Delta 8 THC Shelf Life: Expiration Date

When it comes to getting the most out of our delta 8 THC products as possible, one factor that is commonly overlooked is storage. Delta 8 is an organic compound, and like all organic compounds, it can go bad.  What this means is that it’s up to us to keep it under the right conditions to ensure that it can continue to provide us with satisfaction for a long time to come.

Proper storage is actually a relatively simple topic, and the tiny bit of effort involved is well worth it if you want your various delta 8 formulas to last until the product runs out. Different Delta 8 products have a different shelf life and storing times. 

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Why Does Delta 8 THC Needs Be Stored Properly Anyway?

Any product derived from hemp is organic in nature, and as we said, organic products have an expiration date.  Once that delta 8 product is in your care, it’s a matter of time before it goes bad.

Now, when we say it goes “bad,” we don’t mean bad in the same way that milk can go rancid and make you sick, or vegetables in your fridge can develop toxic mold.  Fortunately, with hemp products, you don’t really have to worry about this issue, unless somehow mold or bacteria end up in your product, which is rare.

Basically, the compounds in hemp, including delta 8 THC and the various terpenes found in many delta 8 products, have a shelf life pertaining to their potency.  These compounds degrade gradually, and after they’ve broken down, they no longer have the potency levels you want.  So, taking expired delta-8 is essentially useless, as it can no longer produce the desired effects as it’s simply broken down too extensively.

This is why storage is important.  While all hemp products do have a shelf life, you might find that your hemp expires sooner than the expiration date if it’s not stored properly.  Certain environmental conditions can cause the compounds to degrade more rapidly, as we will be covering next here.

Delta 8 THC Shelf Life:

• Delta 8 THC Distillate Shelf Life: 6 Months Stable
• Delta 8 THC Vape Cartridges Shelf Life: 1.5 Years Stable
• Delta 8 THC Tinctures Shelf Life: 2 Years Stable
• Delta 8 THC Gummies Shelf Life: 1 Year Stable
• Delta 8 THC Capsules Shelf Life: 1 Year Stable
• Delta 8 THC Syringe Shelf Life: 9 Months

The shelf life of Delta 8 THC oil Distillate testing at 96% was 6 months with no variance whatsoever. After that, degradation pushed it to 94% after another 3 months. Delta 8 theoretically should last longer, however the see-through distillate jars led to further degradation than normal. 

That’s why the shelf life of the syringe is lower as well. Delta 8 THC Gummies can stay stable for a year before becoming hard or changing strength. Delta 8 capsules are usually made with vegan gel, and therefore the gel would also degrade faster versus the Delta 8 itself. Delta 8 THC Tinctures can stay fairly shelf stable if stored in proper brown glass packaging. 

Delta 8 THC Vape Cartridges can last for quite a long time if the cartridges are facing upright so the Delta 8 does not leak out. Like a lot of the other products on this list, the degradation of Delta-8 vape carts is less the Delta 8, but in this case the terpenes would degrade faster than the Delta 8 itself. Terpenes may only stay shelf stable for 1-1.5 years. 

Key Factors For Storing Delta 8 THC

Generally, when storing any hemp-based product, you want to maintain a cool, dark, and dry environment, like a closet, drawer or cabinet in your home.  With that said, these are the biggest factors that determine how quickly the compounds can degrade.

Factor #1: Temperature

Temperature plays a huge role in the rate at which compounds like delta 8 THC break down.  This is why a cool and dark place is ideal.  High temperatures force the compound to degrade more quickly, which is why you should never leave your hemp close to a radiator or in a car during the warmer months of the year.  

Interestingly, cold temperatures do not seem to have a long-term negative effect on hemp compounds, although vape oils that get too cold can become so thick that they clog your device until they come back to temperature. 

Factor #2: Humidity

High humidity levels change the formula of your delta 8 product molecularly by forcing moisture into the molecules, which can also make them break down at a rapid pace.  This is why you should not keep your hemp goods in a bathroom, which is prone to fluctuating humidity levels due to the use of the shower or bath.  

Similarly, keep your delta-8 away from the stove of your kitchen, where steam is constantly being emitted while you cook.

Factor #3: Light

Light changes the structure of the compounds to encourage oxidization at a rapid pace, which means that if delta 8 is stored in a bright area, it will lose its potency fairly quickly.  Keep your delta 8 away from sunny spots in your home and keep it in as dark of an area as possible so that it can last for a long time to come.

How Long Can Delta 8 THC Actually Last When Stored Properly

So, if you try to store your delta 8 THC properly based on the information above, how long can you expect it to last for before it no longer has the potency level that makes it worthwhile?  Well, it depends on the product type.

• Delta 8 THC Flower and Wax Dab Concentrates: Delta 8 wax dab concentrates and flower are not extract-based like other hemp products, and therefore they can break down more quickly because the compounds are left in their raw and natural state. Typically, these products last for about 6 months when stored properly.
• Delta 8 THC Gummies: While the hemp extract in delta 8 gummies can last for up to 2 years, the other ingredients in the gummies may not, due to the perishable nature of edible goods.  Therefore, 6 months is usually how long gummies will last, but check the expiration date on the label of the product just to be sure.
• Delta 8 THC Vapes: When stored properly, delta 8 vapes, including tinctures, disposables and bottled oils can last for up to 2 years.  That is because pure hemp extract has this shelf life, and there is nothing in vape oils that reduces the lifespan of the product.

• Delta 8 THC Tinctures: Like vaping goods, delta 8 tinctures can last for typically 2 years before losing their potency.
• Delta 8 THC Capsules: Delta 8 capsules and delta 8 gel caps can also last for about 2 years if they are stored properly, as they contain minimal ingredients outside of delta 8 THC.

How To Prolong the Shelf Life of Delta 8 THC Products

One of the things that we for certain know is that the way you store your Delta 8 is crucial to its effectiveness and how long it lasts. These are some of the best Delta 8 storage tips for keeping the shelf like of your Delta 8 THC products as long and fresh as possible. 

Tip #1: Store Delta 8 In An Airtight Jar or Container

You should always store your delta-8 in an airtight container, which can either be the original packaging it came with, or a container you have around the house. The less oxygen the better, as it helps the formula and most importantly terpenes (if there is any) last longer. For example, an open bag of gummies will go hard or stale much faster than a closed back on the shelf. The open bag of Delta 8 gummies will start to degrade fast.  

Tip #2: Keep Delta 8 THC Away From Light

One major factor to the shelf life of any Hemp-based product including Delta 8 tinctures, syringes, vape cartridges, gummies and anything that is see-through is how much light penetrates the packaging. Bright lights or the sun increases oxidation and the breakdown of Delta 8 THC. We would highly suggest storing it in a cooler, dry place in your house that does not receive any light exposure or sun. Such as closed cabinets, closets or even desks. 

Tip #3 Ensure Your Delta 8 Packaging Helps Extend Shelf Life

Another important note is that you want to make sure that the Delta 8 is stored in packaging that helps it extend the shelf life. This means Delta 8 gummies that are in dark black containers, or Delta 8 THC tinctures that are in dark brown glass bottles that does not let the sun shine in. These containers help block heat and light from affecting the product and formula, which would otherwise accelerate the oxidation process where the formula and Delta 8 product compounds break down.

Tip #4: Avoid Heating Delta 8 Products

Another major factor to prevent Delta 8 product degradation that is crucial to extending the life is keeping it somewhere away from sunlight and overall heat that could change the chemical composition of the Delta 8 THC. This means, definitely do not let your Delta 8 gummy, tincture, or vape cartridge sit in the burning sun. Especially all day. If it does, I would use and finish the Delta 8 product within a few weeks as it likely has a much lower shelf life. 

Tip #5: Avoid Humidity With Delta 8

Humidity is yet another factor that could do a lot of harm to Delta 8 products, or any cannabinoid product for that matter. That means keep them away from anywhere that gets wet or near water in general. You want to keep your Delta 8 THC in as dry of a place and environment as possible. 

What to Do if Delta 8 THC Has Not Been Stored Properly

If you’re reading this article and realize that you have been keeping your delta 8 in less-than-ideal conditions, don’t panic just yet.  First of all, if you are still getting the desired effects from your delta 8 product, then you have nothing to worry about.  One way to determine if your delta-8 is still “good” is to smell it. 

If you can smell the terpenes, then the product is likely still active.  If it’s a product that’s free of terpenes, like a product made with delta8 distillate, then simply try using it, and compare its effects to how they were when you first purchased the product.

How To Traveling with Delta 8 THC

We can do everything possible to store our delta 8 products properly while at home, where we have total control over the conditions to which it is exposed.  But what about when we’re traveling? Here is how to keep your delta 8 safe when you are away from home.

Storing Delta 8 Properly in Route

If you’re traveling via plane, keep your delta 8 products in your carry-on luggage if possible.  If you keep it in your checked luggage, it can be exposed to high heat levels that can be disruptive to the health of the compounds.

Storing Delta 8 Properly at Someone’s Home

If you’re staying overnight at someone’s home, you can kindly ask them if you can keep your delta 8 product in one of their closets, drawers or cabinets.  If you wish to keep your delta 8 THC routine to yourself for whatever reason, you can keep it in your bag, in a corner of the room that is not exposed to bright sun.

Storing Delta 8 Properly in a Hotel

If you’re staying in a hotel, make sure to avoid the temptation of leaving your delta 8 product in the bathroom along with your toiletries, as the humidity of the shower can interfere with the compound.  Instead, keep it in a drawer or closet that is away from a heating vent.

Properly Stored Delta 8 THC Means Longer Lasting and Overall, Better Delta 8

Your delta 8 THC products are only as good as the manner in which you store them.  Ultimately, the key takeaway is that all hemp goods should be kept in cool, dark and dry environments whenever they’re not in use.  This rule applies regardless of the delivery method, or whether you’re at home or on the road.

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