What Happens To Old Marijuana?

How Long Does Weed Stay Fresh For?

When stored properly, dried cannabis keeps for 6 months to 1 year. Over time however, it begins to lose its aroma and potency. According to some older research, weed loses roughly 16 percent of its THC after 1 year, and it just keeps dropping from there:

26 percent THC lost after 2 years
34 percent THC lost after 3 years
41 percent THC lost after 4 years

THC Turns Into CBN Over Time

In the simplest terms, a 1999 study shows that THC degrades into CBN over time, which means cannabis will typically become CBN-heavy the longer it ages. The study also reveals why CBN and THC cannabinoids share alternative mechanisms of action to CB1 and CB2 receptors.

Our current understanding of CBN as a major cannabinoid dates as far back as a 1999 study in which the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) tested cannabis potency loss over time. According to the study, THC content in the tested cannabis sample dropped to half of its original potency after four years. Furthermore, as THC oxidized and dissipated, it began to convert to CBN. The study also found that the first two years of improper storage were when the most THC degradation occurred, drawing a clear connection between THC-CBN conversion and plant vulnerability.

How To Tell If It’s Old Weed

It’s mostly in the smell. Weed that’s past its prime will smell different or lose its aroma entirely. Some weed might even smell and taste harsh when it’s been sitting for too long. Its appearance can also give you a clue as to whether or not it’s old. Fresh marijuana shouldn’t crumble or feel spongy when you break it off. If it does, it’s old and either too dry or too moist.

Consuming it shouldn’t harm you, but be prepared for changes in texture and potency. The exception is weed that’s grown mold, which could potentially make you sick.

Checking For Mold

Mold is often hard to see unless you look very closely. It typically looks like white powdery or fuzzy spots, some of which can be pretty small. Moldy weed usually smells musty, kind of like hay. It also tends to have a bit of an “off” taste.

Even if your weed isn’t super old, it’s best to do a mold inspection. A study by researchers from University of California, Davis found bacteria and mold on 20 cannabis samples bought from dispensaries and pot growers in Northern California.

Mold on weed isn’t likely to cause major health problems, but it can lead to nausea, vomiting, and coughing. In people with weakened immune systems, inhaling smoke or vapors from weed containing bacteria or fungi could cause serious illness or even death.

If it looks or smells off, then you’re better off tossing it, even if you spent money on it.

For Best Storage

weed storage Picking the right storage container is key. Ditch plastic baggies and containers. Plastic holds static that can affect delicate trichomes — the tiny, crystal-like hairs on flowers that produce cannabinoids and terpenes — and mess with potency.

And forget those funny little tins, too, because they let in too much oxygen. Glass jars with an airtight seal, like mason jars, are the way to go. They don’t have any static charge and limit oxygen exposure. Plus, they’re inexpensive and easy to find. Most dispensaries also sell containers designed to keep weed fresh for as long as possible.

Keep Your Temps & Humidity In Check

Weed is best kept at a relative humidity of 59 to 63 percent. Any higher and you run the risk of trapping moisture, which can lead to the growth of mold. Anything lower can cause your weed to dry out.

To help you preserve your stash, you can add humidity packs to your containers if you really want to get fancy. You can also go the extra mile and store your weed in a humidor made specifically for cannabis. Keeping weed in a cool and dry spot away from sunlight is as important as the container you use, if not more so.

Direct sunlight can cause cannabis to break down, and too much heat can hold moisture and lead to mold. Keeping it somewhere too chilly, on the other hand, could dry it out and lose those precious trichomes, which is why the fridge and freezer aren’t recommended. Aim to store cannabis in a dark place, like a closet or cabinet, with a temperature below 77°F (25°C).

Rule of Thumb

If the buds look weird or smell bad; don’t smoke it. If your edibles are over a year old and/or the label has an expired expiration date; moreover, please throw them away. You only want to consume products that you know for a fact are safe and healthy, especially when it comes to herbal medicine and/or herbal concentrates.

What Happens To Old Marijuana?

How Long Does Weed Stay Fresh For?

THC Turns Into CBN Over Time

How To Tell If It’s Old Weed

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