Have you ever found an old bag of weed while deep cleaning and wondered, “Is this still safe to smoke?” Or maybe you got a great deal on cannabis flower, but ended up with more than you were able to smoke through. You’re not alone—and if you’re worried about the quality of your weed beyond a few days or weeks, rest assured that it can last for quite some time with the right storage practices.
Find out why it’s important to store your cannabis properly, how to tell if your old weed is still safe to smoke, and if cannabis has an expiration date.
Why Is Cannabis Storage Important?
Proper cannabis storage can significantly increase the shelf life of your flower and concentrates. When your weed container is made from the right materials, it can keep both types of products from drying out or losing potency and flavor over time.
Regardless of how you’re using it or what form it comes in, cannabis is still a plant, and it can “go bad” under certain circumstances.
Can You Store Cannabis in a Plastic Baggie?
Storing your bud in the same plastic bag or container you bought it in may seem good enough. After all, a simple zip-lock had been used for generations before legalization. The term “dime bag” was even used as slang for a $10 sandwich bag of weed. So, why can’t it be good enough now?
The truth is that it was never really good enough; we just didn’t have as much information about plastic as we do now.
Plastic baggies can steal the trichomes on your buds—the cannabinoid- and terpene-filled crystals—since the plastic material carries a slight electric charge. This charge attracts the trichomes and pulls them right off the plant, making your smokable cannabis less potent and flavorful overall.
You’ve probably noticed, especially in reused bags and containers, that there is almost always some sticky bud residue you just can’t remove. Glass doesn’t have this problem, so it’s ideal for long-term cannabis storage.
Best Ways to Store Cannabis and How to Keep Your Weed Fresh
If you’re buying small amounts at a time and know that it won’t last more than a day or two, plastic is usually fine for storing nugs. But if you’re buying enough to last you a week or more, then there are a few things you can do to ensure your weed lasts the longest it can and stays fresh.
Container Materials
If you want to ensure that your cannabis stays potent and doesn’t dry out, get crunchy, or, worse, moldy, then a sealed glass jar or container is essential. A cost-effective and classic option is a mason jar, but even a cleaned-out, empty pickle jar will do the trick.
You might see special “stash” containers in smoke shops or online, but they aren’t necessary since glass is the standard for cannabis storage. These products claim to maintain proper humidity for optimal preservation of cannabinoids and terpenes, but unless you plan to keep your bud for years, it’s not a necessary expense.
Temperature and Humidity
The ideal temperature for storing cannabis is 70°F (21°C) or below. Unless you live in a hotter climate, room temperature is usually sufficient for general storage.
Humidity is important, too, with 55 – 65% being the sweet spot. The air-tight container keeps the herb from oxidizing, and protecting it from light keeps your THC from converting into non-psychoactive CBN. With too much humidity or exposure to oxygen, you’ll risk your bud drying out in the short term or molding in the long term.
Light Exposure
Since the UV rays in sunlight can speed up the degradation of weed over time due, it’s ideal to keep your cannabis products in a cool, dark place like a cabinet or drawer.
Should You Store Weed in the Fridge or Freezer?
The answer: No … and no.
The humidity and temperature in a fridge can fluctuate far too much, leaving your bud at a higher risk for molding. The freezer may seem like a great idea, but freezing bud can cause a higher loss of trichomes than storing it in plastic—even worse if you’ve done both.
However, some cannabis products can be frozen with no issue. If you’re looking to make hash, you’d be on the right track to freeze it for a while and have it still hold its potency and flavor.
Short-Term vs Long-Term Cannabis Storage
When it comes to storing cannabis, most of us are thinking in the short-term, anywhere from a few days to a few weeks or months at most. However, if you’re growing at home or happen to catch a really great deal on your favorite strain, you may find yourself with more than you can reasonably consume in the foreseeable future.
You can use humidification pods or similar products in your glass containers to keep your weed in that 55 – 65% humidity sweet spot. Storing a jar of cannabis in a closet or pantry is ideal, but be careful to keep it away from appliances like your stove, washer/dryer, water heater, or anything that produces excess heat.
Note: While your cannabis isn’t likely to go bad with proper storage conditions, it does lose potency over time. According to one study, cannabis potency decreases significantly year after year, losing as much as 16% in a single year and becoming almost half as potent after 4 years.
Does Weed Expire?
While the potency of weed will decrease over time, the herb itself has a long shelf life from a consumer standpoint. While dispensaries aren’t likely to sell cannabis that’s a couple of years old, you can certainly smoke the bud you’ve been storing for that long; just be aware it won’t be nearly as potent as it was when you first bought or grew it.
Unlike a lot of things that have strict expiration dates, weed doesn’t necessarily expire outright. However, it can become less desirable as time goes on. Older buds are likely to be dry, crunchy, and less flavorful, and the effects may be less noticeable.
You can use good storage techniques to preserve it for a longer shelf life when necessary, but most sources agree that cannabis is best if used within six months to a year after it was initially cured and packaged for sale.
Is it Safe to Smoke Old Weed?
The only time that old weed is unsafe to smoke is if you find mold on it while inspecting it—as long as your bud is free of mold, it doesn’t really matter how old it is; you can safely smoke it. If you find anything that looks off, especially white patches throughout the bud, it is likely moldy and should be thrown away.
Keep in mind that when smoking old flower, it’s likely to be much harsher to inhale and less flavorful and potent than it once was.
The Shelf Life of Cannabis Flower vs Concentrates vs Edibles
The shelf life of cannabis flower and concentrates like wax and shatter are more or less the same: best if used within six months.
These products will lose potency over time, especially after being stored for a year or longer. Proper storage is essential for maintaining a longer shelf life, especially for flower, which can be prone to molding. Storage for cannabis concentrates follows the same guidelines: they should be kept in a cool, dark place with stable temperature and humidity.
Edibles, on the other hand, follow the same rule of thumb as any similar food product. For example, a pack of gummies will outlast a chocolate bar, and a chocolate bar will outlast a baked good. Don’t eat edibles that are past their expiration date, just as you wouldn’t eat other food items past their expiration dates.
Shop Exclusive For Fresh and Frosty Flower in Michigan
No matter how you store it, the quality of your cannabis is always what matters most, especially if you plan to stock up and store your favorite strains when you find them. Check out our Exclusive guide to cannabis flower to learn more.
Or, shop Exclusive to find a wide variety of premium Michigan flower, concentrates, and edibles. We have something to fit all your needs at a price that won’t break the bank—find quality weed in-store or online, or order delivery for extra convenience.
