How Can You Tell If Weed Is Still Fresh, Safe And Tastes Good?

By Hernán Panessi via El Planteo

Imagine a resinous fruit, a cloud of smoke: a symbol of flourishing nature. For cannabis enthusiasts, a pivotal question often arises: How can I ensure my weed is fresh?

Adopting a responsible stance, with a focus on harm reduction, several factors need consideration when obtaining high-quality marijuana.

Central to this discussion is the quality control of cannabis samples. This is crucial for safe consumption, ensuring the elimination of contaminants and poor-quality batches.

In many regions, the cannabis market still navigates through a phase of informal practices.

So, what should we look out for today?

Fresh And 'Well-Cured' Weed

"When buying or obtaining marijuana, always source it from a trustworthy retail store or individual, someone whose cultivation methods or lab results are known to you," advises Augusto, a seasoned grower.

The goal is to find weed that is "well cured." This involves a visual inspection: it should appear healthy, free from fungus, necrosis, mold, or a musty smell.

"Drying issues are common, especially among those who cultivate in large quantities without optimal conditions. It's important to check for the absence of powdery mildew, often mistaken for trichomes. Assess the trichomes themselves for signs of pests or poor curing," says Nicolás Boaretto, a biotechnology expert specializing in ethnobotany.

Fungi and bacteria produce harmful toxins. The casual attitude of "if it has a bit of mold, I'll smoke it anyway" can have long-term health consequences.

"These spores and the black fungus from mold can seriously affect the lungs. Such risks are often ignored, which over decades, could lead to cell mutations causing diseases like cancer or chronic asthma," the expert warns.

The Issue With Bad Weed

With increased production, there's a rise in the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

Augusto strongly opposes this: "These not only damage the quality of the weed but also pose significant health risks. This can be discerned from its appearance and smell. A bud that looks dull, brown, or oxidized might have been poorly dried, overexposed to light, or stored improperly."

A "poorly cured" bud can lead to health issues and affect the taste.

"We aim to enhance the organoleptic properties in a 'well-cured' bud. Its freshness can also be gauged by its greenness. Excessive chlorophyll, which we want to avoid due to its smell and 'plant-like' taste, can indicate quick drying. The combustion process also reveals the types of compounds used during fertilization," details the biotechnologist.

Optimal Curing

Optimal curing improves flavors and intensifies active compounds.

"The curing process can lead to the oxidation of compounds, altering the plant's composition. High-temperature drying can result in the loss of terpenes, changing the plant's flavor and aroma. Over time, cannabinoids also undergo changes," explains the expert.

A "good curation" enhances and introduces new flavors, particularly in the aromatic profile.

An ideal curation period? "Two to three months," according to specialists.

"Humidity can cause oxidation, leading to unpleasant odors. If it looks good but smells like fresh grass, ammonia, or herbs, it's likely been dried too quickly, retaining much chlorophyll, which can cause throat irritation and headaches when smoked," the grower notes.

"A fresh bud should be dry but not brittle, not sticky or damp. It should smell appealing," the grower elaborates.

The Path To Industry Formalization

Looking towards an ideal industry state, experts hope for the development of a fully-regulated cannabis market.

They suggest adopting technical measures like gas chromatography or mass analysis, quality controls for heavy metals, agrochemicals, and fungal contaminants, alongside microbiological assessments.

These practices call for industry regulation, paving the way for certified, quality-controlled products. "This could eliminate irregular markets and low-quality products," Boaretto predicts.

Concluding, he adds: "Quality control in the industry will provide these indicators. It's important for producers to be obligated to offer high-quality, safe products, reducing potential harm. These are unseen risks, and long-term damages are often not directly linked to these factors."

A final tip? "Store and preserve your cannabis in the best possible way."

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