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Grinding: Loss of Potency

Stacibar98

Greenlighter
Joined
Apr 16, 2013
Messages
16
I like to grind my weed when I first get it and put it in a glass container or sometimes plastic baggies for storage. My question is this: does weed go stale/bad? I usually buy 5g at a time and grind it all at once. Does it lose it's potency after being ground/stored? Is it better to keep it in bud form and grind as you go? Thanks%)
 
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I like to grind my weed when I first get it and put it in a glass container or sometimes plastic baggies for storage. My question is this: [1]does weed go stale/bad? I usually buy 5g at a time and grind it all at once. [2]Does it lose it's potency after being ground/stored? [3]Is it better to keep it in bud form and grind as you go? Thanks%)



1. Yes, weed can go stale/bad. It's more likely to happen with large quantities (improperly) stored over long periods of time.

2. Slightly. With grinding it's inevitable that you're going to knock some trichomes, some kief off your nugs. Even with a kief catcher you're going to lose some of those crystal in your grinder (a negligible amount, in my opinion, but you will lose some). With storage, though, the only things that'll take away from the quality/potency of your bud is excessive storage time and improper storage (think airtight container that you burp periodically and super dry bud and it's hard to go wrong).

3. Personal preference. Some people enjoy the aesthetic quality to unbroken nugs. Other people enjoy the convenience of having their weed pre-ground/pre-chopped and ready to go whenever they want it. I fall in the latter category.
 
I notice a difference if the stuff has been ground a few days before. Same potency but a different taste. My theory is that some of the smell and taste is volatile and will disappear over time. Also pre-grinding lets the weed dry faster and the drier the weed the more it turns to powder.
 
I would just decide how much you're going to be smoking for the day, grind it up and seal it in a small container so you can pinch out bit by bit as you go (common sense really).

But yeah, grinding it all up exposes a large surface area to the air, causing moisture loss and a slight loss in potency as well as having an affect on the burn quality.
 
I would just decide how much you're going to be smoking for the day, grind it up and seal it in a small container so you can pinch out bit by bit as you go (common sense really).

But yeah, grinding it all up exposes a large surface area to the air, causing moisture loss and a slight loss in potency as well as having an affect on the burn quality.


i agree with this, with some exceptoins. i have a small, like 2 g broken up container i use to have on me when i dont want to carry a glass jar, and have something ready to smoke.

when i get mediocre cannabis, usually means i get a larger quantity, so i use my 3" TI coated space case and make quick work of it, keeping it in a well sealed glass jar preserves it well, better than if it was in nug form? i dont notice the difference in potency. i think there are more things, like oxidation and drying out that have more effect on potency than breaking it up. or it basically drying out and burning faster

when i get more top shelf medical, i break it up as needed. i want to get the most of out of it! and that ti coated 2 piece space case grinder has very little kief clinging to it, so i keep most of it in the bud itself. that good grinder was my best canna-vestment! i also have one the size of a us quarter, and about 1/4" thick, great if i want to bring a few small nugs, a pipe, and go smoke.
 
THC degrades to CBN over time, and at a higher rate with exposure to oxygen and heat. This will reduce the potency of your weed and make it much more stoney.
A few days probably won't have any noticeable effect, but it will happen much faster for ground buds as compared to no-ground ones.
 
THC degrades to CBN over time, and at a higher rate with exposure to oxygen and heat. This will reduce the potency of your weed and make it much more stoney.
A few days probably won't have any noticeable effect, but it will happen much faster for ground buds as compared to no-ground ones.


Have you go any references to back this up ? I would be hugely interested.

On topic: I had ground weed (+50grams) in the freezer for more than 6 months and I nor anyone who smoked with me ever complained.
What does happen is THC get stuck to the bag (or the glass jar or whatever). I use a sharp kitchen knife to scrape it loose. When smoked that's a very euphoric high ;)
 
I have never noticed a difference without storing my green for excessive periods of time. I think it's worth it to collect the Kief, because those bowls are nice.
 
Do the same grinding rules apply if using a vaporizer vs. smoking? thanks,
Stacy (Original poster)
 
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