Russ WareUsing THC or CBD vape cartridges can be an efficient way to get your desired cannabinoid hit. But just because weed carts look like little sealed containers, does that mean that the liquid inside of them is protected from going bad?
Just as with using nicotine vape juice, you should always ensure that the THC and CBD vape products that you choose to use are as safe as they can be. And in the case of weed carts, probably more so than nicotine carts, this means making sure that the oil inside has not degraded to a point where it is potentially harmful.
Let’s take a look at whether weed carts expire, what might cause THC and CBD liquid to “go off”, and what effects an expired weed cart could have on your experience, enjoyment, and health.
- Vape carts containing THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids can and do expire. You can expect a weed cart to remain safely useable for between 6 and 12 months once opened, or up to 24 months if it remains sealed.
- Weed cartridges from reputable brands will always have a “best before” or a “manufactured on” date on the packaging. If no date is present, be wary of using the cart without regular visual inspection of the contents.
- A common reason why weed carts “go bad” before their expiration date is improper storage. Oxidization can be caused by air and UV light getting to the liquid. Storing them sealed, in a cool, dark place will help prevent this.
- Microbial contamination, often visible as a cloudy or grainy effect in the liquid, is a potential safety risk with expired weed carts. Never use any weed cart that is visibly cloudy or suspected to be contaminated.
Do Weed Carts Expire?
Very few consumable products available today have no expiration date, and products made with cannabinoids like THC vape carts are no exception to that rule. Even things like hair gel and sun lotion have expiration dates (usually denoted by the number 12 or 24 stamped on the bottle) and they obviously aren’t meant to be ingested.
The ingredients in weed carts are at least partly organic in nature and, like all organic things, will degrade over time. The “best before” period given to weed carts is likely for two main reasons: quality and safety. For these two reasons alone, you should be wary of buying and using a weed cart if it does not display a manufacturing or expiration date.
You can expect weed carts, once opened, to be good for around 12 months from the date they were manufactured. Carts that remain sealed in their original packaging should last longer, up to 2 years, if stored correctly. Unless you buy THC and CBD carts in bulk or use them infrequently, most people shouldn’t have much of a problem with their carts expiring before they can be used up.
Weed Cart Manufacturing and Expiration Dates
It’s important to check the expiration or manufacturing date of any carts you buy to ensure they have not been sitting in a warehouse or on a store shelf for 6 months before they are sold.
The type of date you see will often vary based on the manufacturer or brand. It should be obvious which type is which even if they are not clearly labeled “best before”, “use by”, or “manufactured on”. Expiration dates will (hopefully) be several months in the future, and manufacturing dates will be in the past. As a rule, if you see:
- Expiration Date: Don’t use the cart beyond that date.
- Manufacturing Date: Calculate 12 months from the date and don’t use the cart beyond that.
- No Date: Calculate 6-12 months from the date you purchased the cart and don’t use the cart beyond that.
The dates should be clearly visible on the back of the cart packaging but are sometimes tucked away on a label inside the carton. Being unable to find an expiry date on the packaging doesn’t always mean you have a dodgy or unsafe cart. Just take a bit more care to inspect the cart in other ways.
What Causes THC and CBD Oil to Go Bad?
THC and CBD vape cartridges don’t last forever. The primary culprits behind a cart “going bad” are oxidation, ingredient degradation, and microbial contamination. When you store a vape cartridge, you should make it your goal to understand and slow these processes as much as possible to maintain the quality and potency of the oil.
One of the biggest factors is oxidation, which occurs when the oil inside the cartridge is exposed to air and ultraviolet (UV) light. This chemical reaction not only darkens the oil over time but can also result in an unpleasant, bitter flavor. The same process darkens nicotine vape liquids too. While oxidation is inevitable given enough time, keeping the cartridge sealed and in a dark, cool place can help delay this process.
Another factor is the natural breakdown of THC and CBD. Over time, THC in the oil will degrade into other cannabinoids, such as CBN (cannabinol). While this doesn’t usually make the cartridge unsafe or alter the taste, it’s likely to lower its potency and lessen its effects.
These processes are all but inevitable, but by slowing them, you can extend the usable life of your THC or CBD vape cartridge and ensure a better experience for longer.
How to Tell if Your Cart Has Expired
As we explored above, using an expired THC weed cartridge could be less safe than is ideal. It is also likely to taste bad and provide a vaping experience you won’t be keen to repeat. Learning how to recognize a potentially expired cart is a good way to ensure that you only use products that are fit for purpose.
The first and most obvious way to tell if a weed cart has expired is by checking the expiration date or manufacturing date (and following manufacturer advice on how long after this date the cart can be used) on the packaging. As discussed earlier, most if not all vape carts from reputable sources will have one of these dates on the box or blister pack. But what if you no longer have the packaging or there is no date?
A reliable visual clue to an expired weed cart is the color of the liquid inside. When fresh, THC oil is most commonly translucent and light gold in color. Over time, the natural oxidation of the liquid and its ingredients will turn it from light gold to brown. As a general rule, the darker the liquid the older it is. If the liquid is so dark that it’s barely see-through, it’s likely expired or past its best.
Are Expired Weed Carts Safe to Use?
Microbial contamination is a potential risk with weed carts. Even under ideal manufacturing conditions, there’s always a small chance of microbes like mold being present and contaminating the oil. Over time, and under the right conditions, these contaminants can grow, potentially making the liquid inside the cartridge unsafe to vaporize and inhale.
Proper storage in a clean, dry environment is essential to minimize this risk and help preserve the integrity of your vape cart. If not sealed properly, humidity can accelerate the growth of mold within weed carts. So how can you tell if a cart was or has become contaminated?
If the liquid in the cart is cloudy or contains visible particles of something, it is probably best to throw it away. This could mean that it has been contaminated with microbial growth, which is definitely not something you want to risk vaping.
Tips for Making Weed Carts Last Longer
As you should now understand, proper storage is the key to ensuring your THC vape cartridge stays fresh, safe, and able to deliver a quality experience months after the day you bought it. Here are a few tips to help ensure your THC vape cartridge stays potent and enjoyable for as long as possible.
1. Keep Carts Away From Light and Heat
Exposure to light speeds up oxidation, and heat accelerates THC’s breakdown into less potent cannabinoids. To preserve your cart, store it in a dark, cool place, like a high cabinet in an air-conditioned room.
2. Leave Carts in Their Original Packaging
The packaging should be designed to protect the cartridge from exposure to air, which slows down oxidation. Don’t take the cart out until you’re ready to use it, and if you do plan to stop using it for a short period, make sure to replace the cap and thread cover (if it had one).
3. Don’t be Tempted to Store in the Fridge or Freezer
While a cool environment is important, refrigerators and freezers are too cold. The high humidity in a fridge can degrade the oil, and freezing temperatures may cause the oil to separate or even crack the cartridge case.
4. Only Store Unused Cartridges
Once you’ve started using a weed cart, the heat from the coil begins breaking down cannabinoids. Avoid putting partially used cartridges into long-term storage, as they likely won’t last even as long as the expiration date implies.
The Bottom Line
Just like all consumable products, THC and CBD vape carts are given a “best before” limit and can expire over time. Expired carts could be unpleasant to use, or even unsafe.
Expect a cart sealed in its original packaging to remain useable for up to 2 years, and an opened cart to last between 6 and 12 months. However, it’s important to always check the manufacturing or expiration date on the packaging.
Versed Vaper Team
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