What Happens if You Smoke an Expired Cart? Everything you should know

So you were cleaning out an old drawer and stumbled upon a weed cartridge you had forgotten about. Its amber oil has faded to a dull brown and the mouthpiece is coated with tiny white crystals. “I wonder if this still works,” you think. Before taking a puff, let’s dive into what happens if you smoke an expired cart.

Do Weed Cartridges Expire?

In short, yes – all weed cartridges eventually lose their potency and effectiveness.

Most cannabis cartridges start expiring 6-12 months after their production date. However, exact shelf life depends on various factors:

• Cannabis oil type – The ingredients and additives used impact expiration rate.
• Storage conditions – Heat, light and air degrade oil faster.
• Cartridge quality – Cheap hardware often equates to shorter shelf lives.

Properly stored carts in cool, dark places can maintain potency for over a year. But vapor quality inevitably declines with time.

Exposure to oxygen causes cannabis oil to oxidize, turning darker amber, brown, then eventually black. Heat accelerates this oxidation while cold can cause condensation issues.

So once a cartridge passes its expiry date, it begins this downhill slide towards being totally bunk.

Weed cartridge oil gets darker and changes consistency as it expires

What Happens if You smoke an Expired Cart?

It depends how long past its prime the cartridge is. Slightly degraded oil will still get you high but lack its original potency. Fully expired carts deliver no effects aside from a nasty taste.

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect at different expiration stages:

Slightly Expired Cartridges

• Subtle changes – Oil color slightly darker. May taste vaguely different.
• Mostly still active – Majority of THC and other cannabinoids still present.
• Reduced effects – High feels weaker than when cartridge was newer.
• Usable but declining – Oil is oxidizing but cartridge still functional overall.

You can likely get away with using a cartridge in this state for awhile. But vapor quality slowly drops over time.

Fully Expired Cartridges

• Obvious degradation – Dark black/brown oil color. Thick viscosity.
• Rancid smell – Terpenes and flavorings have broken down.
• No effects – THC has converted to CBN so no high at all.
• Crystalized material – Solid white chunks building up internally.
• Don’t use – Smoking decrepit oil is harsh and offers no benefits.

Once a cartridge reaches this stage, the show is over. Toss it out and enjoy a fresh one instead for best results.

Is it Bad or Dangerous to Smoke Expired Carts?

While smoking an expired weed cart likely won’t harm your health, it certainly won’t do you any good.

Fully oxidized cannabis oil contains little to no remaining THC or CBD. This means hitting the vape will provide zero functional effects – no high, no medical relief, no benefits basically.

Beyond ineffectiveness, rancid vapor tastes incredibly harsh and unpleasant. Mold growth inside improperly stored cartridges poses a contamination risk when smoked as well.

So you’re better off just replacing old, degraded carts instead of trying to salvage them. Protect yourself and enjoy the freshest vapes possible!

Storing Cartridges Properly for Maximum Shelf Life

Want your cartridges to stay potent as long as possible before expiring? Follow these storage best practices:

• Keep in cool, dark location away from heat and sunlight
• Store cartridges upright to prevent oil leakage/clogging
• Avoid extreme hot or cold temperatures
• Use carts within 6 months of purchasing for optimal freshness
• Handle carefully to prevent fractures and breaking

Investing in an organized cartridge case helps protects hardware integrity as well.

Proper storage makes a big difference! Refrigeration can extend shelf life too but introduces moisture risks.

The fridge is best for short-term storage while a dark cabinet, closet or basement nook works well long-term.

What’s the Best Way to Dispose of Bad Carts?

So you sadly confirm that old vape cartridge hidden in your closet is toast. Before tossing it out, let’s go over proper disposal.

If possible, first try bringing totally spent cartridges to your local hazardous waste collection. Call ahead to see if they accept weed hardware.

Barring that, carefully seal dead carts in a plastic container or bag before throwing away. This prevents oil leakage and containment issues.

Never attempt to open, cut or otherwise dismantle weed cartridges yourself. Doing so risks dangerous extract exposure. Simply seal and dispose of retired vapes intact.

And lastly, under no circumstances should you flush vaporizer cartridges down the toilet! Oil residues can accumulate in plumbing and waterways, causing environmental damage.

Discard undesired weed cartridges mindfully in standard household waste receptacles instead. We all must do our small parts to protect the planet!

Conclusion

Expired weed cartridges are bound to disappoint, delivering weak, foul-tasting vapor with low cannabinoid levels. Discolored and crystallized oil means a cartridge has fully degraded.

Although likely not unsafe health-wise, vaping decrepit cannabis oil has zero functional upside. Shelve old carts properly to begin with and consume promptly for best results!

Now go enjoy those fresh cartridges you just unpacked!

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