Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
This is a common (and important) question that all cannabis consumers, new and seasoned alike, will ponder. Weed is a commodity and we all want our green to stay green, but unfortunately, just like food, it has an expiration date.
Don’t call us fortune tellers, but if you came here from Google — we’re guessing you’ve currently got a nug sitting next to you that isn’t giving up its birthday. A note of caution despite our article title: if you aren’t 100 percent sure of the condition of your cannabis, do not consume it. Safety is the most important thing to consider when you are putting something into your body.
What Happens When Weed Goes Bad?
The signs of cannabis expiration are more obvious than you think. Just like anything in your fridge — if it seems off, it probably is off.
Signs That Weed has Expired
- Mould forming on flower
- Dried-out leaves, crumbles when you touch it
- Lacks a strong odour
How THC Degrades in Weed
- After one year: weed loses roughly 16% of its THC.
- After two years: weed loses roughly 26% of its THC.
- After three years: weed loses roughly 34% of its THC.
- After four years: weed loses roughly 41% of its THC.
What’s The Best Way to Store Weed?
When it comes to storing cannabis, there are several factors to consider to maintain the best potency. Temperature and light play a large role in the degradation and safekeeping of cannabis.
Why temperature matters
Excessive heat can turn your weed into a dried husk and ruin its flavour and potency. Not to mention, the oils inside the plant can dry up, causing your smoking experience to be harsh and unpleasant.
Lower temperatures can also slow a process called “decarboxylation”, which is important to the enjoyment of consuming cannabis. Simply put, decarboxylation is a process that activates the psychoactive compound in cannabis, THC. The more complex explanation involves a process that turns THCA (a non-psychoactive component of cannabis) into THC, but we don’t have to get into that. All you need to know is that cold stops your weed from giving you the best possible experience.
Why Light Matters
Light is food for plants, and when growing — cannabis loves lots of light. But when harvested and cut — harmful UV rays can break down cannabis.
Light can make many things degrade, your car may have been a bright cherry red when you bought it and now it’s a pale orange-ish white. Just like your car, cannabis can lose its colour when exposed to light. While cannabis can lose its foresty green in the sunlight, we also mean things like taste and potency when referring to colour. Sunlight can affect the cannabinoids and consistency of cannabis in a negative way.
