Do Pre-Rolls Go Bad?

While some still continue to take the traditional route and grind and roll their joints, many appreciate pre-rolls convenience. But do pre-rolls go bad? How long does a pre-roll stay good? Knowing the expiration date of everything is vital to avoid adverse side effects.

While businesses are all for the rising popularity of pre-rolls, we are more invested in marijuana enthusiasts knowing and understanding the products they use.

With this in mind, we will cover the freshness and longevity of pre-rolls and the factors that make them bad.

What's in a Pre-roll?

Let us begin by telling what pre-rolls are. Pre-rolls are exactly what they sound like– pre-rolled cannabis joints that many prefer due to their convenience. With pre-rolls, or as they are also known, marijuana cigarettes, all you have to do is light up and enjoy.

One contributing factor to the ever-rising popularity of pre-rolls is cannabis going from an unregulated to a regulated substance. Regulation opened the doors for dispensaries and businesses to sell pre-rolls to customers looking for convenience and ease.

Pre-rolls are made up of the following components:

Flower

Not every brand uses the same quality cannabis flower or the same type. Some brands sell lower-quality flowers, which are not worth customers' money, while others take utmost care and dedication to providing a high-quality product. This makes them worth buying from.

Pre-rolls are available filled with the following flower types:

Indica pre-rolls - These pre-rolls are made with flowers from an Indica chemovar of cannabis. Indica strains may provide a more sedating effect than other cannabis strains.
Sativa pre-rolls - They are made with flowers from a Sativa chemovar of cannabis. Sativa strains may produce a more focused, uplifting, and energetic effect.
Hybrid Pre-Rolls - These pre-rolls are made with a hybrid variety of cannabis. Usually, hybrid strains contain a mix of both sativa and indica, offering a mix of their effects. Most strains available on the market are hybrid.
Infused Pre-Rolls - Infused pre-rolls are made with dried cannabis flowers and are infused with cannabis extract or concentrate. Typically, manufacturers add THC distillate to the inside of the pre-roll paper during the rolling process. This gives the pre-roll higher potency and more flavor than pre-rolls filled with only flowers. For example, our automated pre-roll infusion robot infuses pre-rolls automatically for precision dosing.

Pre-roll fill

As previously mentioned, pre-rolled joints use cannabis of varying quality. The following pre-roll fill types are common:

Trim - This type of fill is made up of the clippings of a cannabis plant. Trim fill contains little cannabis buds, sugar leaves, and plant trichomes.
Shake - The small bits of the cannabis flower that fall off larger buds.
Nug - This fill type is also known as a whole flower or bud.

Pre-roll paper

The last component of pre-rolls is the rolling paper. Various rolling papers will affect the smoking experience differently. The material of the rolling paper affects the taste of the herbs.

The most popular materials for rolling paper include:

Organic hemp wrap
Refined white paper
Unrefined brown paper
Palm leaf
Organic hemp paper

We must note that many companies include some additives in their rolling papers to make their products stand out. For example, some additives in rolling paper turn the ashes into certain colors or give specific flavors.

Factors Influencing Pre-Roll Freshness

Temperature

High temperature may cause the THC and other cannabinoids in the pre-rolls to break down faster, which reduces their potency levels.

The ideal temperature for pre-roll storage is between 60-68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Light and humidity

You should store your pre-rolls away from direct sunlight in a cool, dark place. Too much light causes cannabis to degrade faster and dry out.

The ideal humidity range for pre-roll storage is between 59% - 63%.

Due to the exposure to other pollutants in the air, your pre-rolls start to lose quality as they age. According to research, marijuana's THC content decreases by up to 16.6% after just one year of storage.

These levels rise over time, with a 23% decline in THC after two years, a 34% drop after three years, and a 41% drop after four years.

How long do pre-roll joints last?

If you store pre-rolls appropriately, they may last anywhere from six months to a year. Cannabis will start to lose its potency and aroma as it gets older. While you can still smoke it and feel the euphoric effects, they won't be as intense as when you first obtained the marijuana.

How do you identify bad pre-rolls?

Smell

If you want to know if the pre-rolled marijuana is still fresh, you should use your nose. You should first take the cap off and smell it. Pre-rolls of high-quality cannabis will smell earthy and have a strong terpene profile.

The terpenes are still there if the smell is pleasant and has an earthy quality. Otherwise, the pre-rolls could not be very fresh and could be dried out.

However, if the smell is stale or rotten, the roll has gone bad, and it is best to throw it out.

Look

If the pre-rolls have developed mold, it clearly indicates that it has gone bad. Hence, they are no longer safe for consumption. You should dispose of them.

Taste

After more extended storage periods, pre-rolls will undoubtedly have reduced potency and flavor. Yet, if you light it up and the taste is off or stale, it indicates that it has gone bad. Stop smoking the pre-roll and throw it out.

Extending Pre-Roll Freshness

A Doob tube

Doob tubes are containers explicitly intended for storing pre-rolls. Doob tubes are an excellent option for storing pre-roll joints because they are made to keep air out and keep the freshness of the pre-rolls.

You can use a doob tube to store pre-rolls that you have only partially smoked.

Jars

Large enough to carry lots of pre-rolled marijuana are glass jars like mason jars. Mason jars have airtight lids. Other glass jars could have caps or locking closures to keep out air.

Choose a jar that fits the size of your pre-rolls to prevent having an excessive amount of empty airspace. The container performs better with less air inside of it.

Empty mint tins

Empty mint tins are another good solution to store half-used or unused pre-rolls. But, you should expect that there may be potential smell contamination to the rolling paper based on what was previously in the tin.

These storages fit without adding bulk or discomfort to your pocket or bag.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can pre-rolls grow mold?

If pre-rolls remain stored in a place with a lot of moisture, they can develop mold over time. This is why you should store pre-rolls in dark and cool places in an airtight container.

How to properly store pre-rolls?

Always start by locating an appropriate marijuana container to keep your joint fresh. You should ideally store pre-rolls in an airtight jar or other container. The container should fully close so no air gets inside and impacts the freshness of the pre-rolls.

Can exposure to sunlight alone cause pre-rolls to go bad?

Too much light can dry out pre-rolls; when you decide to light them up, they will burn out fast. Keep your pre-rolls in a place with sufficient humidity levels, or place a humidifier close by to ensure enough moisture in the air.

Conclusion

Do pre-rolls go bad? The answer is yes, especially if you do not store the pre-rolls appropriately. Proper storage may keep pre-rolls fresh from six months to a year.

Keep pre-rolls stored in an airtight container in a cool place away from direct sunlight for optimal freshness.