Moldy Weed: Everything You Need to Know

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Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve had some weed stored away for a while and, upon opening the container, noticed it has developed an unpleasant smell or fuzzy white spots? If so, then your weed might be moldy. Your common sense or intuition may be telling you not to smoke it, but that’s where the confusion begins. How can you tell if a weed is moldy? Is it safe to smoke moldy weed?

In this article, we’ll look at everything you need to know about moldy weed. We’ll cover how to tell if your cannabis is moldy, what happens if you smoke it, and how to fix or prevent it from happening in the first place.

So whether you’re curious about why your stash has gone off or want to make sure it never does, read on!

How Can You Tell if Weed Is Moldy?

The first step to avoiding, fixing, or preventing the problem of moldy weed is being able to recognize the signs.

One of the most important things to know about moldy weed is that it won’t be as apparent as, say, food spoiling in the fridge. That’s because, unlike food, moldy cannabis may not have any visible signs of decay, even if there are still present molds or fungi. This can be especially true for regular users, who may not immediately notice the difference in their weed’s texture or smell.

To identify a potential moldy cannabis situation, look for dark spots on the weed, darkened roots, small spores, which may appear as tiny bumps, and dark-colored fuzz coating your nugs. Other major signs include discoloration (notably yellowing) of leaves, whitish/grayish colored spots, and fuzzy white “dust” collecting on buds and leaves. If you notice any of these signs, your weed might be moldy.

Additionally, keep an eye out for trichomes that have gone off-color. They often turn an orange shade if they’ve been contaminated by molds or mildew. Trichomes are small crystal structures that give cannabis its psychoactive effects and tell-tale aromas. If they have gone off-color or seem slimy to the touch, then it is likely that your cannabis is moldy.

Sometimes, moldy weed’s visual and physical signs are extremely difficult to spot, even if you closely examine the buds. In that case, it would be best to use a UV blacklight to inspect your weed for any hidden clusters of mold spores that may be invisible to the naked eye.

Smelling your weed can also be helpful; if it has developed an odd odor reminiscent of urine, sweat, mildew, or a moldy area of your home, it might be time to get rid of the weed. Cannabis already has a remarkably pungent odor in comparison to plants, so if any other smell is overpowering the traditional scent of marijuana, then it is likely that your weed has gone bad.

These signs can help you identify the moldy weed and determine if it is safe for consumption or not. Keep reading to find out how to fix or prevent it from happening in the first place.

How Do You Fix Moldy Weed?

Once you’ve identified that your weed is moldy, it’s important to know the best way to attempt to fix it. Unfortunately, there’s no way to “fix” moldy weed. Scraping off any visible spots of mold may seem like a good idea, but this can cause more damage as you risk destroying the trichomes containing THC and breaking apart the flowers.

Once there is any sign of mold, it’s probably a lost cause and not worth the risk – even if it doesn’t look or smell bad initially. Inhaling or ingesting mold spores can be hazardous to your health and can have serious consequences, such as respiratory infections or allergic reactions if consumed.

While there might not always be an immediately visible sign of mold on your cannabis, that doesn’t mean it isn’t present underneath the surface. Therefore, as mentioned earlier, using a UV blacklight to inspect your weed is the best way to ensure its safety before smoking, vaping, or consuming it in any other form.

It’s also important to remember that some weeds are more susceptible to developing molds than others due to varying levels of humidity in different parts of their environment. For example, wetter climates may breed more molds than dryer ones; therefore, storing weed in humid areas can lead to higher chances of contamination with molds and mildew over time.

Preventing Moldy Weed: Steps You Can Take

Now that you know how to spot moldy weed and why it isn’t safe to smoke, let’s look at some preventative steps you can take to make sure that it never develops in the first place.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that if your cannabis is moldy, the mold is probably a type of aspergillus — a group of nearly 200 common molds that can be found on vegetables, old foods, and cannabis. Aspergillus thrives in warm, humid, and wet areas with little ventilation or circulation, such as random backpacks or pockets.

The best way to prevent moldy weed is by putting it in an airtight container and storing it in a dry place with little extra room for airflow. The less extra space within the container, the less airflow there will be. This means there will be fewer chances for mold to grow and contaminate your stash.

If you’re storing large amounts of marijuana (even if you plan to separate them into smaller batches later), consider investing in a dehumidifier to keep excess moisture out of the area where you intend to store your weed. A dehumidifier will help keep the humidity in check and prevent mold from forming.

If you’re growing marijuana plants, there are some other steps you can take to prevent mold from forming on them. If your cultivation site is indoors, be sure to keep fresh air circulating through the environment. You can use a ventilation system or an exhaust fan to pipe out humid hot air that may have been released by the plants themselves and replace it with fresh air.

It’s also essential to practice cleanliness and sanitation when caring for marijuana plants; this means wearing gloves and cleaning up any spilled water or leaves as soon as possible since moisture attracts mold spores like moths to a flame.

By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to enjoy your weed without worrying about it turning moldy!

What Happens if Moldy Weed Is Smoked?

You should always avoid smoking any cannabis product with mold on it.

The first thing you’ll notice if you do smoke moldy weed is the taste and smell. Instead of the pleasant flavor and aroma that marijuana has, you’ll be met with a terrible smell and taste that will probably make you want to spit out the weed right away. This is because the mold is releasing its own airborne spores, which overpower the marijuana’s natural odor.

Even more concerning than the unpleasant experience of inhaling moldy weed, however, is what it can do to your body. Intentionally inhaling aspergillus spores can put you at a high risk of developing aspergillosis, a lung infection that can cause severe health issues. Some symptoms caused by aspergillosis include trouble breathing, fever, chest pain, and coughing up blood.

If you already have a weakened immune system, the chances of getting infected with aspergillosis are even higher. Those who suffer from conditions like COPD, cystic fibrosis, or HIV are especially susceptible to this infection if exposed to moldy weed.

Aspergillus spores may also cause severe allergic reactions in some people, as they can easily attach themselves to the lungs and aggravate your respiratory system. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and itchy eyes.

In extreme cases, smoking moldy weed can lead to invasive aspergillosis — a particularly dangerous form of fungal lung infection that can spread throughout the body, leading to permanent organ damage or even death. Those suffering from this life-threatening condition require antifungal treatments or even emergency surgeries in order to survive it.

It’s, therefore, essential that you check your weed for mold before smoking it and make sure to store it in an airtight container in a dry place with little extra room for airflow. If you find any signs of mold on your cannabis buds, don’t take any risks and throw them away immediately. Your health is far more important than a few grams of weed.

Don’t Risk It — Consult A Licensed Medical Professional First

Though the risks associated with smoking moldy weed are serious, they’re also avoidable. As long as you take the necessary precautions and check your weed for mold before smoking it, you won’t have to worry about putting yourself in harm’s way.

At Kif, our state-licensed physicians are always available to answer any of your questions about marijuana and its potential effects on your health. With our service, you can see a doctor online from the comfort of your own home without having to wait for an appointment.

So whether you need to get approved for a medical marijuana card or need advice on how to use cannabis, the team of experts at Kif is here for you. So don’t wait. Head over to Kif today.

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