For people who struggle to tolerate the hemp smoking experience, the market offers edibles. Developed for customers who want to get their daily CBD dose without having to assail their lungs with smoke, edibles come in all sorts of forms. The most popular? Good ol’ gummies.
CBD gummies envelop all of that precious hemp chemistry in a tasty, chewy, fruit-flavored package that’s easy to enjoy. But just like any food product, CBD gummies don’t last forever. So if you were thinking about buying in bulk, make sure to read through this guide first.
Do CBD Gummies Expire?
Yes, like any other food product, CBD gummies will expire after a certain period of time. However, there’s no specific number that tells us how long a batch will last before it kicks the bucket. That’s because gummy formulations vary from vendor to vendor. So some may last longer than others.
Generally, however, experts assert that CBD gummies should last about a year if we’re talking about the efficacy of the hemp chemistry it carries. That simply means the gummy candy itself might still taste good. But the CBD chemistry it contains could be totally lost by the one-year mark.
Depending on the formulation and the addition of things like preservatives, it’s possible for certain CBD gummies to last as long as two years. Again, the gummy could remain edible long after that, but the CBD itself might dwindle in terms of effects.
How to Tell if CBD Gummies are Expired
Interestingly, not all vendors put a best before date on their CBD gummies. So when buying a batch of CBD gummies (especially online) you probably won’t have enough information to determine exactly how long you have until they turn.
On the plus side, CBD gummies don’t necessarily expire. Unlike CBD chocolates that actually go bad, CBD gummies simply change in terms of texture and taste, but might otherwise still seem edible.
So how can you tell if your CBD gummies have expired? Watch out for these markers:
- Stale, dry texture
- Bitter aftertaste or a general change in flavor
- Little to no actual effects
On top of that, you might also experience a few negative bodily reactions to your intake of old CBD gummies. And we’re getting into that in the next segment.
What Happens When You Eat Expired CBD Gummies?
You’re not going to have to brace yourself for a visit to the ER, that’s for sure. Eating expired CBD gummies won’t cause too much of an issue in terms of acute effects. Sure, you probably won’t feel too good. But that happens after eating anything that’s past its best before date.
Here’s what you can expect after downing a dose of expired CBD gummies:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Very low hemp-related benefits or none at all
If you suspect that your CBD gummies have gone bad, there’s, unfortunately, no way to salvage them. And that would seem reasonable since you can’t really restore the CBD content anyway. So your best bet would be to simply toss out the batch and buy a fresh stash.
How to Extend CBD Gummies Shelf Life
Unbeknown to most hemp enthusiasts, some storage practices actually speed up the process of CBD gummy degradation. Conversely, some storage practices can extend your gummies’ shelf life.
So to keep your CBD gummies fresh for longer, here’s what you can do:
Use an Airtight Container
A tight seal on your CBD gummy container can help prevent contaminants from getting in and all of that CBD goodness from getting out. If your CBD gummies come in a resealable mylar bag, then you might want to put them into your own airtight jar or tub.
Keep Away from Heat and Sunlight
UV rays and excess heat can actually cause rapid cannabinoid degradation. So most hemp enthusiasts would recommend keeping your CBD gummies away from direct heat and sunlight. A cool, dry place like a kitchen cupboard or a drawer on your nightstand would be the perfect place for your CBD gummy stash.
Avoid Refrigeration
If you make your own CBD gummies at home, then refrigeration might be necessary. But for storebought, refrigeration could prove to be an added hassle. Taking them out means having to thaw them slightly to achieve a gummy consistency. And storing in a cold fridge could cause unnecessary moisture build-up that speeds up degradation.
What to Do When Buying CBD Gummies
CBD gummies’ shelf life starts as soon as they complete the manufacturing process. So if you want to make sure that your gummies have the longest shelf life possible, it’s important to practice these tips when you buy your stash in the first place:
Ask for New Stock
Don’t just grab the stuff on display. CBD gummies that sit outside on store shelves might be exposed to heat and UV light at some time throughout the day. It’s also possible that they keep out gummies that are older so they get purchased first. Always ask for new stock from the back room to get newer, fresher products.
Inquire About Expiration Dates
Not all vendors have expiration information for their CBD gummies, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Some vendors volunteer the information by placing the date on the labels. If you’re buying online, you can send a message to their support team to find out just how long the gummies have before they turn.
Be Wary of Sales
Some vendors put products on sale to get rid of them before they go bad. So if you find deeply discounted CBD gummies through a vendor whether on or offline, make it a point to ask about expiration dates first.
More often than not, these are tactics they use to make a profit off of old stock so they won’t have to incur losses by tossing them out.
Learn Brand-Specific Storage Practices
Some brands might recommend their own storage pointers to extend the life of your CBD gummies. In this case, you’re going to want to ask exactly how they recommend that you keep your CBD gummy stash to keep them fresh. Some might actually require refrigeration after opening, while others call for room temperature storage.
Keep Your CBD Gummies Fresh
All good things come to an end, and that holds true for CBD gummies. If you were hoping to keep your gummy stash fresh for as long as possible, make sure to keep these tips in mind. It also doesn’t hurt to practice a few tactics to get your hands on fresh CBD gummies straight out of the store.
