How Long Does Weed Stay Good

Suppose you urgently need weed, but your stock has ended. You might be searching for it everywhere in your pantry and suddenly come across a lost packet.

Before you start opening it, you wonder, how long does weed stay good? Is it safe to consume old, dried cannabis? These questions are quite common, and anyone would consider asking. After all, no one would want to use old weed and end up in a hospital.

So, here is a short answer. Generally, weed stays good for six months to one year. However, if not stored properly, it may get bad faster. Let’s get into more details.

How Long Can Weed Stay Good?

Cannabis doesn’t typically go bad like other food items. However, its texture, taste, and potency change over time, and at times, you may see it getting moldy.

Under proper storage conditions, weed will stay fresh for six months to one year. If it’s been correctly harvested, dried, and cured, you can be assured of its quality within this duration. The timeline may also stretch if you have been very careful regarding its storage.

However, the one-year mark is ideal. After that, in most cases, the weed may start losing its THC levels. The level may drop by 16% after the first year.

How Do You Tell if Weed Has Gone Bad?

You can easily figure out a stale weed by following certain features. For instance, good weed has a herbal and earthy odor. Any cannabis enthusiast would know that.

However, old cannabis lacks a crisp, aromatic smell. Bad weed, especially with molds, may smell similar to a damp basement. You may also smell chemicals, which, unfortunately, isn’t close to what a fresh weed would be.

You can also spot bad weed by its appearance. If there is mold on top, know that this cannabis isn’t worth your consumption anymore.

You can also break apart some leaves or flowers. With mold or mildew, these parts may dry out quickly.

You can easily break old cannabis into fine powder. This sign is commonly used to figure out the correct state of weed.

While we would discourage you from tasting weed that you are doubtful about, you can still use this method to know if it’s bad or good. Old and moldy weed tastes horrible, more bland and tasteless.

Bad weed can also burn your throat as you inhale it.

How Long Does Weed Stay Good: Is Bad Weed Unsafe?

Old weed that looks apparently safe may not be harmful to consumption. However, it may fail to lift your mood too much due to its decreasing THC levels.

But moldy cannabis is always a no-no. Moldy weed can affect your health, especially your immune system. It may also be a problem for those with respiratory conditions.

You may experience consistent coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, fever, or lethargy after consuming moldy weed.

To avoid it, make efforts to use weed when it is good. You can also always increase its life by storing it properly.

Tips to Store Weed Properly

Light, humidity, and temperature are weed’s top enemies. You need to keep them at bay when maintaining the life and quality of your cannabis. Here are all the things to take care of when storing weed correctly.

Always Go for the Right Container

Don’t store weed in plastic containers or bags. The tins available are also not safe for the job as they let oxygen in.

To store weed, opt for airtight glass jars. They are reasonably priced and also limit oxygen exposure. In fact, many dispensaries store weed in such jars only.

Keep the Container Clean

After choosing the right container, make sure to clean it properly. It should be free from any dirt and grime.

Ensure to clean it properly using a dry piece of cloth. Avoid cleaning it with water, as that would only welcome moisture in the jar, and you will have to wait for some time before it dries up completely.

Control Humidity

To keep weed safe, opt for an environment with humidity levels between 59 and 63%. Humidity levels higher than these can lead to mold growth. Similarly, humidity lower than these levels can make your weed dry.

You can also add humidity packs to your container. If you want to be extra careful, you can place your cannabis stash in a humidor.

Keep Your Weed In a Cool, Dry, and Dark Place

Placing your stash in a cool, dark, and dry environment is as important as having the right container for your weed. Cannabis under direct sunlight can easily break down. Additionally, excessive heat can cause mold.

Alternatively, it isn’t safe to keep your weed in an extremely chilly place. The dropped temperatures can make your weed dry. This is why don’t go for freezers and fridges for storage.

The best place to store weed is in a cool cupboard. Ensure the temperature in your chosen closet is below 77°F (25°C) and away from your children’s reach.

If you have weed products in hand, follow the packaging guidelines to learn how to store them. Ensure you use edibles by the stated expiration date and keep them in their original container.

Like other weed products, tinctures and concentrates can degrade due to light, heat, and humidity. So, keep them in a cool, dry, and dark place.

Wrapping Up

Hopefully, now you know how long does weed stay good. While it stays good for a maximum of a year, it may go bad quickly if you fail to store it properly.

Therefore, keep it in an airtight jar in a cool, dark, and dry environment. Also, instead of taking risks, discard all weed packages that may have caught mold. Moldy cannabis not only tastes awful but can hurt your health.