Does Weed Go Bad? An Expert Guide on Weed Preservation

Stocking up on a large quantity of cannabis flower is a great way to save money and ensure you always have access to your favorite strains. However, it is essential to store your bud properly to establish an optimal experience and to get the best bang for your buck.

This article will explore the intricate dynamics of cannabis storage and degradation to help you keep your cannabis from going bad, delving into the science behind cannabis expiration and influencing factors including potency, flavor, and overall quality.

You can feel confident picking up a 14g or 28g bag of our STIIIIZY premium flower knowing that you’re equipped with the latest knowledge on how to preserve your bud for the longest period of time. These larger sized mylar bags feature a variety of small batch craft cultivars that you don’t want to miss out on. 

Does cannabis actually expire or go bad?

Cannabis, like many organic products, can degrade over time, affecting its potency, flavor, and overall quality. However, whether it "goes bad" in the same way as perishable food items is a bit more nuanced. 

Cannabis doesn't typically harbor harmful bacteria or pathogens that pose an immediate health risk, even as it ages. Instead, its degradation primarily involves the breakdown of cannabinoids and terpenes, the compounds responsible for its effects and aroma.

 What causes cannabis to go bad or expire?

A variety of factors including exposure to light, air, moisture, and temperature fluctuations can accelerate the degradation process of cannabis flower. 

• Exposure to light, particularly ultraviolet (UV) rays and direct sunlight, is one of the primary culprits in the degradation of cannabinoids and terpenes. Light exposure can initiate chemical reactions that break down these compounds, diminishing the potency and altering the flavor profile of the cannabis. 
• Oxygen in the air plays a significant role in cannabis degradation. Oxidation, a chemical reaction spurred by oxygen exposure, can cause trichome heads and cannabinoids to degrade, leading to a loss of potency.
• Moisture levels are another critical factor in cannabis preservation. Cannabis that is cured properly will remain in optimal condition longer. High humidity level environments create a breeding ground for mold and mildew, posing health risks and compromising the quality of the cannabis. Conversely, excessively overly dry conditions can cause the flower to lose moisture, resulting in brittle and less potent cannabis. 
• Temperature fluctuations contribute to the degradation of cannabis.High temperatures accelerate the breakdown of cannabinoids and terpenes in fresh weed, while freezing temperatures can cause moisture to condense and promote mold growth when the cannabis is thawed. Cannabis flower should never be stored in freezing or overly cold temperatures like the fridge or freezer nor should it be stored in an overly warm environment. 

Understanding these factors is essential for preserving the quality and potency of cannabis products.

How long does it take for weed to go bad?

When stored in less-than-ideal conditions, cannabis can begin to degrade in a matter of days. If exposed to light, heat, freezing temperatures or oxidization, noticeable changes in potency, flavor, and aroma may occur within a matter of days to weeks.

Within a few hours of leaving your cannabis buds out on the table in no packaging at all, you’ll notice loss of aroma and drying of the bud. This temporary degradation can typically be restored by re-hydrating and storing the cannabis properly. The timeline for cannabis degradation can vary depending on several factors, including how it's stored and its initial harvest quality. 

The world’s oldest weed stash was discovered in 2008 at the site of a 2700 year old grave in the Gobi Desert.

Although the cannabis had obviously severely degraded when it was found, presumably thousands of years after it was initially stored, it was described by researchers as “nearly two pounds of still-green plant material”. Using this discovery as evidence, we can conclude that cannabis can maintain partial quality when stored in optimal conditions for much longer than a human lifespan. 

Ultimately, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to how long cannabis takes to go bad, as it depends on various environmental factors. Regularly inspecting stored cannabis for signs of degradation, such as changes in color, texture, or aroma, can help users gauge its freshness and quality over time. Proper storage techniques are crucial for maximizing shelf life and preserving potency.

How can I tell if weed has gone bad?

Recognizing when cannabis has gone bad involves paying attention to various sensory cues and observing changes in its appearance, aroma, and texture. Here are some signs to look out for before you consume cannabis flower:

1. Appearance:
• Mold or powdery mildew: Check for white, gray, or greenish spots or fuzzy patches on the surface of the flower. Moldy weed with white fuzz should never be consumed, as it can pose serious health risks.
• Discoloration: Look for changes in color, such as a yellowing or browning of the flower, which may indicate degradation or weed mold. Moldy or spoiled cannabis poses health risks and should be discarded properly.
2. Aroma:
• Loss of scent: Fresh cannabis flower typically has a distinct, pungent aroma. If the cannabis loses its characteristic smell or has a musty or unpleasant odor, it may have gone bad.
• Unpleasant odors: Moldy or spoiled cannabis can emit foul or rancid odors that are distinct from the normal scent of fresh cannabis. Cannabis that has gone bad can smell musty like hay, rotten eggs or wet cardboard.
3. Texture:
• Dryness: While some degree of moisture loss is expected over time, excessively dry marijuana flower can crumble easily and lose its resinous texture. On the other hand, overly moist cannabis can feel sticky or spongy.
• Brittle trichomes: Trichomes, the resinous glands that contain cannabinoids and terpenes, can become brittle and break off when cannabis has degraded significantly. This results in the complete loss of both potency and flavor.
4. Taste:
• Harsh or unpleasant taste: Consuming old cannabis that has gone bad may result in a harsh taste, stale taste or may even taste musty on the palate.

Conversely, there are several ways to determine that cannabis is fresh. For most genetics, fresh flower should appear green or slightly purple in colouration with abundant in-tact trichome heads (often known as crystals). When you break open the fresh cannabis to grind it up, there should be no visible discoloration or mold - just more bud, trichome heads and stem. 

Fresh cannabis is aromatic and flavorful, filling your nose with a mixture of pleasant scents as soon as you open the bag. Fresh flower is slightly sticky to the touch and has some “bounce back” when you squeeze it. When you smoke fresh flower, the flavor should be pleasant and the smoke should be smooth. 

What are the effects of weed that has gone bad?

The effects of consuming cannabis that has gone bad can vary depending on the extent of degradation and the specific factors contributing to its deterioration. Here are some potential effects:

1. Lower potency: Over time, cannabinoids such as THC and CBD can degrade, resulting in a reduction in potency and desired effects. 
2. Altered taste and aroma: Degraded and old weed may develop unpleasant flavors and aromas that differ from the fresh, characteristic scent and taste of properly stored cannabis. Spoiled cannabis may taste stale, musty, or overall unpleasant.
3. Potential health risks: Moldy or spoiled cannabis can harbor harmful microorganisms such as mold, mildew, or bacteria, which can pose health risks if consumed including respiratory issues, lung infections, allergic reactions, or other adverse health effects.
4. Harsher smoke: Cannabis that has gone bad or old weed may produce harsher smoke or vapor when consumed, leading to throat irritation or coughing. Less desirable effects: In addition to lower potency, consuming degraded cannabis may result in less predictable or desirable effects. The altered chemical composition of degraded cannabis can impact the balance of cannabinoids and terpenes, potentially affecting the overall experience and therapeutic or medical effects.

Overall, consuming cannabis that has gone bad may lead to a less enjoyable and potentially riskier experience compared to fresh, properly stored cannabis. When in doubt, it's best to dispose of compromised cannabis and opt for fresh, high-quality products from your local dispensary.

How To Preserve Weed

Proper storage methods are critical to preserving your cannabis flower and preventing it from losing potency, losing flavor or developing mold spores. Here are the top 6 tips for keeping your cannabis flower fresh:

1. Store in an airtight container: Choose a container that seals tightly to prevent oxygen exposure, which can lead to oxidation and degradation of cannabinoids. A glass jar or mason jars with rubber seals work well for this purpose. For more advanced smokers, there are a variety of modern storage containers and humidors that are designed to ensure optimal temperature and humidity for cannabis flower. 
2. Keep it in a cool, dark place: Store cannabis in a cool, dark environment away from direct sunlight and heat sources to make it stay fresh. Exposure to light and high temperatures can accelerate degradation and reduce potency.
3. Maintain optimal humidity: Aim for a humidity level between 59-63% to prevent cannabis from becoming too dry and brittle or too moist and susceptible to mold growth. Consider using humidity packs or moisture-regulating containers to control humidity levels. Too little humidity is harmful just as too much humidity.
4. Avoid frequent handling: Handling cannabis too frequently can transfer oils and moisture from your fingers, potentially degrading the quality of the flower. Minimize handling and use clean tools, such as tweezers or a grinder, when necessary.
5. Don't grind until ready to use: Grinding cannabis exposes more surface area to oxygen, which can speed up degradation. 
6. Store away from strong odors: Cannabis easily absorbs surrounding odors, which can affect its flavor and aroma. Keep cannabis away from strong-smelling items, such as perfumes, spices, or cleaning products, to preserve its natural scent and taste.

Different Forms of Weed Products

Different cannabis product types will preserve their quality longer than others. Cannabis flower, pre-rolls, vape carts and concentrates typically have an optimal shelf life of 6 months to 1 year while topicals, oils and tinctures regularly stay fresh for 1 to 2 years.

Edibles will often be fresh for 3 to 6 months but it all depends on the particular food ingredients and preservatives. Hashish is an outlier as it can be preserved for long periods of time and is even aged on purpose as it is said to increase quality.

Here's an overview of common cannabis products and how their storage requirements and degradation rates may vary:

1. Cannabis Flower
• Cannabis flower is one of the most common forms of cannabis and typically has a shelf life of up to a year when stored properly.
• Exposure to light, air, moisture, and temperature fluctuations can accelerate degradation, leading to a loss of potency and flavor over time.
2. Pre-rolled Joints and Blunts
• Pre-rolled cannabis joints may degrade slightly faster than flower due to the fact that grinded-up cannabis is allowed more exposure to oxygen and oxidization.
3. Cannabis Concentrates
• Dabbable concentrates are highly potent cannabis extracts with a wax-like consistency.
• These concentrates can be stored in airtight containers in the freezer for extended periods, potentially improving in quality over time due to the preservation of cannabinoids and terpenes.
• Freezing temperatures help maintain stability and prevent degradation, making dabbable concentrates suitable for long-term storage.
• A study identified that in cannabis resin, light exposure can affect the decarboxylation of THCA and the degradation of THC.
4. Cannabis Topicals and Lotions
• Cannabis topicals include products such as cannabis infused cosmetics, lotions, shampoos, salves and more.
• Most cannabis topicals are designed to last at least 1 to 2 years if unopened and stored properly. They often contain preservatives that extend their shelf life while homemade topicals may "expire" more quickly.
5. Hashish 
• Hashish is a concentrated form of cannabis made from compressed resin glands (trichomes).
• Like dabbable concentrates, hashish can be stored in the freezer for extended periods, preserving its potency and flavor.
• Freezing temperatures can prevent oxidation and degradation, allowing hashish to maintain its quality over time.
• Hashish is unique in that it is often aged on purpose to increase quality and nuances in effect, similar to aged wine.
6. Cannabis Oils and Tinctures
• Cannabis oils, Rick Simpson Oil, THC and CBD tinctures are liquid extracts made by infusing cannabis plant material with a carrier oil or alcohol.
• When stored in a cool, dark place away from heat and light, oils and tinctures can remain stable for years.
• Properly sealed containers help prevent oxidation and maintain potency, making oils and tinctures suitable for long-term storage.
7. Cannabis Edibles (e.g., gummies, chocolates, baked goods):
• Cannabis-infused edibles typically have a shorter shelf life compared to other forms of cannabis products.
• Factors such as moisture content, packaging, and ingredient stability can influence the shelf life of edibles.
• Properly sealed and packaged edibles can remain stable for several months to a year, but their potency and flavor may degrade over time.
• Most edibles will come with a best before or suggested use by date, like other perishable goods.
8. Cannabis Vapes and Vape Pods

• Cannabis vapes and vape pods are a portable and stealthy option to consume pre-measured cannabis oil.
• Storing them in cool, dark conditions away from sunlight and heat helps preserve their potency and flavor.
• While these devices are designed to prevent oxidation, they can remain effective for up to two years if properly stored.

Overall, the storage requirements and degradation rates of cannabis products vary depending on their form and composition. Understanding these differences is essential for preserving the freshness, potency, and quality of cannabis products over time.

STIIIZY Fresh Cannabis Flower

We takes pride in its commitment to quality and freshness by meticulously packaging its premium dried cannabis flower. Each product is thoughtfully sealed in either mylar bags or glass jars, ensuring optimal preservation of freshness and moisture. 

When you get your STIIIZY flower home, remember to store it in an air-tight container in a cool, dark place that is away from any strong odors. Now that you’re fully equipped with all the knowledge on cannabis preservation, you can stock up on large quantity bags confidently knowing that your bud will stay fresh for a long period of time. 

Maintaining the freshness of cannabis is not only essential for preserving its potency and flavor but also for promoting a healthier and more enjoyable consumption experience. By adhering to proper storage practices and minimizing exposure to factors that contribute to degradation, consumers can prolong the shelf life of their cannabis products, ultimately saving money and ensuring a higher quality of smoke.

Moreover, prioritizing freshness respects the dedication and hard work of cannabis growers who invest time and effort into cultivating high-quality plants for consumers to enjoy. Beyond the economic and health benefits, keeping weed fresh is a testament to the appreciation and respect for the entire cannabis community - from seed to smoke.