One of the most obvious questions that comes up when you are activating cannabis to use for various products or to smoke or vape is “how long does cannabis stay fresh after decarb?” To help save time and money, people in our community want the best options for long term cannabis storage. As with most marijuana inquiries, there are many different opinions on how long you can store weed after decarboxylating before THC and CBD degrade/how long cannabis will stay potent after activation, but only the science provides reliable proof.
The results below show two different strains, one THC dominant and the other CBD, both decarbed in the NOVA and then stored in a plastic bag in a cool, dark drawer for a little under six months. Check out the results and let us know in the comments if they match your hypothesis or not!
THC
We decarbed some Sour Apple back in June, and tested a portion of it immediately after. Analysis of the remaining batch tested six months later in early January showed no significant loss of THC during the storage period. In fact, aside from a tiny amount of CBN (a degraded form of THC that can make you groggy/helps with sleep), the two samples are nearly identical with over 19% THC (190mg of THC per gram of cannabis).
Test Results
CBD
Lilly Hill was our strain of choice for a CBD test. After 6 months, we found mild CBD degradation - a reduction of about 30 mg per gram - from 18.5% CBD in the fresh sample (185 CBD mg per gram) to 15.84% CBD (158 mg CBD per gram) in the 6 month post-decarb sample. Despite this bit of loss, there is still significant CBD in the decarbed cannabis that was stored for 6 months.
The Best Way To Store Decarbed Weed: Our Conclusion
In summary, while we recommend consuming freshly decarbed cannabis, especially when it is so easy to decarb anytime or anywhere with Ardent's decarboxylators, these latest results indicate fresh doesn’t necessarily mean best. No more wondering in worry if weed goes bad - if stored in a cool, dry and dark place, decarbed cannabis can have a more than adequate shelf life. And just like flower, you can store decarboxylated kief as well!
You may be wondering, when do you need to decarboxylate weed and then store it for awhile? Since you'll need to decarb your flower before infusing, storing your decarbed flower makes infusions on the fly even easier. Simply decarb what you'll need for the next few infusions to have it at the ready for, well... anytime!
Let us know in the comments below if the results above are consistent with your experience, and what your favorite method is for planning out your cannabis prep and intake.
49 comments
that’s good info indeed. I kind of did my own tests as well and found no noticeable degradation of potency. Cool, dark storage is key I love the Onyx stainless containers Light proof and airtight.
I have stored toasted nugs for months. Every now and again I eat one as is…… a little dry. earth, toasted, canna nugs
Thanks for proving it with science yo !!‚ùÔ∏è
Thank you so much for this info and a fine product .. Your product takes all the guesswork out of decarbing ..
I swear to Buddha I needed this answer to fall from the sky today!
I cleaned out a cupboard and reacquainted myself with a considerable amount of decarbed GSC trim and bud droppings that I did like 3 months ago and forgot about.
Ghee and coconut oil, here I come….
And yes, I used my Ardent…and I cheat with my MB machine too lol.
Weed can’tspoil.. but the product you carb it with can, I’ve had some stored in the fridge plenty of times.. and I swear I think when you add carb to food and some drinks? The shelf life of the item you added it to, seems to last a lot longer and won’t spoil as fast.. going on 4 years and I have 2 of them, I have noticed that some stuff That I’ve used has spoiled but long after it was supposed to with the carb
Very interesting results, but I’m wondering if the choice of storage container had an unintended influence on cannabinoid retention, as well (plastic, as we all know, is reactive – have you tested the bag for any absorption?). I would love to see the same test repeated, changing only the storage vessel to an airtight non-reactive one (a flip-top, rubber sealed glass jar, or a similarly sealable surgical steel container).
While I have been an Ardent owner for a few years, I am horrible at planning for prep and intake, and usually let the people at the wonderful medical and recreational dispensaries do most of the “heavy-lifting” when it comes to pre-processing flower into extracts, oils, tinctures, and edibles. Call me lazy, but there’s a booming industry that I will gladly throw my dollars at in exchange for my time (this case study being a perfect example – so thanks again for all you do and have done for years (especially for those of us here in your Greater Boston ’hood)).