Getting home with a new strain is always a treat unless it turns out to be brown weed. Despite what some old-school hippies might say, there are not a lot of green flags when it comes to brown cannabis nugs.
Brown weed can indicate a few different things, none of which are objectively good. Cannabis leaves can be crisped and browned on the edges or the entire nug might appear too bronzed. Understanding what this coloring means requires knowledge about the production process, cultivator foes such as mold and bud rot, and how cannabis ages.
There are different reasons for brown cannabis flowers. Learn them all to avoid an allergic reaction. Here’s the details to know.
Reasons for brown weed
High-quality weed will be deep green to chartreuse. Sometimes, the spectrum of purple emerges. In rare cases, weed can look a bit red or even blue. These cannabis plant colors indicate the environmental and genetic experience of the plant. Brown weed can translate to this, too, but with a negative connotation.
Old cannabis
A common reason for brown weed is age. As dried, cured cannabis flowers mature, they may begin losing moisture. Oxidized bud is dehydrated and browner than its freshly cured, terpene-rich counterpart.
Storage may also play a role in the color of a weed as it ages. Direct sunlight will crisp bud up and make it appear brown or, with enough time, even yellow. This can alter the look of the weed, obviously. But it may also change the taste, consumption experience, cannabinoids, and terpene profile.
Cannabis that is brown from age and improper storage can have little to no taste. Smoke from the product may be harsh when consumed in a vape, bong, or joint, possibly causing a lot of coughing or even sore throat. Additionally, the cannabinoid content may be altered.
Italian researchers studied cannabinoids in hash and cannabis flower, finding that THC content degraded massively over time. CBN content, on the other hand, increased over time.
Keeping high-quality cannabis optimal for the longest time possible requires proper storage. A cool, dry place is best. The study recommends freezing products to maintain the cannabinoid content and terpene profile. However, freezing flower is a controversial topic as it might freeze trichomes, casing them to break off of these products. Freezing to preserve terps works best with concentrates like wax and live rosin.
Bud rot and moldy weed
Nobody should smoke, vape, or eat moldy weed. It is unsafe, unhealthy, and probably would not taste or feel awesome. If cannabis isn’t properly cultivated, cured, or stored, it can develop bud rot or become the ultimate nightmare: moldy weed.
Mold happens to any weed plants, those in an outdoor grow are especially susceptible. The densely packed flower has low ventilation between calyxes, which can lead to spores and bud rot. Growers dial in humidity and airflow in their space to lower the chances, but that is limited outside. These issues can also occur while the product is being cured or stored.
Premium cannabis goes through a quality control process to ensure bud rot and moldy weed don’t make it to retail shelves. Employees sorting and packaging products will always seek signs of these issues, but sometimes nuggets fall through all the fail-safes.
Much of these are people-powered, like wearing jewelers’ loupes to investigate each nug and hopefully catch abnormalities. Artificial intelligence and robotic solutions that scan the air for spores continue to be developed, but they are quite expensive and not accessible for every farmer.
Consumers should know what to look for when it comes to crispy, old cannabis, bud rot, and moldy weed because there are dangers associated with smoking each.
Dangers of smoking brown weed
The dangers of smoking brown pot vary from uncomfortable to life-threatening. The severity of it depends on why the weed is brown. Combusting or vaping old weed that is dry and sun-bleached might not be harmful to someone with optimal lung health, but it’ll probably hurt.
When weed is dry, it can create harsh smoke that may cause a sore throat or coughing. However, unless the person consuming it has a compromised system, it may not be a death sentence. Smoking products contaminated with mold or bud rot is much more dire.
Consuming cannabis with mold and mycotoxins poses the highest risk for immune-compromised people. In reality, it is not a healthy choice for anyone. An analysis of research on the topic showed cannabis consumers were more susceptible to lung and skin infections after consuming moldy products. The infections proved opportunistic, meaning they can lead to life-threatening conditions.
Bottom line? Don’t smoke, vape, eat, or handle moldy, rotten, or old weed.
Brown weed, THC, and terpene content
Brown weed is not the healthiest choice, and it may not be as effective as fresh, unadulterated flower. The aforementioned Italian study tracked cannabis stored in various ways over four years to assess how the plant compounds might change or degrade in that time.
The research used materials seized by law enforcement in the two weeks before the study started. They found that at room temperature, THC content decreases by three to five percent a month. UV light and heat increased the percentage. Research also showed that THC degraded into CBN. Terpenes may also degrade by up to 50 percent in only one month.
Even if brown weed does not negatively impact health, it might not do the job like it did when the strain was fresh. Get the most from cannabis flowers by using them at the optimal moisture level. This is not just for health but also for flavor and enjoyment.
Frequently asked questions about brown weed
People have questions about brown weed, and GreenState has the answers in this comprehensive FAQ.
Is brown weed old?
Some brown weed is old, and other nugs of this hue might be moldy or have bud rot.
Is brown weed stronger?
Brown weed may have more CBN than other strains, but the term “strong” is subjective to the cannabis plant.
Can brown weed get you high?
Brown weed may get a person high, but it isn’t recommended as sometimes this color may indicate mold or other issues with the product.
Can brown weed make you sick?
If weed is brown due to bud rot or mold, it can lead to an infection that could become a big health issue. Smoking brown, dry cannabis that isn’t moldy might not be as dangerous, but it can be irritating. Those with compromised immune systems should avoid brown weed altogether.
Does brown weed have THC?
There may or may not be THC in brown weed. If the product is old, THC levels have most likely degraded since their prime.
Brown pot is not the sh*t
There are lots of reasons someone may consider smoking their brown weed, but they should fight the urge. Store cannabis products in a cool, dark place to get the longest life out of them, but brown weed still happens.
Cannabis could take on brown coloring because it is moldy or has bud rot. Both of these outcomes make it dangerous to consume. It may also be old and, therefore, harsh to smoke. When the weed is brown, flush it down.
