How To Look For Moldy Weed

You definitely don't want mold in your lungs, especially not from contaminated cannabis!

So here you are, wondering whether that bud in your hands is still safe to smoke or if it's gone bad.

Don't worry, you've landed in the right place.

In this guide, you'll learn how to look for moldy weed, how to identify mold on cannabis, and how to prevent mold growth before it starts.

HOW TO SPOT MOLD GROWTH

To the untrained eye, mold on weed can be tricky to detect and is often mistaken for trichomes especially in its early stages.

So, how can you tell if your cannabis is moldy? What should you look out for?

Here are some clear warning signs and simple checks you can do right at home:

VISUAL INSPECTION

You should be able to see visible mold with your naked eye if it has progressed. Shine a bright light directly on your buds and look for unusual colors or textures, such as:

• White, fuzzy patches that look like cotton.
• Grayish spots that look dull and sometimes have a web-like texture.
• Ugly black discoloration or brown blotches.
• Tiny black dots (mold spores).
• Deformed or abnormal-looking leaves on the bud.
• Yellowish film that looks powdery or dusty.

Pro Tip: Use your phone's camera to zoom in or a magnifying glass. If your buds look dusty or dull instead of sparkly, it might be a sign of mold.

SMELL TEST: DOES YOUR WEED SMELL FUNKY?

Smell can be a powerful indicator of mold contamination.

If your bud has a musty, stale, or damp smell, like a basement after a storm, it might be moldy.

Some moldy weed may even smell like ammonia or to put it bluntly — urine.

TEXTURE TEST: IS YOUR BUD TOO WET OR SLIMY?

Gently squeeze a small piece of the nug. Healthy cannabis should feel slightly sticky, springy, and well-cured.

If your bud feels:

• Wet
• Mushy
• Slimy
• Or leaves behind a chalky or dusty residue

…it’s likely infected with mold.

TRY THE "SNAP TEST" FOR SPORES

Under a bright light (or your phone flashlight), gently snap your suspect bud in half. If you see a soft "cloud" of smoke-like dust streaming off it for more than a second or two, you're looking at mold spores.

If it were trichomes, they would drop instantly.

And here is a golden rule: if it's smoking before you smoke it, you don't want to smoke it!

WHAT DOES MOLD ON CANNABIS LOOK LIKE?

Mold on cannabis flower can appear in different forms, depending on the types of mold involved. Generally, mold on weed looks like a grayish-white powdery or fuzzy coating. The presence of mold might also appear as dark spots on the buds, especially in the early stages of formation.

The three main types of mold that attack the cannabis plant include Bud Rot (Botrytis), Aspergillus, and Powdery Mildew.

BUD ROT (Botrytis)

Bud rot, also known as botrytis, is a type of mold that takes hold during the growing stage, especially when there's poor air circulation and high humidity.

It's a grower's nightmare because it starts deep within the dense core of the buds, near the stem, and works its way out, rotting the whole bud from the inside.

If you suspect bud rot, pull the bud apart. You'll see cobwebs of white, gray or brown mushy mold. Bud rot is devastating because it destroys the delicate cannabinoids and terpenes that give the flower its effects and flavor.

Bud rot spreads fast, so if you see it on one of your plants, you need to get rid of it immediately to prevent it from jumping to other nearby plants.

ASPERGILLUS

Aspergillus mold thrives in dark, damp spots, and it looks like a dense, matted carpet of white, gray, yellow, or black spores.

Aspergillus is bad news! If a contaminated nug is smoked, it can cause a lung infection known as aspergillosis, especially in people with weakened immune systems.

It also releases highly carcinogenic mycotoxins when heated, so be very cautious.

POWDERY MILDEW

Powdery mildew has a musty powdery appearance that can be white, yellow, or gray. It grows on leaves or buds, making them look like they've been dusted with flour—hence the name.

Some people mistake it for trichomes because both can be white, but trichomes are sparkly or crystalline and powdery mildew is dull and fuzzy.

WHY DOES WEED GET MOLDY?

Understanding the causes of mold helps you prevent it. Mold grows on weed due to:

High Humidity or Poor Storage Conditions

Cannabis that’s stored in damp environments or non-airtight containers is highly prone to mold growth.

Lack of Air Circulation

If your buds can’t breathe and are packed too tightly, moisture builds up, creating the perfect breeding ground for mold.

Improper Drying & Curing by Growers

Sometimes, mold issues start at the cultivation stage. Rushed curing or high humidity in grow rooms can result in moldy weed before it even hits dispensary shelves.

HOW TO PREVENT MOLD FROM GROWING ON YOUR WEED AT HOME

To keep your weed perfectly preserved and mold-free, work against the reasons we have discussed above as culprits for mold growth on cannabis. In short, focus on proper storage:

• Avoid storing your weed in the refrigerator or freezer.
• Control humidity and temperature by aiming for the 59-63% relative humidity and 15-21°C (60-70°F).
• Ensure good airflow in your weed storage area to avoid stagnant air.
• Store your weed in airtight containers like glass mason jars and keep them in a cool, dark, and dry place.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND MOLDY WEED?

Discard the affected buds. Simple as that.

I know it sucks to throw away something you paid for, but at the same time, smoking moldy weed is never worth the risk. It can cause respiratory problems, chest pain, or even fungal infections, as we will see later.

Mold spreads through invisible spores that can jump from one bud to another. If you find mold in a jar, assume the whole contents are contaminated. Keep the moldy buds away from any good buds you have and if they were in the same stash, it's best to get rid of it all.

If you just bought the contaminated stash from a dispensary, do the right thing and let them know. You could save someone else from buying a moldy product, and there's a good chance you'll get a replacement or a refund.

After that, take a moment to review your storage habits (or your source of weed) and learn from your mistakes, if any.

4 TIPS FOR AVOIDING BUD ROT IN THE FUTURE

Sometimes it's not your fault, but your source. Take these steps to make sure you don't end up buying moldy weed in the future:

1. Buy from trusted sources: Please stick to buying your cannabis products from licensed dispensaries as you will have people watching over you. They do lab testing on their cannabis for mold and other bad stuff.
2. Check the packaging date: If cannabis has been sitting around for a while it's had more time to develop mold.
3. Inspect before you buy: If the dispensary allows it, take a look at the weed before you buy. Many places let you see and smell the product, so don't be shy!
4. Always ask: Talk to your budtender. Ask about their sourcing and quality control. A knowledgeable budtender will be more than happy to share that info with you.

CAN YOU SMOKE MOLDY WEED?

No. Please, please don't do it!!!

There's no good reason to smoke moldy weed. Besides the obvious health risks, it won't taste good anyway.

When you light up that contaminated bud, you're not just burning plant matter; you're also burning the mold itself.

This releases millions of tiny mold spores into the smoke or vapor, which you then inhale directly and deeply into your lungs. This can cause all sorts of respiratory issues and allergic reactions, which we'll get into below.

HEALTH RISKS OF SMOKING MOLDY WEED

Burning moldy weed releases spores that can cause a host of problems for your body and can even degrade the natural THC levels during combustion, so you're risking your health for a weaker high. Here are some of the potential health issues that come with smoking moldy weed.

• Respiratory Issues: Moldy weed can irritate your lungs and airways, causing persistent coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and general difficulty breathing.
• Allergic Reactions: If you are allergic to mold, then you can experience symptoms like itchy eyes, a runny nose, and even sinus pain and pressure.
• Headaches and Nausea: Even if you don't have a full blown allergic reaction, inhaling mold can still make you feel generally crummy, causing headaches and nausea.
• Long-Term Problems: For people with compromised or weakened immune systems, some types of mold, like Aspergillus, can cause severe lung infections, like aspergillosis, a potentially life-threatening condition that starts in the lungs and can spread to other parts of the body.
• Weakened Immune System: Constantly exposing yourself to moldy cannabis can put a strain on your immune system as it works overtime to fight off the invading spores. Over time, this can leave you more vulnerable to other infections or illnesses.

THE BOTTOM LINE?

Get into the habit of checking your stash for all the signs we have discussed in this article before you even think about grinding it up. If you find mold, discard the affected buds!

Sometimes, even with the most thorough inspection, some mold might slip past you, especially if it's just starting to form.

To stay as safe as possible, consider using an advanced weed filter like those from MooseLabs. The Mooselabs MouthPeace is designed to filter tar and small harmful particles like mold spores before they reach your lungs.

This isn't an invitation to knowingly smoke weed with mold, but rather a smart precautionary step for those times when mold might have slipped past your inspection.

FAQs:

CAN YOU WASH MOLD OFF A BUD?

No. Water won't remove all the mold spores; you'll just make your buds wetter, encouraging mold to grow. Once it's there, the bud is a lost cause. Toss it.

HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MOLD AND TRICHOMES?

Trichomes sparkle. They look like tiny glassy crystals and feel sticky. Mold looks dull, fuzzy, or powdery like dust or a tiny cobweb.

CAN I SMOKE BUDS WITH POWDERY MILDEW?

Never smoke or vape buds with powdery mildew, as it can seriously irritate your lungs and cause coughing fits or even fungal infections.

HOW TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF MOLDY CANNABIS?

If you want to dispose of moldy marijuana plants/buds, put it in a sealed bag and throw it in the trash. Please don't compost it or leave it where the spores can spread to other plants or areas.

IS MOLDY WEED EDIBLE?

No. Eating mold spores is just as bad as inhaling them and can make you very sick.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU SMOKE MOLDY WEED?

Best case? A nasty cough and a headache. Worst case? You could get wheezing, shortness of breath, sinus pain, an allergic reaction, or a serious lung infection like aspergillosis.