Sadly, cannabis flower can’t stay fresh forever.

Even if you store your stash in an airtight container away from direct sunlight, it will still eventually expire. After this point, it won’t have the effects that you want — and it might also be a hotspot for mold growth.

Safe, fun cannabis consumption starts with knowing how long your flower can last and how to keep it fresh for as long as possible. Read below to learn about the shelf life of your favorite cannabis products and how to store them properly.

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Does Weed Go Bad?

Just like any other plant, cannabis flower has a limited shelf life.

Eventually, the cannabinoids in your flower will break down, which means it will lose its psychoactive effects. After this point, the flower doesn’t have much use anymore.

After the cannabinoids in cannabis flower degrade, the plant can break down even more. Cannabis plant material may get moldy over time, which makes it unsafe to smoke or use to make edibles.

What Makes Cannabis Expire?

Time is the biggest factor that makes cannabis lose its potency, but there’s more to it.

Here are some of the other causes of cannabis expiration:

• Light:

  UV rays can break down the cannabinoids and terpenes that give cannabis its potency, flavor, and aroma. That’s why we recommend a cool, dark place for cannabis storage. If you can help it, avoid leaving your flower out on the counter for too long.

• Humidity and Heat:

  Too much moisture can lead to mildew and mold growth on your flower. In addition, storing your cannabis in a particularly hot spot can dry out the flower and make it crumbly.

• The Wrong Container:

  Cannabis stays fresh for longer when you seal it in an airtight container. Plastic bags and mason jars are two popular options, but we’ll talk about potential issues with these storage methods later.

When you store cannabis the right way, using an airtight container and monitoring temperature and humidity levels, you’ll most likely end up with a longer-lasting flower and a better smoking experience overall.

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How To Spot Moldy Weed

Knowing how to check your cannabis for signs of mold can help you avoid getting sick.

However, spotting mold on cannabis isn’t always as easy as you might think.

The biggest pitfall here is confusing trichomes — the sticky, crystalline formations on the leaves and buds of cannabis flower — for mold. Trichomes sometimes look shiny and glittery, but mold tends to have a dull, gray-white appearance and a powdery texture.

If you can’t tell whether you’re looking at mold or trichomes, try giving the flower a quick sniff. Mold has a funky, musty smell that isn’t anything like the typical aroma of cannabis.

Can You Remove Mold From Cannabis Flower?

Sadly, there’s no way to remove the moldy bits from your cannabis flower and smoke what’s left. You might be tempted to cut off the visible mold and salvage the rest, but it’s too risky for us to recommend.

The main reason to avoid cutting moldy parts off of your flower is simple: mold can have a deep impact on the scent and flavor of your cannabis — even the parts of the plant that are only indirectly affected.

Instead of trying to remove mold from old weed, we recommend ordering some high-quality flower online from the Mood Shop.

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Do Cannabis Concentrates Get Moldy?

Concentrates are powerful cannabis products with high THC content. They usually don’t contain much cannabis plant material, which makes them less vulnerable to mold growth. However, they still eventually reach an expiration date.

The same issues that affect cannabis flower can impact old cannabis concentrates — but usually after a longer period of time.

The minimal plant material in concentrates can give them a longer shelf life, but you’ll still need to take care to store these products well for potency, flavor, and safety.

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How To Keep Weed Fresh and Mold-Free

Your cannabis flower will get old as time goes by — it’s a sad fact of life.

However, there are some simple steps you can take that decrease your risk of ending up with dried out, moldy weed.

Here’s what we recommend for proper storage of flower and most other cannabis products:

Temperature Control

Cannabis stays the freshest when stored at above-freezing temperatures, so we don’t recommend sticking your flower in the freezer — even when it’s sealed in an airtight jar.

Too much cold air can make the trichomes on the flower brittle and even cause them to break off. No trichomes means minimal cannabinoid and terpene content, which in turn means a lousy experience.

Heat can also be an issue for flower. Cannabis thrives at temperatures of between 65 and 80 degrees, but it can dry out beyond this point.

Storing your flower in a sealed container in a temperature-controlled space is the best way to maintain a sweet spot — not too hot and not too cold.

Humidity Control

We mentioned humidity earlier, which is the primary cause of moldy weed.

The best way to avoid this common pitfall is using a dehumidifier or a humidity pack, depending on the relative humidity in your space.

In general, cannabis does best at between 40% and 60% humidity. However, it’s worth knowing that anything over 50% lies within the mold growth danger zone. Any level past 60% can be an extreme mold risk.

The Right Container

In general, a sealable glass jar is your best bet for storing flower.

However, you’ll probably get cannabis in a plastic bag when you pick it up from a dispensary, so you may have to transfer the flower to a new container for the sake of freshness.

It’s worth mentioning that not all glass jars are airtight. You might need to pick up an airtight mason jar lid and replace your current lid to block out humidity.

Our top recommendation for weed storage is to use jars that you already have around the house — with added airtight lids.

Many cannabis enthusiasts skip this crucial step, which can end up exposing the flower to too much humidity and starting the process of mold growth..

FAQs About Cannabis Storage

Q: How long does weed stay good?

A: Cannabis can stay fresh for anywhere between six months and a year when it’s stored well. After the one-year point, you’ll most likely notice a drop in potency, aromas, and flavors, which can make the smoking experience much less rewarding.

Q: Is expired weed safe?

A: Old weed won’t hurt you as long as there isn’t any mold growth on the flower, but it won’t be fun to smoke, either. We recommend throwing out anything in your stash that is over a year old.

Q: Can I get cannabis legally?

A: The Farm Bill changed the way that cannabis is regulated and classified in the US and made it possible to order flower online from many states.

Under this bill, any cannabis product that contains less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight is classified as hemp, while anything above this level is labeled marijuana.

Marijuana is still federally illegal in the United States.

Thanks to the Farm Bill, you can order high-quality hemp products, including flower, concentrates, vapes, and more, from the Mood Shop. Before you order, check your state’s specific regulations for hemp.

Q: Why is moldy weed dangerous?

A: Moldy cannabis can cause some serious short-term and long-term health problems.

In the short term, it can make you feel nauseous and might cause coming. In the long term, moldy weed may lead to a lung infection.

Always play it safe and discard any flower that shows signs of mold growth.

Premium THCa Flower From Mood

The Mood Shop features a wide selection of high-quality cannabis flower, including Indica, Sativa, and hybrid strains.

All of our cannabis is grown with love in the USA and complies with the standards set by the Farm Bill.

Here are some of our top picks for flower:

Pluto Strain

This high-potency Indica hybrid is one of our favorite strains for creative inspiration. If you want to create some incredible art or zone into your work, there’s nothing better.

Grown in California as a crossbreed of Gelato #33 and 1991 Triangle Kush plants, Pluto has a fresh scent of sour lemon, pine, and spicy diesel. It contains 27.62% THCa.

Pick up 1g of Pluto for just $17. Subscribe to save 15%.

Gushers Strain

Gushers is a powerful Indica-dominant hybrid for a classic happy high. With a sweet and citrusy flavor and high THCa content (22.3%), this strain will invigorate you and help you flow through even the most stressful days.

A 60/40 Indica hybrid grown in California, Gushers is a cross between Gelato #41 and Triangle Kush plants. It has a scent of citrus, spicy diesel, and tropical berries.

Grab 3.5g of Gushers for just $54. Subscribe and save 15%.

Dante’s Inferno Strain

Dante’s Inferno has a flavor like strawberries and cream and produces a deeply uplifting and relaxing high. Grown in Washington as a crossbreed of Oreoz and Devil Driver plants, it’s a potent Indica hybrid with an amazing spicy scent.

This strain contains 27.77% THCa and is ideal for experienced cannabis enthusiasts.

Save $25 or more when you order 7g of Dante’s Inferno for just $93. Save 15% when you subscribe.

Visit the Mood Shop to find even more premium cannabis flower and edibles categorized by how they make you feel.

Prices subject to change.