Have you ever noticed a cloudy murkiness forming in your CBD oils, or overtime, wondering if they’re losing their potency? What about wondering about how to store CBD?
Like so many of us, you might be storing CBD products incorrectly without realizing that these products have a finite shelf life.
Over time they will degrade, which is just a waste! We’re going to show you how to store CBD products to maximize their shelf life and ensure you’re getting the full effects of this potency.
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What’s The Shelf Life Of CBD?
The shelf life of CBD depends upon what form it’s in. It also depends on the quality of the CBD product and how well it’s been packaged.
You won’t be at risk of physical harm if you use CBD products that have gone beyond their shelf life. But what you are protecting against includes:
- Bugs
- Contamination
- Mould
- Moisture and humidity (avoid the freezer)
- Excessive sunlight
- Sources of heat
If your CBD product does meet these factors while in storage, the products will have lost some or all of their potency. Also, they will smell and taste terrible which will simply ruin your experience.
Most CBD products will last between 6 months and 2 years if they are stored properly, so let’s take a look at how you can do it.
How To Store Your CBD Products Correctly
CBD products are impacted by changes in temperature, oxygen and light. That means they need to be stored in a dark place that’s kept cool – a temperature of 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal.
Coloured containers rather than clear containers will help. Plastic containers should be avoided because plastic affects the taste.
It’s important to note that exposure to air will speed up the deterioration process. Store your CBD products in airtight containers and replace the lid as soon as possible each time you use them.
How Can You Tell If Your CBD Product Is Rancid?
Like food, generally, it’ll be quite easy to spot that your CBD product is rancid. The smell and taste will make it instantly obvious that it has gone past its best.
CBD oil will also have a murky, cloudy appearance when it’s time to throw it out and get a replacement, so you’ll be able to tell.
Keep in mind that you won’t get sick from rancid CBD products, but its potency might be affected.
Storage Advice For Every CBD Product Type
As well as keeping them in a cool, dark place in an airtight container, how to store CBD products depends on what form they’re in. The refrigerator also ensures a longer shelf life (note: NOT the freezer), but again, it depends on the product you have.
For smoking
Cannabis flower is sprinkled in cannabinoid-rich trichomes. How to store CBD flower? You want to protect these trichomes as much as possible and that means storing it in a dry, airtight container to prevent mold from forming. You can also try a mason jar for airtight storage. Mason jars are typically coloured dark as brown or green which protects the harmful light from coming into contact with the flower.
Flower doesn’t last as long as other CBD products as their shelf life is a maximum of 1 year at the most. In comparison, CBD oil shelf life can be up to 2 years, so choose 1 of the 2 options above to keep the product going.
For oil
One question people ask about how to store CBD is “should CBD oil be refrigerated?” The answer is it can be, but it doesn’t have to be. Storing it in the fridge will help you extend its shelf life – but avoid the freezer.
Moisture in the air may actually reduce the shelf life of CBD oil so it’s better to keep it away from excess temperatures, airflow and moisture.
Provided it is stored in a cool temperature, CBD oil shelf life is generally between 1 and 2 years. It will be more viscous when you take it out and you might need to let it warm up before using it.
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For concentrates
Concentrates tend to be more robust than other forms of CBD but over time, without proper storage, there will inevitably be degradation of cannabinoids and terpenes which impacts the potency of the product.
It’s a simple solution. Store your concentrates in an airtight container or a mason jar in a cool and dark place. These options will protect your CBD from the elements and prolong its shelf life.
For edibles like gummies
How to store CBD edibles? You should avoid wrapping edibles in plastic as that affects the taste, but aluminum foil or wax paper can be used. Store them in an airtight container or a mason jar to protect from degradation and to prevent creepy crawlies getting to your stash before you do.
The actual shelf life of edibles will depend on the other ingredients used to make them. Check the ‘use by’ date on the product and bear in mind that although out-of-date CBD won’t harm you, some of the other ingredients might.
For vaping
Most vapers don’t have to worry about the shelf life because they’re using the product regularly and it’s used before it goes out of date. But most CBD products last around a year.
But if you find some CBD that you’d forgotten about in one of your cupboards you’ll soon discover whether it has passed its shelf life – check the aroma and taste because it won’t smell or taste right if it’s rancid.
For topicals
Obviously you can’t tell whether topicals have reached their shelf life by taste so you should check the “use by” date to find out whether they have gone past their best. You’ll also be able to tell by the taste if anything is off…
Final Thoughts On How To Store CBD Products Effectively
For most people the shelf life of CBD won’t be a problem as they’ll be using it regularly. But as long as you store your CBD products correctly, they can last up to 2 years.
If your CBD products do reach the end of their shelf life, the good news is that although out-of-date CBD will smell and taste bad and will have lost its potency, it shouldn’t cause you any harm.
