Do Certain CBD Products Really Have a Set Expiration Date?

Did you know that cannabidiol (CBD) is increasingly accessible than ever before? Well, now you do. Plus, it’s also becoming one of the most popular natural products on the marketplace. Therefore, it’s unsurprising that many people are stocking up on CBD-infused tinctures, vape oils, topicals and edibles so that they can try out all of the different ways to consume this unique and exciting plant compound. However, it’s imperative to remember that your CBD product might not last forever. So, you gotta consider expiration dates before grabbing loads of CBD-based goodies at one time.

Lots of CBD enthusiasts wonder if their products will go bad after a certain point. After all, CBD is derived from plants, and plants are prone to decomposing, right? Well, before you start throwing out those bottles of CBD that have been sitting around for a while, read this article to understand how, when and why CBD products expire, and what you can do to make your hemp-infused goodies last for as long as possible.

Do CBD Products Have a Set Expiration Date?

Essentially, yes, CBD products do have an expiration date. However, that expiration date is dependent on a wide range of factors, specifically, these two primary ones:

Factor #1: The CBD Itself

First, let’s discuss the CBD itself. As you know, CBD is a compound that’s extracted from the hemp plant. Very generally speaking, CBD lasts between one and two years. After that, its chemical composition starts to break down.

Although CBD generally lasts between one and two years, there are some CBD products out there that will only be good for a few months while others will continue to deliver results for years after you purchased them. Why? Because how long your CBD stays good has a lot to do with the quality of the plant itself as well as the extraction method that was used. If the CBD is extremely high in quality and was extracted via the CO2 method, which is considered the gold standard in terms of extraction methods, your CBD will probably stay good for more than two years.

However, if the CBD plant was low in quality or if the extraction method did damage to the integrity of the plant’s composition, expect that shelf life to decrease.

Factor #2: Product Type Being Used

Again, keep in mind that CBD comes in the form of a wide range of products. The expiration date of the CBD product you’re using has just as much to do with the other ingredients as it does the CBD. For instance, if you’re taking CBD in the form of a delicious gummy, that shelf life will be lower because of the ingredients used to create that jar/pack of gummies.

Typically, the longest-lasting CBD product will be a tincture, since it contains only two ingredients, usually: cannabidiol and a carrier oil. So, if you’re the type of person who likes to space out their CBD usage, a tincture is probably the best way to make sure that you use all of that product up before it expires.

Can Taking an Expired CBD Product Be Harmful?

Here’s where things get a little complicated. When cannabidiol itself expires, it’s not actually bad for you. It’s just not going to be very effective because of the fact that the beneficial compounds have mostly broken down and oxidized. However, the other ingredients in that CBD product may become unsafe to consume after the product has expired. For instance, certain ingredients used in edibles can decompose and develop bacteria after the product has been sitting around for a while.

How Can I Tell if My CBD Product is No Longer Good?

Has your CBD product gone past its expiration date? If so, you want to know if you can still take it regardless. Well, there are some things to look out for.

• If your CBD product is in the form of a liquid, such as a tincture or vape oil, check the color and the consistency. As liquid CBD products sit around, they start to oxidize, meaning that certain molecules evaporate. This will cause the liquid CBD product to be darker in color and slightly thicker in consistency. This likely means that the CBD has oxidized as well and is therefore not very effective.
• If you’re using CBD in the form of a topical or an edible, the smell and consistency of the product should tell you whether or not it’s still good. That’s because both of these products contain ingredients that can go rancid after a while.

Of course, top way to tell if your CBD is no longer good is to try it. You should clearly notice whether or not the CBD is as effective as it’s supposed to be.

How Can I Prevent My CBD Product from Going Bad?

So, as you can see, CBD products do have expiration dates. However, many CBD products can safely be used after their expiration date has passed. But, before it even gets to that point, there are a few simple prevention tips you can try.

Prevention Tip #1: Storage is Crucial

How you store your CBD product has a lot to do with its shelf life. Keep your CBD product away from light, extreme heat and extreme cold as these three factors can alter its chemical composition and, therefore, its effectiveness. We always recommend keeping your CBD product in its original package and storing it in a cool, dark place like a cabinet, closet or drawer.

Prevention Tip #2: Product Quality Makes a Difference

Always opt for high-quality CBD products as they will last longer. Cheap CBD products will break down more quickly, meaning that they will have shorter shelf lives.

Prevention Tip #3: Choose Your Formulas Wisely

If you want to make your CBD product last, choose a product that doesn’t have ingredients that are known to go bad within a few months. For instance, avoid edibles that are made with fresh ingredients as those ingredients will dramatically decrease the shelf life of the CBD product. However, note that the fresher the ingredients - the better the product. So, if you feel as though you’re gonna be able to use that said product up in time, then by all means, purchase that fresher ingredient-made product.