If you ever stumble upon a forgotten bag of buds at the back of a wardrobe, in a drawer, or somewhere else, you’ll no doubt be tempted to scream “Jackpot!” at the top of your lungs and make a bee line for your rolling papers. But not so fast – are you sure that buried treasure is safe for consumption? Yeah, it’ll be fine, of course it will – it’s in a sealed baggie. Cannabis plant matter doesn’t go bad, does it?
Does it?
The short answer to this question is yes, cannabis and cannabis products can go bad. If it’s a little off colour and dry, it may well be a safe (but possibly harsh) smoke. But if you notice some other unusual-looking symptoms, it’s most definitely not safe. This is going to break some hearts, but your jolly green jackpot is going to have to go straight in the trash. Without the correct storage, cannabis flower will most certainly deteriorate over time. However, the speed at which it deteriorates depends on several factors. Some of the most important factors that affect the shelf life of cannabis include temperature, humidity, and exposure to light and air.
How Long Does Cannabis Last Before Going Bad?
The answer varies and will depend on a fair few factors. These include whether or not the cannabis buds were properly harvested,dried, cured, and stored. There’s no definitive expiration date on the buds, but you can lengthen or shorten the lifespan of your cannabis depending on how you treat it and keep it. Cannabis can keep good for anywhere between six months to as much as two years in some very special cases, but only under optimal storage conditions.
Factors That Affect The Health Of Your Buds
Temperature
The temperature at which cannabis is stored can have a significant impact on its shelf life. Ideally, cannabis should be stored at a temperature between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is too high, the cannabis can dry out and lose potency. If the temperature is too low, the cannabis can become damp, which can cause mold to grow.
Humidity
Humidity levels are another important factor that affect the shelf life of cannabis. Cannabis should be stored in a place that has a relative humidity between 59 and 63 percent. If the humidity is too high, the cannabis can become damp, which can cause mold to grow. If the humidity is too low, the cannabis can dry out and lose potency.
Exposure to Light and Air
Exposure to light and air can also cause cannabis to go bad. When cannabis is exposed to light, it can break down the cannabinoids and terpenes, which are the compounds that give cannabis its medicinal and recreational effects. When cannabis is exposed to air, it can dry out and lose potency.
Tips for Proper Storage
A common problem with a lot of cannabis users is that they don’t store their buds with long-term protection in mind. But even if you go through a lot of bud and have a regular turnover of new cannabis coming in – every week or two, for example, or once a month – you should still make the effort to care for your stash. Now that we know the factors that affect the shelf life of cannabis, let's take a look at some tips for storing cannabis to ensure that it stays fresh for as long as possible.
Store Cannabis in a Cool, Dark Place
One of the most important things you can do to ensure that your cannabis stays fresh is to store it in a cool, dark, dry place. This can be a closet, drawer, or cabinet that is away from direct sunlight - but not a refrigerator. Make sure that the temperature in the storage area is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and that the humidity is between 59 and 63 percent. Too much moisture is bad for your bud.
Use Airtight Containers
To prevent exposure to air, it's important to store your cannabis in airtight containers. Glass jars like mason jars are your best bet for storing cannabis because they are airtight and can be found in many different sizes. If you’ve ever bought medical marijuana from a dispensary you’ll likely have received it in a glass jar for exactly those reasons. Make sure to label your containers with the strain of cannabis and the date that you purchased it so that you can keep track of its freshness.
Of course, if you’re really serious about preserving your weed, you can buy a humidor.
Avoid Plastic Bags
While it may be tempting to store your cannabis in plastic bags, this is not recommended. Plastic bags can trap moisture, which can cause mold to grow. They can also expose your cannabis to air, which can cause it to dry out and lose potency.
Don't Grind Your Cannabis Until You're Ready to Use It
Grinding your cannabis can cause it to lose potency over time. This is because the trichomes, which contain the cannabinoids and terpenes, can break down when they are exposed to air. To keep your cannabis as fresh as possible, it's best to wait until you're ready to use it before you grind it.
How Cannabis Changes As It Degrades
Now that we understand the science behind cannabis degrading, let's take a look at what happens when cannabis degrades:
Loss of Potency
One of the most noticeable things that happens when cannabis degrades is a loss of potency. This means that the cannabis may not have the same level of medicinal or psychoactive effects as fresh cannabis. When cannabis degrades, the THC and THCA can break down or oxidize, which can affect the potency of the cannabis. This means that cannabis that has degraded may not have the same level of potency as fresh cannabis.
Changes in Aroma and Flavor
Another thing that happens when cannabis degrades is changes in aroma and flavor. Compare the aromas of your buds when you first pop open a new jar (or bag) – that heavenly, dank, rich scent that makes your eyes red with just a sniff. Over time, that gorgeous rich aroma subsides and smells noticeably less aromatic.
When cannabis degrades, the terpenes can break down or evaporate, which can affect the aroma and flavor of the cannabis. This means that cannabis that has degraded may not taste or smell as good as fresh cannabis –and that’s a bit of an understatement. If your cannabis smells faintly of pee (really) don’t even think about smoking it. This is a sure sign of mold – unless it smelled that way when you first got it, in which case it may be that particular strain’s terpene profile. Unlikely, but possible.
Changes in Appearance
Cannabis that has degraded may also look different than fresh cannabis. When cannabis degrades, the flavonoids can break down or oxidize, which can affect the colour of the cannabis. This means that cannabis that has degraded may not have the same color as fresh cannabis. Additionally, degraded cannabis may also be dry and brittle, which can affect its appearance. Now, just because it’s a bit brittle doesn’t necessarily mean it’s gone bad. But if the plant matter is dusty and crumbles to powder at the touch, that’s not a good sign. If it’s old cannabis and feels wet, it’s almost certainly unfit for consumption.
Give your buds a thorough inspection, as thorough as you possibly can and in good light. If you see anything resembling white powder or white fuzzy patches, you have some moldy Mary Jane. Ditch it at once, and wash your hands thoroughly. Mold and mildew are toxic, and extremely harmful if ingested.
If cannabis looks bad, feels bad, and smells bad, yield not to temptation, no matter how much you wish you could get buzzed. The signs are telling you not to smoke it. Heed the signs and always put your own wellness first. Please.
