What actually changes over time?
| What degrades | How fast | What you notice |
|---|---|---|
| Terpenes | Fastest — weeks to months | Less smell, less character, a flatter experience |
| THC | Slowly — months to years | Gradually weaker; some converts to CBN |
| Moisture | Depends entirely on the seal | Too dry and it is harsh; too damp and it can grow mould |
How can I tell if it has gone off?
Smell it first. Fresh flower smells like something specific; old flower smells like hay or of nothing at all. Then look: any white, grey or fuzzy growth means throw it away without debate. Then feel it — it should give slightly, not crumble to dust and not feel damp.
Is old cannabis dangerous?
Degraded is not the same as unsafe. Flower that has simply lost its aroma is weaker and duller, not harmful. Mould is the exception and it is not a judgement call: if you can see it, it goes in the bin. This is one of the things our panel screens every batch for before it is sold, but nothing we test for protects a jar left open in a warm room for a year.
What about the other formats?
- Edibles expire like the food they are — go by the date on the pack.
- Vape carts and concentrates last longer than flower but darken and thicken with age; that is oxidation, not spoilage.
- Tinctures are the most stable of all, and generally carry their own best-before date.
Storing it properly is most of the battle. How to store cannabis covers what to keep it in and why a cupboard beats a fridge.
This is not medical advice. Nothing here is a
therapeutic claim, and nobody at Cannalab47 is qualified to give one. Cannabis
affects people differently. Adults 21+ only.
