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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nToday, consumers enjoy much easier access to cannabis as a result of its expanding legalization across the country. <\/strong>With this comes the luxury of being able to stock up on our favorite strains to make sure we have enough for a rainy day, so to speak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Naturally, this brings up questions like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, if you like to accumulate and store your weed – to enjoy at a later date, we\u2019re going to share some tips on how to maximize the life of your cannabis products. Let\u2019s begin by answering the question: does weed get old?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It is the flower of the cannabis plant that is rich in THC. It\u2019s this cannabis flower that\u2019s commonly referred to as weed. And just like any other type of flower its shelf life is limited. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a time after harvest, when cannabis flower will be at its peak when it comes to flavor, freshness, and effects. Then, as time passes, its potency, flavor, and potential health benefits will slowly be degraded. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, cannabis flower can reach a point where it is considered expired. After some time, your weed will degrade to the point where it will provide little, to no, medicinal or recreational benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The same is true for various types of cannabis products. Some last longer than others, but ultimately, all cannabis products will reach a point where you are better off throwing it away and buying some fresh stuff. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you take the steps to properly store your cannabis flower, it is possible to extend the life of your weed. This would require that you store it in an airtight container. You\u2019ll also want to keep that container in a place where your bud is protected from sunlight, heat, and moisture. We\u2019ll talk about the best types of containers in a bit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you store your weed the right way, it is possible that it could retain most of its flavor and effects for up to six months.<\/strong> After that it will begin to degrade. As far as how quickly this happens, here\u2019s what research has to say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 1999, researchers at the University of Mississippi found that the THC in cannabis loses about 16% of potency after one year, and 26% after two years. After four years, the potency of cannabis drops by 41%.1<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s say you\u2019ve held on to your weed for a bit too long. Now, you might wonder if it\u2019s still good. Here are three things you can consider to help determine if your weed is expired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you open your container of cannabis flower and notice a pleasant aroma, that\u2019s a good sign that your weed is still good.<\/strong> If you open your cannabis container and don\u2019t smell anything, then it\u2019s possible your weed has expired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your weed looks yellow or brown, or has a dull look to it, that\u2019s a sign your cannabis may be old.<\/strong> If your weed has a dull gray or white powdery appearance, that could be an indication of mold. If you think this might be the case, give it a quick sniff. If it smells like mildew or hay, you may have moldy weed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your cannabis flower should not be dry and brittle.<\/strong> If you give your flower a gentle squeeze and it crumbles, that\u2019s a sign your weed might be expired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sure, it is possible to smoke or vape your old weed but you probably don\u2019t want to do that. Here\u2019s why. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only will this old weed provide a poor cannabis experience, but you\u2019ll also miss out on the potential health and recreational benefits of the cannabinoids and terpenes in your marijuana.<\/strong> You\u2019ll likely end up with some harsh smoke that has no flavor and leaves you feeling tired. Yes, cannabis infused edibles do expire – especially baked goods which contain milk and eggs.<\/strong> If you make your own cannabis cookies or brownies at home, they can expire after a few days. The cannabis-infused baked goods you buy at the dispensary may last a bit longer, due to the use of preservatives, but will also expire. The expiration date will usually be listed on the product wrapper or package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other types of edibles, like candies and gummies, will last longer. Generally, you can expect your THC gummies and candies to be good anywhere between six months to a year.<\/strong> Time to expiration will vary according to product, so be sure to always check the expiration date of your edible before consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The term \u201ccarts\u201d refers to cannabis vape cartridges. Other names for vape cartridges include THC carts and weed carts. These cartridges are filled with cannabis infused oils and concentrates that have a much longer shelf life than cannabis flower or THC edibles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although cannabis vape cartridges, or vape carts, have a longer shelf life than flower – they can still expire. If stored properly, the oil or concentrate in weed carts can last anywhere from two to three years. This is for vape carts that are properly stored and have not been used. Once you start to use your weed cartridge, its shelf life can be much shorter.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more: Why Does My Vape Cart Oil Turn Dark Brown?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the best things you can do to extend the life of your cannabis flower is to pay attention to how you store it. The main goals – when it comes to proper weed storage – are to protect it from: air, moisture, heat, and sunlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many dispensaries package their cannabis flower in plastic containers. These containers do a decent job of keeping air and light out, but aren\u2019t best for storing your buds over the long term.<\/strong> That\u2019s because plastic has a static charge that can affect the trichomes in your bud. If you plan on storing your cannabis for longer than a few days, you\u2019ll need to find a better option than those plastic containers many dispensaries use.<\/strong> As we mentioned earlier, the main goals when storing your weed are to protect it from air, moisture, heat, and sunlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Storing your cannabis in glass mason jars with an airtight lid is a great way to protect it from air and moisture. Besides glass, ceramic containers with air-tight lids can also be a great option.<\/strong> One nice thing about ceramic containers is that they can also help to block out sunlight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Certain mason jars have an anti-UV coating that can block sunlight. Although they might cost a little more than regular mason jars, they do a good job of protecting your weed from the sun\u2019s UV rays, which can degrade the potency of your cannabis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your glass mason jar doesn’t have a UV protective tint, you can store your jar in a dark closet or wrap a towel around it to protect it from sunlight. If you\u2019re thinking of using a metal tin instead of a glass or ceramic container, keep in mind that metals can negatively impact the flavor of your bud. Airtight glass or ceramic containers, on the other hand, can preserve your weed – without impacting its flavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Putting weed in the freezer could be a good option for those looking to preserve their cannabis flower.<\/strong> In fact, that 1999 study by researchers at the University of Mississippi found that freezing your weed can reduce the degradation of THC to only 4% in a year, compared to the 16% degradation for flower that is not frozen.1<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n Freezing cannabis flower should only be an option if you\u2019re looking to store it for a month or two – any longer can result in freezer burn.<\/strong> Before placing your bud in the freezer, you\u2019ll need to store it in an airtight, freezer-safe container. When you\u2019re ready to defrost your cannabis, gently remove the container you have it in from the freezer. We say gently, because at this point your frozen weed will be brittle and any rough handling can cause precious trichomes to get knocked off your cannabis flower. Because consuming the right mix of cannabinoids and terpenes could be the key to unlocking an enhanced cannabis experience known as the entourage effect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Does Weed Get Old?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Does Weed Expire?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.bloommarijuana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/old-weed-692x1400-1-1024x506.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow Long Does Weed Last?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Are Some Signs of Old Weed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.bloommarijuana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/signs-of-old-weed-692x1400-1-1024x506.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow Does It Smell? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Does It Look? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Does It Feel? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can You Smoke Old Weed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not uncommon for those who smoke old weed to get headaches. Even worse, you could end up smoking some moldy weed. So, when in doubt – throw it out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.bloommarijuana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/old-edibles-chocolate-692x1400-1-1024x506.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDo Edibles Expire?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Do Carts Expire?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Do Weed Carts Expire?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"vape-carts\"](\"https:\/\/blog.bloommarijuana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/why-does-my-vape-cart-turn-dark-brown-1024x535.jpg\")
<\/figure>How to Store Weed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Trichomes are those little hair-like structures you see on your flower. The static charge can attract trichomes and cause them to fall off your flower and stick to the plastic. This static charge can also degrade the THC in your flower. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to Preserve Weed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.bloommarijuana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/cannabis-in-jars-692x1400-1-1024x506.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBest Weed Jars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Failure to protect your weed from sunlight can lead to the THC in your cannabis being degraded into CBN (cannabinol).<\/strong> If that happens, instead of enjoying the uplifting and medicinal benefits of your weed, you\u2019ll probably just end up feeling sleepy and tired.
Besides UV light, something else that can degrade the quality of your weed is heat. So, make sure you store your weed somewhere cool away from the heat and light, like a dark closet. The ideal temperature is said to be between 60 – 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Also, make sure that the air-tight seal for the lid of your jar is in good working order and secured properly.<\/strong> If there\u2019s a crack in the seal, or if the lid is not secured correctly, this can let air and moisture into your jar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.bloommarijuana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/can-you-freeze-cannabis-692x1400-1-1024x506.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCan You Freeze Weed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s also a good idea to make note of the date you froze your cannabis flower on your freezer-safe bag or jar. Once you place it in the freezer, you\u2019ll want to leave it there until you\u2019re ready to enjoy it.
Avoid freezing it and then removing it from the freezer to break off a few nugs – then placing it back in the freezer.<\/strong> This kind of back and forth action – where your marijuana is thawed and refrozen – is a sure way to accelerate its degradation. That\u2019s because when you open your container, you\u2019re reintroducing oxygen into the container. And oxygen can be a cause of freezer burn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember, trichomes are those tiny crystal hair-like structures you see on your cannabis flower. Not only are trichomes rich in cannabinoids – but they\u2019re also rich in terpenes. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy are terpenes so important?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.bloommarijuana.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/entourage-effect-cannabis-1024x506.jpg\")
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