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If you’re familiar with high-THC cannabis, you know that fresh cannabis flower degrades very quickly, and potency can be lost over time. That’s because Delta-9 degrades into CBN, a cannabinoid that may make you sleepy and relaxed, but not high.
But what about Delta-8? Does it degrade like Delta-9? And if so, how should you be storing Delta-8-THC so that it stays fresh for as long as possible?
Here’s everything you need to know about how to store Delta 8 THC, including the products in our Elev8 Collection:
Delta-8 Shelf Life Table of Contents
Does Delta-8 Degrade Like Delta-9?
Does Delta-8 Go Bad?
Storing Delta-8-THC: The Basics
What is the Shelf Life of Delta-8-THC?
How to Know When Your Delta-8 Has Gone Bad
Will Spoiled Delta-8 Make You Sick?
Resources
As we mentioned, Delta-9-THC degrades over time, especially when exposed to sunlight, warm conditions, and oxygen. For that reason, it’s important to store cannabis material and Delta-9 products under proper conditions to preserve them for longer periods of time. But does Delta-8 degrade the same way?
Delta-9 and Delta-8 are similar in many ways, but they aren’t identical.
As one study notes “The major chemical difference between them is that delta-9-THC is easily oxidized to the biologically inactive cannabinol (CBN); delta-8-THC is stable, does not oxidize to cannabinol and has a very long shelf life.”
In fact, Delta-8-THC is more similar to CBN than to Delta-9 in this way—it’s already a degraded form of other cannabinoids.
That’s right! Delta-8-THC is already a “degraded” cannabinoid, meaning it isn’t quite as sensitive to the elements. For that reason, it’s being considered as a more shelf-stable solution than traditional THC. Some experts believe that this may make Delta-8-THC useful for various pharmaceutical applications since it will last longer on the shelf without losing any of its beneficial properties.
Delta-8 is already degraded, but it will still expire eventually. There are a few ways you can determine if your Delta-8 products have turned (more on that below), but first let's take a look at how you should store Delta-8-THC to prevent spoilage:
Since Delta-8 isn’t very fragile, storing Delta-8-THC is pretty straightforward. Still, there are some things you can take into account to lower the chance that anything in your Delta-8-THC product may degrade or ruin, especially other cannabinoids or terpenes.
Many of these storing techniques are similar to the ones that work for Delta-9 so they may feel familiar. Different Delta-8 products will have a different shelf life and different storage needs. Here's a breakdown of how to store your delta-8 by product type:
Consider storing Delta-8-THC vape cartridges in an airtight container in a dark area away from direct sunlight when not in use.
Generally, vape cartridges are made to protect the extract material from oxidation over time, meaning they will stay fresh even when carried in your bag or pocket. Vape cartridges are already built to last, but you can extend the shelf life of your product by keeping it in a cool, dark place.
Our Delta-8-THC Vape Carts are sealed in high-quality glass and ceramic cartridges, so they keep fresh without much extra thought.
Tinctures, especially those bottles in a dark glass bottle, are another product that is designed to last. Tinctures likely have the longest shelf life of all Delta-8 products, but you can still store them in a cool place away from sunlight (like a medicine cabinet) when not in use to make them last even longer.
For a long-lasting, precise dosing option, check out our Elev8 Tincture.
Certain edibles (like excess baked goods) may do well when stored in the freezer inside an airtight container. This applies mostly to edibles that are not individually wrapped. Other edibles, like candies, should stay in their individual wrappers until you’re ready to enjoy them.
Most items need to be stored in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight to protect the integrity of the THC material. While a room temperature area that is away from sunlight (like a pantry) may do the trick for certain Delta-8 gummies and hard candies, softer candies and chews may melt more easily. If you have issues with melting, consider storing your Delta-8 edibles in the refrigerator.
In general, you just want to avoid exposing any cannabinoid products to extreme temperatures, water, or direct sunlight, and you don’t want to let them dry out.
If individually wrapped, pre-portioned edibles sound like a dream, our Delta-8 Caramels and Hard Candies are the long-lasting dosing option you need.
So you know how and where to store your Delta-8-THC, but how long will it keep? What's the general shelf life of Delta-8?
Like we said earlier, Delta-8 has a lengthy shelf life, and researchers think it could eventually be useful for pharmaceutical products that may sit on the shelf for years.
Of course, not all hemp products are made to last for years and years, but you should still be able to keep your Delta-8 products (if stored properly) fresh for quite some time.
The actual shelf life of individual products will vary, and you should pay close attention to any expiration dates on the products you buy. This is especially important since Delta-8 products may contain other compounds, like various minor cannabinoids, terpenes, flavors, and more.
Still, if you keep your Delta-8 in a sealed container in a dark, cool place, you should have no problem storing it for six months to a year.
That means you can buy in bulk when you see a great sale, or you can buy a wide variety of Delta-8 at a time to keep a small stockpile of options without worry that it will expire before you can use it all up.
Delta-8 vaporizers and concentrates are not very prone to oxidation, so they generally last for a long time. They do eventually expire, however. Carts generally carry an expiration date that is at least a year after the manufacturing date.
Delta-8-THC tinctures are the longest-lasting Delta-8 product on the market, but they still expire eventually. Generally, a tincture may have an expiration date that is up to two years after the manufacturing date.
Certain Delta-8-THC edibles, like hard candies and gummies, are generally less susceptible to oxidation than other edibles. Some of the more delicate Delta-8 edibles (like cookies or brownies) and flower are a bit different since they will oxidize over time, and they may have a naturally shorter shelf life.
Gummies do still expire, but the expiration date is usually 1 year to 18 months after manufacturing. For most people, that's plenty of time to enjoy a bottle of THC gummies.
If you haven’t always stored Delta-8 correctly, or you have some Delta-8 products that have gone unused for a while, you may wonder if they’re still any good. Here’s how to tell if your Delta-8 products are going bad:
This one seems obvious, but it may be tempting to just take more to try and reach the desired effects. If you know the product is past its prime and it doesn’t seem to be working as it should, it may be degraded, meaning the potency is much lower than it should be.
Oxidation can cause discoloration over time. For instance, vape oil may darken, or flowers may look dull or pale.
As the THC content of the material degrades, so does the smell. If you can’t smell any “cannabis” smell, the terpenes in the product may have degraded. For edibles and other product styles, if it smells rancid, it probably is.
This is the most obvious and the most important marker for spoiled Delta-8 products. The expiration date should be on the packaging or original container. You may also be able to ask the manufacturer if you have the batch number. The expiration date is one of the best ways to tell whether your Delta-8 product is safe to use.
If you're wondering if Delta-8 that is past its prime will make you ill, the answer is both yes and no.
Delta-8 itself isn't going to become noxious just because it degrades. However, other oils and ingredients used in the product may spoil. Many oils will make you sick once they go rancid, and the same is true for many food-based ingredients.
In general, you should make plans to use all of your THC products before they lose potency or spoil. Once they are spoiled or expired, just toss them out to be safe.
Understanding the shelf life and proper storage of Delta-8 THC is crucial for maintaining its potency and quality. Unlike Delta-9 THC, Delta-8 is more stable and less prone to degradation, making it a more shelf-stable option for long-term use.
By storing Delta-8 products correctly—away from sunlight, in cool conditions, and in airtight containers—you can significantly extend their life. Pay attention to the product's expiration date and signs of spoilage, like changes in color or odor. With proper storage, you can enjoy the full benefits of your Delta-8 products from theElev8 Collection, ensuring they remain effective and safe for use over time.
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