INTRODUCTION
Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is best appropriately stored to improve its potency. Cannabis plants are sensitive to changes in temperature. Excessive temperatures reduce the potency of your buds and make them more susceptible to spider mite infestation. Therefore, it is essential to store your cannabis correctly for the best possible experience and to improve its potency. To ensure the longevity of your cannabis, store it in an airtight container away from direct heat and sunlight.
As cannabis has continued to gain widespread popularity around the globe, it is essential to understand the factors that can affect its potency and quality over time. Cannabis contains various delicate constituents, which give it its unique aroma and effects. However, these constituents are susceptible to degradation when exposed to certain elements. Over time, some of these constituents can break down, reducing their potency and overall quality.
One of the most significant factors that affect the potency and overall shelf life of cannabis is exposure to light and heat. Also, too much moisture and exposure to air can cause the constituents that make cannabis to break down and become harsh and less enjoyable. To ensure the longevity of your cannabis, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct exposure to light and heat sources.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WEED GO BAD?
Cannabis, also known as weed, is susceptible to degradation. You can identify lousy weed in different ways, from the presence of mould, which can result from poor storage to improper drying. Also, degraded weeds can be identified by their unpleasant aroma and changes, ranging from brown, yellow or dark spotted instead of vibrant green.
Degraded cannabis or weed can have an unpleasant effect on the user. Degraded cannabis may experience a milder side effect, leading to dissatisfaction and disappointment. Also, degraded weed has an unpleasant taste which may be a massive turn-off for the user.
Consuming expired weed can pose several health risks. Moldy cannabis, a standard signal that weed is expired, may have serious side effects on its users, ranging from an allergic reaction to respiratory issues and bacterial infections.
FACTORS AFFECTING WEED LONGEVITY
Properly storing weed is of utmost importance in ensuring its longevity. Humidity and moisture level are vital in determining the freshness, longevity, and overall quality of cannabis. Though, having too much moisture risk contamination by mould.
Several environmental factors play critical roles in the yield and flowering of the cannabis plant; some of these qualities are light intensity and air quality. During cultivation, adequate lighting and air are essential for photosynthesis in budding plants. Although, cannabis users should ensure proper storage methods to ensure the potency and longevity of the plants after harvesting.
Temperature influences the interactions of chemicals with cannabis. High temperatures can cause cannabinoids like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) to degrade. At the same time, colder temperatures can cause delicate trichomes, some of the constituents that make up cannabis, to become brittle and break off, leading to potency and aroma loss.
PROPER STORAGE CONTAINERS
One essential method of storing weed is selecting the correct container. A perfect seal for storing weed is an airtight container. An airtight, dry container prevents air from entering or exiting the container, thereby minimising the exposure of cannabis to oxygen, which can lead to its degradation. It is also essential to choose a container that is not too large for the amount of weed and is opaque, as excess space would leave room for excess air space within the container, thereby leading to degradation.
The material used for storing cannabis can also go a long way toward determining the longevity of your cannabis. The material of the container is essential in ensuring the absence of contaminants, and the retention of the weed's quality. Glass is considered one of the best materials for storing cannabis, as it does not react to the cannabinoids and terpenes in the plant. Also, ceramics are a perfect choice for storing cannabis, as they are opaque and provide a stable environment for maintaining the quality of the plant. Like Glass, they are non-reactive and won't compromise the quality of the cannabis.
An airtight container protects against oxygen, which causes degradation in weeds. An airtight container protects against oxygen, but it also normalizes the moisture level within the container. UV containers shield and protect cannabis from sunlight and harmful rays. Getting an airtight and UV-resistant container for your cannabis ensures its longevity and freshness.
STORING DIFFERENT CANNABIS PRODUCTS
Flower: Proper storage is crucial to maintaining the freshness and longevity of cannabis. Flowers can be stored in airtight containers, away from heat and direct sunlight.
Concentrates: Concentrates can be stored in silicone containers to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
Edibles: Edibles can be stored in airtight containers to prevent moisture. Also, edibles should be stored in a cool, dry place to prevent melting or changes in texture.
Oils: Oils may be placed in airtight, dark-coloured bottles to prevent oxygen and humidity
Flower: Preserving flower-type cannabis comes with unique challenges due to its natural form and sensitivity to environmental factors. Flower cannabis is very sensitive to humidity; too much moisture can lead to mould growth, while too little can result in dry, brittle buds that lose potency and aroma.
Concentrate: Preserving concentrate-type cannabis poses specific challenges due to its concentrated form and sensitivity to temperature, moisture, and handling. Concentrations are very sensitive to temperature. Too much exposure to extreme heat may cause them to melt, thereby losing potency.
Edibles: Problems that can arise with the preservation of edible-type cannabis are changes in texture. Edibles are more susceptible to changes in texture, primarily due to changes in temperature or food components.
The general longevity and shelf life of flower-type cannabis can be achieved through proper preservation. The flower, edible, concentrate, and oil-based cannabis can be stored with their general life cycle extended by preservation in an airtight container away from direct sunlight, with minimum contact with the skin for concentrate-based cannabis.
Cannabis can be preserved briefly before immediate or near-future use or for an extended period, typically beyond a few weeks to several months.
Some healthy tips to keep cannabis fresh for immediate use include proper preservation, minimising handling, and avoiding refrigeration.
Preserving weed over an extended period requires careful planning and attention. Please choose an airtight container and divide it into portions instead of storing it in a considerable chunk. Also, store in a dark place away from direct heat and light.
COMMON MISTAKES IN CANNABIS STORAGE
Because of the fragile components that make up cannabis, sometimes errors can be made that shorten its longevity. Some of these errors include grinding in advance. Can weed go bad from advanced grinding? Yes, grinding exposes more surface area to air, which can lead to degradation. Also among the standard errors are exposure to light, storing odorous materials, etc.
The shelf life of weed can be long, but it can be cut short by improper storage practices. So to aid the longevity of your cannabis, avoid freezing and unnecessary tampering with it.
Can cannabis expire? Yes, and once it expires, there is no way of completely restoring degraded cannabis. However, you can salvage some potency by using proper storage and trimming mouldy parts apart from other methods.
EXTENDING THE SHELF LIFE OF CANNABIS
To extend the shelf life of weed and its potency, you can protect it from direct sunlight, ensure proper preservation methods, and also use silica gel packs to help absorb excess moisture and maintain the proper humidity level in your storage container.
Storing weed requires innovation. One such way is to use a vacuum sealer designed for cannabis to remove air and seal in freshness, preventing oxidation and moisture exposure.
Making the most of your cannabis supply and avoiding waste takes proper planning. Invest in high-quality cannabis to ensure you get the most out of it. Also, consume older cannabis first to prevent it from becoming stale or losing potency over time.
CONCLUSION
When considering whether weed can go bad, it is essential to note that cannabis has a finite life. So to get the most out of your cannabis supply, it's essential to prioritise proper weed storage.
To understand how to preserve the cannabis supply effectively, you should understand how cannabis degrades. The key factors that affect cannabis quality are light and air humidity. The best way to combat these factors is to store them in airtight containers, away from light.
Responsible and informed practices to avoid wasting cannabis are essential for individual enjoyment and environmental sustainability. Prioritize quality over quantity and consume older cannabis first to ensure none of your cannabis goes to waste.
Written By: Joy Peter