used in some sleep aids). So rather than feeling euphoric, when you smoke old weed, you might just feel sleepy. However, in some cases, if the weed has seriously degraded, you simply won’t feel much at all.
Does Weed Expire?
If you purchase cannabis products from a dispensary, you likely won’t see an expiration date or a “best by” date on the package. That’s because, once weed’s gone bad, it doesn’t necessarily become dangerous, like old milk or meat. However, old weed does become ineffective, which will put a damper on your smoke sessions. To avoid this unpleasantry, you won’t look for an expiration date, but you should look for the Certificate of Analysis (COA) date.
The COA shows that an accredited laboratory tested the product, and confirmed that it meets the required specifications. As a general rule, marijuana is good for one year after the COA date. However, if you don’t properly store your weed, it might not reach that one-year benchmark. We’ll get into proper storage techniques later in this blog.
How to Tell if Weed Has Gone Bad
To have an optimal smoking experience, don’t simply count the months since you bought your weed. It’s important to inspect it to ensure it’s fresh. So, if you’re wondering whether or not your weed has gone bad, here are some signs to look out for.
How it Looks
Fresh weed should have a rich green color and might have hues of red, purple, orange, and/or blue, caused by the flavonoids that impact pigmentation in the plant. Healthy flower will also have easy-to-spot trichomes. Trichomes are tiny, hair-like outgrowths that cover the surface of cannabis plants. They typically have a mushroom shape and subtly glisten.
So, when does marijuana go bad, based on appearance? If your bud has turned to a dark green, it might have grown old. Weed that is visibly dry or cracked has likely gone bad, too. Additionally, if you spot little fuzzy white spots, your weed might have developed mold spores. In that case, toss it out — it’s not safe to inhale anything with mold on it. Keep in mind that sometimes mold hides inside your bud, rather than presenting on the exterior. So make sure to thoroughly examine it after grinding it.
How it Smells
You’re probably familiar with the smell of fresh weed. It has that distinct aroma that’s somehow floral and skunk-like at the same time. If your weed has no smell, then it’s probably grown old, and won’t produce the desired effects. Furthermore, if your weed emits a musty or mildewy odor, it might have mold on it.
How it Feels
You can often tell if your weed has gone bad just by feeling it. If it’s brittle and falls apart at the slightest touch, it’s probably too old to smoke. On the other hand, weed that feels spongey has likely been exposed to excessive moisture, which can also cause it to turn.
How it Tastes
The specific terpene profile of your bud will dictate its unique flavor. Various strains of weed can taste fruity, earthy, or grassy. The important thing is that your weed hasa strong taste — that’s how you know it’s still good. If the flavor has fallen flat, your weed is probably old.
How Long Does it Take for Weed to Go Bad?
Over time, all bud deteriorates. However, the timeline can be short if you don’t store weed properly or long if you take good care of your stash. The delivery method also impacts the shelf life.
So, how old can weed be before it goes bad? Below are general timeframes for how long each type of cannabis product can last when properly stored:
- Flower: Smokable buds that can last up to one year when properly stored.
- Edibles: Gummies can last up to 12 months; baked goods can last 3-4 days in the pantry, 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator, or several months in the freezer.
- Concentrates: Can last for up to one or two years when properly stored.
Keep in mind that old weed doesn’t necessarily “go bad” the way food does. Old marijuana usually just stops producing the desired effects. The better question is: How long is weed at its best? It’s within that timeframe when, ideally, you enjoy your product.
How to Keep Your Weed Fresh for Longer
Whether you’re a cannabis connoisseur or a casual participant, knowing how to store your weed will help you have the most enjoyable experiences with your product for years to come. Follow these steps to slow the degradation of cannabinoids and terpenes.
Opt for Good Storage
Proper storage starts with a good container. There are two main factors to consider when choosing a container: the material and the lid. It’s important that the material is what is known as a “neutral charge.” Put simply, neutral charge materials don’t change the composition of your weed. Glass, steel, and some types of wood make the ideal weed storage materials.
As for the lid, an airtight lid is ideal, because oxygen can degrade your weed. That’s why screw-top lids — like those found on glass jars and steel tins — are best. Hinge-top jars with an airtight seal are also good.
Don’t leave your weed in its original container, which is usually a plastic or aluminum pouch. Plastic and aluminum are not neutral charge materials, and pouches don’t provide your bud protection from handling, the way jars and tins do.
If your products of choice are gummies, they’re subject to many of the same container rules as flower. However, baked goods can go in plastic bags, because there isn’t the same concern of crushing the flower, once it’s already been baked into a cookie or brownie.
Combat Humidity
Excess humidity is the enemy of good weed. Too much humidity can cause weed to grow mold and mildew. The ideal humidity level is between 59 and 63 percent. To ensure ideal levels, you can store your weed in a two-way moisture pack, which is designed to absorb or add moisture as needed to maintain a preset relative humidity level. If you choose to use a regular storage container, you can purchase a moisture content meter to test the moisture levels of your weed.
Store edibles that you plan on consuming soon in a cool, dry place, too. Remember that baked goods can expire in the traditional sense because they contain food ingredients. So keep them in a dark, cool pantry for immediate consumption.
Keep it at the Right Temperature
Generally, cool temperatures are ideal for cannabis storage, but avoid extremes. It’s best not to expose your weed to temperatures higher than 70 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other end of the temperature spectrum, don’t store your weed below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. When weed becomes too cold, the trichomes can break off, robbing your bud of valuable terpenes and cannabinoids. The ideal temperature is between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature rules change slightly for edibles and concentrates, which can be stored in the fridge or freezer. Freezing these products does not impact their potency and is a great way to extend the life of gummies, baked goods, or concentrates you won’t be eating right away or using right away.
Avoid Air and Light
Oxygen and UV rays are two other enemies of weed, in all of its forms. UV rays naturally increase the temperature of any item, which is why it’s important to keep your cannabis in a dark place. Oxygen exposure also speeds up the deterioration of terpenes and cannabinoids, so stick to containers with airtight seals. If you plan to freeze edibles, individually wrap each one in plastic wrap. Then, place those wrapped items inside an airtight container or bag.
Should I Avoid Using Old or Spoiled Weed?
In most cases, old weed is safe to smoke, unless it has developed mold. Inhaling mold can lead to inflammation in the sinuses and lungs, and can be dangerous for those who are allergic to mold. Even if your weed doesn’t have mold, you’ll probably notice the following, unfortunate symptoms if you smoke it:
Less Potent
Not only does weed get stale, but the experience old weed produces can be flat, too. That’s because exposure to light, oxygen, humidity, or heat can all cause the THC to break down. THC is responsible for that feeling of being “high.” The other cannabinoids are far less psychoactive, so without adequate THC, your weed won’t create much of an experience. In fact, it might just make you feel sleepy.
Bad Flavor
As mentioned above, fresh weed should have a strong flavor — usually a fruity, earthy, or grassy one. Bad weed will either have no flavor, or an unpleasant, sour flavor. If your weed tastes sour, throw it away because it might contain mold.
Rough Smoke
Old weed is harsher on your lungs than fresh weed. When smoking old weed, you might find yourself coughing more and feeling like the smoke is hotter than usual. It might even sting your lungs and chest when you take a hit from a bong or hookah.
Reduced Therapeutic Effects
If you use cannabis for medicinal or therapeutic purposes, it’s especially important that your weed is fresh and potent. The terpenes in cannabis are what provide therapeutic benefits such as anti-inflammation, pain reduction, and anti-anxiety. When weed goes bad, the terpenes break down and won’t produce the intended benefits.
What Should I Do with My Old Weed?
So you’ve inspected your weed and determined that it’s old. You probably don’t want to immediately throw it out because cannabis isn’t free. The good news is that, so long as your weed doesn’t have mold, there are some ways you can salvage old marijuana.
- Try to Revive It. If your weed is too dry, you can try to rehydrate it by tossing a piece of bread or tortilla in your container for a few hours. The moisture from the food should transfer to your weed. Use your moisture meter to check the levels frequently to avoid over-hydrating it.
- Make edibles. Just because weed no longer has a strong smell or taste doesn’t mean it’s lost its potency. Consider using dry weed that’s no longer smokeable to make edibles.
- Create Tinctures or Oils. All you need to do to turn old weed into a tincture or oil is soak it in high-proof alcohol. This should extract the active compounds, resulting in a potent tincture that you can add to beverages.
You invested time, research, and money into finding your ideal weed. So don’t toss it out at the first signs of aging. These tips will help you get some use out of every last leaf.
Have an Excellent Weed Experience With Sky’s The Limit DC
By understanding how to properly store your cannabis and recognizing when it’s past its prime, you can fully enjoy your experience and make the most of the quality products available at Sky’s the Limit DC.
Elevate your smoke sessions with our quality cannabis products, such as vapes, high-end glass pieces, and CBD. With the right delivery methods and accessories, you can fully unlock the benefits and experiences your weed has to offer.
For assistance in choosing the best product to enhance your cannabis experience, contact us or visit our welcoming smoke shops in Washington, DC. Our friendly associates will be happy to learn about your preferences and make tailored product recommendations.
We’re here to serve the DC cannabis community with excellent products that enhance your self-care and relaxation. We look forward to helping you find the perfect products for your cannabis journey!
