All things, including THC, the euphoric element in cannabis, are destroyed by time. Buds and concentrates would last for a long time if properly stored, but the strength of the high and flavor may vary. But when it comes to cannabis, how long does it take to go bad?
We’ve all come upon a bag of weed on the bedside table or at the back of a cabinet and questioned if we should smoke it. It can be smoked if it’s a touch brown and crusty. We can’t promise it won’t be stronger than you’d prefer, though.
If it’s been damp for the last year, for example, it’s probably not worth trying. If they’ve been stored in a cold, dry environment, they may still have a significant quantity of THC in their trichomes. The following are some estimates of when THC will most likely degrade:
- 16 percent after a year
- 26 percent after two years
- 34 percent in 3 years
- 41 percent in 4 years
Weed does have an expiration, but not for a long time. Consider it a delicacy, even if it’s not quite as effective as you recall.
Luckily, several obvious indicators might help you determine if your pot has lost its value, just like with food. If your weed is only a few years old, it will look dead and dried out. Look to see if:
- The coloration is brown
- It’s crusty and dry
- It appears less full
These signs, on the other hand, don’t necessarily mean there’s something wrong with it; they’re probably a good sign that it’s okay to smoke. However, if your weed has mold on it, or if it is slightly damp or blackened, you should discard it.
It’s normal for old weed to smell a lot less than it used to, so don’t be alarmed if it’s odorless. It may even develop a faintly earthy odor. If it’s generated any new, foul-smelling aromas, this is probably a bad sign.
Because THC degrades into CBN, the CBN level will have risen. The properties of CBN are not psychoactive in the strictest sense, although anecdotal evidence suggests that it has a sedative effect. As a result, it’s likely to be less energizing and peppy than most cannabis, and it’s not as strong or psychoactive as THC.
Old cannabis will feel crumbly and dry, and it will ground up easily.
Marijuana that has past its prime might even become moist or wet. In this case, do away with it.
Look for any fuzzy white spots or other unusual colors. It’s also likely to have an off-putting odor. Use basic logic; if your instincts tell you something isn’t right, believe them. You wouldn’t want to be caught smoking moldy marijuana!
THC undergoes a chemical change as cannabis starts to go bad. Cannabis is often collected when the THCA level is thought to be at its peak. THCA is the predecessor to THC, and once it is decarboxylated(heating), it forms THC.
Further modifications occur when THCA or THC are exposed to the environment or Ultraviolet light for a lengthy period. Both compounds are renamed CBNA and CBN at this point. The greater the concentration of novel molecules against old compounds, the longer you leave the cannabis. Although CBN isn’t harmful to your health, it is unique, and unique isn’t necessarily desirable.
THC concentrates, not just cannabis flowers, are susceptible to spoilage. Although cannabis dabs and wax might go bad faster than the original cannabis flower, it doesn’t mean you’re smoking marijuana. If it has a strong weed-like odor, the terpenes are fading away. You’ll probably have a bad taste, but the cannabis concentration won’t be affected.
As cannabis ages, it undergoes a chemical reaction that decreases the quality of the herb for several smokers. In contrast to wines and whiskies, cannabis does not improve with age.