Can weed Expire? Check out how to maintained the level of quality of your buds.
When does weed go from fresh to faded? Here’s how to recognize buds that have seen good days, and how to make your stash last longer.
Will cannabis have an expiry date? Now let’s say you’re in the middle of cleaning and you come across an old nug or chunk of hash in the bottom of the storage shelf. Your first thought might be: “Bingo!”— but how long has it been there? If you are unable to remember, it’s probably pretty aged. Will this sweet souvenir of days lost by still get you high? Is it safe to smoke?
For the advice to these questions and more, read on.
CAN WEED EXPIRE?
The answer to this concern is: type of. Should weed go badly like spoiled milk, in a gross, make-you-sick kind of way? Not really. Does indeed weed have a best-before date? Absolutely.
Naturally it’s turned wet or been kept in a wet environment, weed doesn’t change moldy. That said, it does dry out and become less strong over time. Think of your “plant” like the other herbs and spices in your pantry. Adding some ancient thyme to your cooking isn’t the destruction of the world. You just will not get as much flavour out of it. Likewise, old weed won’t make you sick. It just might not do much of anything.
There is one caveat to this. If your old weed does have signs of mould growing on it, toss it immediately. Not only will it not get you high, it could be hazardous for your health. Mold can cause headaches, respiration problems, and even respiratory disease. The low quality high you’ll get from smoking moldy weed is certainly not truly worth the peril.
CAN YOU PUFF OLD WEED?
If it’s not moldy, you definitely can smoke old cannabis. Same goes for old pieces of hash. That said, you might not want to. Old, dried-out weed will create a harsh smoke. Rather than a rich hit full of the flavours and aromas that create your strain unique, you’ll get a raspy throat-full of campfire fume. You might see yourself coughing more than normal, and the causing high could be underwhelming. The potency of super-dry weed depends on how old it actually is, so you might decide it’s worth it in a touch.
RECOGNISING OLD WEED
How do you recognise a stash that’s passed its perfect? Luckily, you don’t need specialized lab equipment. Some keen observation is all it takes. Listed here is how to tell if your buds is due for retirement, using nothing but your senses.
SMELL – If your cannabis smells like anything other than, well, cannabis, you should be questionable. Particularly, if your marijuana smells musty like old workout socks or has a distinct scent of urine, you’ve most likely got mold. Time to declare a little supplication and toss it in the garbage. Furthermore, if your weed has been stored incorrectly, it could have absorbed some of the smell from whatever container it’s been sitting in. That’s an additional red flag that indicates you should definitely give this stash a toss.
LOOK – If your stash is powdery, dry, and looks like it might have spent a couple of years in the Aztec tomb, we most likely don’t need to tell you it’s old. Your weed must look like weed, not a stack of crumbly leaves and ganja particles. You can go ahead and smoke it. Just don’t expect a pleasant taking experience. On the other hand, if your buds are intact, but have spots of white fuzz growing on the outside, that is mold. Time to say bye bye bye.
SOUND – get one of your rediscovered buds and snap it apart. If you hear a satisfying snap, you’re good to go. If, instead of a snap, you hear a crackling sound, your weed is probably too dry. You can still smoke it, but expect the smoke to be harsh and possibly less effective. If you don’t hear anything, your weed is too moist and you should inspect it further for mold.
FEEL – Pick up the old nug and press it. If it feels firm, even a bit sticky, Gizmo Selection your stash could be in actually good shape. If it crumbles or feels dry, it’s seen better days, still good to puff. If you squeeze it and it feels squishy, it’s got too much humidity and you should keep an eye out for mold.
TASTE – If your cannabis appears to be mold-free, and you decide to spark up, you’ll be able to experience right away if it’s beyond its best-before date. Anything other than weed flavour is a sign time has used its cost. We do not mean the delicate aromas that differentiate different strains and terpene profiles— it will taste wrong. If it kinda reminds you of old cheese (not the strain), let that be your final toke. Otherwise, you’re probably smoking something that’s lost a few of its potency, but is just okay overall. If it’s not too severe or unpleasant for you, experience free to keep on munching.
HOW TO PRESERVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR BUDS
When it comes to getting the most out of your stash, good storage is secret. Properly stored weed will stay fresh for a year (or possibly much longer). Here are some techniques and tricks for making your cannabis last.
make use of THE RIGHT STORAGE CONTAINER
Proper storage starts with the right container. You’ll need something airtight. A mason jar is a ideal option. You can also buy a container that’s particularly made for storing cannabis, like the CVault. It’s clean and optimized for humidity regulation. The CVault also makes a good curing vessel—ideal for cultivators and discerning consumers alike.
No matter what you choose, your storage container should be over ¾ full of weed. If there’s an excessive amount of air in the container, your buds will go stale faster. Therefore, if you have a smaller stash, consider sizing down your storage container to adjust. Essentially, avoid bottles made from plastic containers. In the long run, the static charge of the plastic can ruin trichomes. Plastic also leaves your buds more susceptible to oxidation.
KEEP YOUR WEED IN A COOL, DRY, AND DARK PLACE
Light, heat, and moisture are the enemies of your precious stash. You want to keep your trichomes glossy and your weed fresh and free of mold. That means being careful about your storage environment. UV light will degrade THC, making your buds less effective. Moisture levels should linger at 50–63%. If you’re beginning to feel a little uncertain or living in a humid climate, consider storing your stash with a Humidipak for built-in moisture management.
REFRESHING YOUR BUDS
Contrary to wine, weed doesn’t tend to get improved with age. Proper storage is the key to maintaining the quality of your buds. That said, there are some easy tricks you can use to refresh your stash if it dries out. These won’t necessarily reinfuse ancient marijuana with the effectiveness of its past, but something as effortless as throwing an orange peel in with your buds could make your smoke a lot more pleasant. If your weed has dried out more lately, it could even give it a second chance at life.
So, can you smoke 10-year-old weed? If it’s mold-free, sure. It’s up to you! We don’t decide. Regardless, if you set up a proper storage process, and stick to it, you may never have to make that move. All things considered, your cannabis treats you right— shouldn’t it deserve the exact same in return?