What is Moldy Cannabis Flower?

Spotting mouldy weed can be difficult, but this article will explain the key signs to look out for. Preventing any potential health problems is simpler than you might think!

You know that feeling when you’re going through your old stash box and you find a half-filled ziplock bag of weed? Yeah, it’s the best. When you open the bag, the smell of weed accosts you. But you reason with yourself that it can’t be too bad.

If you take a closer look, you might see some white powder on your weed. If so, don’t smoke it! That’s mould, which is gross and bad for you. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of mould that affect cannabis as well as what causes them and how to avoid having a mouldy stash in the first place.

What Are the Main Types of Cannabis Mould?

Cannabis mould may be difficult to see with the naked eye, especially for a novice. Sometimes a magnifying glass is required to get a better look. However, without knowing what mold to search for, how can you tell it apart?

Every cannabis grower knows that mould is the silent killer of many indoor crops. Here are three of the main types you could encounter.

White Powdery Mildew

If your plant’s leaves look as if they were dusted with powdered sugar, then you more than likely have mildew.

Unless you make it one, powdery mildew (WPM) isn’t a huge problem. If left unattended, a neglected infestation can spread and destroy your buds in the long run. That would be a stunning example of misused marijuana.

White powdery mildew is easy to detect and remove.

Bud Rot

This is a more severe situation to handle. Bud rot, unlike white powdery mildew, might be difficult to detect.

Given that its visual symptoms don’t show up until after the infection has already occurred, bud rot can be a difficult thing to handle. The most noticeable sign of bud rot is discoloured buds; they go from being green to dark brown or black. In some instances, there may also be a purplish hue detectable.

When a bud is completely tainted, it will be surrounded by a black, thick, dust-like material. It will also feel mushy to the touch. When it comes to bud rot, there’s no alternative but to throw them out.

Mucor

Mucor, which may resemble spiderwebs or thin cotton candy strands on your buds, is not a good sign.

Although it may seem unthreatening, mucor (the white fuzzy mold) can easily spread and destroy your crops in a matter of days, wasting all the time and effort you put into them.

How Does Weed Get Mouldy?

Moulds flourish in moist, humid conditions; they consume nutrients from the plants they infect.

Moulds caused by water can affect just about any plant, and cannabis is no exception. The most typical situations for cultivators occur late in the season or in a location with a lot of summer rain.

However, mould can grow in harvested buds as well. They’ll be exposed to humidity if they’re stored in flimsy containers, causing mildew to build up.

Can Weed Get Mouldy in a Mason Jar?

Mason jars are the best airtight containers available. That’s why you’ll often see them in refrigerators and pantries, storing food and sauces.

Mason jars are also excellent for cannabis storage and curing. Even with the most impermeable container, trapped moisture might lead to mold growth. As a result, clean and dry your mason jars before beginning to store your herbs. Not only that, but use humidity packs to keep everything optimal at all times. They’re cost-effective and only serve your collection in the end.

How To Check for Mould on Weed

If you’re not sure how to spot mould on your herbs, here are some tips.

Smell It

The old, reliable smell test isn’t just useful for food – you can use it to check your herbs as well. And, similar to the gut instinct, the nose often knows best. Even if you don’t have the same level of olfactory sensitivity as a more experienced cannabis user, you’ll be able to tell if something doesn’t seem right. Moreover, fresh weed smells distinctively different from poor-quality weed; and this difference is noticeable immediately.

However, some moulds don’t always release a scent. If that happens, you can depend on one of your other five senses.

Look at It

When it comes to telling whether marijuana is moldy, your eyes and nose are equally accurate. However, as we said before, you’ll need to know what you’re looking at. We went through the many types of mould and how they appear in the previous section. If a bud’s surface has a cotton candy-like coating, it’s dealing with the run-of-the-mill mucor.

Some moulds may appear similar to kief, but there are ways to tell them apart. White powdery mildew is usually duller in color and less shiny than kief. Mould also looks more like matte dust and doesn’t have the same sparkle as kief does.

Use Tools To Check for Mould

If you want to improve your results, some tools can help. In addition to a magnifying glass, a low-powered microscope can be very useful. The good news is they’re relatively affordable.

These specialized lenses make it easy to spot filaments on moulds, which helps distinguish them from trichomes. These devices provide an instant crash course that will surely come in handy in the future.

Use a Blacklight

Because trichomes are not always visible, many people mistake them for mold, even those who aren’t professional growers. If you’re not a specialist, it’s easy to get this wrong; and if you do, there may already be too much damage done.

A blacklight will make it easier for inexperienced viewers to discover mould. When a mold is illuminated through a blacklight, it appears in a bright green color.

Have It Tested in a Lab

If you’re really concerned, have your buds checked out in a lab. Your beloved herbs will be examined under a microscope by a real microbiologist. They’ll examine everything, from how these organisms develop to the environment they thrive in.

The down-side is that it will cost you money. However, you will receive certified experts’ verified findings as a result.

How To Check for Mould When Buying Weed?

The fast method is to employ the indicators mentioned previously. Do you see those spider web threads on your buds? Or perhaps that white powdery residue?

Only purchase from a dependable source to be on the safe side. It’s best to stay away from individuals you would come across on the street as they might not be selling authentic products. Only buy weed that is being sold by accredited stores and dispensaries. High-quality retailers should never give you mouldy weed– if they do, it means something is wrong and you need to contact the regulatory authorities right away.

How To Get Rid of Mould on Weed

Unfortunately, many cannabis consumers throughout the world are unable to obtain marijuana from dispensaries, coffeeshops, or high-quality cannabis clubs. Mold is more likely in this situation. So, for this part of the article, we’ll look at how to get rid of mould on your cannabis.

Is There a Way To Remove Mould From Weed?

If you’re looking for ways to save your cannabis buds, forums can be a good place to start. Some people suggest cutting away the mouldy part and only keeping the “uncontaminated” buds for later. Others recommend submerging your mouldy buds in a jar filled with water and storing it in a cool, dark place for at least 24 hours.

These aren’t really advisable, nor are other suggestions. If one part of your bud has developed mould, there’s a good chance the rest has been contaminated to some degree. Short answer—no.

Can Mouldy Weed Be Saved?

Even if some random person on the internet provides some sort of pseudoscientific solution, it’s better not to risk it. Technically, yes, mouldy weed can be saved—but is it worth it?

Are you willing to risk your health for a temporary thrill?

How To Prevent Mouldy Weed

Mouldy weed is unfortunately a common problem, but there are thankfully ways to prevent it. By following these tips, you can keep your cannabis buds fresh and mould-free.

Dry and Cure Properly

Mould thrives on moisture. We mentioned in an earlier section that mould is fed by moisture. If you grow your own produce, the issue may be with the drying and curing process.

When dry, your room should be at a moderate 15–21°C (60–70°F). Humidity levels should not exceed 55%. An inexpensive thermo-hygrometer can also help you determine whether you’re at the proper percentage.

The ideal drying time is 3-7 days, but you can also tell if they’re ready by bending the stems. If they snap, they’re good to go. If they bend, there’s still too much moisture.

Store dried buds in airtight glass containers, like mason jars, for curing. This not only prevents moisture from entering but also helps preserve the flavour. Allow this process to take place for 2–8 weeks and open the jars each day for a few minutes (“burp” them) to allow fresh air exchange. Relative humidity within the jars should never exceed 65%, though 62% is optimal.

Store in a Cool and Dry Place

If you store your weed in a humid or moist environment, it will expedite the growth of mold. For this reason, you want to find a cool and dry place to stash your buds.

Stash cannabis in cool, dark places away from sources of heat. Cannabis should not be stored above the stove, as it will suffer damage. You also want your buds to be kept somewhere dark since excessive light can break down the active chemicals within them.

Use an Airtight Storage Container

Mason jars are the best buds storage containers because they keep moisture out.

Using plastic ziplock baggies to store your herbs is ineffective because they do not seal correctly, allowing moisture and air to enter. This causes the herbs to dry out and lose their taste and smell.

If you want to save some money, use old jam jars instead of investing in mason jars. However, if you want the best possible option, go with Sneakguard lockable storage.

Maintain Precise Humidity Levels

However, humidity should not be excessively high. You don’t want them to dry out, though. To keep buds fresh and viable, aim for a range of 60 to 62 percent relative humidity in your jars. Do you have no idea how to maintain this ideal moisture window? Use humidity packs! They’re convenient to get and relieve a lot of the stress off.

Should You Smoke Mouldy Weed?

Here are several reasons why you should avoid smoking weed that is mouldy:

• Asthma and lung irritation

• Compromised immune system

• Allergic reactions like sinus pain and congestion

• Coughing

• Nausea and vomiting

Is Mouldy Weed Toxic?

If you’re still doubtful about the vaccine, we’ll explain some of the long-term health risks that are linked to HPV. In extreme cases, these could lead to death.

The most frequent mould germs discovered in cannabis, according to a 2017 research, are Aspergillus and Cryptococcus. Aspergillus can cause lung problems, while Cryptococcus consumption might harm the immune system.

Mouldy Weed

If not stored correctly, marijuana can spoil quickly. Too much sun will make your buds become dry and crumbly, while too much moisture leads to mold growth.

If you want to avoid having a mouldy stash, your best course of action is prevention. Keep your buds in airtight glass containers stored in a cool, dry, and dark place.

Keep everything we shared in this article in mind, and mouldy weed won’t be a problem for you.