Why does smoking cannabis make you itch?
If a puff on a joint makes your throat burn and sends you coughing immediately, it’s no coincidence – but a sign that something is wrong with the buds. The reasons can be many and varied: from old buds to incorrect drying to mold. Here are the most common causes:
- Old flowers
Cannabis does not spoil like milk, but it does lose potency, flavor and smoothness over time. If it is stored for too long or stored incorrectly (light, heat, humidity), the buds dry out, crumble and taste scratchy.
How to recognize old buds:
- Dry, brittle, fall apart easily
- Mild or musty odor
Possibly sweet smell or white spots → Indication of mold
👉 Tip: Store cannabis in a cool, dark and airtight place, preferably with humidity packs.
- Genetics of the variety
Some strains are naturally harsher to smoke. An example: Strawberry Cough – notorious for coughing, but loved for its strawberry flavor.
If you prefer softer varieties, go for Purple Punch, Girl Scout Cookies, Bruce Banner or Six Shooter.
- Too many leaves in play
Untrimmed sugar leaves can make the smoke harsher, even if they shine with trichomes.
👉 Solution: Trim better! You can use the leaves later for hash, extracts or cannabutter.
- Incorrect smoking technology
Sometimes it’s not the flower, but the consumption itself.
Tips for a smoother pull:
Use a bong or vaporizer → Water or vaporization cools the smoke
Thin joints roll → less smoke at once
Grind evenly → neither too fine nor too coarse
Take small trains and take breaks
- Mold infestation
One serious cause: mold. Cannabis consists of approx. 75% water – mold spores have an easy time if it is dried incorrectly or the humidity is too high.
Warning signals:
Sweetish, musty smell
White, fluffy patches
Harsh smoke with an unpleasant taste
⚠️ Never smoke moldy weed! This can lead to breathing problems, infections or nausea. Dispose of it, don’t save it.
- Incorrect drying & curing
If you dry the flowers too quickly or skip the curing, you risk scratchy buds.
Optimal conditions:
Temperature: 15-21 °C
Humidity: 45-55 %
Dark, good ventilation, but no direct fan
Chlorophyll and other “green” substances that are responsible for the scratchy taste break down during curing. At least 6-8 weeks in the jar with regular burping is mandatory.
- Residues from sprays or PGRs
Excessive use of pesticides, sprays or plant growth regulators (PGRs) leaves residues and a harsh taste. Even organic agents such as neem oil can taste unpleasant if they get directly onto the buds.
👉 When buying, look for transparent growers or grow as clean as possible yourself.
How to save scratchy buds
Sometimes the flowers are already dry and harsher than desired. They are not completely lost – you can soften them with these methods:
Humidity packs (e.g. Boveda, Integra) in a jar → same humidity, smoother smoke.
Fruit peel method – place lemon or orange peel in the glass (not directly on the buds, change daily).
Steam cloth trick – attach a damp (not wet!) paper towel to the glass.
Water curing – rinse buds in distilled water for a few days, change daily, then dry again. Removes chlorophyll, but can reduce terpenes.
Add flavor enhancer – e.g. aromatic rolling paper or herbs (use sparingly).
Bread slice hack – put a small piece of bread in the jar (like cookies), but watch out for mold.
Conclusion: Smooth instead of harsh
Scratchy cannabis buds are not destiny – it is usually due to incorrect storage, lack of curing or genetic characteristics of the strain.
With proper harvesting, drying and storage, you will get smooth, aromatic flowers right from the start. If something does go wrong, rehydration tricks such as humidity packs or water curing can help.
👉 In the end, the more care you take from grow to enjoyment, the smoother the smoke.