Mold will never be a welcomed sight — even when it’s used to make medicine or a delectable wheel of blue cheese. Simply put, we don’t like it on our food, in our bathrooms, or growing on our cannabis for two very good reasons: it’s disgusting and dangerous. 

Consuming mold-infested cannabis can have some pretty nasty side effects, but how can you tell if your weeds been compromised? 

While all government dispensaries require lab testing to regulate marijuana sales that are supposed to check for contaminants like mold and mildew, batches of moldy weed are still managing to find their way into customers’ hands.  

If you want to educate yourself about how to steer clear of moldy weed, how to identify it, and how to prevent it, keep reading! 

 

What is Moldy Weed?

Mold is a type of fungus that spreads easily, thrives in moist environments, and is regularly found inside the home and on food. Unfortunately, mold can be harmful to your health, especially when exposed to large amounts because they release airborne spores that end up getting inhaled. 

Those that are sensitive or have an allergy to mold can get severely ill or even die if they get exposed to large amounts, and smoking weed is no different. 

The mold that is found on marijuana is the exact same type of mold that forms on all plants (Penicillium, Mucor, Cladosporium, Botrytis, and  Rhizopus). 

They take root in humid environments that aren’t properly ventilated, and in regards to cannabis mold, it typically forms because growers haven’t dried it correctly. If the grow room is too humid, mold can grow. If it’s too wet before storing, it creates the perfect breeding ground for mold to propagate. 

Unfortunately, mold spores are pretty hearty and can be very hard to kill. They can survive the intense blasts of heat from your lighter if you smoke it — so if you find yourself with a moldy stash — trash it instead of stashing it.

 

What Will Happen if You Smoke Moldy Weed?

If you smoke moldy marijuana, you’ll inhale whatever fungus is there, and deliver it directly into your lungs. If you or someone you’re smoking with has a compromised immune system, there is an increased risk of developing a lung infection or pneumonia. If you have an allergy to mold like penicillin — it could put you into anaphylactic shock or kill you. 

Bottom line: moldy weed can’t be fixed and needs to be thrown away, even if you’re healthy as a horse. 

 

How To Check For Moldy Weed 

Luckily, there are many ways to help you determine if your cannabis is mold-free or not and how to ensure you have fresh access to fresh green. 

 

The Eyes Have it

The naked eye or simply eyeballing your bud is one of the easiest and most intuitive methods to identify the presence of mold. Marijuana that is healthy should only be covered in a mass of glittering trichomes and tiny red or purple hairs that look crystalline coating the outside of the bud. 

Mold will be white or grey in colour and will resemble a cobweb or mass of cotton candy that’s positioned deep down inside the bud when you open it up. 

There is a type of mold that looks surprisingly like kief, but it isn’t. The powdery mildew takes on a powder-like appearance that is gray or white, but it won’t sparkle or shimmer as keif does. 

So if you have some weed that is coated in a muted or matte looking white or gray powder — it’s more than likely mildew and should be tossed. 

Other indications your bud is moldy are little patches of yellow fuzz, or if it features dark spots or a slimy residue. 

 

Follow Your Nose

Moldy marijuana will have an unpleasant and distinct aroma that smells similar to urine, musty hay, or human sweat. 

However, sniffing isn’t a foolproof method. If you don’t have a particularly good sense of smell, have a stuffy nose, or are allergic to mold — this particular approach should be avoided. 

Not only that, but some strains of mold don’t produce as pungent of a smell as other strains, so this method should be used in conjunction with others to ensure you won’t be inhaling any rotten cannabis. 

 

Get Scientific 

If you’re wanting to get fancy, many consumers invest in a microscope to help them detect any mold lingering around in their weed. A black-light can also help expose hidden mold spores by turning an eerie green color when illuminated.  

 

Buy From a Trusted Source

This goes without saying, but many still choose to purchase their favourite plant from either government dispensaries (which have had incidences of moldy weed) or from their friend on the street. 

For the best results, purchase your flower from an online dispensary Canada. Mail order dispensaries, also known as MOMs, have been servicing Canadians across the country for years, providing them with safe, affordable, and quality access to their favorite weed strains, weed edibles, and weed concentrates. 

When it comes to the freshest, dankest, most affordable weed, online dispensaries simply can’t be beat.

From sampler packs to exclusive deals on vaporizers, edibles, and more, you’re missing out on if you’re not buying weed online! 

 

Fresh is Best

Mold develops over time, so if you want to be 100% safe, ask for the freshest shipment of cannabis that your local budtender or dispensary has on hand. 

Sure, you might not have your pick of the litter when it comes to picking out your strains, but we find that fresh, mold free weed that isn’t dried to a crisp is far superior to crusty old bud that’s been sitting out for weeks or months. 

 

How to Prevent Moldy Weed

How your bud is stored is one of the most important factors when it comes to preventing moldy weed. Marijuana that is repeatedly exposed to inadequate lighting, temperature, and humidity levels run the risk of becoming moldy or degrading faster than if it were in a cool, dry, environment. 

Before you store away your bud, make sure it’s thoroughly cured and dried before storing it in a dry, cool place that’s below 25°C. 

Storing weed in an airtight container that is completely opaque or made with a dark-coloured glass will keep any light and air from getting in. 

Finally, you’ll want to make sure the relative humidity level inside the storage containers holding the weed should be kept between 59% and 63%. 

Disposable and affordable humidity packs can be added directly into the jar to maintain optimal moisture levels and can be easily found online. 

Learning how to preserve and protect your weed is essential for tokers of all skill levels so if you need to brush up on your knowledge, check out this guide on keeping your weed fresh! 

Still feeling hesitant and don’t mind giving up on fresh flower? A safer cannabis consumption alternative that’s both healthier on your lungs and light on the mold is making the switch over to vaping cannabis instead of smoking it. 

Vaping weed instead of smoking it is not only a 100% mold-free option, it’s healthier for you as a whole, too. Instead of setting fire to your weed buds, vaporizers gently heat up THC distillate and transform it into vapour which is then inhaled into your lungs. 

Vapour won’t irritate your lungs, won’t leave behind any lingering smells, and disappears quickly, meaning you can medicate whenever and wherever you are. While no means a replacement for fresh flower packed joints or blunts, they’re a welcome addition to any toker’s weed kit. 

 

Moldy Weed – Not Worth the Risk

 If you’re currently experiencing or have experienced issues with moldy cannabis, or if you simply want to avoid it altogether — follow the advice we’ve laid out for you to minimize the risk. 

Unfortunately, there is no way that will completely guarantee your bud will always stay mold-free; but “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” definitely applies to moldy weed. At the end of the day, always keep in mind you can always buy more weed at an online dispensary Canada if it’s gone bad, but you can’t buy back your health once it’s gone bad. 

For more information on cannabis news, events, and strains, check out our main site here!