Does marijuana have an expiration date?

The good thing about vodka is that it has no expiration date. But wine and beer can get old, lose flavor and just go bad. Nothing is worse than stale milk, moldy bread and stale meat. But does marijuana have an expiration date?

Moldy and/or old weed may not cause harmful health problems if ingested, but it may have a negative effect on you if you have underlying health conditions. When you are 100% healthy, you will notice that it is no longer as effective as when it was fresh. Older weed also has a different feel, taste and texture, making it quite unappealing to users. You wouldn’t like such moldy grass, which is why we advise you not to keep your grass for too long. How long should you store your weed? And how long does grass stay fresh?

How long does grass stay fresh?

If you store the weed properly, it can last anywhere from six months to a year. After this specified period of time, the dried herb begins to lose its potency and aroma. Research suggests that weed loses 16% THC if left for a full year, and that it continues to decrease from there.

From 16% in one year, THC loss is 26% in two years and 34% THC in three years. If you leave weed for more than four years, you lose 41% THC. What is the purpose of weed without THC? Why should you keep the grass for so long?

In some cases it is possible that you accidentally left the grass behind; Maybe you traveled for a long time or forgot you had weed. Regardless of the reason, you should use your weed consciously so that if you don’t use it within six months, you don’t buy it.

How can I tell if my grass is old?

The smell

The first sign that your grass is old is its smell. The weed that has been left there too long will have a very different scent and aroma than what you originally purchased.

Some weeds can also have a strong smell and taste, which can be a significant problem for anyone. When purchasing for the first time, please pay attention to the aroma of your grass so that you can tell the difference between fresh grass and thick grass.

Appearance

Next comes the appearance and appearance of the weed, which will give you a clue that it is too old. Fresh grass doesn’t crumble or look spongy if you break part of it. If that happens, it’s too old. If it seems too dry or even too wet, it is too old for use.

Nausea after eating

We hope you don’t come to this third sign because it’s unpleasant, but it’s also a sign of old grass. If you consume old weed, you may feel unwell afterwards: the main symptom will be an upset stomach. If you are unsure how long you have the weed left, please do not consume it to avoid this unpleasant experience.

Photo by Flickr user Thomas Bresson

You need to be careful when looking for mold as it is possible that the mold will be missed. Mold can be difficult to spot unless you look closer and closer. If you look closely, you will see small, white, fuzzy spots on the grass that are powdery to the touch. Mold also has a musty smell that is reminiscent of hay.

RELATED: How to Tell if Your Marijuana is Moldy

Even if your grass is not very old, it is still advisable to carry out a mold inspection as sometimes mold appears on the grass even when it is not very old. If you consume the molds on weeds, you will experience coughing, vomiting, and nausea.

For those with weak immune systems, inhaling the smoke or fumes from mold-infested weed can cause harmful illness and sometimes death (if consumed in excess). As a general rule, if it looks or smells terrible, please throw it away (even if it’s not old).

How can I store my weed properly?

Now we need to learn how to properly store weed and there are a few things you should know. Oxygen, temperature, humidity and light influence your cannabis enormously, from its taste to its aroma to its potency.

Therefore, to store weed safely and without the negative effects we have discussed, you should do the following:

Buy the right glasses

Please do not use plastic bags to store your weed as they have a static charge and will affect the weed’s trichomes. Trichomes are the parts of the plant that produce cannabinoids and terpenes, and without these properties the weed loses its potency.

RELATED: Cannabis Pro Tips: 8 Ways to Properly Store Marijuana to Keep It Fresh

The best way to store weed is in a glass jar: it is airtight, does not build up static and limits the exposure of the grass to oxygen. Glasses are also cheap and easy to buy.

Different cannabis bud strains.
Roxana Gonzalez/Shutterstock.com

Monitor the humidity in your location

When storing the grass, pay attention to the humidity at the location: it should be 59-63% and no more than this value. If this percentage is exceeded, too much moisture will be trapped in the container, which will encourage mold growth.

If you are unsure about the humidity, please get a humidity pack for the containers you use, one for cannabis, and you will get it right.

Store the grass in a cool, dry, dark place

Grass should be kept in a cool, dry, dark place away from sunlight. If you expose the weeds to sunlight, they will decay and mold will begin to form on them. Store it in a dark place such as a cupboard at a temperature below 25°C.

Do not store it in the freezer

Your weed will become brittle and break easily if you put it in the fridge. The refrigerator also exposes the grass to excess moisture, which causes mold to form. Therefore, avoid refrigerators.

Cannabis is quickly becoming a valued product because of its versatility for us as both a medicinal and recreational product. Treat it like other medications and valuable items in your home by storing it properly. Store weed in a sealed container, away from heat, sunlight and moisture. With these safety tips and strategies, you can have very fresh and potent weed that lasts up to a year.