What To Do If Your Weed Gets Wet

When it comes to storing weed, you want to maintain that sticky-icky sweet spot. Not too dry, not too moist, but just right. In service of perfectly preserved bud, a lot of articles focus on how to keep your weed from drying out. But, what do you do if your weed gets wet? And, how do you tell if your bud is just sticky, or too moist altogether?

Well, consider us the savants of ganja. In previous articles, we've covered tips and tricks for preserving freshness and rescuing overly dry buds. Now, let's get into what you can do if your weed is too wet.

Is your weed really wet or just sticky?

It can seem like a fine line between damp buds and sticky perfection. Here's how you can tell whether your weed is dodgy:

If it squishes when you lightly squeeze it, your weed is likely too moist. Of course, you want a little stickiness. Perfectly cured buds feel sticky because they're coated in resin (where the cannabinoids live). But they still should have a bit of bounce (not squish).

While wet weed might feel a little sticky to the touch, it won't actually stick to your fingers. But that's what you want—buds that feel like they've got a bit of honey on them. If it seems like you might find it at a Turkish bakery (think baklava), you're good. If it seems a bit water-logged or spongy, you've got a problem on your hands.

What happens if you smoke wet weed?

Smoking weed that's too wet isn't typically dangerous. It won't cause you to melt into a puddle, Wicked Witch of the West style. But just like smoking dried-out buds, smoking wet weed can be annoying and unpleasant. You'll likely find that it's hard to grind, doesn't burn properly, and tastes bad. Crucially, it's also possible that wet weed won't get you as high (we bet that got your attention).

Why would wet weed be less effective? It's not so much that moisture reduces its potency on a chemical level. The problem is more that overly moist buds are hard to burn. Also, needing to relight your bowl or joint over and over means you'll inevitably waste more of your stash just trying to keep it burning.

If you bought weed that was already too moist, you could also be getting ripped off. Obviously, wet weed is heavier than bud that's perfectly cured. That means you might have paid a water tax on your recent acquisition. The point is, wet weed equals more work, more waste, more money, and less enjoyment. All around, this is clearly not ideal.

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The risks of wet weed

While smoking wet weed isn't necessarily bad for your health, for how long the weed stays wet can definitely make a difference. A moist environment is a hotbed for mould, fungi, and bacteria. So, if you leave your weed wet for too long, you might end up with more than you bargained for. Smoking mouldy weed can lead to headaches, breathing problems, and even pneumonia. For that reason, if your weed got wet, it's safer to dry it out right away.

Whatever drying method you use, you should check your weed for mould before and after the drying process. If you notice it smells a bit like last week's takeaway, or if it has anything visibly growing on it, it's probably safer to cut your losses and toss your stash. On that note, let's get into exactly what you can do if your weed gets wet.

How to dry wet weed

Maybe you're a grower and didn't cure it properly, maybe it rained while your weed was in your bag, or maybe you spilled a drink. Honestly, maybe it's just incredibly humid outside. There are many reasons your weed might be holding a bit too much moisture. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to rectify the situation.

Rice to the rescue

If you've ever spilled a drink on your cell phone, you're probably familiar with this method. Well, it turns out uncooked rice is good for rescuing more than electronics. If your weed is wet, place it in a bowl or bag and cover it in rice.

The dry rice will absorb the excess moisture, returning your buds to their full glory. Depending on how wet your weed is, you should leave it in the rice for at least 24 hours. If it's still too moist when you check it, give it another day or so. Simply seal the container so the rice can absorb the moisture, and you're good to go!

Paper over the problem

Got wet weed? Don't worry—you've got this in the bag. In other words, if your weed is a bit too moist, you can leave it to dry in a closed paper bag. Put the bag in a cool, dry place. If you have access to a dehumidifier, now is the time to turn it on. The paper will allow air to circulate, while protecting your buds from trichome-damaging light.

You can also try wrapping your cannabis in paper towels before placing it in the bag. Similarly to rice, the paper towel will help absorb some of the moisture. Replace the paper towel and turn over your weed every couple of hours, making sure to check it for mould. This will also allow any residual humidity to escape from the bag.

Cure your soggy stash

If you're a grower, you're probably familiar with the fight against moisture and mould. After a successful harvest, it's crucial to cure your buds properly. The equipment used for curing can also be used to remove moisture from previously perfect buds. If your weed is full-on wet, you might want to try the rice method first. If it's just a little too damp, try adding a humidipak to your airtight storage container.

Products like the Boveda Humidipak 62 are designed to keep your buds at an optimal 62% humidity. They not only remove excess moisture, but add it back in when your weed gets too dry. That's an added benefit. It ensures you won't accidentally dry out your weed too much in the process of saving it from a soggy death.

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Avoid shortcuts

When weed gets wet, it can be tempting to use heat to dry it. After all, chances are you want to smoke it sooner rather than later. Despite this all too natural impulse, it's important to avoid shortcuts that involve light and heat.

Using a blow dryer, an oven, or spreading your weed out in the sun can leave you with a lower-quality stash. That's because light and heat will degrade cannabinoids as well as terpenes. What you save in time, you could lose in potency. Not only that, you run the risk of over-drying your buds, leading to a harsher, less enjoyable smoke.

Moisture prevention: store your weed right

Wet weed is unpleasant at best, destructive at worse (hello mould!). While accidents happen, there are some steps you can take to prevent excess moisture from threatening your stash. The goal is to stay in the Goldilocks zone: not too much, and not too little. Fresh is best, and it all starts with storing your cannabis properly. Keep your weed in an airtight container and put that container in a dry, dark, and cool place. Easy enough, right?

Mason jars work well, but if you really want to treat your weed right, invest in a specialised storage container. The CVault is both airtight and light-tight. It also comes with a humidipak to really help your stash last. Just stay away from plastic baggies. After all, you're a cannabis connoisseur, and dime bags are so last season.

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Adam Parsons

Professional cannabis journalist, copywriter, and author Adam Parsons is a long-time staff member of Zamnesia. Tasked with covering a wide range of topics from CBD to psychedelics and everything in between, Adam creates blog posts, guides, and explores an ever-growing range of products.

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