How Long Does Cannabis Last?
Dried cannabis should be kept in a cool, dark, dry place for six months to a year. Cannabis shelf life is approximately one year when properly stored. After one year, cannabis loses approximately 16% THC, after two years 26%, after three years 34%, and after four years 41%. Try our kootenayz exoticz and rotten runtz strain.
To maintain the potency and freshness of cannabis flowers, cannabis oils, and other cannabis products, medical marijuana patients that require strong and potent relief as well as recreational users who desire for a premium experience should utilize proper storage methods.
Is My Cannabis Old?
How can you tell if your marijuana has gone bad? Do you have strong marijuana, or has it lost all of its potency? Old weed may still be potent in many situations, although it may have a faint fragrance or no scent at all. Here are some methods for determining the quality of your cannabis.
Appearance
Older marijuana may appear dry, thin, and uninteresting when compared to fresh marijuana. Consider its hue, trichome density, and texture. It’s far beyond prime if it crumbles between your fingertips or is too spongy and wet.
Aroma
The smell of marijuana deteriorates as it ages. If the cannabis is moldy, it might have a musty or hay-like aroma. Compare its scent to how it smelled when you first received it using your nose. Old cannabis may be harsh to smoke and has an unpleasant odor.
Effects
When it comes to potency, old cannabis has a different chemical profile than the fresh stuff. Old marijuana can have a greater amount of cannabinol (CBN), a THC byproduct, and less terpenes. The “entourage effect,” in which all components interact and the product’s overall strength is diminished.
Freezing Cannabis
Cannabis can be kept for a long time if frozen. Freezing, on the other hand, might cause trichome glands to fracture and break off with the slightest movement. If you’re storing cannabis in the freezer, avoid handling it or handling it gently and allow some time to thaw before using it.
Although vacuum sealing can help to keep your trichomes, it might also compress your buds. You may inject carbon dioxide or nitrogen into a container in order to remove air. There must be two openings, one for the gas to enter and another for the ambient air to escape through after the holes are sealed.
Shouldered containers are less prone to cracking than shoulderless ones, therefore they’re preferable. Pack only enough weed for a one-week supply and leave the rest of your frozen or stored goods undisturbed for the greatest results. This helps to keep your stash fresher for longer by keeping the lid closed more often.
How Should I Be Storing My Weed, Anyway?
Light, humidity, temperature, and oxygen can all have an effect on cannabis and its fragrance, flavor, and potency potential. Here’s what you need to know about storing marijuana to keep it fresh and preserve its quality for as long as possible.
Choose the right container
Ditch plastic baggies and tubs. Static from plastic can harm delicate trichomes, which produce cannabinoids and terpenes, as well as alter potency. Also forget about those tiny tins since they allow in too much oxygen.
The best containers for keeping marijuana are mason jars with an airtight seal. They don’t attract static electricity and restrict oxygen exposure. Plus, they’re cheap and readily available. Most dispensaries also sell storage containers that keep weed fresh for a long time.
Hash and Wax
The life of the extract or concentrate is determined by how much flower there is. However, just like cannabis flowers, you must keep hash and wax stored in a cool, dry location with little sunshine to avoid cannabinoids and terpenes from decaying and mold from forming.
The most plant material is present in hashish, so it has a similar shelf life as flower (about 18 months, maybe a little longer). Hashish might mold if improperly stored. Waxes, budder, and shatter can potentially last up to two years when properly stored and will lose potency after about 12-18 months.
Cannabis Edibles
Perishable ingredients, such as eggs and milk, are common in edibles. Brownies and cakes, for example, will only last two to three days when prepared at home and kept in an airtight container. When cannabis edibles from dispensaries are preserved with preservatives, they can keep a bit longer in the packaging but will still have a use-by-date.
Cannabis-infused sweets may endure considerably longer than baked goods, typically lasting between six and nine months due to the lack of perishables. All edibles should be kept in a cold, dry location away from direct sunlight in their original packaging.
Rick Simpson Oil
Rick Simpson Oil, like tinctures, is frequently produced using an alcohol infusion technique. This method allows Rick Simpson oil to have a ten-year shelf life under proper storage conditions.
Does Cannabis Actually Expire?
Yes, cannabis products expire. The long answer, as usual, is a little more complicated. One of the most important factors affecting the longevity of dried cannabis flowers is how they are stored.
Proper storage is all about a few elements, including container material and light exposure. Glass containers keep your flowers fresher longer than plastic or paper-based ones, and they have lids that are secure. To slow the deterioration of THC and terpenes, store these containers in a dark closet, drawer, pantry, or top cupboard cabinet with little light exposure.
Despite what you may have heard, don’t keep your products in the fridge or freezer. You risk quality rather than preserving freshness. “The temperature and humidity of various refrigerators vary, which isn’t ideal for maintaining the quality of your marijuana,” High Times points out. Freezing your cannabis isn’t any better; it raises the probability of terpene and cannabinoid-rich trichomes detaching from your buds. Neither is great.
Cannabis flowers can last up to a year or, according to some experts, up to ten years when properly kept and protected. With such a wide range, some industry professionals propose thinking of dried cannabis expiration dates in the same way as “best before dates.”