As with any substance that you ingest, smoke, or rub on your body, CBD products have a shelf life. Of course, you can maximize that shelf life by properly storing your products. Proper storage will also allow for the potency of your CBD products to remain consistent throughout their usage cycle. With this in mind, we at The Hemp Doctor, America’s Premier Hemp & CBD Dispensary, would like to offer some storage suggestions based on each product type.

Oral CBD Products

Tinctures

Tinctures are a combination of phytocannabinoid-rich CBD along with a carrier oil such as extra virgin olive oil. By combining the CBD with the carrier oil, the shelf life is extended much like a normal bottle of oil would be if it were in your pantry. An unopened bottle of CBD tincture can be stored safely from 18 to 24 months. However, there are some things you need to keep in mind when storing an unopened bottle and after that bottle is opened.

First, keep your CBD away from light and heat. You will notice that the tincture bottles tend to be tinted, and there is a reason for this. Direct light and heat degrade the CBD within the tincture, so keep your tincture bottle out of direct sunlight and away from heat. The best place to store your bottle is in a cool, dry place like in a pantry or cabinet. However, make sure that there are no appliances like a stove that would cause the cabinet to heat up. Many people store their tinctures in their refrigerators for this reason. This will thicken the tincture somewhat, but it will not harm it. If you have reason to store your tincture for a very long time before using it, it is OK to put it in the freezer. However, once you thaw it for use, do not refreeze.

Second, you want to keep your tincture away from the air. Air can also degrade the potency of the CBD. Always tightly seal your tincture bottle after each use.

Softgels

Just like tinctures, CBD softgels need to be kept away from light and heat. Accidentally leaving your softgels in a hot environment like your car could cause the gelatin coating on the softgels to melt and stick together. Exposure to air does not affect the softgels as much as the tinctures, but moisture may. So you should limit that exposure as much as possible. Again, a cool, dry place like a cabinet, pantry, or refrigerator is an optimal storage place for your softgels.

 

Edibles

Edibles like our Peach Rings or Watermelon Rings are tasty and appealing to the eye. This makes them especially attractive to children who may decide they want to gobble them up. Therefore, you must store your edibles in either a locked container or hidden somewhere out of the reach of children.

Just like with most CBD oral products, store your gummy or hard candy edibles in a cool, dry place. Hard candies like our Lemon Drops aren’t as affected by air, heat, or moisture. However, gummies can easily melt when exposed to heat, and air and moisture can change their consistency and potency. Keeping gummies in the refrigerator is advisable, but only if you have a way of keeping them away from small hands.

 

Topicals

Balms and Salves

Balms and salves like our Hemp CBD Salve should be kept away from heat and direct light, which could change their consistency and effectiveness. Prolonged exposure to air is also a danger, especially for a salve product, as the air may dry out the product. Be sure to keep your balms and salves in a dark, cool, dry place with the lid tightly closed.

Inhalants

Hemp Flower and Prerolls

As with all CBD products, heat, light, and air are all factors when storing your hemp CBD flower. However, hemp flower has some slightly different nuances but can last up to two years if stored correctly.

First, you want to store your flower in prerolls in glass, not in plastic bags. Glass will cure your hemp flower and slow the degrading process, so you might want to invest in some Mason jars. Glass will also guard against moisture, which is a huge issue for hemp flower as moisture can cause mold.

Second, be sure to keep your hemp flower out of direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Sunlight will cause the cannabinoids within the flower to deteriorate. Heat is another factor, as hotter temperatures will also cause your flower to mold. Do not put your hemp flower in the refrigerator or freezer, because refrigeration can make your buds overly moist and freezing can cause freezer burn that will damage the bud’s trichomes. Hemp flowers do best at a temperature somewhere between 77 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Vapes

Air is not a factor in vape cartridges as they are self-enclosed. However, sunlight can affect the potency of the CBD in the cartridge so keep them in a dark place. Also, consistent heat can cause the vaping oil to degrade as well. In addition, you have to be careful as vape pen batteries may become unstable in extreme heat, so never keep them in your car.

You’ll Always Find Value at The Hemp Doctor

We believe in taking care of our many customers and helping them to get the most out of the premium quality products that they purchase from The Hemp Doctor. This is why all of our products carry a 30-day money-back guarantee. In addition, you can count on the quality of our products – and here’s why.

• We insist that all of our products are derived from hemp grown in U.S. soil under strict guidelines set by the USDA.
• We only use state-of-the-art technology to extract our premium hemp oil, without the use of solvents or hydrocarbons that may end up in the final product.
• We have everything in our inventory tested by a third-party laboratory and make those results available to you.

Don’t trust your CBD and Delta 8 THC purchase to anyone but The Hemp Doctor. Shop with us today!