Guide To How Long Does Weed Stay Good?

Keeping your weed fresh for a long time is easy if you follow these best storage practices. Although weed can last for months without a significant loss in potency, weed can go bad fast if you're not careful.

Our guide gives you the 411 on how long properly stored weed can last, factors that affect the quality of your bud, the signs of bad weed, and tips for storing weed and keeping it fresh for longer.

How Long Does Weed Stay Good For?

Many cannabis users search online for “how long is weed good for?” Under the best storage conditions, the typical cannabis shelf life ranges from six months to one year.

Of course, this depends on many factors, including the product type, storage location, and other factors.

Does Weed Lose Potency?

Weed potency can go down over time. For example, one study found that weed loses 16% of its THC potency in one year, 26% in two years, 34% in three years, and 41% after four years of storage.

Can Weed Get Old?

A fresh nug with a strong aroma, flavor, and potency can turn old over time into a dry, odorless, and low-potency flower. While it may not provide the best smoking experience, old weed may still be good to consume.

Can Weed Go Bad?

We know weed can get old, but can it go bad? Yes, weed can turn ugly if you're not careful. Storing weed in areas with excessive humidity could lead to mold, which can be harmful if consumed.

Do not smoke moldy weed. Otherwise, old and low potency weed would taste harsh and not give you the best experience.

How to Tell if Weed Has Gone Bad

Is your weed still good to use? We've all been there. You find an old nug and don't know if it's good or not. It’s definitely not fresh weed, but is it bad? Here are some signs that your weed has gone bad.

Mold

Consuming moldy weed is not good. Mold can develop in environments that are too humid. Mold can have a white or gray powdery look and smell musty.

Texture

How your cannabis feels in your hands can tell you a lot about its quality. If it's too wet and spongy, it has a higher risk of mold. If it's too dry and crumbles in your fingers, you know it's lost a lot of its potency and may be a harsh smoke.

Aroma

Weed is supposed to have a pleasant aroma, whether fruity, sweet, earthy, or skunky. If it smells musty, do not consume it. It likely has mold.

What Affects Cannabis Quality

Knowing the factors that can affect how long weed stays good is essential. Cannabis growers spend months vegetating and flowering the plants to produce dense and pungent cannabis buds with tons of trichomes.

Trichomes are oils on the small outgrowths primarily found on the plant’s buds that contain cannabinoids, terpenes, and more.

Trichomes can be especially vulnerable to environmental factors such as heat, light, and humidity. 

Humidity

Excessive humidity can wreak havoc on your buds, creating the perfect breeding ground for mold and bacteria. But too little humidity can also hurt by drying out your nugs.

Under optimal conditions, cannabis buds should remain between 54% and 63% relative humidity.

Light

Whether artificial or natural, light exposure can speed up the natural cannabinoid degradation process, leaving you with a weaker product.

Temperature

Excessively cold or hot temperatures can negatively affect cannabis. Freezing temperatures can make the trichomes brittle and likely to break off, while blazing hot temperatures can lower dry out the bud.

How to Store Weed

Now that you know how cannabis quality can be affected, it's time to protect your cannabis products with the proper storage practices. When stored properly, you can keep your weed potent for longer.

There are many ways to practice good weed storage, whether it's a simple glass jar or smell-proof stash boxes. Here is the best way to store weed for each product type and help it stay fresh.

Flower

Like all cannabis, cannabis flower potency is affected by air, light, and humidity. Keep your buds in an airtight, lightproof glass container and store them in a cool, dry, and dark location. Specialized cannabis humidors and humidity packs can help you control humidity.

Many people ask how long does weed stay good in a Ziploc bag? It can remain good for many weeks, depending on how you handle and store it. Plastic bags have a static charge that can attract the bud’s trichomes.

Edibles

Edibles such as cannabis-infused brownies, cookies, and gummies should be kept in their original packaging and stored in a cool, dry, and dark place. Gummies and hard candies may be more prone to heat damage than other edibles like baked goods.

Concentrates

Cannabis concentrate can be stored in glass or silicone containers. Vape cartridges containing cannabis oil should be stored in a dry, dark, and cold place and kept upright to prevent oil from spilling.

Many people search online for “how long does weed carts stay good?” In optimal storage conditions, vape cartridges can be good for 6 months to one year.

How Long Does Cannabis Stay Good? Summary

For people who use marijuana, the shelf life, freshness, and knowing when to discard it are all crucial factors to take into account.

How Long Does Weed Stay Fresh?

If stored correctly, weed can last anywhere from six months to a year. The efficacy of cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, may diminish with time due to a decrease in their strength.

Affecting Factors for Shelf Life Of Weed

-Cannabinoids can be weakened by exposure to light.
-High temperatures have the potential to dry out weeds and encourage the growth of germs and mildew.

-While too little humidity will dry things out, too much humidity can lead to mold growth.
-Over time, oxygen can break down cannabinoids.

How to Determine Whether Weed Is Good

-Look for any signs of mildew or mold, which are typically white, fuzzy patches.

-There's a strong, unique smell to fresh cannabis. It might not be good if it has a moldy, musty, or just weird scent.
-Low quality is indicated if it is excessively moist and doesn't burn properly, or if it is too dry and crumbles readily.
-If it tastes harsh or off after smoking, it's probably beyond its best.

Preventing Weed From Going Bad and Extending Its Duration

-Keep out of direct sunlight and heat. Keep in an airtight container.
-To keep the ideal humidity level (typically about 62%), use humidity packs.
-Limit your exposure to air and steer clear of handling it excessively.
-Keep out of the refrigerator and freezer as this can introduce moisture. Instead, store in a cool, dark environment.

Recognizing Mold and Mildew in Bad Weed

The most evident evidence of mildew or mold are visible signs.

-Does not have the usual strong, fresh smell.

-Age or unfavorable storage conditions may be indicated by browning or yellowing.
-If the smoke tastes harsh or produces a lot of coughing, it may be of low quality.

In conclusion, pay attention to appropriate storage methods and be aware of the telltale indicators that your weed is no longer good to guarantee that it remains fresh and potent for as long as feasible.

Recall that bad cannabis can have negative effects, so it's critical to identify these symptoms to ensure both safety and quality.

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