Does weed 'go bad' over time?

[idolizebroke]

I bought a dime and vaped half of it, it was delicious and got me incredibly high. 1 week later, I vape the second half, and it was actually so nasty that I had to stop after 3 inhales for fear of vomiting and I got a very short buzz.

I never was in a situation like this since I normally vape all of my weed within a couple days of getting it, but does it go bad over time?

I'm using the iolite.

 

[luchiano]

I bought a dime and vaped half of it, it was delicious and got me incredibly high. 1 week later, I vape the second half, and it was actually so nasty that I had to stop after 3 inhales for fear of vomiting and I got a very short buzz.

I never was in a situation like this since I normally vape all of my weed within a couple days of getting it, but does it go bad over time?

I'm using the iolite.

Yes, the THC oxidizes to CBN which doesn't get you high but relaxes you somewhat. Being that you heated it with the iolite and brought air into the herb it oxidized much faster than it would have naturally.

This is why I think it's best to finish off your herb in one session in a short time because if you don't you will be wasting your money in the long run being that vaporizers are HIGHLY efficient if done right, unless you don't mind putting together your ABV and making some edibles with it.

If you want to get HIGH you should use your herb up in a short session manipulating the temperature and you can still save the remains and use in edibles because it still has carophyllene in it that vapes at very high temperatures that vaporizers don't go and is good for you.

EDIT: I misread your post. I thought you stated you finished vaping and continued vaping at another time but I see you vaped the other half of the same bag at another time and in that case I don't know what to tell you. The only thing I can think of is that the moisture may have absorbed some of the plastic taste in the bag or whatever it was stored in and made the taste bad. I would guess the reason the for the short buzz was because you didn't take in much vapor.

 

[hades65]

In theory the cannabinoids do degrade but I have been vaping on mine for 3-6 months and have not noticed a difference. Not to say there isn't a difference, but I think your experience probably has something other than your weed going bad. I think the degrading process is a very slow and long time. Anyone have any statistics?

 

[lwien]

Light, air, heat and mold are the biggest concerns. If you can control these, your bud should be able to maintain most of its effectiveness for years.

I've stored bud for almost a year, and to me, although dryer, was just about as strong as the day I bought it.

 

[luchiano]

In theory the cannabinoids do degrade but I have been vaping on mine for 3-6 months and have not noticed a difference. Not to say there isn't a difference, but I think your experience probably has something other than your weed going bad. I think the degrading process is a very slow and long time. Anyone have any statistics?

Here you go:
http://www.skunkskool.com/showthread.php/5128-Degradation-of-Cannabis-and-THC

Degradation of Cannabis and THC: Storage Methods and Mold

Erowid

Constituents of Cannabis sativa L. XIII: Stability of dosage form prepared by impregnating synthetic (--)-delta 9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol on placebo Cannabis plant material.
Lewis GS, Turner CE
J Pharm Sci 1978 Jun;67(6):876-8

Abstract:
Synthetic (--)-delta 9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol impregnated on placebo Cannabis decomposed only 6.3% after being stored for 1 year at --18 degrees. Storage at 5 degrees and room temperature under various conditions led to severe decomposition. The amount of cannabinol observed when (--)-delta 9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol decomposed indicates that cannabinol is not the only decomposition product.


This one explains why I state you should vape your herb at one time in a short session instead of extending it to days after or maybe later on in the day. You can still get high but not as you would if you just vaped all the herb right away. Vaporizers provide the perfect environment for degradation, air and heat.

The stability of cannabis and its preparations on storage
Fairbairn JW, Liebmann JA, Rowan MG
J Pharm Pharmacol 1976 Jan;28(1):1-7

Abstract:
Solutions of pure cannabinoids, nine samples of herbal and two of resin cannabis (one freshly prepared) were stored in varying conditions for up to 2 years. Exposure to light (not direct sunlight) was shown to be the greatest single factos in loss of cannabinoids especially in solutions, which should therefore be protected from light during analytical and phytochemical operations. Previous claims that solutions in ethanol were stable have not been substantiated. The effect of temperature, up to 20 degrees, was insignificant but air oxidation did lead to significant losses. These could be reduced if care was taken to minimize damage to the glands which act as "well filled, well closed containers". Loss of tetrahydrocannabinol after exposure to light does not lead to an increase in cannabinol, but air oxidation in the dark does. It is concluded that carefully prepared herbal or resin cannabis or extracts are reasonably stable for 1 to 2 years if stored in the dark at room temperature.

This goes more in depth:
http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/bulletin/bulletin_1997-01-01_1_page008.html

Just use a vacuum seal to keep material fresh as much as possible by keeping air out and put into dark containers and in cool places. There all types of machines that pump air out of containers.

 

[lwien]

It is concluded that carefully prepared herbal or resin cannabis or extracts are reasonably stable for 1 to 2 years if stored in the dark at room temperature.

Room temp? Ummm........here is another perspective: http://www.fuckcombustion.com/viewtopic.php?id=3138

 

[luchiano]

That post said active THC will not degrade into CBN if kept in a cool room which one of the studies stated also but herb is in thc-a form when fresh until a cure is accomplished and this can take a up to 6 months then you have another 6 months to lose a good amount of thc to cbn and most may not even wait that long but the best way to prevent is using a vacuum seal and putting in a cool, dark place. This way the herb can last way longer than just keeping it in a cool place. I would use cooling and humidity(boveda packs and a humidor container) for herb that I know I will be using within a certain time so it can let all the flavors gain more depth and the herb absorb some moisture so I can taste the flavors and keep the vapor smooth but not for final storage.

 

[Beezleb]

From experience: Depends on how you store it. Think preservation. Sealed containers in dark, 65-75 degrees almost perfect in my opinion. Open and air out for about 10 -15 minutes or so once to twice a day or even more depending how moist your herb is. The more moist, the more you need to replace the air in the sealed container, such as a mason jar.

As far as going back revaping a partially vaped bowl/bud from before is different. You changed the chemical or whatnot make up by adding heat and whatnot to it and point to what others have stated already as their explanation is far better than mine. I recommend vaping less if this is a common issue for you if I understand correctly.

Hope that helps.

 

[stinkmeaner]

I am going be blunt and say that it does not go bad in one week, unless you got it wet and it molded or spilled something else on it. Chances are the herb most people buy is much older than they think if it wasn't bought at a dispensary or straight from the grower.

I knew someone in College that bought a large amount and smoked on it for almost 2 years and even in the end it was still as potent as the same day he got it, just a little drier and crumbly towards the end of it. This guy was known for this stuff and he would rarely sell it and even then only once in a while to a select few. As far as special handling of it, all he did with it was store it in big Ziplock bags in the kitchen cabinets, nothing special at all.

 

[Vicki]

It is concluded that carefully prepared herbal or resin cannabis or extracts are reasonably stable for 1 to 2 years if stored in the dark at room temperature.

Room temp? Ummm........here is another perspective: http://www.fuckcombustion.com/viewtopic.php?id=3138

I have been storing my herb vacuum sealed, in a mason jar, and in the vegetable drawer of the fridge. I am in an area where it is almost 100 degrees outside everyday, with high humidity. As a result, our house is 80 degrees during the day, and I always worry about humidity. In my situation, I believe I am storing it properly. I even remember my conversation in that thread.

 

[lwien]

In my situation, I believe I am storing it properly.

I believe so also.

 

[misanthrope]

If your herb went bad in a week it may well be because you stored it in a baggy and it was incredibly moist. I've seen friends lose bud to mould this way - you will see condensation in the bag if left in the sun for example.

Don't know about where you are but where I live there are some greedy growers who will sell the stuff soaking wet and not cure the bud properly at all.

Properly dry bud should last ages, especially if you keep it in those special air tight plastic boxes designed for keeping food in the fridge, the Dutch coffeeshops tend to use the ones with the clip on lids. Put this box somewhere cool and dark and your bud should last longer. Having said that I've had the same batch for 6-7 months before and had no problems.

I don't recommend buying small amounts every time, 'cos, unless you live in Holland, Canada, Nimbin in Australia or a part of the USA where it's legal, picking up more will be a massive hassle and dealers will start to wonder why you come back every day instead of buying a big bit and sitting on it for a while.

Hope this helps.