In many movies and TV shows, characters often discover old joints they’d hidden decades ago. This typically proceeds to some ‘tubular’ highs with intense character growth — but is it actually realistic to get high off old weed?
The answer, sadly, is no. Weed’s potency naturally degrades over time, and it can even develop mold. So, knowing when and how to throw away weed is important.
How To Throw Away Weed
Cannabis may be legal, but consumption can still be dangerous to children, animals, and others. Additionally, state law prohibits possession by anyone under 21. So, you must always keep your weed out of children’s reach — even when tossing it.
This also applies to any accessories that came into contact with cannabis, including:
- Joint tips and “roaches”
- Used vape pens and cartridges
- Bowls, bongs, and bubblers
- Used joint rollers
- Ashtrays
- Cannabis plants
Contaminate It, Seal It, and Bury It in the Trash
Whether you’re tossing a half-eaten edible or a moldy joint, you don’t want it getting into anyone’s hands or paws. First, mix the cannabis waste with something else you’re throwing away, such as coffee grounds, cat litter, or paint. Mix this inside a jar, yogurt cup, ketchup bottle, or something else you can close or tape up. Once it’s safely sealed, push it into the trash and wash your hands — it’s that easy.
If you’re disposing of an ashtray, bong, or other glass item, you may not even need to take all these steps. Assuming nothing is broken, simply give the item a good wash and recycle it.
Return the Cannabis to the Dispensary
Most recreational and medical dispensaries have safe practices for weed disposal. Reach out to your local dispensary to discuss their options for cannabis waste. Some locations may instead refer you to drug take-back programs or local law enforcement agencies that have better processes in place.
Find an Amnesty Box
Some airports and other locations offer amnesty boxes for travelers to dispose of their weed safely. These are especially common in popular tourist locations like Colorado and Las Vegas. However, you should always check if amnesty boxes are available before bringing your weed to the airport.
How To Avoid Wasting Weed
Having to throw away weed is never fun, which is why proper cannabis storage and planning are so crucial. Exposure to heat, sunlight, and oxygen can speed up your weed’s degradation process, causing it to dry out and lose its potency.
Always keep your weed sealed inside the original packaging, a jar, or an airtight bag. Then, store it in a room-temperature area out of reach of pets, kids, and sunlight.
Another useful strategy is to not overspend. While cannabis sales can be hard to ignore, those buds in the back of your lockbox will lose more of their potency every week. So, avoid buying more than a month or so’s supply at a time, and prioritize your older weed over the goodies you just bought.
Learn More Cannabis Best Practices
Knowing how to throw away weed safely is important, but not letting your weed go bad is better. Harbor House Collective offers high-quality cannabis products that follow proper storage and safety procedures.
Visit Harbor House Collective and check out our loyalty program to keep your weed fresh and restocked.
