Mold is no joke. And when it’s latched itself onto something you’re combusting, it could have serious health implications. A 2017 University of California study examined 20 cannabis samples from medical dispensaries. Within those 20, they discovered E. Coli, and Klebsiella which could make the user very sick. Scary right? Well, I’m hoping to eliminate that fear with some tactics to tell if your bud might be contaminated.
The first and most obvious sign of mold is a visible fuzz. Of course this is particularly hard with certain strains due the trichome fuzz that’s naturally a part of the plant. However using a bright light to inspect a couple buds should make it more clear. Look for white, grey, brown, or green fuzz. Sometimes a slimy film will cover an area. Anything that seems like it could be mold probably is.
Next up is the smell. With such a wide array of smells associated with cannabis, you can’t always just rely on a musky smell meaning that there’s mold. Interestingly, you should be looking for more of a human smell. Human sweat or urine is an easy tip off. The longer your bud has been contaminated, the more it will smell. So in the early stages of mold growth, the nose test is less reliable.
Have you ever gotten a bag of bud that was kind of damp? If so it’s pertinent that you check for mold. Wet product is the #1 reason for mold growth. Cannabis should be cured at 65% humidity, however when the buds are slightly damp, it usually means that they may not have been cured correctly, and are at a much higher risk for mold. If you come across some wet but, perform the smell and visual tests to confirm weather your product is safe to smoke.
If you’re buying product that’s lab tested, you have much less to worry about when it comes to mold. Storing your product with a humidity pack can also help. All in all, as long as you know how to identify mold, you should never come in contact with it. And if you happen to see some on your product, make sure to let the seller know to help prevent the spread of compromised cannabis!
