How Long Do THC-Infused Drinks Last?

In the ever-evolving world of cannabis consumption, THC-infused drinks represent a frontier with innovation and variety. These beverages offer a unique way to experience the effects of cannabis and come in different forms. But amid this excitement, how long do THC-infused drinks last? 

We will delve into the complexities of THC-infused drinks and explore their shelf-life and factors that may influence their durability. We will also offer insight into broader storage implications and discuss proper shelf-life testing.

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How Long Do THC-Infused Drinks Last?

There is an array of cannabis-infused drinks available on the market. Many beverages, including coffee, soda, seltzer, tonic, and nonalcoholic wine, can be infused with THC.

All cannabis-infused beverages have a similar production process as all contain cannabis extract. To create this extract, cannabis manufacturers use pressure and heat to add carbon dioxide to raw cannabis materials.

So, if you are someone with little to no marijuana experience, you should know that cannabis beverages usually last around a year. Yet, their longevity depends on proper preservation, among other factors.

Do THC drinks have expiration dates?

Cannabis-infused beverages usually have a best-by date rather than an expiration date. We should note that the best-by date in THC drinks mainly refers to the potency of the product.

If not properly cared for, they may lose their potential effects. Consuming such a drink after a certain period might not offer the exact effects promised on the label.

As with other cannabis products, ingredients, storage condition, and packaging - all play a role in the shelf life of THC-infused drinks. For instance, a THC drink might lose its original flavor or gain a foul smell if stored improperly. The rules that apply to regular drinks apply to THC beverages as well.

Also, if you're a novice to marijuana infusion, it's important to comprehend that THC infusion extends beyond beverages and edibles. The infusion process is also commonly employed in the production of pre-rolls. And advanced innovations, such as our THC infuser machine, play a vital role in the process.

Shelf Life of Different Types of THC-Infused Drinks

Although the cannabis market offers a variety of THC-infused drinks, we’ll focus only on sparkling beverages, coffee, and tea.

The market offers a variety of THC-infused soda options. They can be found in traditional flavors such as lemon and root beer, as well as more exotic ones like mango and watermelon. It is also available as a carbonated beverage, such as THC-sparkling water. Besides cannabis extract, THC-infused sodas include many preservatives that prolong the shelf-life of cannabis sodas up to 12 months.

When it comes to THC-infused teas and coffees, they last up to a year if purchased as encapsulated powders.

Storage and Preservation Techniques

Avoiding exposure to oxygen

Many fail to realize that cannabis beverages may be negatively impacted by exposure to oxygen. Oxidation causes changes in the chemical structure of THC-infused drinks and results in loss of potency. 

In other words, when THC is exposed to oxygen, it leads to a higher concentration of CBN. As a result, the drink infused with THC may not be as potent as described and may not provide the desired outcome.

This is why manufacturers should pay close attention to fine-tuning oxidation during the packaging stage. To ensure that the composure of cannabis beverages is consistent, manufacturers must properly compose the emulsion base and adapt the production process.

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Sealing and packaging considerations

Packaging can also cause THC-infused drinks to lose their stability and reduce their potency over time. Aluminum cans don’t make a suitable packaging choice for cannabis-infused beverages. 

Plastic bottles also tend to lower the shelf-life of THC drinks. However, the packaging doesn’t directly contribute to the downgrade of potency in these drinks.

Instead, instability within cannabis-infused drinks is linked to the hydrophobic polymer that is sprayed on the inside of cans within production. It causes the cannabis oil content in THC beverages to stick to the inner walls of the can, which lowers the potency with time. A similar polymer is sprayed on the inside of plastic bottles and causes the same effect.

Some manufacturers tailor the drink to be compatible with the substances they spray inside cans and bottles to minimize such potency loss effects. However, this is not the case with glass bottles, meaning THC-infused beverages that come in glass bottles are likely to have a longer shelf-life.

Testing and Monitoring Shelf Life

Importance of testing for potency and stability

While assessing shelf life and stability is not required by federal law, testing shows that a brand is committed to providing quality cannabis products. Due to the rapid advancements in the cannabis industry, there is a need for improvement of safety standards.

This means that manufacturers are being called for greater transparency regarding the stability of their products. We believe the best way to offer accurate data is by conducting shelf-life studies through third-party laboratories.

Methods for assessing shelf life

Some of the most common shelf-life tests utilized in the cannabis industry include water activity and cannabis moisture testing. Manufacturers also use PH cannabis tests, but these are usually restricted to edibles.

Licensed laboratories perform these tests, which are usually carried out through specialized technology. These cannabis tests require expertise and may be time-consuming. 

Put simply, a sample is taken from the cannabis beverage and then tracked over a longer period. Once done, data is analyzed to calculate an average shelf life.

Signs of deterioration to consider

Every cannabis manufacturer wants its customers to enjoy and experience the product in optimal condition. This is why we believe cannabis brands are responsible for educating their consumers about standard storage practices and the role of best-by dates.

As we mentioned earlier, deterioration in cannabis drinks is usually related to potency. You cannot, however, determine this without drinking the beverage.

Still, in some drinks, such as cannabis juices, an unusual smell might be a sign that the drink has begun to deteriorate. Judging the drink by an unusual smell might not be recommended as it may be misleading due to the specific smell of cannabis extracts. Plus, each manufacturer follows their formula, and trying to identify it by smell will likely prove difficult.

This is why the best approach for preserving the integrity of cannabis-infused drinks is proper storage. We advise you also to check the label before drinking.

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Conclusion

How long do THC-infused drinks last? Similarly to drinks that don’t feature cannabis extract among their compounds, the shelf-life of cannabis-infused drinks also depends on ingredients, packaging, and storage conditions. What sets them apart is the fact that their loss of potency determines their lifespan.

Overall, we can say that you may expect THC-infused drinks to maintain their composure and potency for up to a year. Still, proper care is essential to maintain their integrity. This is why understanding the implications of different packaging materials and potential cannabis deterioration caused by oxidation is crucial.