Cannabis mould – how to prevent mould while storing marijuana?

Cannabis storage has come a long way since the days of plastic bags. But even with improved packaging, freshness isn’t the only thing you should be concerned about. The mould that can form during storage doesn’t just threaten the health of your cannabis – it can threaten your health too. What are the dangers of cannabis mould, and how can you keep your products completely mold-free?

Causes of cannabis mould in storage

When cannabis is taken out of the dryer, it is usually free of mould if the producer has taken the necessary precautions to prevent it. At this point, however, the cannabis will be transferred to containers and this is when it may be exposed to higher humidity. This exposure to moisture will persist throughout the life of the product, as you will be constantly opening and closing the container with the product. This will also expose your product to the risk of mould.

There are two types of mold that you hear about when discussing the health impacts on consumers. The first, which is more commonly found when your cannabis is in production, is known as “bud rot” or Botrytis cinerea. The second is the Aspergillus fungus.

Botrytis cinerea is known for destroying the cannabis plant itself. It works from the stem outwards, starting as grey-white tufts that eventually destroy the bud and turn the thick colluvium into a greasy, wet plant mass. Bud rot occurs only on plants and is most common in dense colas that have little airflow and can hold moisture. It cannot develop on cannabis plants after they have been harvested.
Aspergillus is a very common fungus that can occur not only on the buds of the plant. If Aspergillus spores are present in high concentrations in the air, they can wreak havoc on people with damaged lungs or weakened immune systems. It is commonly found in soil or anywhere with high moisture content, including the buds of the cannabis plant. Unlike bud rot, Aspergillus can affect cannabis plants during storage.

Effects of cannabis mould and human health

If your cannabis plant is exposed to mould, it becomes unusable. Smoking a cannabis product with mould can seriously harm the consumer, especially if they have a weakened immune system. As cannabis is being promoted as a medicinal product, concerns about mould and contaminants are of the utmost importance. Cannabis mould should be completely discarded to protect the health of consumers.

Marijuana with high levels of Aspergillus mould can cause harmful infections. High concentrations can lead to aspergilloma, which can cause symptoms ranging from a basic cough to severe fatigue and haemoptysis. For people with weakened immune systems, exposure to Aspergillus can turn into invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, which can spread to parts of the body other than the lungs and can lead to death if not treated properly.

Cannabis with flower rot also contains spores that can damage the lungs, but bud rot is not associated with as serious risks as Aspergillus.

Preventing mould in cannabis storage

The best way to prevent mould when storing cannabis is to ensure a consistently dry environment for your product. For most consumers, airtight ‘flower containers’ are a sufficient option. The slightest exposure to outdoor moisture can lead to mold growth, so airtight containers are a great option.

Also, make sure your final products are dry enough before storage, this can also be the start of mold growth.

So we have a thorough understanding of cannabis mould and how to avoid its spread during storage.

You don’t have to worry too much about storing your cannabis now before the season starts, it’s more a matter of choosing a quality variety, which we can help you with. There will be plenty of new information waiting for you when it comes time to store your produce.