Does Weed Go Bad?

While I’ve never tried, now that it’s legal in my state here’s what you should know if you went a little overboard. What can you do with what you don't use? Does weed go bad? How do you know when weed goes bad? No worries! Below, we'll cover everything from how to spot bad weed after it has been stored for a while to how to keep weed fresh.

First, how to keep your weed fresh

In the most general terms, you will need to pay close attention to four things in order to keep your weed fresh for as long as possible, including:

• Control the storage temperature - the best temperature is below 77°F
• Keep it out of the sunlight - UV rays will degrade cannabinoids and terpenes
• Watch out for oxygen - Air exposure can mean moisture exposure, but may also degrade cannabinoids
• Regulate humidity levels - Humidity can lead to problems with mold, but lacking humidity can cause over drying

Another important thing to consider is the container you use for storing weed. Plastic can expose the plant material to unnecessary toxins, so steer clear of plastic baggies and containers. Instead, opt for glass stash jars with an airtight lid, possibly with a silicone sleeve to keep out UV rays.

What does bad weed look like?

The appearance of old weed may not change much other than the vibrancy of the color. However, you can usually tell if weed is not fresh by the way it smells. Cannabis is one of the most aromatic plants on the planet, so if you pull out an older stash and it smells more like old hay, what you have is probably not that good. Fresh cannabis also should feel a bit sticky and resinous—it shouldn't crumble and break apart with little handling. It's also worth noting that old weed is not going to taste the same or yield the same level of effects.

How to check your weed for mold

Mold is extremely hard to spot in the densely packed flowers of cannabis. If you suspect your weed may be moldy:

• Look for spots of fuzz or anything that looks powdery and white
• Watch out for spongy spots of moisture where the flowers are dark or black
• Take a whiff to see if your weed smells musty or mildewy at all

If you accidentally smoke moldy weed, you will probably be OK. However, some people experience things like nausea and coughing, and anyone with existing health problems should toss it out when in doubt.

Does weed have a shelf life?

Not necessarily. However, if you are storing your weed properly, you can easily expect that it will last anywhere from six months to a year or longer. As the cannabis ages, cannabinoid content will decline, so eventually, you will have dried cannabis with no good cannabinoids or terpenes left. By the time cannabis reaches four years old, it may have lost more than 40 percent of its THC content.

Looking for the best weed storage solutions? Be sure to check out the collection at Evergreen, including stash jars, humidification pods, and more.

Thanks to Add Weed @budding for making this photo available freely on Unsplash 
https://unsplash.com/photos/h3PWUqxpP_0