Do Weed Carts Expire? How to Tell if They've Gone Bad

As a forgetful person who once lived in a home without central air, I’m no stranger to carts that look “off.” I’ve learned many lessons about care and storage since my early weed days. It turns out that sticking an unboxed cart in a desk drawer during the dog days of summer isn’t the way to go. 

Which brings us to the sad reality: no vape cartridge has a key to immortality, even high-quality products. Poor storage practices can make a cart go bad well before its expiration date—and even THC carts stored carefully are subject to deterioration and the elements.

All cannabis oil has a shelf life. An ancient THC or CBD cart won’t offer the same level of potency, flavor, and aroma as one fresh out of the package. There are even times when expired carts can pose harm to someone’s health. Thus, my goal here is to help vape enthusiasts spot signs of an out-of-date cart before taking a hit.

Do weed carts expire?

All cannabis carts expire sooner or later. 

Oil carts contain a complex blend of compounds extracted and synthesized from cannabis. This often includes delta 9 THC, the primary active cannabinoid in marijuana and the substance responsible for the plant’s euphoric effects. 

Hemp-derived THC carts contain one or more delta 9 cousins, such as delta 8 THC or delta 10 THC. All the above are psychotropic, as is HHC and several other novel derivatives. 

THC is the source of our highs, but terpenes and other nonintoxicating cannabinoids—like CBD, CBG, or CBN—contribute to our experience too. Any of these compounds deteriorating can alter the oil’s effects and give us a less complex high. 

Natural compounds break down and change with age, even after careful processing. For example, when it ages, THC becomes CBN, a mildly psychotronic and potentially sedative cannabinoid. HHC is a cannabinoid that’s more resistant to oxidation, but even it degrades eventually. 

Expensive or high-quality carts, sadly, aren’t an exception to the rule. They may be even more prone to going bad than filler and preservative-ridden knockoff carts.

How long do vape carts last before expiring?

The processing that goes into carts can still work in the vaper’s favor. 

THC and CBD vape oils may stay potent for a longer time than flower, but their exact lifespan depends on various storage, environmental, and other factors. Let me give a couple of examples.

Cannabis cart storage

I opened with a tale about storage, and for a good reason: vape carts that aren’t safely stored can go bad far more quickly. Cannabinoids and terpenes will deteriorate with or without the full force of July heat, but that process is strongly influenced by conditions like light and temperature. 

I’m now careful to store carts somewhere cool or at room temperature, especially if I don’t plan to vape them right away. I also keep them in their original packaging until I’m ready to commit—if I use a cart once or twice before stowing it away for months, it will probably deteriorate sooner than if it were unopened.

Also, keep it away from sunlight. UV exposure is one of the most efficient ways of destroying the potency and flavor of a cannabis cart. I’d also recommend not keeping your vape carts in a humid space, like the kitchen or car.

Manufacturing and expiration dates

Next up, I’d suggest keeping the cart’s manufacturing and expiration dates on hand. Reputable sellers will generally print this information right on their product’s packaging or certificate of analysis (COA), so consider jotting both dates down before chucking the box. 

After a cart passes the one-year threshold, it’s worth proceeding with some level of caution. There’s no fixed timeline for a weed cart to expire, but an older cart is more likely to have gone bad. 

Expiration dates aren’t set in stone. Using a cart once before putting it on a months-long hiatus promotes oxidation, pushing it to lose potency and flavor faster than if it was unopened. In cases like this, the cart’s life expectancy could wind up being shorter than the manufacturer's estimate. 

Alternatively, carts kept sealed in a cool, dark place before being opened and used will probably maintain their strength for longer. Even beyond the one-year mark or its expiration date, an unopened, safely stored cart will probably still be acceptable to vape. 

After two years, I'd toss the cart and move on to something fresher. It’s unlikely a cart has a shelf life longer than this. 

What happens if you vape an expired cart?

Puffing an expired cart rarely leads to major consequences or damage to the vaper’s health. Then again, just because there’s a low—but not nonexistent—safety risk doesn’t make it smart to vape a dark brown, off-tasting cart. 

Cannabis oil loses potency as it ages, and could even take on an acidic, off-putting taste or smell. Not an enjoyable vape. 

Even worse, expired or poorly stored weed carts aren’t immune to mold. I’ve dealt with this one firsthand. When a cart sits in a humid, sunlit space for weeks without being used, the risk of mold forming becomes significant. 

None of us want to inhale bacteria directly into our lungs. That’s not good for anyone’s health, and it’s not going to taste or feel great, either. If you spot mold—or suspect it—toss the cart and start fresh.