Who hasn’t found a weed bag that you thought was lost? This happens sometimes when searching through your wardrobe or drawers and you don’t know if consuming it would be dangerous or not. For this reason, it’s important to know when marijuana is apt for consumption to avoid future problems. But, does weed go bad?
After harvesting, the first step is to dry it. If carried out in perfect conditions, in a fresh place and with humidity levels ranging at around 50%, you’ll obtain a good quality product, making the most out of the yield.
Once the flowers are completely dry, it is time to start curing them. This process consists of placing the previously trimmed flowers in air tight containers and storing them in a fresh, dark and dry place. Checking humidity levels daily is highly advisable in order to minimize possible problems.
As a general rule, if marijuana is preserved in optimum conditions, it can last for various months without going bad. Although, as it happens with any other plant, as time goes by, it loses some flavor and properties.
Does weed go bad?
The answer depends on its preservation. If not stored properly, it can get overly dry or moldy. However, one of its qualities is that it doesn’t go bad, although it will lose some of its potency, flavor and quality. At least one of the following circumstances will take place without proper preservation methods.
- Containers exposed to sunlight. Cannabis chemical compounds can change when stored in a place with too much heat and sunlight. THC, its psychoactive component, starts off as THCA, until its carboxylic acid content gets heated. Same thing happens with THC when exposed to ultraviolet lighting, because the chemical reactions won’t stop.
Slowly but surely, THC starts losing its potency and transforming it into CBN or cannabinol, a cannabinoide that relieves pain and insomnia, boosts bone growth and acts as a very strong sedative. When cannabis loses some of its properties, it produces a very strong sedative and relaxing effect.
- Containers placed in a humid and hot place. In this case it has probably grown mold. This weed is not suitable for human consumption as it would be very harmful due to its microbial spores. Ingesting cannabis with mold can produce serious adverse effects, including a pulmonary infection.
If it grows and cures under proper conditions, it’s unlikely for cannabis to grow mold. Although, if you don’t care for it properly, then such problems are likely to arise.
How long does marijuana last for?
When properly stored, weed can last for months or even years. Normally, if the jars aren’t stored under direct sunlight in a humid place, there shouldn’t be any problems. Oxygen and light are the two main causes of cannabis degradation, therefore, avoid them.
To slow this process, it is best to preserve cannabis in a dry, fresh and dark place, using an adequate recipient, airtight if possible. A glass jar filled to 80% of its capacity is a good way to avoid humidity, as if there is too much air left inside the jar, buds can get too dry.
How to recognize marijuana that has gone bad
You can detect if cannabis is in a good stage by its flavor and aroma. Be especially attentive to the following aspects to make sure it is suitable for consumption.
1. Aroma
Terpenes are the first cannabis compound to be affected by its storage. They are very fragile and start disappearing, which affects aromas. The best way to find out if terpenes are still around is to smell it. Its aroma should be pungent and intense. In certain cases, it can have some earthy touches.
If it’s not the case, there is no need for concern. However, if it smells rancid, similar to used socks (with sour touches), it’s most likely because it has mold. In that case, throw it away.
In both cases, you’ll need to use alternative conservation methods to prevent it from happening again.
2. Looks
If after smelling it, you still have doubts regarding its consumption suitability, take it out and have a close look at it using a magnifying glass. You could be facing two possibilities:
- The product is yellowish. Old cannabis is brittle and degrades easily. If when you take it out it looks harsh and yellow, leaving behind a great amount of dust, it means its harvest took place a long time ago. It won’t harm you to smoke it, but it will produce a very different effect to what you’d be expecting, making you very sleepy. Flavor wise, it won’t be great either.
- The product has a white dust. A clear sign of mold is that the buds feature a layer of white powder. If you notice any white or dull stains, it is best to not consume it and throw it away instead, as doing the opposite would pose a huge health risk.
3.Touch
By squeezing the bud you can perceive if it’s fresh or old. A fresh bud is firm and sticky. If on the contrary, it breaks easily, it means that it is too dry and old.
If when pressing it you feel it is soft, humid or wet, open it up and inspect it carefully for any signs of spider webs or yellow/grayish fluff. These types of residues resemble powder sugar and aren’t suitable for consumption.
4. Flavor
Finally, if after smelling it, touching it and observing it, you are still not sure if you can consume it, then flavor will provide the final hint. Take a small sample and try it out. If it tastes badly, similar to old cheese, throw it away immediately.
How to recover weed that has gone bad
Not everything is lost with old cannabis. Some tricks can help restore some properties and improve the flavor and smoke, such as adding an orange peel to the recipient.
There are different ways to rehydrate overly dry buds at home. Some methods include iceberg lettuce, sliced bread or apple. Apples and lettuce are both known for their high water content, therefore, they can be a good solution to rehydrate buds quickly.
On the other hand, there are various products to restore cannabis sponginess, like for example bovedas, which provide the necessary humidity to hydrate the flowers. These products provide a stable and constant humidity to correctly conserve and cure cannabis. Having said all this, even if cannabis doesn’t go bad, it can lose some of its properties. Avoid it with a good preservation system.
