Do Weed Carts Expire? Why Your Weed Cart is Brown

Have you ever had the cannabis oil in your vape cartridge turn dark brown? If so, do you know why that happened and what it means? Can cannabis oil go bad? In this article we will address these questions, discuss how your vape cartridge works, and share tips on how to store your cartridge so it lasts longer.

What is Inside Your Cannabis Vape Cartridge?

Contained within the glass or plastic tube in your vape cartridge is approximately one gram of cannabis concentrate oil full of cannabinoids and terpenes. At the bottom of the cartridge, there is a metal plate that is heated by the battery located at one end of the vape pen. The oil is vaporized and inhaled through the mouthpiece.

Flower can lose its potency fairly quickly over time as it dries out, leading to the degradation of terpenes. While vape cartridges have a longer shelf-life, they do not last forever.

How The Oil in Cartridges Changes Over Time

Your cannabis oil is made up of lipids and molecules in complex chains whose bonds are not terribly strong. The heating of the oil on a regular basis results in the breakdown of these molecular bonds. It is important to note that THC molecules in cannabis will degrade into CBN no matter what delivery method you use. For those unfamiliar with CBN, when cannabis ages, the THC breaks down into CBN, which has only mild psychoactive effects. The rate of THC degradation in your vape cartridge depends on the following:

Heat Inside and Outside the Cartridge

Exposure to high temperatures over a period of time will increase the degradation of both the oil and the THC. Not only does the heat come from within the cartridge, it also comes from outside the cartridge. Cartridge tubes are not very effective at keeping out heat from external sources. These include:

• Exposure to high temperature in a car or any other hot enclosure
• Body heat transmitted through a pocket of the user
• High temperature on a hot day

Exposure to Light

Exposure to light, especially sunlight, will quickly age your THC into CBN.

Is it Bad to Smoke a Brown Cart?

A brown cart is not automatically a bad cart. Darkening on its own is usually just oxidation: every time you vape, and every time the oil meets air, heat or light, the cannabinoids and terpenes slowly oxidize and the oil gets darker. Cannabis oils without additives or preservatives change color this way as they age, so an amber oil turning a deeper brown over weeks of use is normal.

What darkening does tell you is that the oil is aging. A darker cart may taste a little less fresh and feel a little less potent than when you bought it. Whether to keep using it comes down to the other signs below, not the color alone.

Do Vape Carts Go Bad?

Vape cartridges can go bad over time, although they don’t spoil in the same way that food does. The shelf life of a vape cart primarily depends on the quality of the cannabis oil and the storage conditions. For a closer look at shelf life, see how long a cart lasts.

3 Signs a Vape Cartridge Has Gone Bad

Color alone isn’t one of them. Replace your cartridge if you notice any of these:

1. The Oil Looks Wrong, Not Just Darker

Fresh oil is fairly clear and evenly colored, from light yellow to amber. Gradual darkening is fine. Throw the cart away if the oil turns cloudy or murky, separates into layers, develops sludge or particles, or shows anything that looks like mold.

2. It Tastes or Smells Off

If the vapor tastes bitter, sour or rancid, or the oil smells off, toss it. (A burnt taste can have other causes, too; here’s why a cart tastes burnt.)

3. Loss of Potency

If the cart feels noticeably weaker than it used to, the THC has likely broken down. It isn’t harmful in itself, but it’s a sign the cart is past its best.

If you’re ever unsure about a cart, don’t use it. Bring it to your budtender, who can take a look.

Tips for Extending the Life of Your Vape Carts:

• Proper Storage: Store your vape cartridges upright in a cool, dark place to minimize exposure to light and heat.
• Use Timely: While some cartridges can last up to a year when stored properly, it’s best to use them within a few months of purchase for the best experience.
• Keep Sealed: Only open a vape cart when you’re ready to use it to avoid unnecessary exposure to air.

Ways to Increase the Longevity of Your Vape Cartridge

By purchasing high-quality cartridges and storing them properly, they can last up to a year. It is highly recommended that you purchase vape cartridges from a licensed dispensary. Make sure that they include the following information:

• Lab Reports
• List of Ingredients
• Place of Origin

Remove The Cartridge From the Battery

Even when you are not using the vape cartridge, as long as the metal plate maintains contact with the battery, there will be a small amount of power generated which will continue to heat the oil. That will ultimately damage the integrity of the cannabinoids and terpenes. Unscrewing the cartridge from the battery and storing it upright will also prevent oil leakage and potential damage to the cartridge from breakage.

Store Your Cartridge in A Cool, Dry Place

When THC molecules are exposed to temperatures above 70° F, they start to degrade into CBN. Consider buying a small protective case to protect it from heat if you tend to carry the cartridge in your pocket. At home, if it is not in a protective case, store it in a cool, dry place like a drawer. Avoid placing it on a windowsill.

Sources:

• potguide.com, Do Vape Cartridges Go Bad? Paul Barach, Nov. 12, 2020
• vapebright.com, Why is My CBD Vape Oil Turning Dark Brown or Black, Aug. 30, 2019