Marijuana is far more acceptable than it’s ever been. The once-demonized plant became far more celebrated in recent years among consumers and medical experts. THC is the most popular cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant due to its psychoactive component. However, CBD products are slowly creeping behind in the market, and it’s an inescapable phenomenon. The attraction to CBD is based on their medicinal benefits as a nonpscychoactive property in marijuana that helps with depression, PTSD, and anxiety, among other neurological disorders.
The thing is, we’re in the earliest stages of cannabis research. The long-standing prohibition laws against marijuana prevented — and continue to prevent — scientists from effectively exploring every facet of the plant. Storing marijuana products is necessary knowledge for consumers and business owners to ensure their products don’t go stale or bad. That can be for THC-heavy flower and concentrates to edibles containing CBD. Botanical products, in general, do have a timer on their shelf-life. It’s critical to understand the different factors that contribute to their degradation. This way, you can identify solutions to extend their lifespan on shelves or at home if you’re wondering ‘does CBD go bad?’
Does CBD Oil Expire?
Yes, CBD oil does expire, just like any other botanical product. However, there is some good news surrounding this — it might take a while for the degradation process to begin. Most products have an expiry date on the level but many ask want to know how to tell when CBD is expired.
It begins with the CBD products losing its potency, which won’t necessarily harm you but it also will lose all medicinal benefits. In some instances, it could just simply go bad, which can possibly create issues down the line. However, CBD can weather through extended periods of time before getting to a point of degradation. Once the oil loses its potency, then it’s finally expired. Since CBD can be on the pricier side, it’s best to preserve your products in safe storage space that can help extend its shelf life. Below, we further explore the lifespan of CBD products and the ways you can preserve it for longer.
What’s The Shelf Life Of CBD Oil?
The shelf life of CBD oil varies. Some can withstand time longer than others because of a few critical factors to take into consideration like quality and storage. For the most part, you can expect a bottle of CBD oil to last you anywhere from 14 months to two years. Still, any sort of cannabis products, whether THC or CBD, will be hit harshly if exposed to excess sunlight or heat. These two factors are known to dry out flower and degrade oil. So, even if you’re banking on having a bottle of oil for a lengthy period of time, make sure it isn’t exposed to heat or sunlight. So if you’re wondering “does cbd lose its potency over time?” then the answer is yes.
Another aspect to consider if the how it was made. The quality of the oil, as well as the extraction process plays a role in its expiry date. Premium hemp extracts that use minimal additives and processing will always have a longer lifespan due to its pureness.
The most effective method of extracting CBD or any other cannabinoid is through CO2 extraction process. It’s the most common practice in the industry but it also yields the best results with near purity. CBD products that use CO2 extraction process will have a much longer shelf life compared to other oils that don’t.
As mentioned earlier, every bottle should have a CBD oil expiration date attached to comply with FDA protocols.
Bottomline is that the answer is yes for anyone wondering “Can CBD oil expire?”
What happens if you take expired CBD oil?
One of the most common questions surrounding CBD is “Can you get sick from expired cbd oil?” For the most part, no unless you’re consuming big amounts of it, which isn’t recommended in the first place.
The thing is that expired CBD oil will simply lose its potency so literally nothing can happen if you consume it in small amounts. Now, do CBD capsules expire, too? Similarly, the medicinal benefits will fade away due to the CBD degradation over time.
Will expired CBD oil make you sick? No, not in small amounts, but it won’t help you either.
How Can I Tell If CBD Oil Is Gone Bad?
Here are a few ways to determine whether CBD oil has gone bad, per Heathline.
Smell: if it has a bit of funk to it and doesn’t contain the strong, rich earthy tones of CBD oil, then chances it is passed its expiry date.
Look: Once CBD oil becomes thick and dark, then it’s time to toss out that bottle. CBD oil should always have a natural color and viscosity — a nearly syrupy texture with tones of dark green to brown.
Taste: Like any botanical product, once it starts to taste a little funky, then it’s no longer good to use. CBD oil can have a variety of flavors, if it goes through extensive processing. Natural CBD oil should have nutty and earthy flavors. So, if it’s tasting a bit funny, then it’s time to purchase a new bottle.
How Long Should CBD Oil Last?
A lot of people wonder ‘how long does cbd oil last?’ This is all depends on how much you use on a regular basis. Some experts say a bottle of CBD oil should be able to last from 12 to 18 months, while others say it’s 14 months to two years. However, if you’re a regular consumer, then it likely won’t take you that long to breeze through.
Best Storage Tips For CBD Oil
As we’ve already answered your questions regarding “does CBD degrade over time?”, it’s time to breakdown the ways to preserve CBD oil and extend its lifespan.
It’s important to consider the packaging of the CBD oil. Due to rigid compliant regulations, businesses are to ensure they’re using the best type of packaging possible for their products. Keeping your CBD in its original packaging minimizes tampering, even after it’s opened. Additionally, it provides a better chance of storing it within an airsealed environment.
Speaking of environments, CBD does need to be stored in specific places where it won’t be harmed. For one, the temperature of the room should be somewhere between 60 to 70°F. The best method is storing products in a cool and dark environment. Cupboards, closets or pantries stand as your best options, especially if they can prevent exposure to sources of heat or cold. Ensure that the bottle isn’t near any sort of ventilation that could expose it radiators, air conditions, windows, or stoves.
Finally, it’s always best to use tools to extract the oils from the bottles. A clean dropper or a spoon is the best way to prevent bacteria and germs from getting inside your CBD oil and potentially, ruining it.
