How Long Does Weed Stay Good?

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It’s a question we’ve all wondered from time to time, especially surfaces when you come across that old bag of forgotten weed in the back of your closet. How long does weed last? Can weed get old? Does weed go bad? And in terms of quality, how long does weed stay good for? This article has all of the information you need to keep your cannabis fresh, whether it’s in flower, vape, or concentrate form. How long your weed stays good for will depend directly on your efforts to keep it fresh!

So, does weed actually go bad? The truth is that weed doesn’t actually expire or go bad like old leftovers. It can become less fresh over time, though, especially if it is stored in a less optimal way.

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What exactly determines the freshness of your weed?

There are a few different things that will determine the freshness of your weed. Cannabis that has been professionally harvested, dried, cured, and stored in the best way will stay fresh for anywhere between six months to a year. It will be the freshest if you’re getting your weed from a dispensary or a reputable source, like Delta Munchies.

Humidity

One of the most important aspects of maintaining the freshness of your cannabis is managing the humidity your cannabis is stored in. If your cannabis is stored somewhere humid or wet, it can develop mold and make you sick. It’s key to keep humidity levels below 65%. This is when mold can grow. However, storing at too-low humidity can cause your weed to dry out. It takes a balance!

Temperature

The best way to store your weed is in a cool, dry environment. Whatever you do, don’t store your weed in the freezer! Or even the refrigerator. Doing this will expose it to fluctuations in temperature as you open and close the doors.

Light

UV rays can break down the chemical components of cannabis like THC and CBD. Light is actually the most impactful factor on the potency of weed. If lighting conditions are correct, cannabinoids can stay intact for as long as two years.

 

How long does weed stay good?

You’ve probably wondered, “How long does weed last?” If cannabis is stored in the optimum way, it can stay fresh for a pretty long time. On average, weed will stay good from six months to a year. If you are lucky and extra careful, you may be able to strengthen that timeline even further. 

It’s highly unlikely that your weed wouldn’t encounter any light or varying temperatures. Because of this, it would be unlikely to get a full year of freshness out of your weed. As a best practice, try to consume all your weed within six months of buying it to avoid ever having to ask yourself, “does weed go bad?”

 

What happens to marijuana as it gets older? Does marijuana go bad?

You might be wondering, can weed go bad? Basically, over time many of the cannabinoids and terpenes found in cannabis start to break down, losing their potency. Cannabis will begin to lose its flavor and scent as terpenes break down. Cannabis that is “old” lacks that sharp odor that we know and love and is relatively tasteless. When this happens, and the terpenes break down, weed won’t taste or smell the way they are supposed to. Cannabinoids also break down over time. Old cannabis won’t be as potent because a lot of the THC will have broken down already. 

The research at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime found that, on average, cannabis plants lose their THC potency at the following rates.

• Cannabis loses 34% of its THC after three years

• After four years of storage, weed loses 41% of its THC

• After one year, cannabis loses roughly 16% of its THC

• Two years in storage results in a loss of 26% of its THC

 

Is your weed bad? 

Although it is rare for weed to go bad there are a few things you’ll definitely want to look out for in determining how long does marijuana last, especially when you find that cannabis buried way in the back of the drawer. Make sure you keep an eye out for:

• Mold! If your weed was moist or in high humidity, it might have developed mold. 

• No scent – If your weed has crumbled into dust and is completely dried out, it is too old.

• It breaks. If the cannabis is spongy and doesn’t make noise when you pull it apart that may be an indicator that it’s damp and moldy. 

 

Does weed get old?

Weed, in all its forms, like all things, does get old, but that doesn’t mean it necessarily will be bad — just that its potency may decrease.

 

How long is weed good for?

If you think that your weed may have gone bad you can technically still smoke it. It just might not taste great or familiar to you, and many of the cannabinoids likely have broken down, meaning you won’t get very high from it.

Smoking old weed won’t kill you or make you sick unless your marijuana is moldy. If that is the case, definitely don’t smoke it! If the marijuana has discolored spots, white fuzzy mold, or smells “off” it probably has some mold. 

The longer that cannabis is exposed to light, humidity, and airm the more likely it is to deteriorate — getting you less high. Keeping your weed fresh will give you a better experience all around! 

 

Weed Storage: Dos & Don’ts

How do you keep weed fresh for a long time with all of this information? You’ll definitely want to avoid storing weed in plastic baggies or extremely large containers – and ensure that the weed and container you are using are not exposed to light or heat.

If you want to store your weed for six months or less, an air-tight glass jar with a seal to keep out humidity! If you want to store your weed for longer than six months, you should consider more involved storage options — like a dark, cool, dry cellar. 

The biggest “do” to keep in mind is to limit your weed’s exposure to the elements. For example, when you’re opening the container to take out some weed, make sure to close the lid quickly. Allowing it to sit open, exposed, will cause the freshness to deteriorate more quickly. Avoid windy, highly ventilated areas – and consider using humidity packs to maintain the perfect level of moisture. One don’t is to never store your marijuana in a cigar box because they are usually lined with cedarwood. The oil present in this can harm the cannabis and impact the humidity!

 

Can you store weed in a Ziploc bag?

Ziplock bags may be a vintage way to store weed, akin to smoking in high school before first period, but some people may still consider storing it this way, especially when they are on the go or don’t have a better option on hand. 

Although Ziplock bags are an option, they aren’t the most recommended option for guaranteed, long-lasting freshness. If you do choose to store it in plastic, make sure to remove as much air as you can before closing the bag. If done correctly, this weed can last freshly up to two to three months.

 

What is the best way to store weed?

Cannabis products have different needs if you want to keep them fresh, depending on what type of product they are. 

One of the most popular and effective ways to keep your cannabis fresh, is quart sized mason jars. You can find them at any ordinary grocery store. Glass jars are especially great choices when using flowers because it will avoid them getting crushed too. Ensure that any glass jars you use are at least 3/4 full to prevent too much air from being stored! Now, We’ll review  the best ways to store each of them to guarantee freshness for longer.

Edibles 

• To guarantee freshness, make sure to leave them in their original package and store them in a place that isn’t where open air and direct light are. A cool location is ideal — as hard candies and gummies can easily melt. 

Cannabis Flower

• Storing cannabis flowers properly will keep it fresh! 

• Limited light and open air are also key to keep cannabis flowers fresh, while maintaining that ideal humidity level we mentioned earlier (between 54 percent and 65 percent are ideal!). Some options for storing flowers are in a glass mason jar, or a small container specifically for cannabis. Keeping the container in a cool, dark place and avoiding opening it too much will be ideal to store it!

• To help control humidity, you can use a humidity control pack or store your weed in a dedicated cannabis humidor. Then you’ll be official. 

Vapes

• We recommend keeping your vape pens away from direct light. Cannabis oil is already inside an airtight cartridge, which means you don’t need to work about humidity or explore the air. Keep the vape pen standing upright so that all the oil will stay at the bottom of the cartridge!

Concentrates

• Store your concentrates in a small container, made of glass or silicone. Make sure to keep the lids on tight! And also store in a cool and dark place.

 

What is the best way to store cannabis? 

A ceramic and glass jar is best! This will keep the proper air and moisture balance and guarantee a longer shelf life. And if you want to guarantee the freshness of weed for longer than six months, it might be time to vacuum seal it!

Now you know the truth about weed — if it goes bad, how to store it, and the best ways to ensure that your cannabis in any form is freshest. We hope this post has left you with all the information you need about the best ways to store cannabis and the potency over time so that you never have to wonder about the common marijuana-related question ever again, “How long can weed last?”

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