Author
As a qualified medical nurse and journalist with a diploma in clinical research and medical writing, Lydia's mission is to make as much of the peer reviewed cannabis clinical literature understandable to the public as possible.
Need more help?
One factor that many new patients will consider, when beginning their medicinal cannabis journey, is just how long their CBD oil will last, and also how to best store it. Let's dive straight in, and see what we can learn about best practices for storing CBD oil.
CBD oil degrades in two ways; it either degrades and loses smell, taste, and potency to the environment, or it absorbs too much moisture and rots. Several factors precipitate either of these situations:
The section below offers tips for storing CBD oil to ensure that you reap the maximum benefits from it.
You should always look for CBD oil that comes in darkened glass jars. These offer the best protection. Most times, you will not take all the CBD oil all at once and hence you will need to store it. Here are some tips to ensure that your CBD oil lasts for a long time without losing flavour, potency, or freshness.
Plastic containers, such as Tupperware, are cheap and widely available. They are also convenient to use, and they tend to lock well. In addition, it is easy enough to find plastic containers that are not transparent and hence suitable for those who want to be discreet about their CBD administration. Due to this, many people turn to plastics as their storage of choice for CBD oil.
However, plastic containers can potentially leach chemicals into the oil, which may alter its composition and potency. Therefore, if your CBD oil came in a plastic container, consider transferring it to a dark glass container for optimal storage. Make sure to label the container with the product information, including the expiration date, if provided by the manufacturer.
Darkened glass jars are the best solution for proper CBD oil storage. Glass cannot leach chemicals into your oil and will not absorb odours from the environment. Unlike plastic, glass is not breathable. But ensure that the glass jars have airtight seals. This helps to reduce moisture build-up in the container and prevent mould formation.
Light is another factor that degrades CBD oil and it, therefore, needs to be addressed if your CBD is to remain fresh and potent. Go for dark-coloured glass jars that will prevent ultraviolet rays from accessing the CBD oil.
Alternatively, if you have transparent glass jars, store them in a cool and dark place, away from direct sunlight. UV rays will cause the degradation of cannabinoids over time, causing a loss of CBD potency and possibly flavour.
Never freeze your CBD oil if you care about the quality. When CBD oil is exposed to very low temperatures, it will thicken and become more viscous. This can make it difficult to dispense or measure the desired dosage accurately. Additionally, temperature fluctuations due to freezing and thawing cycles will cause the CBD oil to degrade and lose potency over time. A pantry, cupboard, or drawer at room temperature is the best place for storing CBD oil, as long as you live in a climate that offers the ideal temperature range, which (sometimes unfortunately) we do here in the UK.
Both terpenes and cannabinoids (CBD included) are volatile and will not survive excessively high temperatures. Very low temperatures, as mentioned above, while not directly affecting the quality of your CBD oil, can cause degradation when allowed to thaw. The ideal temperature for storing CBD oil is between 12 C and 27 C, but there is some ‘wiggle room’ both above and below this range.
Humidity control is the key to preventing rot in CBD oil. Humidity is such a precise science for cannabis that every stage of development requires a different set of humidity levels. Once cannabis buds have matured they will require humidity of 58%- 62% to maintain their potency, flavour, smell, and freshness.
CBD oil should also be maintained at this humidity.
A couple of tips can be employed to ensure maximum humidity control. First, make sure your storage containers are non-breathable; this will help to reduce moisture build-up. Keeping the storage jars from direct sunlight as well as maintaining adequate temperatures all help in stabilising humidity.
Here in the UK, humidity control is not something you really need to worry about.
Even after doing all the above, your CBD oil might degrade and hence will not be effective when consumed. It is therefore important to keep an eye on the freshness of your CBD oil on a regular basis. First, begin by checking the expiry date on all CBD products that you purchase. In case you switch the CBD from its original package, ensure that you include the expiry date information on the new storage container.
From time to time, it is crucial to check the taste, smell, and colour of your CBD oil to confirm that it remains top-notch. In case you notice a difference, It may be time to dispose of oyur current CBD and talk to your doctor about getting a new prescription filled. Bear in mind that consuming CBD oil that has degraded may not offer you any benefits.
If CBD oil is not stored properly, it will degrade and lose its potency and flavour. To prevent this from happening, you should ensure that optimum conditions such as temperature and humidity are maintained. In addition, CBD oil should be stored away from direct sunlight. Dark-coloured glass jars are ideally recommended for storing CBD oil.
It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.
10. 11. 2023
For anyone in the UK, embarking on a journey across the African continent sounds like an incredibly exciting and exhilarating experience, however the intricacies of travelling with prescribed medications, particularly medical cannabis, require careful consideration.
03. 11. 2023
Daydreaming of exploring Asia’s incredible landscapes, culture, and vibrant cities is a common occurrence for many, and nations like the Philippines and Singapore feature on bucket lists around the world as a ‘must-see destination’. But, Asia is also extremely well known for enacting strict punishments to suspected drug smugglers and traffickers.
03. 11. 2023
Dreaming of idyllic white sand beaches and secluded spots in Polynesia, or experiencing extreme outback adventures in Australasia is a desire shared by many, and places like Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia feature on many people’s bucket lists. Yet, for medical cannabis patients, planning their dream holiday may be filled with dread - due to the confusing and often conflicting cannabis regulations in different countries.
