How Long Does Sealed CBD Flower Last? [A Quick Guide]
You’re cleaning your room and in a shoebox under your bed you dig up some old CBD flower sealed in a plastic casing. As you gander on this aged hemp you wonder: “How long does sealed CBD flower last?” Well, the answer isn’t as simple as you might think. A lot of factors go into how long CBD flower will last, including where the flower is from and how it’s stored. This article will get into how one should navigate indulging in some dusty green safely, and the best way to store it properly.
Does CBD Flower Have a Shelf Life?
Absolutely, just like any other product, CBD flower has a shelf life. Most of the time, the packaging of the CBD flower will indicate an expiration date or “use by” date. These are good guidelines to follow; however, this date can likely be extended if you take proper care of your CBD hemp flower.
The main changes that occur in CBD flower over time are:
- Change in taste: The flower will not be as crisp or flavorful
- Mold or bacteria could grow in the flower
- The potency of the CBD will degrade
Does CBD Flower Lose Potency Over Time?
Yes, the effectiveness of the CBD will degrade over time, making it less potent. As CBD flower ages, the cannabinoids — including CBD, CBG, THC (less than 0.3% of course!) — along with the terpenes and flavonoids, you will lose the efficacy of these products the longer they sit. This is not usual with plant products, but the change is very distinct with hemp. The CBD flower will taste and feel different from day one compared to six months later.
Does It Matter If CBD Flower is Sealed or Not?
Yes, this matters a lot! Air is one of the main factors in deciding how long your CBD flower lasts. Therefore, how you seal the flower what kind of container it’s in plays a huge role in how effective it will be and what it will taste like in six months to a year. Hate to break it to you, but these products are not intended to be in plastic bags anymore!
How Long Does Sealed CBD Flower Last?
If you have high-quality, organic CBD flower that’s sealed in mason jars or with just proper storage, it can remain fresh for up to a year. What does properly sealed mean? It means airtight and that no air can get in or out of the container.
How Long Does Non-Sealed CBD Flower Last?
This is tough to say because it really depends on how it’s stored. If it’s left out on the dining table, it will start to lose freshness in as little as a week. If you leave CBD flower in a dark pantry but not in a sealed container, it may last only a few weeks. Rule of thumb, just keep your CBD flower sealed, and you won’t have to wonder if it’s still good (or what smoking it will do to your health).
How Can You Tell If Your CBD Flower Went Bad?
It’s important to know how to tell if your CBD flower went bad, just so you’re prepared if you find your old stash in the back of your closet If you see any of these signs, it’s time to toss that CBD flower and get a fresh batch:
- The color is fades
- The smell is not as fragrant
- There are some traces of mildew or mold
What Factors Reduce Shelf Life of CBD Flower?
There are several factors that decide the shelf life of CBD flower. If you give your flower optimal conditions, it can last quite awhile.
Air
CBD hemp flower does not need a lot of air. Too much air will reduce the taste, smell, and potency of your flower. Just like how you wouldn’t leave a bag of chips out, you shouldn’t leave CBD flower out, or else it can grow stale. Always keep your hemp flower sealed, preferably in an airtight container.
Light
Too much light (both natural and artificial) is bad as well. If left out in the sun or light, CBD hemp flower deteriorates in quality. Light degrades each cannabinoid and all the terpenes that make your hemp flower tasty and effective (through a process called decarboxylation), so keep it out of the light.
In fact, studies found that when cannabis was observed in different conditions over a two-year period, light was the single greatest factor contributing to the loss of cannabinoids.
Temperature
Keep your CBD flower in a cool, temperature-controlled environment. Too hot or too cold environments or big changes in temperature will cause the flower to degrade and go stale. A cold room temperature around 70°F is perfect.
Humidity
Humidity and moisture are big problems because they can cause mold and bacteria to grow. Too much moisture in the air (or in the container) will foster the growth of unwanted contaminants that will ruin your flower. The perfect amount of humidity is around 50 or 60%, so keep that in mind when storing your buds. To be extra safe, you can buy humidity packs designed for hemp flower storage that will keep the humidity exactly where you want it.
Storage Container
A decent way to store your CBD flower is in the package it came in, which is usually a sealed package or plastic container. An even better way to store CBD flower is in an airtight glass container, like a mason jar. Glass is durable, BPA-free, and the tight seal on mason jars make them great for keeping air from going in and out. If you want to go a step further to save your buds, search for a glass jar that is dark or opaque because this keeps light from spoiling your CBD flower.
Hemp Quality
High-quality, organic hemp will last longer than other run-of-the-mill hemp products. Organic hemp is subject to a lot of regulations that ensure a good product, allowing it to last up to a year in optimal conditions. Lesser hemp may last only six months or so.
How to Store Sealed CBD Flower
In order to get the longest shelf life out of sealed CBD flower, store it in the following conditions:
- A dark environment without natural or artificial light
- Cool room temperature
- Even humidity, around 50-60%
- In an airtight, opaque container
Some good spots to store your hemp flower container are in the pantry, a drawer, or a closet. Do not store it in a place that frequently changes temperature or humidity, such as the bathroom, kitchen, or garage.
Can You Put CBD Flower in the Freezer?
Generally, you shouldn’t store CBD flower in the freezer. Not only will the buds become fragile and brittle, but the freezing process can introduce more moisture into the flower. In some cases, the flower may even get freezer burn, which can destroy your hemp.
Also, the hemp flower needs to thaw before you can use it, and the process of freezing and thawing often changes the condition of the flower. Edibles, on the other hand, are last longer in the refrigerator or freezer.
Where Can I Find Properly Sealed CBD Flower?
Right here at Cheef Botanicals, of course! We have a wide variety of CBD flower strains, all sealed to perfection in an opaque container with a durable plastic lid. You won’t need to transfer your flower to a more suitable container because this is as suitable as they come. Simply place your hemp flower in a cool, dark place to maintain peak freshness.
Final Thoughts – How Long Does Sealed CBD Flower Last?
CBD flower can last a good long time if it’s in the right conditions. No one wants to open up their flower after a few months only to find that it’s stale and moldy. Keep the seals tight and the light low, and your flower will remain fresh; so, when you light it up on day 300, it’ll taste just as good as the first day you got it.
