As the emerging legal cannabis industry continues its march across the globe, and previously siloed national markets become more interconnected through imports and exports, cannabis products are spending more time in storage and in transit. That, in turn, creates additional logistical hurdles for companies.
Do THC and CBD degrade over time at room temperature? What is the best temperature for storing THC and CBD products? A recent analysis by a team of researchers based in the United States and Egypt focused on those questions. The findings of the collaborative research effort were published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.
“The chemical stability of cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa plant material and formulated products is a critical factor for quality control, therapeutic efficacy, and regulatory compliance.” the researchers noted. “This study aims to evaluate the stability of cannabinoids in plant material, extracts, oil formulations, and isolates (CBD and Δ9-THC) under distinct environmental temperatures to optimize storage guidelines.”
For the analysis, the researchers used three types of cannabis (extracts): one high in THC, one high in CBD, and one that had equal ratios of THC and CBD. The formulations were subjected to prolonged periods under three controlled temperature environments: room temperature, refrigeration, and freezing.
“The stability profiles varied depending on the cannabinoid profile, temperature, and matrix type. For the majority of cannabis-derived products, exposure to room temperature accelerated the degradation of THC into cannabinol (CBN), whereas storage at -20°C preserved cannabinoid integrity over the extended timeline.” the researchers found.
“Notably, a distinct divergence was observed between the compounds: CBD-only products demonstrated robust long-term stability even when maintained at room temperature. Conversely, THC-rich matrices were highly susceptible to ambient degradation but exhibited the highest stability when formulated as ethanolic solutions and stored in the freezer (-20°C).” the researchers added.
“To maximize cannabinoid shelf-life and prevent degradation, storage temperatures must match product composition. While CBD-dominant products can tolerate room-temperature storage, THC-rich products require cold chain management, ideally stored in a freezer at -20°C for optimal long-term potency.” the researchers concluded.
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