Does Delta 8 Go Bad?

Delta 8 THC has become one of the most popular ways cannabis consumers across the United States have been enjoying their marijuana. With delta 8 vapes, delta 8 carts, delta 8 edibles, delta 8 flower, and delta 8 tinctures flooding the market, this has prompted people to ask: does delta 8 go bad? How can I keep my delta 8 fresh? Does delta 8 expire? 

We’re here to explain the shelf life of delta 8 products as well as some tips and tricks in terms of storing your delta 8 that can increase their shelf life so that your delta 8 products are never wasted.

If you want quality delta 8 products that will last without degrading, check out these goodies from our shop:

 

Key Takeaways

• Delta 8 does not have an expiration date, however, it can degrade in potency and quality and become potentially dangerous to consume.
• Depending on the type of delta 8 product, its shelf life will vary.
• If you suspect your delta 8 has become old, avoid consuming it.

 

Does Delta 8 Go Bad?

Does delta 8 go bad? Well, not the way you’d think by hearing the terms ‘go bad’ or ‘expire.’ Over time, delta 8 can degrade in potency, but there is no ‘expiration date’ that would mark a time that makes it unsafe to consume delta 8. Generally, when talking about something that’s expired, it becomes hazardous or dangerous to consume. Old cannabis isn’t harmful, but it’s not nearly as potent as fresh cannabis.

Does Delta 8 Flower Go Bad?

Does delta 8 flower go bad? Technically, delta 8 flower goes stale instead of going bad. Marijuana leaves generally retain some moisture while fresh, but if left out in the open air over long periods of time, they will become dry and stale which can affect the smoking experience. Aged weed can also lose potency, making the delta 8 inside less effective than fresh or young buds.

Do Delta 8 Edibles Go Bad?

Do delta 8 edibles go bad? Yes, edibles can go bad. Because all cannabis edibles are, well––edible––this means they are perishable items. When thinking of delta 8 edibles, it’s essential to treat them like food items before cannabis items. Heat, air, and other forms of exposure can cause your edibles to go bad before the delta 8 actually has a chance to degrade. 

Cannabis-infused gummies, brownies, cookies, and other food-based products are subject to the same kind of expiry that regular food items abide by. If your edibles look, smell, or taste irregular, stop eating them immediately and throw out the rest. Food poisoning isn’t worth it! Thankfully, most delta 8 edibles will have expiration dates on them that are referring to the food product part of the edible instead of the delta 8 part. As long as you store your edibles properly, they may be able to withstand the expiration date or even longer.

 

Does Delta 8 Degrade Like Delta 9?

Does delta 8 THC degrade as delta 9 THC does? Yes, delta 8 will also degrade in potency after a while, the same way that delta 9 will. In terms of “going bad,” this is pretty much as “bad” as cannabinoids get; they will significantly lose potency after a while or if not stored properly.

While this can seem like a simple buzzkill to some, for others who use things like delta 8 for pain, the loss of potency can be a big deal. To preserve the quality and potency of your delta 8, it’s important to know the shelf life of specific delta 8 THC products as well as the proper ways to store them.

 

What is the Shelf Life of Delta 8 THC?

The shelf life of delta 8 THC depends entirely on the cannabis product it’s in. For example, the shelf life of delta 8 THC cartridges is very different from the shelf life of delta 8 edibles.

What is the Shelf Life of a Delta 8 THC Cartridge?

On average, the shelf life of a delta 8 THC cartridge is about a year. However, this may depend on the specific brand the delta 8 is from or how you’ve stored the delta 8 product

What is the Shelf Life of Delta 8 Edibles?

The shelf life of delta 8 edibles depends completely on the edibles. Some edibles, such as Delta 8 THC gummies or fruit chews, will last longer than baked goods like cookies or brownies because of the nature of their ingredients. Thankfully, anything that is to be consumed via eating it by law must have an expiration date on the package––and this goes for cannabis edibles, too!

How to Tell if Delta 8 is Stale

Delta 8 products will typically go stale before they go bad. Delta 8 flower that’s stale will be extremely dry and may not have as potent a smell as fresh delta 8 flower, and delta 8 edibles that are stale will be hard and unenjoyable to eat.

How to Tell if a Delta 8 Cart is Expired

Typically, delta 8 carts have a shelf life of about a year when properly stored. However, some carts or vapes can go bad before then if they’re improperly stored or used. The easiest way to tell if a delta 8 cart is expired is by looking at the color of the extract and tasting it after a draw. Many delta 8 carts have a clear chamber so you can see the color or level of extract that’s left in your vape. Pay close attention to the color of the extract when you buy the product––if it changes color in any significant way (such as going from a golden color to an amber color) your delta 8 cart may not be living its best life.

How to Tell if Delta 8 Edibles are Good

Delta 8 edibles that are still good will smell, taste, and feel fresh. For example, if you’ve ever had stale gummy worms, you know they’re stiff and hard to chew, which is a huge contrast to fresh gummy worms that are soft and chewy.

 

How to Know When Your Delta 8 Has Gone Bad

For the most part, you should be able to tell if your delta 8 has gone bad if it looks, smells, or tastes different than it normally does. This goes for every method of consumption, including delta 8 edibles, delta 8 cartridges, delta 8 tinctures, and delta 8 flower.

 

Is Expired or “Bad” Delta 8 THC Dangerous?

Delta 8 is safe and legal for adult use in the United States. And thankfully, expired or “bad” delta 8 THC isn’t dangerous. The only way delta 8 THC would be unsafe is if it were in an expired edible that contained some kind of food-related mold that may make you sick or give you food poisoning. Otherwise, the only danger in expired delta 8 is not getting as high as you’d like.

Will Spoiled Delta 8 Make You Sick?

Spoiled delta 8 will only make you sick if you eat it in an edible that has gone bad due to food-related reasons. If you eat a delta 8-infused brownie that’s been sitting on the counter for a week straight, you may get sick. However, if you properly store your delta 8 products, you should have no problem with “bad” delta 8 THC.

 

Storing Delta 8 THC

Although the potential for delta 8 THC to go stale, degrade, or “expire” exists, there are many storage solutions that will prevent that from happening for a longer period of time than if your delta 8 products were stored incorrectly.

• Keep your delta 8 products away from direct sunlight. Keeping your delta 8 products in direct sunlight is probably the quickest way to degrade your delta 8 THC. Sunlight naturally breaks down chemical compounds when they’re exposed to it over long periods of time, and cannabinoids are no exception.
• Keep your delta 8 products in a cool place. Keeping your delta 8 products in a place that’s too hot is also a super quick way to ruin your delta 8 products. Cannabinoid products thrive living in dark, cool spaces, so make sure to keep your products somewhere that’s at least at room temperature. If this isn’t a possibility for you, don’t be afraid to utilize your fridge or freezer! Some delta 8 products (mainly edibles) can extend their shelf life significantly by being stored in the fridge or freezer.
• Keep your delta 8 products away from the open air. Oxygen is another factor that goes into delta 8 going stale or degrading. Keeping your delta 8 products like delta 8 edibles or delta 8 flower in airtight containers is paramount to keeping them fresh for as long as possible.
• Use your delta 8 products as soon as possible. The only foolproof way to make sure your delta 8 products don’t go bad is to make sure you use your delta 8 products as soon as possible. Don’t even let them get the chance to go bad! (Like you needed another excuse to go through your weed even quicker… but hey, we support it!)

 

Disclaimer: Delta Munchies is NOT providing any medical or legal cannabis advice. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the legality of cannabis or its potential effects of cannabis or any of its components, please reach out to a trusted medical or legal professional.

All statements made by Delta Munchies regarding delta 8, delta 9 THC, delta 10, HHC, CBN, CBG, CBD, and any/all other cannabinoids mentioned in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. No entity at Delta Munchies is a medical professional, nor is Delta Munchies giving any medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the potential effects of cannabis, please reach out to a trusted medical professional.

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