How Long Can Weed last In A Ziploc

weed in ziploc bag

Keeping cannabis fresh is critical. But how long can weed last in a ziploc plastic baggie?

Weed can last for a few days to two weeks in a ziploc bag.

However, it is not the ideal way to store weed. Plastic bags are not airtight and allow moisture and light to get in. This degrades the quality of your weed.

Read on to discover how to keep weed fresh.

Does Weed Go bad And Can Weed Get Old?

cannabis grey mold botrytis example
Strawberry with grey mold (botrytis)

Yes! Weed does go bad and gets old in three main ways:

  1. Drying Out: Cannabis buds can dry out when exposed to air. They become stale and form a crumbly texture.
  2. Becoming Rancid: Cannabis that is exposed to extreme heat or harsh conditions (like sunlight) will rapidly oxidize (degrade). This causes off-smells and means your weed is rancid.
  3. Mold: If your weed is exposed to excessive humidity, then it can adsorb water. This causes mold to grow. Mold looks like grey fuzzy patches. Throw your weed out if you see this.

Keeping your cannabis fresh in a ziploc bag is not ideal. Ziplock plastic bags are worse than glass to keep weed fresh.

Continue reading for the best options on storing weed and ideas for better storage containers.

Ideal Cannabis Storage Conditions

  • Moisture: Weed is susceptible to mold and mildew, so it is important to keep it in a cool, dry place. If your weed gets too moist, it can develop mold and become unusable. Avoid excessive moisture environments like bathrooms.
  • Light: UV light will degrade the quality of weed. It is important to store your weed in a dark, cool place to protect it from light.
  • Temperature: Weed should be stored at a cool temperature. This prevents the THC from oxidizing. The ideal temperature for storing weed is between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat degrades all cannabis strains.
  • Scent: Weed has a strong scent that can attract pests. It is important to store your weed in a sealed container to keep it fresh and to prevent it from attracting pests.

Best Ways to Store Cannabis Flowers (In order)

mason jar for storing weed
  1. Vacuum Seal: Vacuum sealed in thick plastic bags. Check out Food Saver bags.
  2. Glass Jar: Glass jars with tight lids like a ball jar. Pump out the air or add a humidity pack. Opaque glass is best to prevent light degradation.
  3. Airtight Thick Plastic: Thick plastic containers (pill bottles).

How Long Does Weed Stay Good?

storing weed in a pill bottle

This depends on the storage container and conditions. Here are general guidelines assuming the container is kept out of heat and light.

  • Plastic ziplock bags: few days – 2 weeks
  • Airtight pill bottle: 3 months – 6 months
  • Airtight glass jar: 6 months – 1 year
  • Vacuum sealed bag: 12 months – 18 months
  • Frozen vacuum sealed bag: +2 years

When Does Weed Get Old?

Weed gets old when these things happen:

  1. Crumbly texture from over drying
  2. Grey mold forms from humidity
  3. Rancid smells form oxidation through harsh storage conditions
  4. Color turns brown or yellow signifying oxidation

Best Long Term Storage of Weed

meet in vacuum sealed bag. Store weed the same way
Meet in vacuum sealed bag. Store weed the same way

The best long term storage conditions for cannabis is to vacuum seal and freeze it. Your weed will remain fresh for years when stored this way.

A few tips on freezing weed:

  • When you are ready to use the weed, let it reach room temperature before opening the vacuum bag.
  • Avoid refreezing weed more than once.
  • Vacuum sealed bags are airtight unlike a ziplock bag.

Vacuum sealing and freezing larger quantities of weed is a great way to avoid mold problems. It preserves the smell and flavor of your cannabis.

Storing Other Types of Cannabis

Checkout this guide on storing other types of cannabis like keif. This method applies to all cannabis concentrates.

Conclusion: Weed In a Bag

We’ve all received weed in a plastic bag. Now you understand that this is the worst way for storing cannabis. Ziploc bags are made of plastic that allows moisture and oxygen to exchange. This means they are not airtight container.

On average, weed lasts up to two weeks in a sealed ziploc bag before it starts to dry out and degrade. THC will still remain after two weeks, so you can still enjoy the effects. However the aroma and overall quality will be worse.

FAQ

How long does it take for weed to get old?

Weed get’s old at different time points depending on how it’s stored. Heat, light, and moisture are the main culprits. Weed in a ziploc plastic bag will get old within 2 weeks. Weed kept frozen in a vacuum sealed bag gets old well over 2 years.

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