Does Weed Go Bad & How Long Does It Last? (How To Tell If Cannabis Is Past Its Prime)

Regardless of whether you are manufacturing weed yourself or you simply like to have a good stock for personal use, there is a lot you need to know. Does weed go bad? How long does it last? What are the signs that your weed has gone bad? 

Does Weed Go Bad

See? There is a lot you need to know about storing weed at home. Luckily for you, we know all the answers. Which is why we have written this article. With our help, you will get all the information you need to know about whether weed can go bad, how long it lasts, and more. 

So, without further ado, let us dive right in and get started!

Does Weed Go Bad?

Weed does go bad. But, did you know that it can go bad in more than one way? For example, if your weed is not used for a long time or exposed to light, or open air it will dry out, and your cannabis will dry out and turn to dust.

At this point, it is a very ineffective flower. On the flip side, if your weed is exposed to humidity or any other kind of contaminant, it can easily go moldy. Do NOT smoke moldy cannabis, as doing so can make you horribly sick. 

How Long Does Weed Stay Fresh?

If you store your weed properly, dried marijuana can last for between six months and one year. As time goes on, it will start to lose its strong aroma and potency.

There has been some research that has shown that weed can lose about sixteen percent of its THC after a year, and it only keeps going down from there. 

Below, we have listed what percentage the THC will drop per year: 

  • One Year – During this time you can see a sixteen percent drop of THC.
  • Two Years – During this time you can see a twenty-six percent drop of THC.
  • Three Years – During this time you can see a thirty-four percent drop of THC. 
  • Four Years – During this time you can see a forty-one percent drop of THC.

As you can see, the THC will drop quite sharply each year. This means that your marijuana will not be as potent or has as strong of an aroma. 

What Are the Signs that Weed Has Gone Bad?

Does Weed Go Bad

There are several clear signs that you can rely on to tell you if weed has gone bad or not.

The signs of bad or stale weed do not need to be measured using any fancy gadgets. Simply paying attention to the smell, appearance, feel, sound, and taste is all you need. 

So, in this section, we are going to go over these signs and what you need to look out for if your weed has gone bad. 

1. Smell

Weed has a very distinctive scent, one that long-time users and novices will know well. Both medicinal and recreational cannabis has a very herbal, earthy, and skunky odor that is unmistakable.

If your marijuana has a strong smell like this, it is a good sign that your weed is still full of active terpenes. This chemical is quite volatile, however, it will start to dissipate when the plant is exposed to UV light or high temperature. 

Marijuana that is past its prime will not be as aromatic, or crisp. The smell will actually be quite bad, as there will be mildew and mold compounds in the weed.

Both of which have a very strong and unpleasant smell. Some describe it as being a damp, and musty smell.

Bear in mind, that if your weed has a synthetic scent, that could also be a red flag that your weed has gone bad. 

2. Appearance

Unlike books, weed should absolutely be judged by how it looks. For example, if your weed has not been ventilated properly or has been exposed to humid environments, you can be sure that mold and mildew will develop.

If you see either of them on your weed, then it is a clear sign that your weed has gone bad and needs to be tossed in the trash can. 

3. Feel

How your weed feels, can be a huge indicator of whether your weed is good or bad. If your weed is past its prime, it will be very dusty, and crumbly.

When cannabis has gotten too old, it will break apart into a fine powder. You should be able to dust the cannabis between your fingers without much effort if it has gone bad. 

By simply pulling apart your nugs you can reveal a lot about whether your weed has gone bad. It allows you to identify if there are wet, spongy, or mushy on the inside. If this is the case, it is highly possible that your weed will get mildew or mold damage. 

4. Sound

You might not think that you can tell a lot about whether weed has gone bad, by the sound. But you absolutely can. Take the stem of your dried weed and break it.

If you hear a clear snap and your weed breaks in two cleanly, your weed is likely perfectly dry. This clear snapping sound is a sign that the bud is not too dry or too moist. 

Alternatively, if your weed feels spongy and there is no sound when you break it apart, it is a likely sign that your weed has mold or dampness. In short, if your weed has a good snap it is good, if it crackles it is not the best, and if it has no sound it has almost certainly gone bad. 

5. Taste

Finally, the taste is a good indicator that your weed has gone bad or not. Marijuana has a very particular flavor. If it has been dried, cured, stored properly, and has a vibrant bouquet, it is likely that your weed is in good condition.

Old weed will be kind of tasteless, lacking in the usual sharp flavor, and it may smell a little grassy. As for the smoke, in old weed, it will be much harsher. It can even burn your throat when you exhale.

If you know what good weed tastes like, you will undoubtedly know when it goes bad. The difference in flavor will be worlds apart. 

How Does Weed Look When It Expires?

Weed that has gone bad will be kind of brownish or yellowish in color. It will also have white powdery or fuzzy spots on the bud. These spots can be very small. On top of the obvious look of mold and mildew, you need to keep an eye out for an off smell and taste. 

How Should You Store Your Weed?

If you want to keep your weed fresh for longer, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. In this section, we are going to go over everything you need to know about storing your cannabis and keeping it fresh. 

Cure Your Weed Properly

First things first, you need to make sure that your weed is properly cured. This will prolong the life of your cannabis.

To make sure that your cannabis is stored in the perfect environment while it is being cured, you will need to keep it in a cool, dark, and dry spot. The buds will also need to be separated with the sugar leaves trimmed off before you put them in the mason jars (Also check out Trim Trays & Bins For Plant, Herb, Bud And Weed Trimming). 

Store It In The Dark

Light can cause damage to your cannabis as such you need to keep your weed in a dark spot to avoid any damage. We recommend that you use blacked-out jars to keep the light from affecting the weed (Also check out How Long Does Weed Last In A Jar?). 

Keep The Temperature Low

Low temperatures will be ideal for keeping your cannabis nice and fresh for longer. We recommend below 78 degrees Fahrenheit. This will reduce the risk of the weed from molding 

Keep The Buds In An Air-Tight Container

It will be best if you keep your weed in an airtight container to avoid them getting any oxygen damage. As such, using a mason jar, or airtight Tupperware is going to be perfect for you, 

Final Thoughts 

We hope that you have enjoyed reading this article and learning about what signs to look out for weed that has gone bad.

There are a lot of signs to look out for when it comes to identifying if weed has gone bad or not. But with our guide, you should not have an issue telling if your weed has gone bad or if it is past its prime. 

If you have enjoyed reading this article, make sure to check out our website. There is a range of fantastic articles there which cover related topics.

You are sure to find something there that will help answer a question that you may have, or you may find something that just piques your interest. 

Thanks for reading!

Zack Finch

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