Explore if Marijuana Go Bad?
While marijuana remains the best option or drug to enjoy using for recreational and medical purposes, ramming into an overstayed weed might be tricky. Imagine rummaging your rooms during a spring clean-up, and you find some weed remains you had forgotten. It’s possible that you may not know the duration it has stayed in the particular room, but the main concern is whether the weed is safe or has already gone bad.
The best response to whether the weed has gone bad or is still good to use will depend on your understanding of the term ‘bad.’ Experts reveal that the longevity of marijuana staying good for use will depend on multiple factors. Despite the numerous methods determining the duration your marijuana will stay good, the storage method is key to determining the longevity of your marijuana products.
What Happens to Old Marijuana?
While marijuana goes bad after a certain duration or due to poor storage practices, this product won’t go bad to the extent of causing harmful health effects. Based on how bad and how it affects the users, marijuana is slightly different from food substances.
When food goes bad, it means that it's unsafe and not good for human consumption. While there are many reasons for food to go bad, microorganisms colonization remains the main reason why your food may go bad. In addition, the gases resulting from the decomposition of the food can also make your food go bad. These gases cause the food to have an awful smell.
Unlike food substances, dried and cured marijuana doesn't provide the best condition for microorganisms to breed or multiply. Despite the dried marijuana not being or providing microorganisms with a breeding ground, the organism might be a cause for alarm as the crop is still growing or on the farm. Thus, it'll be good to store your ancient weed properly after harvesting or to get it from the farm. While it may be okay to use weed directly from the farm, it may not have high potency levels.
Using the old marijuana that you've bumped into while cleaning the house may not be harmful if you have dried and cured it well. Experts reveal that well-dried and cured marijuana buds will look disheveled, brown, and extremely unattractive. While using old marijuana may not be harmful, if you reside in a marijuana-legal state, it'll be reasonable to toss away or dispose of the old weed and go for new buds from the nearby medical dispensary.
Marijuana has more than 100 identified cannabinoids, with CBD and THC being the most abundant ones and CBN following the list. The cannabinoid composition of weed generally varies with the type of strain you choose or prefer. After harvesting your cannabis, you'll have to cut and dry it before storing it for future use. Remember, after harvesting, the marijuana cannabinoid contents start to change as the cannabinoid reacts to various conditions. The presence of light, heat, and oxygen might trigger the changes.
Weed produces cannabigerol (CBGA) as it grows. During the growth process, the plant synthesizes the CBGA into CBDA, CBCA, and THCA. The most interesting part is that CBD and THC, which are the popular and most loved cannabinoids, require activation before they start functioning. You'll have to activate raw marijuana containing THCA by heating it to turn to THC. The heating process helps decarboxylate the THCA in the raw marijuana buds.
Exposing the THCA or THC to an atmosphere or environment with UV lights will lead to further changes in the cannabinoids. However, there might be further changes in your marijuana cannabinoid after long exposure to the atmosphere or UV lights.
Long exposure to the environment or UV lights will make the compounds degrade to CBN and CBNA. While CBN doesn't cause adverse or harmful effects, it reduces the potency of your marijuana. You won't get the appropriate or usual psychoactive high you're seeking from the strain. Unfortunately, some CBN may result in a groggy feeling once you get high.
Studies show that CBN is one of the most effective sedatives. Thus, they may be helpful if you want some rest or sleep and enhance muscle relaxation without resulting in a psychoactive high. Generally, it makes you enjoy a relaxing experience.
Nevertheless, you'll have to endure harsh and choking smoke if the weed is extremely old. The smoke will also result when you don't store the weed properly, or the buds are completely dry. Experts reveal that you can avoid some of these issues by vaping your old or dried-out marijuana. However, with quicker combustion than a new bud, don't expect more vapor or mist from this weed.
Besides marijuana buds, you might also experience the same when having concentrates. Marijuana concentrates will change or degrade if you leave them exposed to air and light over long durations. Studies show that exposure to air and the environment will make the concentrate's terpenes and cannabinoids fall. With the drop in the level and potency of these components, your old concentrates will have a different taste from the new ones.
In addition, studies show that these concentrates have a higher CBN content. Fortunately, you can slow down the degradation process of these substances by removing oxygen and UV lights. These factors trigger the chemical changes in your marijuana products.
What About Old Marijuana Edibles?
When discussing marijuana edibles and going bad, things or perspectives change. While in concentrates, the THC content will gradually degrade to CBN ( a harmless cannabinoid), and most ingredients in edibles, like milk, eggs, etc., will go off.
Besides the normal decaying process, when you expose your marijuana edibles to the environment and UV light, some complex issues like E.Coli and Salmonella may arise. Thus, eating old or decayed edibles may be gambling with your stomach, digestive system, or overall body health.
If you're concerned or worried about the effects of eating an expired cannabis edible, it'll be best to dispose of it. While some may not make you ill, they'll be having a funny taste or a foul smell. If you've got excess edibles from your previous harvest, you can enhance their duration or time frame by storing the excess ones in the freezer.
Airtight storage
A certain scientist and weed lover conducted a study to see what happens to marijuana products as it ages. The scientists conducted a cannalysis test on a five-year-old cannabis sample in the study. Remember, THC will always transform into CBN upon exposure to oxygen and other environmental factors.
Studies show that CBN is a well-known cannabidiol with numerous exceptional healing and health properties. In addition, some users have reported that taking this cannabidiol has helped to improve their sleep quality. While taking the sample for the analysis test, the scientist kept it in a glass mason jar. The glass mason jar reduces the exposure of the marijuana sample to air. With the weed being in the air-tight container or jar, the THC content remained high. However, the results showed a slight increase in the percentage of CBN in the marijuana sample.
Nonetheless, based on aesthetics, the sample marijuana buds become less resplendent in color and grimness. Upon harvest or while the plants were still new, the buds were sticky but became crunchier after five years of storage in airtight storage. Despite the buds becoming crunchier, the marijuana trichomes remained in excellent condition. However, the most surprising thing is that the scent and terpene content remained strong despite the awful smell from the first whiff after opening the airtight jar.
The scientist also noted a different taste in marijuana. The marijuana edible had an earthy and dry flavor, which hit the throat harshly. Ultimately, storing the marijuana in an airtight container helps to prevent the herb from going bad. The conditions in the airtight container preserve the weed, providing you with a proper and decent experience even after several months or years of harvesting.
Improper storage
Studies show that depending on the place you store the weed; the bud will either retain its components or get drier and damper. In addition, the place of storage will determine if the weed will have a high CBN count. Despite staying for long, you can safely smoke the weed if you find it dry. However, you must be prepared to handle harsh hits and effects.
However, damp weed may not be safe for consumption as it may have mold. Research shows that taking moldy marijuana may cause or risk health issues or hazards. Interestingly, while the oldest marijuana stash had a high CBN concentration or level, experts found that a 2700-year-old marijuana sample also contained a good amount of THC. The THC level in this old marijuana sample was capable of getting a novice marijuana user high.
Old marijuana will only be safe for consumption if you've stored it properly and free from damp conditions that can lead to mold growth. Marijuana cultivators have revealed that weeds can develop mold while on the farm during the growing cycle. Besides on the farm, your weed can grow mold when you store it in poor conditions, such as when you store the weed with excess moisture.
Regardless of the state of your old weed, it's unsafe to take moldy marijuana, as molds in your weed present a health hazard. Thus, when you find old marijuana, it'll be good to examine it. You can use a magnifying glass on the old weed or bud to check for molds. Molds resemble dense or clustered cobwebs and mostly have a grey color.
Besides the magnifying glasses or lens, you can also consider shining a black light on your marijuana bud. Molds on the buds will obviously have a green hue when you shine a black light on them. Smoking mold is dangerous to your health, as it introduces a lot of toxic spores to the body. Taking moldy marijuana can result in chronic respiratory conditions. Regardless of the age of your marijuana, dispose of any weed that appears to have molds on it.
How to Identify Marijuana that's Past Its Due Date?
Your marijuana can stay for a long time (approximately years) and remain usable if you store it properly. When storing marijuana, ensure you keep it in an airtight container and away from direct sunlight or heat. In addition, keep your marijuana in a dry place, as damp conditions might lead to the development of molds on your marijuana.
However, it'll be good to understand that the weed on the market may not be 100% safe, as vendors may not have kept it in pristine conditions. Thus, you must understand when the dispensary is trying to give you bad marijuana. In addition, it'll be vital to check the appropriate pointers or indicators when you get old marijuana, and you can't tell the time it has been in the place. The pointer will help you avoid using unsafe weed or stale marijuana having a nasty taste.
Let's look at the pointers that'll help you determine if the weed is past its due time.
Appearance
Most weeds that are too old or have dried out excessively will always break apart or crush to fine powder easily. Despite resembling the kief, most stale cannabis usually contains stems and seeds. Experts reveal that once you know how mold appears, you can easily detect it on your marijuana. It'll be good to check the location of your offending marijuana concentration to check whether it's trichomes or molds.
Most molds will grow over trichomes and usually resemble a mass or lump of white powder. The white powder can easily penetrate the different surfaces of the herb. Experts also reveal that breaking the nugs apart can also be another way you can use to sport molds on your marijuana.
Smell
Your marijuana may lose its terpenes levels or concentration when you store it in poor conditions. Thus, when your marijuana presents a pleasant scent, it may be harmful and can cause health complications when you consume it. In addition, you should be keen on marijuana having a mildew-type smell, as the smell signifies mold growth. Lastly, you should be keen on any weird chemical aroma or smell, as it means that the manufacturers have used chemicals, such as pesticides, to treat the marijuana plant while on the farm.
Texture
The best way to know everything about the condition or state of your marijuana is by pulling the nugs apart. While pullings nugs, it’ll be good to check whether your marijuana has any moisture content or to see if the pieces will fall apart in your hands. When having a well-dried and cured herb, you'll feel a snapping sound while handling it. In contrast, old marijuana will be extremely dry and may produce a cracking sound.
Taste
In case your cannabis product passes the above tests, smoking can help you identify bad marijuana. You can smoke some to confirm if the marijuana is good. Bad weed will always have an awful taste as you smoke.
Storing and Preparing Your Marijuana for Long term
Drying and curing marijuana properly after harvesting is the first step towards keeping weed safe and potent for longer. Ensure you get your supplies from a reputable and licensed dispensary if you can't cultivate the herb at home.
Experts reveal that cured and dried cannabis is more potent.
Remember, when you purchase your marijuana from the dispensary, the manufacturers will have cured and dried the drug for you. Thus, you have to look for appropriate storage. Adhering to the basic long-term storage principles will help keep your weed for a long time, at least one year. Avoiding some things to prevent your herb from getting dry too fast will be good. Experts advise that you avoid the following:
● Keeping your weed in a plastic container or bag
● Storing weed in a too-large container
● Exposing your marijuana to excessive heat or light
Studies have shown that oxygen and light are the biggest hindrance or enemies to preserving marijuana for a long time. You can reduce the degradation rate of THC to CBN by keeping the herb from these two factors. You can achieve keeping your marijuana from light and oxygen by using air-tight containers from local vendors or online.
Experts advise that you go for an airtight container having a brown tint, as it's effective in blocking light and preventing it from reaching your weed. Plastic Tupperware may not be the best option as it's clear and can't stop light from getting in or reaching your marijuana.
Ensure that you seal all the containers using the appropriate lids. You can then store the containers in a dry and cool place, like at the back of your cupboard. Before storing, ensure that the surface or cupboard doesn't have any mold or dampness. Remember that it's inappropriate to store your cannabis or the containers bearing weed in a freezer or fridge. Storing your marijuana in a freezer could result in condensation, which supports the growth of pathogens. Additionally, freezing the herb can make it too brittle after defrosting it.
Investing in humidity packs is the best way to keep marijuana fresh and potent for a long. However, this option will be appropriate for a large marijuana supply. In these packs, you can place or store the weed in the airtight glass jars to keep it fresh and potent for at least six months. This pack has properties that maintain the humidity between 60 to 65%, while 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit is the best condition to store your weed.
Besides the airtight glass jar and humidity packs, vacuum sealing remains the best long-term storage option. Vacuum sealing is a popular packaging method that's common in the food and beverage industry. The storage involves removing air from the packaging bag before sealing it.
Many individuals have found that most marijuana storage methods are hard and time-consuming. If the process or options sound hard or time-consuming, some companies provide relief. These companies have a wide range of products that have all these marijuana preservation processes or steps. Remember, a proper vacuum seal prevents or reduces atmospheric oxygen and retains marijuana compounds.
In addition, avoiding any material with bisphenol is key to marijuana for a longer time. Bisphenol is one of the most harmful industrial chemicals that may result in various body complications. Remember to keep your vacuum-sealed weed from light to get the best results.
Final Thoughts on Whether Marijuana can Go Bad
Like any other organic plant, marijuana can break down or go bad anytime. Nevertheless, marijuana can last long without going bad if you harvest, dry, and cure it properly. Besides staying for long, storing your marijuana properly makes smoking it safe and free from harmful health effects.
However, bad weed may have an awful taste and results in extremely harsh smoke that may be harmful to your lungs. Remember that molds may start growing on your marijuana if you expose your marijuana to excessive moisture. It'll be good to dispose of this weed immediately, as consuming it may lead to adverse health complications.
Exposure to moisture, light, and heat are some factors hindering long-term marijuana storage. Thus, keep or store your weed in an airtight container or glass jar and keep it in a dark & cool place for it to taste good months or years after taking it.
Over time, your marijuana potency may start dwindling. Despite some THC transforming to CBN or the marijuana having a weird 'high,' you can still enjoy some medicinal benefits. Fortunately, one experiment showed that when you store marijuana in an airtight container or glass jar, you'll still get the good taste and the potent or nice kick even after five years.
Storing your marijuana properly will be vital in preserving its content or medical properties. You can consult your medical marijuana physician to help you understand how to store your marijuana. Happy MD has a wide network of marijuana physicians to guide you on medical marijuana use and storage. You can also apply for and get your medical marijuana card online at this telehealth platform. Schedule an appointment with us today to receive your medical marijuana card in a few minutes.
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