If you love smoking weed and have been doing so for some time now, then chances are there’s some long-forgotten stash hiding inside your closet or somewhere in your belongings. It’s exciting, especially when you have no pot on you, but then doesn’t it worry you a little as well – after all, you don’t really know how long does weed stay good!
To be honest, it can go bad just as easily as anything else. But there are ways of preventing that from happening for two whole years – and we are here to tell you all about that. So bear with us and keep reading to find out more about preserving your weed!
So, How Long Does Weed Stay Good?
Nothing in this world is constant, and that, unfortunately, holds true for your weed! In fact, your weed can actually go bad in different ways. So the question is no longer, ‘does weed go bad?’ – the question is, how long does weed stay good?
The whole weed going stale depends completely upon whether it was stored properly or was just left in the open. Of course, you might just be another slow burner hoping to save some stash in case the apocalypse appears tomorrow, but in that case, you need to find out how to do it right!
For instance, if you leave your weed exposed to various elements, then it will definitely turn into something moldy or dusty. Smoking any weed that’s moldy can actually make you really sick – you won’t even get high properly. So naturally, storing your pot properly will only enhance the quality of the product and the experience.
There are various environmental factors like temperature, light, and air that negatively affect all the terpenes and cannabinoids. Any weed that is left exposed gets moldy, dry, and stale really fast, especially in humid and warm areas. So what can you do? We are not asking you to stay off the weed – we are asking you to scroll down to figure out how you can store your weed safely!
How Long Does Weed Stay Fresh?
When weed is stored properly, dried cannabis can stay fresh for six months, and sometimes, it stays fresh for an entire year. Over a period of time, it starts losing its potency and aroma.
According to some relatively old research, as per Healthline, weed apparently loses approximately 16% of its THC after a year, and it just keeps dropping from that point.
- After two years, marijuana loses 26% of THC.
- After three years, marijuana loses 34% of THC.
- After four years, marijuana loses 41% of THC.
How Do You Know If Your Weed is Old?
So, how do you know if your weed is old?
It is mostly in the aroma. Marijuana that is past its prime will smell differently or lose its aroma completely. Some types of strains might even taste or smell harsh if it has been sitting for a long time.
The appearance of the strain can also give you multiple clues as to whether it is old or not. Fresh weed should not crumble or even feel spongy when you end up breaking it off. If it does, it is old and either too moist or too dry.
Consuming old weed should not harm you, but you need to be prepared for changes in potency and texture. The exception is that weed that has grown mold can potentially make you very sick.
How Do You Check For Mold?
But then, how do you check for mold? Very carefully!
Mold is often difficult to spot unless you check very carefully. Typically, it looks like white fuzzy or powdery spots, some of which are considered to be very small. Generally, moldy weed smells very musty, like hay. Also, it tends to have an off-taste.
Even though your weed is not super old, it is best to do a solid mold inspection. A study conducted by researchers from the University of California found mold and bacteria on twenty cannabis samples purchased from pot growers and dispensaries located in Northern California.
Mold on your marijuana is not likely to cause major health issues, but it can definitely lead to coughing, vomiting, and nausea. In individuals with weak immune systems, inhaling vapors or smoke from marijuana containing fungi or bacteria can cause serious health problems or even death.
If it smells or looks off then you are better off tossing the same, even if you just purchased it.
Storing Your Weed Securely: Preventive Measures For Preserving Cannabis
Now that you know the answers to ‘can weed go bad’ and ‘how long does weed stay good,’ let’s find out more about all the storage places you can check out for preserving cannabis. Scroll down to find out now!
- Weed Inside The Freezer – Keeping Your Pot Fresh
- Weed Inside A Mason Jar – Preparing For The Apocalypse
- Weed Inside A Ziploc – Always On The Run
Making Your Weed Last Longer: Five Tips For Preventing Your Stash!
Knowing how to keep weed fresh is perhaps the most vital part of making your weed last longer. Yes, nothing will last permanently, and naturally, the shelf life of your stash will also expire one fine day, but till that day arrives, you can consider following the tips mentioned below for the most effective results.
Here’s how you can make your stash last longer and also maintain its potency.
Always Store Your Stash Somewhere Dark And Cool:
Ideally, you should always consider storing your weed in a container that’s hermetically sealed. In fact, leaving it inside a paper or even plastic bag, it’s always best to consider a ceramic jar or, even better, an opaque glass container.
Quit worrying about how long does weed last once you have put your stash inside the jar – instead, focus on not opening the container often when you have already placed the stuff inside.
Opt For A Jar Just Right For The Quantity Of Weed In Your Possession:
While choosing a container for storing the weed in your possession, make sure that you are opting for a jar, just the right size. This is because leaving a whole lot of air inside the container could very easily degrade your buds.
Moreover, we can’t stress this enough – you need to keep all that weed away from any kind of sunlight. If you don’t do so, then your THC will very easily get converted into CBN – CBN can’t really make you high.
Make Sure That The Humidity Percentage Is Between 54 To 63%:
When the humidity is too low, it can easily crumble all your stash. On the other hand, when the humidity is too high, it can simply make your weed moldy. As a result, you cannot risk high or even low humidity.
The ideal humidity percentage for your weed is somewhere between 54 and 63% – yes, that’s exactly what you need to preserve your weed. After all, how long weed is good for also depends on the humidity percentage. You can also consider investing in cannabis humidors for better results.
Separate All The Strains And Keep Them Organized:
Of course, when it comes to your stash, you have to maintain all the individual flavors. Don’t you think mixing up different strains can screw the flavors? In that case, you can put in some effort and instead work on labeling your flowers. You can also put dates to keep them organized.
The point is not about finding out how long does weed stay good – the point is to understand that when you can store your stash, you can save both your time and money. Just make sure that you are maintaining the right temperature and humidity percentages.
Stoned, Not Dumb: It’s A Wrap!
Now that you know how long does weed stay good, you can make sure that you are storing your pot properly. After the pandemic, you never know whether there’s a zombie apocalypse on the loose or another lockdown – whatever may be the situation, prevention is always better than cure.
The next time you find some dusty weed in your cupboard, instead of asking yourself, ‘does weed expire,’ look for the signs – see if it smells a little odd or whether it has a spongy texture. You can also watch out for that ‘break,’ which can be observed in between the strains.
So the next time you have to smoke some old weed, ensure it’s safe! In the meantime, don’t forget to let us know your thoughts and experiences of the same in the comments below.
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