What Causes Mold on Weed & How to Prevent Growing Mold on Weed

It was one fine evening when you reached out to your top-shelf weed strains. When you opened the jar, you were hit by a strange, musty odour, and you thought the smell might be just a bit off.

But then there it was, some greyish fuzz, like some spider's dusty web surrounding your weed buds. And that was the time when you realized that what you had come across was weed with mold.

Now, let me tell you, nothing kills the vibe faster than a moldy weed. Not only is it a real threat to your "high," but also to your health.

So, let's break down how to keep your cannabis clean and mold-free. Let's dive in!

Can Weed Grow Mold?

Yes, mold can grow on your weed if it is not stored or handled well. One way to identify moldy weed is its grayish-white powdery appearance on the buds and a musty smell.

It is worth mentioning that while smoking moldy weed won't kill you, doing so is not recommended as it can be harmful to your health and won't even provide you with the "high" you were initially looking forward to.

What Causes Mold to Grow on Weed?

Before delving into preventing mold in weed, let's take a moment to discuss what it is and what causes it.

Mold is a fungus that thrives in dark, damp, and poorly ventilated environments. Depending on the conditions, mold can form on weed buds at any stage, such as cultivation, drying, curing, or storage.

Here are some of the most common factors that are responsible for mold in weed:

1: High humidity (mainly 60% or more)

2: Dirty storage containers

3: Poor airflow

4: Improper drying

5: Rapid temperature fluctuations

Is There Any Way to Remove the Mold on Weed Buds?

While you might be tempted just to cut off the moldy part of the weed and smoke the rest, doing so is not recommended. Life is too short to spare on some bad buds.

It is better to be safe than sorry, so toss away any weed on which you spot mold or that smells musty or mildewy.

Moreover, smoking moldy weed is not worth the risk, as it won't have a pleasant flavor or high, and can also potentially make you feel sick.

How to Prevent Growing Mold on Weed?

While harvesting, drying, and curing weed buds properly is critical, the most crucial step is storage to ensure that you won't end up with weed with mold.

You should closely monitor humidity, temperature, light, and oxygen to ensure your weed remains mold-free.

Here are some of the ways that can help you prevent mold in weed:

1: You should always store your weed in airtight glass containers, which help limit its moisture and oxygen exposure.

2: You should avoid storing your weed strains in the fridge or freezer, owing to low temperatures and high moisture.

3: You should store it in a cool, dark, and dry place.

4: Molds thrive best around a temperature of 77°F to 86°F. Therefore, it is better to store your cannabis a little below 77°F (25°C) away from direct sunlight and heat.

5: Weed is best kept at a relative humidity of 59% to 63%, as going above this range can run the risk of trapping moisture and growing mold. Moreover, humidity control packs can help you maintain the optimal humidity.

6: Label your jars properly with the harvest or purchase date, as older weed is more prone to spoilage than fresh weed.

7: Investing in a digital hygrometer to monitor storage conditions can also be a good idea. 

While optimal storage conditions are a game-changer, it is also essential to get yourself some high-quality weed in the first place. Nothing is better than Violet Bay Area for premium products and the best weed deals. So, go, grab yours.

How to Spot a Moldy Weed?

If you spot a greyish white coating over your weed buds, it indicates the presence of mold on your weed.

Now, you should not mistake trichomes for mold. Trichomes are mainly hair-like, sticky structures that give the weed buds a shiny appearance. On the other hand, mold is characterized by a greyish white powdery appearance.

Moreover, the musty and mildew smell also helps spot a weed with mold, and it is better to toss it away.

Is it Safe to Smoke Moldy Weed?

While smoking moldy weed won't kill you, it is not recommended at all, as it can make you feel sick.

A healthy adult might experience coughing, nausea, or vomiting when smoking moldy weed. But if you are allergic to mold on weed buds, smoking it is bad news for you.

It can result in inflammation of the sinuses or lungs, characterized by symptoms like congestion, wheezing, pain in the sinuses, and drainage.

Moreover, smoking weed with mold can wreak havoc on a person with a compromised immune system, as it can contain fungi like Aspergillus, Mucor, and Cryptococcus. Therefore, you should buy good-quality weed from a reliable place and store it properly.

Now, if you want to get your hands on premium cannabis products and that too without leaving the comfort of your house, the best weed delivery service in Oakland can do it phenomenally for you with just a few clicks.

Conclusion

Smoking weed with mold is a bad idea, and it is better to toss it away. A moldy weed not only loses its flavor and potency, but smoking it can also result in serious health implications.

Thus, you should ensure that you buy weed strains from reliable sources and then store them properly in an airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry place away from direct sunlight and heat.

Thus, mold in weed is preventable, and now you know how to do so. Take care of your weed, and it will return the favor in the form of good potency every time.

FAQs

Can you smoke weed with mold?

While smoking moldy weed won't kill you, doing so is not recommended at all, as it can irritate your lungs and cause serious health problems.

What does weed with mold look like?

A greyish-white powdery coating on the buds characterizes weed with mold. It also has a musty or mildew smell.

What happens when you smoke weed with mold?

Smoking and moldy weed can result in you inhaling mycotoxins and spores that can cause coughing, nausea, vomiting, or, in severe cases, lung infection.