Shelf Life of CBD Oil

With the advent of so many states approving medicinal marijuana use, CBD oils are exploding everywhere. What is the shelf life of CBD oil?

The last thing you want to do is shell out a bunch of money to secure a vial of CBD oil, only to expire a few months after you purchased it. And if you buy it, only to find out that it loses its potency fairly quickly, why buy it at all? Since a lot of shops are using selling vaping CBD oils, is there any difference between the shelf life of those products and the creams or oils you can buy at Walgreens? You’ve waited a long time for society to offer medical marijuana, and now that they are doing so, it is time to get ready for some relief from the pain you have every day. But you also want to be responsible in using the oils to get the most relief and not waste your hard-earned cash.

The shelf life of CBD oils is about 1-2 years. Various factors can contribute to the longevity of the oil, such as the quality of the CBD, storage, exposure to heat and light, and additives. Over time, the oils lose their potency, reducing their therapeutic effects.

And another consideration is how much to use so that you don’t turn into a stoner. While marijuana has been used for pain relief, you’ve not tried CBD oils before. With your job demands and family pressures, you need to ensure that CBD oils will ease the discomfort without affecting your faculties.

Well, we have some answers for you as you seek some answers to the CBD debate. We’ve consulted with medical websites and forums to find the best ways to use and store CBD oils in your home.

‍What is CBD Oil?

Cannabidiol oil (CBD) is oil derived from the flowers, stems, and leaves of the cannabis plant. The CBD is made by extracting the oil and diluting it with an additive like coconut oil or hemp seed oils. Usually, the Tetrahydrocannabinol THC in the cannabis plant is a primary psychoactive cannabinoid, and when cannabis is inhaled, it produces the euphoria often associated with the drug. However, CBD oils do not have THC psychoactive effects. Still, it retains pain relief properties, making it a perfect additive to various products, like dietary supplements, drinks, oils, and topical pain relievers.

CBD oils are offered in three different spectrums depending on the level of THC and cannabis in the oil.

• Full-spectrum CBD contains small amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), generally less than 0.3 %. (although some states allow larger doses).

• Broad Spectrum CBD does not have THC, although it does contain some parts of the cannabis plant and has been partially diluted with other oils or additives.
• CBD isolate is a pure CBD product, meaning there is no THC or parts of the cannabis plant or additives. It is only CBD oil.

How Long Does CBD Oil Last?

When considering the longevity of CBD oils, several things can contribute to the deterioration of the product over time.

The Kind of Cannabis Used

Just like there is a difference in tomato plants in a garden, there are differences in cannabis plants. Some plants produce better and more healthy yields than others. If the quality of the cannabis is good, then this can lengthen the longevity of the product. Oils derived from sickly or inferior strains of cannabis will likely deteriorate much sooner.

The Types of Additives

Because most CBD oils have additives like coconut oil or hemp seed oils or flavorings, these additives have varied shelf lives that can degrade and break down over time.

The Place You Store Your CBD

CBD oils are made to be stored in a dry, dark area with little to no moisture. If the oil vial is not sealed correctly or is stored with constant exposure to heat and light, these external conditions can more quickly create enzymes that will break down the molecular structure of the oils. This fact means that you want to avoid storing your CBD in your car or any place where moisture is prevalent.

Until the FDA regulates the production of CBD oils, there will likely be a wide variation in the labeling and quality of CBD products. Currently, the FDA has not approved any drug containing CBD, and it is not likely to any time soon without significant testing and oversight.

How Do I Know If CBD Oil is Bad?

There are some simple ways to know if your CBD oil has turned. Every bottle is stamped with an expiration date which should give you an initial indication of the oil's effectiveness. Any bottle past its stamped date has likely lost any potency and should be discarded.

The Oil Smells Like a Sewer

Any oil that smells like moldy socks is well past its prime. Now, some additives and flavorings get added to the mixture and can break down more quickly than the CBD component so you may be smelling the breakdown of those chemicals. Coconut oil will give off a distinct rancid smell when it turns, but anything that doesn’t pass the sniff test should be discarded.

The Taste is Stale or Spoiled

While it can be hard to distinguish what CBD oil should taste like, the best you can do is try to remember what it was like when you used it before. Any dull, chalky, or stale sensation on the tastebuds means you better dispose of the product.

The Consistency is Lumpy, Thick, and Discolored

Coconut oil turns into a lumpy cottage cheese texture when it is terrible. Any sign that your CBD oil is discolored, lumpy, or moldy-looking is expired.

Will Using OutDated CBD Oil Harm Me?

The potency of CBD oil is long gone, so chances it will not work as well as it should. Additives are a different story. Many flavorings can make a person nauseous or create an upset stomach or digestive issues. There is no point in using CBD oil after its expiration day.

Is CBD Oil Legal Where I Live?

The 2018 Farm Bill brought a lot of clarity to the debate about whether hemp and cannabis products were legal. The bill removed them from controlled substances lists and set the rush for states to work out their own CBD policies. The farm bill made them legal to possess and allowed companies the freedom to sell the product across state lines commercially. The result of the passage of the bill opened the door to states to enact and regulate this exploding business as they saw fit to do so. There are only three states, Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota, where any CBD is illegal, and possession of it can lead to prosecution.

What are the Ways CBD can be Used?

There are various ways that CBD can be ingested into the bloodstream, including inhaling (vaping), topically onto the skin, a small amount under the tongue, or even orally. A recent study by Gallup indicated that in 2022, one-third of Americans had used CBD products for everything from pain and anxiety to insomnia. Any regimen involving CBD should be done under the consultation of a licensed physician.