The Shelf Life of Cannabis: How long does weed stay good?

If you’ve ever wondered whether that forgotten stash at the back of your drawer is still good, know this: You’re not alone. We've all been there, pondering the eternal question: Does weed expire? How long does weed stay good for?

But have no worries; we’re getting dirty in the green world exploring herbs themselves: theories of how to save these lives. Whether you're a seasoned connoisseur or a casual dabbler, it's time to explore the lifespan of your precious greens and answer the burning question: How Long Does Weed Stay Good? So, lay back, pick up your favorite munchies, and let me take you on this expedition.

Does weed expire?

Surprisingly enough, cannabis can last quite long under optimal storage. If the weed is harvested adequately after drying, curing, and storing, then expect fresh weed for a maximum of six months or even a year.

Nevertheless, one must remember that in the case of the majority of weed smokers, there are no perfect storage conditions. Your weed probably won’t stay potent for at least a year if stored without humidity-controlled weed boxes and having an opportunity to get wet from too much moisture, direct sunlight, and non-normal temperatures.

So, it is best not to consume any of your weed after six months of its purchase. However, if you have bought good quality cannabis products from warehousing facilities, you can stretch its freshness to a year. However, an average smoker can still target six months as a period to quit smoking.

How long does weed stay good?

So, how long is weed supposed to last? Picture this: one day, you accidentally discover a sealed-up old sack with a pot at the bottom of your cupboard. The query then is, ‘is it still good?’ Have no fear, my curious friend, for I will lead you into the indications of an inferior pile.

But do you have moldy weed? Well, the appalling mold stale weed problem has to be taken care of. Moldy marijuana is evil and deadly to wet buds or those exposed to excessive humidity. By the way, that’s a straight-out no to smoke moldy weed! As such, if you notice some strange fuzzy look or a weird colored thing like a bad science experiment, then probably say goodbye to this batch.

Talking about the feel of your flowery riches now. But if your once succulent buds have gotten to a state that looks like what remains after an age-old era has passed, then you already know that it’s long past its best. Your travel companion should not be dusty remnants in your quest to get into paradise clouds.

Ah, fresh air wafting from the field of newly picked marijuana. It's an olfactory symphony that makes your nose feel as if it will explode with pleasure. Unfortunately, old weed does not have that fresh smell of young weed. Therefore, if your beloved, old weed stash doesn’t smell enticing like before, you should say goodbye to it.

Finally, let us think about how to tear your greenery down. Should yours appear excessively soggy, for instance, or fail to give in softness and crumble like is desirable upon applying force, then some humidity plus maybe some more mold spores could easily be at play here! However, if your herb dissolves into a dusty powder even from touching, hmmm, yes, my friend, those are some old integrated wines.

Signs of Spoiled or Expired Cannabis

It is imperative to understand cannabis’ shelf-life and effectiveness for duration. Cannabis flower is also a highly perishable product that will spoil or become rancid when left unprotected and without refrigeration. Here are some signs to look out for to determine if your cannabis product has gone bad:

Mold or Mildew

The presence of mould or mildew aging cannabis is one of the sure signs it has gone bad. Fuzzy spots and powdery patches indicate mold when noticed on your buds, confirming their bad health. Throw away moldy cannabis as soon as possible since consuming it can give you serious health problems.

Foul Odor

When fresh, cannabis plant usually emits a sweet smell. On the other hand, if the smell of your cannabis is musty like hay and dried grass, it shows that it’s already rotting. The presence of mold or mildew in old cannabis can be further confirmed by a strong and unpleasant smell in the house as well.

Dry and Brittle Texture

Dried cannabis loses moisture resulting in brittleness. They can disintegrate into powder when touched or even before touching them. What’s more, dry cannabis not only loses all of its effectiveness, but it is also harder to smoke weed and/or use a vape pen because of how harsh is gets.

Discoloration

A change of color is another indication that cannabis has gone bad. It is suggested that if your fresh marijuana buds turn brown or grayish, and perhaps black spotted, they must be spoil as well. Fresh cannabis must appear like a bright green, sometimes with traces of purple or orange.

Harsh or Irritating Smoke

The harsh smoke of marijuana might start being rough and unpleasant once some cannabis goes bad. It could lead to a tickling feeling in your throat, which will either burn or lead to violent coughs. This usually leads to the loss of terpenes that control the flavors and aroma of cannabis.

It’s necessary to store cannabis correctly so that it will not deteriorate. Here are 5 super easy smell-proof weed stash box ideas for you. Place it in an air-tight container, ensuring no exposure to direct sunlight, heat, and humidity.

Note that eating expired marijuana or stale cannabis might negatively affect your health and may ruin the whole experience. This way, you’ll know for sure that you are using the freshest and strongest marijuana.

Tips for Extending the Shelf Life of Weed

Proper storage is critical for the shelf life of weed. Here are some tips to help extend the shelf life of your weed:

Keep it in airtight containers

One of the major perpetrators of the degrading of cannabinoids, the active components available within weed, and oxygen. When you want to reduce exposure to oxygen, store weed in an airtight container. Using mason jars, special stash jars and of glass boxes with rubber seals is a good choice. Do not use plastic bags; otherwise they will let in air and moisture.

Store in a cool, dark place

Cannabinoids are also susceptible to light and heat, that’s why your weed should not be stored in a place near sun or at very hot temperature. Look for a cool and dark place at home like a cupboard or the drawer to keep your stash safe. Store cannabis oil in it away from radiators and the oven.

Control humidity levels

Molds and mildews grow when moisture is present, it not only ruins the high value of this plant but at times, they might be toxic to your health. Therefore, keep the temperature at no more than about 59-63% humidity. In case the storage area has high humidity, you may use humidity packs or desiccant packs for that matter – they help in absorbing excess moisture. However, the air in which the food is stored ought to have just enough humidity and not be too dry or moist.

Avoid frequent handling

The trichomes are very sensitive and they are the reason there is a high cannabinoid concentration in the weed. This means that every time you handle it, you will destroy some of the trichomes, thereby decreasing the quality of the harvested weed. Weed’s potency and distinct flavor depend on trichomes, which is the resin produced with it. Please try not to handle the buds too much, use a grinder or scissors rather than breaking them using the fingers.

Freeze for long-term storage

Since an extended storage of weed is likely, you can freeze it out if necessary. This is because once the plants have been frozen, their trichomes may be brittle enough to crack or break off more easily. To reduce this risk, ensure that you do not open your stash and keep it in an air-tight jar or box. Before applying the frozen weed onto your body, ensure the substance has completely defrosted to avoid any possible condensation.

That is why it is wise to follow the above tips to keep your weed fresh, potent, and enjoyable as much as possible.

The Bottom Line

You need to take care of your weed. Therefore, ensure that it is not exposed to the sun and save it in a dark place in an air-tight can. You should also manage the temperature when storing your produce, and monitor the storage for mold growth the presence of moisture. Furthermore, avoid tearing apart the buds and freeze them when in doubt meant for extended time storage.

By doing so, you have guaranteed that no matter how long you keep it your stash will be fresh and potent! Therefore, go out there and enjoy those tokes!

FAQ

What does bad weed look like?

Bad weed can be green but dull with brown spots in it. Its moldy smell is accompanied by the presence of small clumps of white or gray mold.

How long does weed last in a zip lock bag?

If stored right in a cool, dark, and dry place, weed can survive several months or even years in ziplock bags.

How long should a pot last?

A pot will have an impact for a certain period based on the strain, the method of taking it, and individual tolerance. It may be several hour or few hours.

What happens if you use expired weed?

Therefore, old weed might be weak in terms of potency and flavor. While very safe, consuming it might not make you feel as good as just smoking fresh weed.