THC Degrades at Room Temperature, But CBD Does Not

THC-rich cannabis products are far more susceptible to degradation over time than are products dominant in CBD, according to findings published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

Researchers affiliated with the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy assessed the stability of various cannabis products over prolonged periods of time under three controlled temperature environments: room temperature, refrigeration, and freezing. Quantitative analysis of cannabinoid content was performed at regular intervals using gas chromatography to track degradation and potency over time.

Investigators reported disparate trends for products high in THC as compared to those dominant in CBD.

“For the majority of cannabis-derived products, exposure to room temperature accelerated the degradation of THC into cannabinol (CBN), whereas storage at -20°C (-4°F) preserved cannabinoid integrity over the extended timeline,” they determined. “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 study’s authors concluded: “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.”