Cannabis has become one of the most versatile plants on the market today and every single use for it displays its durability and quality. The feeling of unpackaging your newest stash and that fresh, familiar scent is second only to that first hit and euphoric high.
But say it has been several months down the road from when you got your stash and that fresh, aromatic bud becomes musty and brittle. Heartbreaking, sure, but how long would your weed last before it gets to this point? More importantly, what can you do to combat this scenario?
How Long Does it Take to Grow?
The passionate weed enthusiast has probably dabbled in the art of growing at least once. So if you are in that same boat (or you just want to know how to grow weed so that you have a stash in the apocalypse), expect it to only take about 21 weeks (just over 5 months) for your little seeds to grow into beautiful little buds of joy.
Keep in mind, this is only the median estimate for how long weed generally takes to grow: Some weed plants grow in as little as 10 weeks, others will not sprout at least 30 weeks. It does depend on the strain, a good growing environment and exposure to sunlight, but by this time next season, you will be surprised at the progress you’ve made.
With or Without a Tent?
For those of you just starting your growing journey, you might be wondering if the special ‘grow tents’ you’ve heard so much about are essential for your buds. Understandably, growing tents can be expensive and become too cumbersome or complicated for certain living arrangements.
But don’t worry, you do not need a tent to grow cannabis. Quality soil, water and seeds with lots of care and attention will work absolute wonders for all plants, including your weed. However, setting up a growing tent is not as complicated as it sounds, can be built relatively cheaply and offer controlled humidity and lighting customized just for your cannabis plant(s).
There are additional elements in a growing tent that offer you nothing but the best homegrown weed possible, but you can do without it and still grow an enjoyable strain.
How Long Does Weed Last?
While any type of weed you have can last for several months, this will change depending on your storage conditions and if the form of your weed can be frozen (not every form can). If you’re able to freeze it, you’re in luck for the long haul: If you cannot, there are simple things you can do to preserve your weed for as long as possible.
Flower
When ounces and half-ounces go on sale, they can be hard to resist but you need to consider how you are going to store the leftovers that will not be used right away. To do this properly and to keep the flower from spoiling, do not put it in the fridge or freezer.
Cannabis flower becomes brittle and vulnerable to bacteria when left to freeze and gather too much moisture. Plus, the excess of moisture from both frost and humidity can cause it to wilt, which will either dilute the flower, speed up rotting or both. Not to worry: In a room-temperature environment that’s not too humid or sunny, your bud will last for 6-9 months on average.
Edibles
One of the few forms of weed that can actually be frozen, the rate at which edibles last is basically the opposite of fresh flower. They spoil the fastest at room temperature but can be stored for several months longer in the fridge or freezer.
Some edibles contain bits of decarbed weed baked inside so it would not be the best idea to store these in the freezer, either. But if your edibles were simply infused, you might have an altered taste before they start to spoil, but they last at least a year in the freezer nonetheless.
Concentrates
Lastly, if you have extra shatter or other concentrates that you don’t plan on using right away, you can store them in the freezer for up to a year (on average). Some of the cheaper waxes may have to be checked after a couple of months and might spoil sooner than high-quality concentrates, but they are still an ideal form of weed for long-term storage.
Much like edibles, concentrates do not deteriorate as much as flower when moisture is added, but you still do not want them to be drenched during their time in the freezer. Keeping your concentrate(s) in the fridge already adds a few weeks to their shelf life, but freezing them in an airtight sealed container is the pinnacle of keeping your stash intact.
How Can it Last Longer?
You may have looked it up and have seen fairly conflicting posts about how to store your weed, so we are here to be as clear as possible.
The most sought-after answer is do not freeze raw weed. Moisture is the enemy of the freezer anyway, but it goes double for any leafy greens as the sudden change from relative humidity to freezing would allow frost to form on your stash, which would increase the chances of it growing mold and bacteria.
To make your precious stash last as long as possible, keep it in the most compact airtight container you have and keep that in a pantry away from direct sunlight and excess moisture.
Signs of Rotting Weed
At the risk of putting a gross image in your head, weed can grow mold and it smells like mildew. You will likely notice the smell before you even see it take it out of the container, but if the smell is not as potent, this is what to look for: Gray or off-putting discoloration with a spider web-like appearance and texture. Under no circumstances should you ever smoke rotting weed no matter how much money you would win in a dare.
The same way you would not want to scrape the mold off of food and try to ‘eat around’ it, you should not try to trim off any mold and smoke the rest of the weed. Even though it would take a while (and poor storage conditions) for your weed to mold, it will always be the telltale sign you need to trash your stash.
