Even though cannabis packaging has greatly improved, the product must still be maintained in a specific manner to remain fresh. Many people still question if there is anything they can do to keep their marijuana fresh, and the answer is yes. Because, while weed does not go bad like most other foods, it will eventually mildew and lose its strength.
Moisture is the most significant issue that cannabis faces. Marijuana can produce mould and mildew if it is exposed to moisture, which can be extremely dangerous to humans. Stale cannabis loses its potency over time, therefore defeating the purpose of eating it in the first place.
Curing is a method that farmers use to extend the shelf life of cannabis. A specific amount of moisture is trapped inside the cannabis when it is carefully cured, because losing too much moisture might cause the flower to become brittle. As a result, it’s critical to store cannabis in a method that preserves moisture without introducing extra.
Another point to remember is that in the presence of light and oxygen, the cannabinoid concentration of weed begins to change. If you use too many of them, the plant will lose its potency and begin to smell grassy.
How Long Does Weed Last?
Is it true that weed has an expiration date? There isn’t a simple answer to this question. The absence of an expiration date on cannabis packaging is due to the fact that the flowers do not expire in the traditional sense; instead, they lose their potency and grow mouldy. “How long does weed stay good?” is a better question to ask. And the answer is yes, provided you keep it properly, it can last up to two years.
After two years, it starts to lose a lot of its efficacy. According to some studies, marijuana loses roughly 16 per cent of its THC content after just one year of storage. It starts to drop much more after the first year. It can lose up to 26% THC after two years. After three years, the loss has increased to 34%.
Light and oxygen are two things that cannabis must be kept away from. In a 1976 study, it was discovered that exposing cannabis to UV radiation was the fastest way to age it. Light and air both convert THCA to THC, which is then converted to CBN. Although CBN is not hazardous when consumed, it lacks the psychoactive qualities of THC. Cannabis buds can also smell like hay when exposed to too much oxygen. The easiest approach to keep your cannabis in good shape is to keep it in a cold, dark environment. It should be stored in an airtight container away from moisture.
When you acquire marijuana, the best thing you can do is ingest it as quickly as possible. That way, you’ll get all the benefits you’re searching for, plus there won’t be any health dangers associated with storing it for longer periods of time. You can see the harvest date printed on a jar of cannabis when you buy it. It will be stronger the fresher it is.
How to Identify Fresh Marijuana?
You can check the freshness of your cannabis buds in a few different ways:
- The smell is the first thing that comes to mind. When compared to a fresh batch, the weed that isn’t in the ideal condition will lose its aroma or smell different. It can even have a foul odour at times.
- You can also examine it to check if it is outdated. When you press or shatter fresh buds, they will not crumble. If your weed behaves in this manner, it is likely to be old.
- The texture of ancient marijuana differs as well. It won’t hurt you unless it’s been sitting in a wet jar for a long time and has turned mouldy.
- The flavour of old marijuana is likewise unpleasant. It has a strong flavour that may certainly cause you to cough or possibly vomit.
When purchasing cannabis, one of the first things you should do is inspect it for mould. Mold may grow on any type of weed, regardless of how old it is. Mold and germs were found on 20 cannabis samples obtained straight from dispensaries and farmers in a scientific investigation. Check whether there are any small white fuzzy spots on your marijuana, even if you recently bought it.
Any of these signs could indicate that your cannabis is past its prime. Unless you have a weak immune system, smoking stale cannabis is unlikely to create major health problems. For such persons, weed that contains fungus or bacteria might cause major difficulties, although, for healthy adults, it will likely simply induce coughing or vomiting. In the end, if you think your weed is awful, the best thing you can do is throw it away. If you’re wondering, “What does good weed look like?” it should look and smell fresh, have its own aroma, keep its structure when broken apart, and be free of fuzzy white patches.
