You can use the paper bag or paper towel method to dry wet weeds. Even the good old rice is a possible way to get your weed to its former glory. However, the factor to check is how wet the weed buds are.
Only if your cannabis buds got splashes of water might you consider drying it. It is still not guaranteed that you can dry the whole thing. But don’t proceed to dry any bud with so much water spilled on it, fallen into liquid, or has been wet for an extended period. Smoking wet buds is harmful.
We shall elaborate on ways you can dry wet weed in this blog.
Potential Causes of Wet Weed
There can be many reasons your weeds get wet. But the first and obvious way is to accidentally spill any liquid on it. If it is not a high amount of water and it spilled just now, you can consider drying the leaves. But if it is anything else, like juice or milk or too much liquid, don’t bother.
Additionally, the buds may not have been cured. However, when that happens, it is usually called moist weed instead of wet. Yes, they are slightly different. While the former are freshly picked buds yet to get cured, the latter is for cannabis that was already dry but later got wet.
But one thing is common, both moist and wet weeds can get mold spores over a short period. So, smoking them as it is, is a huge no-no.
Tips for Drying Wet Weed
First thing first, given the risk of consuming wet weeds, the choice of drying them or throwing them out is yours. There has yet to be an official DIY method to dry them. So, it depends on your common sense and experience. Readers’ discretion is advised.
With that out of the way, let’s explore some standard methods people use to dry wet weeds-
Heating in the Oven
Try to break the weed apart with your hands and spread it on a tray. Afterward, put it in the oven for 30-40 minutes at 245 degrees F. Make sure to cool it to room temperature next.
Note that the process will leave your kitchen smelling like weeds for a while because of the release of terpenes. Also, do not use a microwave, as the EM wave will mess up the buds.
Using Paper Towel
This method is straightforward. Put the buds in a paper towel, wrap them properly, and put them under a fan or dehumidifier to remove the moisture. Flip the buds and replace the papers once every 5-8 hours until a day or two. It is better to do it in a dry and less humid room.
Adding Humidity Pack
Humidity packs may only work if the weed is only mildly soggy and not too wet. Put one pack in the container storing weed and leave it for at most three days. Do not let it sit longer, as the moisture can return from the pack to the buds.
Also, adding multiple humidity packs in the same container won’t speed up the process. So, don’t bother with that unless there is too much weed or the container is too big.
Rice Method
The classic rice method to dry things works better than you may think. Put the wet weed in a mason jar filled halfway with dry rice. Then add rice on the buds enough to cover it but don’t put too much. Leave the jar open in a cool, dark, dry place for a day or two.
Use a dehumidifier for a faster outcome.
Paper Bag
The paper bag method is just like the paper towel method, except the setting is slightly different. Here, you put a paper towel in the bag and put the weed on it. Then run the exact process with the fan and/or dehumidifier, replacing the towel and flipping the weed in time.
Curing Your Dried Buds
Your weed must be dried properly before you proceed to cure them. People do it to preserve the buds. Meanwhile, freshly harvested weed is also cured to get that THC to improve finely for a better consumption experience.
Use 32oz wide-mouthed glass mason jars for the process. They are available online. Fill the dried weed up to three-quarters in the jar and cover it. The buds mustn’t be too dry, also. Seal the jar properly and leave for a couple of weeks or two at 70-degree F room temperature and 60-67% humidity.
Storing Weed
Storing weed is necessary to preserve them longer without fear of letting them get wet or collect humidity. Airtight glass jars, instead of plastic bags, are the best for this procedure. Keep the weed inside the jar with a humidity pack.
Place the jar at 70 degrees F in a cool and dry place, but not in a freezer or fridge. The maximum shelf life of this process is a year.
Risks of Consuming Wet Weed
Smoking or any method of consuming wet weed is not advisable. It is hazardous for your health, and even that may be an understatement. Wet weed can get moldy in no time. Even the most industrially produced or processed ones aren’t safe since mold find their way.
If you smoke wet weed, given you managed to light and grind it, you are putting your health at some serious risk. We are talking about pulmonary infection, pulmonary diseases, and even death. If you have a strong immune system, you may be safe with a bit of smoking, but it is still not ideal to do so.
Aside from the health issues, you may struggle to ready wet weed for smoking. It may block the blades of the grinder. You may have a hard time burning it too. Just think of it as burning any wet or moist leaf compared to burning a dry one. Wetting a rolled blunt may also render the wrap unusable.
FAQ:
Does wet weed lose potency when it dries?
No, drying wet weeds won’t remove any potency from them. However, you mustn’t store the dried weed for longer than ideal as it can slowly lose potency.
Should you wait for the weed to dry?
No, if you mustn’t leave the weed to dry by itself. You want it to dry quickly, which the humidity in the air won’t let. So, proceed with the drying process as soon as possible.
How long can weed dry out?
The time it takes for weed to dry out depends on your method. You can use an oven for the trick to get it done within 40 minutes. Otherwise, you may use the paper towel or bag methods, which take up to a couple of days.
Conclusion
Smoking wet weed buds are very unhealthy. So, unless you are sure you can do it, we do not advise trying to dry them. If you are not confident, throw them out. You don’t want to risk your health for it. But if you follow the methods above, you can salvage some potential dry cannabis. Use your common sense and inspect the buds to ensure they dry properly.
