Can Weed Go Bad? A Brief Guide 

Did you know that almost 18% of Americans have tried marijuana at least once? If you’re one of these people, you may be wondering about weed storage and asking yourself, “Can weed go bad?” 

The answer depends on what you define as “bad”. While weed doesn’t typically “go bad” the same way that food products can expire, there are several factors you can use to determine if you should just throw it away or if it’s still okay to smoke.

Keep reading to learn more. 

Weed Potency 

Cannabis that has been properly dried and cured will hold its potency fairly well. However, marijuana has a tendency to lose potency the longer it sits. You can usually expect to lose this much THC over time:

• 16% after a year
• 26% after 2 years
• 34% after 3 years 
• 41%after 4 years

This can also be further affected by exposure to sunlight, moisture, or extreme temperatures. That’s why properly storing your marijuana is important. 

Weed Storage

In order to preserve your weed’s flavor, aroma, and potency its important to keep it stored correctly. Most experienced smokers prefer to use an airtight glass container to store their buds. This prevents air and moisture from leaking in and affecting your stash.

It’s also important to make sure you store it someplace dark and cool to reduce exposure to light and extreme temperatures, which can lead to your cannabis drying out and getting stale. Stale marijuana doesn’t necessarily mean its no longer smokable but it will be very harsh and won’t taste as good. 

You’ll also want to keep an eye on moisture levels as well. If your stash is too moist it can lead to mold growing on your buds. 

Mold

There are two types of mold that typically affect marijuana, Powdery Mildew, and Botrytis. Both of these can be harmful if ingested on marijuana especially if you’re immunocompromised. There are other types that can be found growing on cannabis but are much less common.

It’s not always obvious when you’re dealing with marijuana mold. Look out for yellow leaves, brown or grey spots that look lifeless, and powdery spots before smoking. If you’re not sure it’s probably best just to toss it and get some more. 

Can Weed Go Bad?

Simply put, no, weed can’t go bad like food products do. It can, however, lose its potency, flavor, and aroma. It can also grow mold if left exposed to moisture. 

To avoid this you can simply store it in an airtight glass container and leave it in a cool, dark space. Be sure to use it in a timely manner to keep it from losing its THC content.

We hope now that you’ve read this short guide you’re not asking, “Can weed go bad?” anymore. Be sure to check out the rest of our blogs for all of your cannabis-related questions, and for other great content!