Does Cannabis "Go Bad?"

Cannabis buds, the portion of the flower you smoke or otherwise consume, is dried and cured as part of the maturation process.

Thus, like many herbs and other plants used as spices or in herbal remedies, cannabis is preserved for a period of time.

Once cured, cannabis remains in storage until transferred to a retail outlet or sold online. After it's sent to a dispensary, it's held in-store until sold. And finally, it's in your personal stockpile until you smoke it.

Now, we're no good at math here at Cannawayz.com, but with so many stops along the way, a lot of time can elapse between ready-to-smoke cannabis flower and when it's actually consumed.

Meanwhile, cannabis can eventually grow stale and ultimately lose potency like any medication, whether natural or synthetic.

So, when it comes to cannabis, how old is "too old?" is there a reliable "expiration date?" And moreover, how can you tell when cannabis has "gone bad?"

These are all great questions, which we get a lot here at Cannawayz.com. And in turn, it prompted us to look at whether cannabis has an expiration date…

The Good News

If harvested, dried, cured, and stored by seasoned professionals, cannabis will never really "go bad."

The Bad News

While professionally cultivated and properly stored cannabis won't spoil, it does lose potency over time.

How Long Does Cannabis Retain Full Potency?

Again, assuming professional cultivation and proper storage, cannabis is generally fully potent for 6 to 12 months.

After a full year, however, cannabis will steadily lose potency. Its active chemical compounds (namely THC, Cannabis's chief intoxicating component), progressively dimmish year after year.

Here's THC's typical decay profile:

1-Year old Cannabis: 16% THC drop

2-Year-old Cannabis: 26% THC drop

3-Year-old Cannabis: 34% THC drop

4-Year-old Cannabis: 41% THC drop

So, don't get too excited if you discover a dried-up bud at the back of your junk draw. You're not likely to feel much if you were to smoke it.

How Can You Preserve Cannabis Longer?

It all comes down to properly storing your cannabis reserves. And in particular, paying closing three key factors…

Excess Humidity

Avoid humidity at all costs. Cannabis stored in humid conditions is subject to mold and rot. And worst of all, consuming moldy or rotten cannabis can make you extremely ill.

Temperature Control

On the flip side of the coin to humidity is temperature. Cannabis should be stored at a cool temperature, as excessive heat will dry out the flower. And in turn, accelerate the breakdown of its chemical compounds.

At the same time, cannabis should not be frozen or refrigerated. Freezing cannabis will have a similar effect to excess heat, accelerating its breakdown. And the temperature fluctuations in refrigerators, caused by opening and closing the door, can result in condensation, a form of humidity that's equally bad for cannabis.

Exposure to Light

UV light can also accelerate the breakdown of chemical compounds in cannabis, diminishing its THC and CBD potency.

Thus, avoiding direct exposure to sunlight is critical to maintaining cannabis potency.

Best Way to Store Cannabis

If you're planning to keep a store of cannabis for 6 to 12 months, avoid plastic bags or large plastic containers. Mold and pests are more likely to invade both of these receptacles. Instead, keep your cannabis sealed up in air-tight glass mason jars. 

And for the actual storage space, a cool, dark spot is ideal. Suitable options include a pantry or utility cabinet.

Don't Worry About Storing Your Cannabis – Have it Delivered!

Of course, keeping a store of cannabis makes sense, so you always have some bud on hand when you're in need.

But are you ever truly "in need" when you can have a cannabis delivery service bring weed to your home basically 24-hours a day, 7 days a week?

Nope! So, why not take advantage of the convenience medical marijuana delivery services and recreational cannabis delivery services offer?

Do a quick search online for "weed delivery near me" to find a provider in your area.

To find a local provider, search online for "weed delivery near me" or "marijuana delivery near me"

Cannawayz.com is a marijuana directory for both medical and recreational users & also for businesses. 

To reach us, dial +1 (866) 217-7297.