How Long Does Weed Last? Prevent Potency Loss & Stale Weed

A cannabis bud and cannabis powder with a clock and calendar in the background

Does weed lose potency? How long does weed last? Every herb lover has had these questions at some point. And while there are overarching answers, multiple factors are at play that affect the plant’s quality in the long run.

Along with these questions are myths that many people subscribe to. If you’ve been around cannabis circles long enough, you’ve likely heard about some of these suggestions to keep your buds from going bad. 

3 common myths about keeping weed fresh

Nonetheless, these misconceptions are worth knowing to keep you from wasting time on them. Here are three common ones: 

Myth #1: Storing weed in the fridge keeps it fresh

Cannabis buds in a glass jar stored in a fridge with groceries

Refrigerators work well with food and beverages but not with weed. The biggest reason is that the added moisture from the cold makes them a breeding ground for mould. 

Experts recommend storing weed at temperatures between 15-20°C (60-70°F). And since refrigerators usually operate at a much lower 4°C (40°F) to prevent bacteria growth, using them for storage is a huge no-no. 

Myth #2: Plastic bags are likewise a viable storage option

Cannabis buds stored in two plastic bags

Weed in sealable baggies is a common sighting in movies. And while it serves the purpose of temporary storage, keeping buds in something flimsy like a plastic bag can cause them to dry up faster. 

If you must use a plastic bag, store it inside another airtight container to help prolong their fresh state. More on this later. 

Myth #3: Cannabis gets better with age

Dried cannabis buds stalked on black clock hands

Some also believe that cannabis, like fine wine, gets better with age. While weed does reach peak potency after six months, especially when correctly cured, the decline begins to happen after the first year. And guess what? The dip only worsens as time passes. 

The following section gives a clearer idea of how much deterioration happens over time. 

The cannabis potency timeline

THC’s degradation begins upon harvest when the plants can no longer rely on the roots and soil for nutrients. One visible sign of deterioration is in the trichomes, the hair-like structure on the plant’s surface. They start as milky white during the flowering stage, then gradually turn amber after harvest.

This colour change signals a decline in cannabinoid quality. It’s a similar process to browning leaves as they age. 

A person in blue gloves with tweezers investigating a cannabis bud under a microscope

When THC degrades, it gets converted into cannabinol or simply CBN. It is a cannabinoid described by scientific journals as “weakly psychotropic” but is likewise a potentially effective anticonvulsant and sedative.

Scientific studies show that light exposure and air oxidation are potential factors in the degradation of cannabinoids. But if you stow your stash accordingly, they can last up to a year. 

Further studies have noted the amount of THC lost on buds after a specific period:

  • One year: 16%
  • Two years: 26%
  • Three years: 34%
  • Four years: 41%

THC degradation is a natural process in the plant’s life cycle, but you can slow it down. Likewise, if you want to maximise the potency of your cannabis plants, consume them within a year.

The following section discusses how storing weed correctly is essential in prolonging its shelf life.

How to keep weed fresh: The one key factor

Cannabis buds shot out from an overturned glass jar

How long does weed last? To answer this question, let’s get into a topic repeatedly mentioned throughout this piece: proper storage.

If you use an airtight container and keep it inside your cupboard, it will last a while. Weed shops use tightly sealed glass jars for storage because they hold air and moisture out. 

And since the goal is maximum longevity, store the jar in a cool, dark place. Anecdotal evidence from people who swear by this method have reported desirable results and highly recommend this practice.

But if you grow your own weed, you’re likely left with large stashes and many excess buds lying around. In this next section, we will provide some signs to look for when deciding whether to toss or keep them.

Tell-tale signs of stale weed

You don’t have to be a cannabis expert to know whether you’re dealing with a stale weed stash. All you need is your five senses. 

1. The visual cues

An African American woman looking at a small jar with dried cannabis buds

Fresh buds are bright, almost radiant, with frosty, crystal-like trichomes resembling morning dew. Their visual appeal makes them picture-perfect, like the images you see in cannabis magazines and websites. 

Stale buds, on the other hand, are the exact opposite. They’re brownish in hue with visible signs of dryness and deterioration. They look like any plant that’s been zapped of all remaining life. 

In the worst cases, you will see signs of mould development. These usually come in greyish spots or white, powder-like substances on the surface.

2. The smell test

A girl with black gloves smelling a dried cannabis flower

The smell of mould is as prominent as it is easy to spot with the naked eye. If you’ve ticked both of these boxes while examining your cannabis plants, throw them out immediately. 

Smoking mouldy weed can lead to a variety of health issues, from nausea and coughing to lung inflammation at worst. Simply put, it’s not worth it.

Stale weed also lacks the potent aroma of a fresh batch, which means you likely won’t get the same kick and bang for your buck.

3. The touch test

A person holding a cannabis bud in a hand and touching it with a thumb

Weed that has been improperly packed for a while will have a similar consistency to dried, fallen leaves. It is brittle and will break apart at the slightest touch of two fingers. 

Remember how these plants were when you first got them in their freshest form? Newly cured buds have a slightly sticky sensation and an aroma that slaps you in the face. Stale cannabis, meanwhile, feels empty of substance. 

But don’t throw them out just yet because you can still make good use of them. We will also cover this in a later section.

4. The snap (or lack thereof)

A person holding a cannabis bud snaping a part of the bud

Yes, you can use certain sounds as indicators for the quality of weed you’re dealing with. Old buds in their dried-up states have a crackly sound when you rip them apart with your fingers. 

Meanwhile, extra moist weed will make no sound at all. Mould development is another issue to deal with, especially with incorrect handling. 

Buds that have been cured and dried to perfection and stored correctly will have a noticeable snap. This is the sound to look for.  

5. The last resort: smoke test

A man with a beard smoking a joint against the black background

Mould can sometimes appear inconspicuous, and you may be inhaling it without noticing. The smoke test is the last resort to minimise these risks. 

But if you’ve cleared all boxes for mould and remain unsure, spark it up. The harsh smoke on your throat and stagnant taste will hit you immediately. 

The worst part of it all is that you won’t get high. It’s a less pleasant experience, which you could avoid altogether.

As previously mentioned, stale weed has some uses, which the following section discusses. 

What to do with old weed

If you see no signs of mould development on your parched, tasteless buds, they are still safe to consume. Here are some of the ways to make use of that forgotten stash.

1. Turn them into tinctures

Cannabis tincture in a glass bottle with overturned jar with cannabis buds

Cannabis tinctures aren’t as harsh on the lungs as smoking and have a shorter lead time before kicking in compared to edibles. You can also cook with them or use them as an ingredient for other infused products like cannabis honey.

Tinctures are very easy to make. You can make a homemade batch if you have half an ounce of stale weed lying around, along with some food-grade ethanol and coconut oil. This could be your next kitchen DIY project.

2. Vaporise them

A black vaporizer and three dried cannabis flowers against the grey surface

Many prefer vaporisers over joints or pipes because they do not involve combustion. Instead, they heat the buds just enough to activate the cannabinoids and elicit those much-wanted effects. 

The downside of vaporising stale weed is that you won’t get the same flavourful experience. But at the very least, you put them to use and save yourself the guilt of throwing them out. 

3. Make edibles

Cried cannabis buds on cannabis brownies on a white plate

Many cannabis connoisseurs would tell you that making edibles is the best way to utilise an unfresh weed stash. For one, you would be in for a tasty experience if you do it right. 

But more importantly, you get a stronger psychotropic kick regardless of how much your buds have gone down in quality. 

That’s because ingested weed passes through the gastrointestinal tract and liver before entering the bloodstream. In the process, the THC turns into a more potent metabolite called 11-hydroxy-THC.

This is called the first-pass effect. Ultimately, it results in more extended, harder-hitting periods of inebriation. 

These days, cannabis edibles aren’t limited to desserts. You can also make savoury options for a more expansive repertoire of meals.

4. Keep the kief

A white spatula and cannabis kief on a black surface

If you’ve opened the bottom of your grinder, you’ve likely come across the dust-like substance that’s been collected over time. For the uninitiated reader, that is called kief

It’s easy to dismiss the sifted kief as scraps to throw away, especially from stale weed. But that can’t be further from the truth. 

Kief also contains trichomes, the resinous material on the plant’s surface. These include the terpenes that give it flavour and aroma and the cannabinoids that give it a head and/or body high. In short, it is likewise highly potent. 

You can use kief differently by adding it as an extra layer on top of ground buds or decarboxylating it to infuse it with edible ingredients. Many also prefer to turn it into hash.

5. Resurrection: Rehydrate old weed

A cannabis flower nested between oranges, lemons and a lime

If you don’t feel like going the extra step to turn stale weed into another form, rehydration is another option. As the name suggests, it involves bringing back just the right amount of moisture to the withered plant material. 

Adding citrus peels to the mix is one go-to rehydration method. Simply drop an orange or lemon peel into your weed jar and leave it in for at least 24 hours. You will notice your supposedly dying buds regain some life. 

Citrus peels also add some extra tangy flavours, which could enhance the overall smoking experience. Consider this a new life hack. 

Weed lasts for as long as you want it to

Dried cannabis buds and two joints arranged to look like a clock and clock hands

Ultimately, you’re in control. Hopefully, this article can help you forget those misconceptions and better understand proper weed storage for a longer shelf life.

Now, it’s your turn, dear reader. We would like to hear some of your tips that could be useful for your fellow herb lovers out there. Share them in the comments below!

Comments

1 thought on “How Long Does Weed Last? Prevent Potency Loss & Stale Weed”

  1. Getglass.us

    It’s really a very helpful guide on how long weed lasts and how to prevent potency loss! Of course, proper storage is definitely key: keeping it in the cool, dark space in an airtight container makes all the difference in preserving freshness and flavor. Nobody likes stale weed, so these tips are super useful for keeping quality intact. Thanks for sharing this information!

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    Sensi Seeds

    The Sensi Seeds Editorial team has been built throughout our more than 30 years of existence. Our writers and editors include botanists, medical and legal experts as well as renown activists the world over including Lester Grinspoon, Micha Knodt, Robert Connell Clarke, Maurice Veldman, Sebastian Maríncolo, James Burton and Seshata.
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