The Basics

How long is weed good for? 

Cannabis can stay pretty fresh for a surprisingly long time under ideal storage conditions such as airtight glass containers. If it's been adequately harvested, dried, cured, and then stored, you can expect your weed to stay fresh for anywhere from six months to a year. In some cases, you can extend that timeframe for two years, but that’s not easy--you have to have excellent conditions.

What Happens as Marijuana Ages?

Over time, many cannabinoids and terpenes found in Cannabis start to break down and lose potency slowly.

As the terpenes begin to digress, your bud will lose flavor and scent. At some point you will begin to notice a relatively tasteless bud, lacking the original sharp and distinctive odor.

Additionally, as weed breaks down over time, so does the THC.

Researchers at the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime found that the rate of THC loss among Cannabis is as followed:

• 1 Year, weed loses roughly 16% of its THC.
• 2 Years in storage results in a loss of 26% of its THC.
• 3 Years, weed loses 34% of its THC.
• 4 Years, weed loses 41% of its THC.

How Do I Tell if My Weed Is Bad?

So you want to know if your weed is bad? Here are the first signs to look for:

• Can you see mold? If your weed was too moist or humid at any point, it can grow mold, which you shouldn't smoke.
• Is your bud dry? Is it crumbled to dust? If your answer is yes, it's too old.
• Does it smell fresh? You'll find old marijuana will lack the scent of fresh weed.
• Is your bud spongy and doesn't make any sounds when pulled apart? It could be damp or and moldy. Don't smoke moldy weed.

Will Smoking Old Weed Make Me Sick?

If you find that your weed has gone bad, it's not the end of the world. Truth is, you can still smoke it. But as a heads up, it most likely won't taste excellent, and there’s a good chance it will lack potency depending on how much the cannabinoids have already broken down.

But smoking old weed won't make you sick or kill you, with the exception of moldy marijuana. Smoking cannabis has never killed from what the popular literature suggests, mold on the other hand has. We stick to the rule of thumb here at Planted Wealth, steer clear of moldy weed.

How Do I Keep My Weed Fresh for Longer?

So now that we are familiar with the decay rate of THC, let's dive into how we can preserve our bud for as long as possible. These Do's and Don'ts will help you practice proper storage techniques.

Do's

• Store out of direct sunlight in a cool and dry place
• Store in containers, like glass mason jars. 
• You can use hygrometers or products like Boveda to monitor and control relative humidity levels.
• Minimize oxygen exposure by vacuum sealing jars and containers.
• Separate your strains to maintain their flavor profiles and label them so you don't mix up your strains.
• Smoke it in a timely fashion!
  

Don'ts

• Store in the refrigerator. The fluctuations in humidity and temperature can increase your chance of mold and mildew. If you do refrigerate, vacuum-seal completely. 
• Store in the freezer. The freezing temperatures will cause the fragile trichomes to become brittle and break off. If you do freeze, vacuum-seal completely.
• Store in cheap plastic bags or containers. Plastic can have a static charge that will attract precious trichomes. If you must use a plastic bag, only use it for short-term storage.
• Store above - or around - electronics or appliances that give off heat. 
• Store your grinders, pipes, or other paraphernalia with your Cannabis. The ash and resin from burnt Cannabis tend to linger and will stink up any storage container.
  

More Specifically

Flower

We like to store cannabis in a glass Mason jar or something specifically designed for marijuana. Keep the lid tight on, and store it in a cool dark area.

Edibles

We usually keep them in their original packaging, away from open-air and direct light, and in a cool location. We’ve seen chocolate, candies, and gummies all melt, some faster than others.

Concentrates

Again, we store our concentrates in containers explicitly designed for concentrates. Which are typically made from glass, silicone, or similar materials. Keep in a cool, dark area.

Vape Pens

Vape pens are usually good in your pocket, but be careful leaving them in your car when it’s hot outside. Further, try to keep them out of direct sunlight. As a last bit, if you can keep the vapes upright, the oil at the cartridge's bottom will be ready for immediate use.

Conclusion

If stored properly, weed shouldn't go bad. We think it’s best to keep your weed in a sealed container away from heat, moisture, and sunlight. If you can keep your weed in a stable condition it should stay potent for about a year. Happy blazing.