Like all good things, cannabidiol (CBD) will eventually go bad. CBD is a product derived from the hemp plant, so it’s a natural product with a limited shelf life. Therefore, it’s important to know how to properly store cannabis-based products like CBD in order to get the most out of them for as long as possible.
Improper storage of CBD can lead to faster deterioration of the product, reduce the concentration of cannabinoids, or degrade the active ingredients in the product.
To store CBD properly, you need to choose high-quality products from a reputable store like ours and keep them in the right container. It’s also important to protect them from sources of degradation such as light, heat, or humidity.
Reminder: What is CBD?
Legal hemp extract
CBD comes from the hemp plant. Like THC, it is part of a large family of cannabinoids. But unlike THC, cannabidiol has no euphoric effects, making it a completely legal substance in France. Several studies highlighting its many benefits suggest that CBD has enormous therapeutic potential. Not only is it believed to relieve many minor everyday ailments, but it also appears to be helpful in managing the symptoms of various chronic and degenerative diseases.
Benefits of Using CBD
As you’ve probably gathered, CBD is said to have numerous benefits. Among the best known are its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, and neuroprotective effects. This list is not exhaustive… This is mainly because CBD is believed to have a positive effect on our endocannabinoid system. This system is nothing more than a vast network of receptors whose role is to regulate physiological functions such as hunger, mood, and pain. Thanks to its many properties, CBD use is recommended for a wide range of conditions. For example, it may help alleviate Lyme disease, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, rheumatism, high blood pressure, and even Parkinson’s disease.
What affects CBD levels?
Do you feel like your CBD oil isn't as effective at helping you relax or relieving your pain? Do you feel like your CBD flowers no longer have any effect on you? It's possible that your products weren't stored under optimal conditions to preserve the cannabinoids.
A 2019 study conducted by Italian researchers showed that hemp, like any natural material, undergoes changes under the influence of environmental factors. The scientists compared changes in cannabis samples stored using four different methods: in light at room temperature, in the dark at room temperature, in a cool, dark place, and in the freezer in the dark. They regularly measured changes in the levels of THC, CBN, and CBD in these samples.
At the end of the experiment, the cannabis stored in the light at room temperature had lost all of its cannabinoids, including THC and CBD. Scientists also demonstrated that protecting cannabis from light slows the depletion of these active compounds. However, cannabis stored at room temperature gradually loses all its properties. In contrast, cannabis samples stored in a cool, dark place were the only ones to retain or slightly alter their active compounds.
Light and heat therefore alter the properties of the hemp plant by accelerating the conversion of CBD and THC. As you can see, to ensure your CBD lasts a long time, you need to pay attention to how you store it.
What is the shelf life of CBD?
Preserving the terpenes in cannabidiol products is essential to their shelf life. When stored properly, CBD can be consumed for at least 6 months to 1 year after opening.
It’s important to remember that once the product is opened, the active ingredients begin to degrade, no matter what. Therefore, using it quickly is best for reaping the full benefits of the product. The longer you wait to use CBD, the more of it you’ll need to use to achieve the same results.
CBD can last anywhere from 6 months to 1 year, depending on how it is stored. If the product expires, it will change color, become darker, or change in texture or consistency. These are signs that you should stop using the product. Other indicators may suggest that your product is past its prime.
What are the signs that CBD has gone bad?
No matter what happens, follow the instructions on your product's label and pay attention to the expiration date listed there.
Consuming an expired CBD product won't make you sick, but it probably won't have any effect. It's just that, over time, cannabinoids begin to break down and lose their potency. This means that if you use expiredCBD oil, you won't get all the therapeutic benefits of the product.
First, let’s talk about color changes. If your product is an oil and it becomes darker, it has gone bad. Conversely, if you have cannabidiol in the form of flowers, they will become lighter in color. This indicates that the product has lost its cannabinoids.
Next, another sign may be a change in consistency or texture. If CBD oil becomes thicker or too thick, it will become unusable. If CBD-containing flowers or pollen dry out or crumble, they are also unusable.
In addition, the smell or taste can indicate whether a product is about to spoil. If it loses its taste and smell, it also loses its properties.
How should the different forms of CBD be stored?
Storing CBD Flowers: The Importance of Packaging
CBD flowers are harvested directly from the plant and then dried using a specific process that preserves them as well as the properties and aromas of the cannabinoids they contain. However, they are still relatively delicate natural plant products. It is best to store your CBD flowers in a dark place, avoiding exposure to light when it is not necessary.
Another major enemy of cannabidiol-rich flowers is moisture, as it can cause mold to grow. So choose a container that isn't too large (to limit the amount of air) and is completely dry, then store it away from light.
Be careful, however, not to dry out the flowers. CBD flowers sold commercially often retain a certain level of moisture, ensuring the full expression of their terpene profile (their natural aromas) and cannabinoids, with cannabidiol leading the way. This delicate balance also extends the flowers’ maximum shelf life, allowing them to be stored for a longer period of time.
Optimal Storage of CBD Oil to Enjoy Its Effects for Longer
For all the reasons mentioned above, it is best to store CBD oil in a tightly sealed bottle, in a cool place, and protected from light. Tinted glass bottles are ideal because they shield the CBD oil from excessive light that could degrade its quality. Some even filter out UV rays for added protection. Brown glass is more effective in this case than green glass because, in addition to UV radiation, it also blocks blue light.
Just because it's labeled "refrigerate" doesn't mean it needs to be stored in the cold. A cabinet works just fine, but avoid putting CBD oil in the refrigerator—otherwise, it will freeze and form crystals. It can still be used after that, but it will be much less convenient, especially when it comes to precise dosing with a pipette.
Preserving the Properties of CBD E-Liquid
Cannabidiol e-liquids are very popular among e-cigarette users. Needless to say, according to various studies, CBD may help people quit smoking tobacco or black-market cannabis (which is high in THC and therefore illegal). The guidelines for storing oils are ideal for preserving them: keep them in cool, dark, and tightly sealed bottles.
Please also note that e-liquids can generally still be vaped after the date indicated on the packaging. Therefore, e-liquids display a “best before” date, not an expiration date. However, exceeding this period—due to suboptimal storage conditions—will result in a total or partial loss of your product’s flavor and properties.
In summary, we recommend storing your CBD products away from light and in a cool place. However, the cannabinoids in these products will not last very long (more than one year), regardless of how they are stored.
In any case, store your CBD in a cool, dark place. An airtight container is always a good idea, regardless of the type of product, to keep it away from moisture and ambient air. Finally, don’t store your CBD for too long. Although it won’t become harmful, it will lose its quality and its main properties will change.
