Like all cannabis products, Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) will expire after a time due to cannabinoid degradation.
However, RSO has a longer shelf life than many other cannabis products.
Common dispensary products like gummies or flower can lose potency and worsen in overall quality within a few months. whereas properly stored RSO, depending on the product, lasts between 1 and 2 years (and even as long as 10 years for ethanol-extracted oil).
Beyond that, RSO in any format, though still safe to consume, will be much less effective as the cannabinoids and terpenes will have broken down.
If you’re taking RSO for medical purposes, knowing its expiration date and how to properly store it means you’ll always have the most effective product on hand.
How Long Do RSO Products Last: Product Comparison
| Product Type | Shelf Life |
| Pure RSO (syringe) | 1-2 years (ethanol-extracted syringes can last up to 5-10 years) |
| Capsules | 1-2 years |
| Gummies | 8-12 months |
| Suppositories | 6-12 months |
| Tinctures | Carrier oil-based: 3-4 years, Alcohol-based: 5-10 years |
Does RSO Expire?
While RSO does expire, it doesn’t go bad in the traditional sense of something moldering or becoming totally unsafe to consume. Instead, it loses potency over time as heat, oxygen, and ultraviolet radiation degrade the cannabinoids inside.
Heat and oxygen work in tandem to speed up specific chemical reactions that transform THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) into CBN (cannabinol), which is only a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid.
Ultraviolet (UV) is a short wavelength form of light that carries enough energy to break the bonds of cannabinoids at the molecular level.
Oxygen on its own oxidizes the cannabinoids and reduces their effectiveness which is why you should use air-tight containers to store RSO products in.
To counter these issues, store any RSO products you buy in air-tight containers in a cool, dark place like a closet, pantry, or refrigerator.
These storage methods are important to understand so you can preserve the RSO products you buy.
Especially if you’re taking RSO for major illnesses like cancer or chronic pain [1], having the most effective product on hand is extremely crucial.
If you’re buying RSO with a medical card, odds are, you can only buy a limited amount at a time, and that’s another important reason why it’s important to understand proper storage methods.
How Long Does an RSO Syringe Last?
An unused, pure RSO syringe can last up to 2 years if you store it right. Ethanol-extracted syringes can last longer because the small amount of alcohol acts as a preservative.
If you use RSO quickly, typically medical users or cancer patients will take up to 1g per day, you probably won’t need to worry about your syringe expiring.
But, if you prefer to take it casually, just be mindful of when you bought it and how to store it correctly.
How to Store RSO
In terms of storage, RSO isn’t too difficult to deal with. If you have unopened products you want to preserve, place them in a cool, dark area.
One piece of advice we give customers is that blue or amber-colored containers help protect RSO from ultraviolet rays [2]. Some companies even sell RSO syringes with blue or amber-tinted plastic for this very reason.
Should You Refrigerate RSO?
It’s not necessary to refrigerate RSO; it’s shelf-stable and remains in good condition when stored below room temperature. However, for long-term storage, we do recommend refrigeration.
If you’ve bought several RSO products and intend to use them over a longer period, putting them in your refrigerator is the best bet.
However, if you buy a small amount at a time for daily use, refrigeration is unnecessary and can make it harder to get the oil out of syringes as well.
For syringes specifically, more viscous oil can cause you to take a larger dose than intended. To fix this issue, place the closed syringe in a bowl of warm water or wrap it with a warm, damp cloth.
Is It Safe to Use RSO Past Its Expiration Date?
In most cases, you can use RSO after it expires without experiencing any dangerous symptoms.
Unlike food, properly stored RSO doesn’t support the growth of harmful bacteria or the formation of toxic compounds. This is why it doesn’t rot, go stale, or otherwise go bad in the typical sense.
While it won’t rot, it does lose potency. You’ll notice that its effects are much weaker than they were before, and that the effects won’t last as long.
If you take RSO recreationally or are a medical cannabis patient managing only mild symptoms, older products may still work for you, especially if you adjust the dose upward.
Keep in mind, if you rely on RSO for cancer care, severe chronic pain, or other serious conditions, expired RSO oil may be ineffective for your condition.
Important: If your RSO shows signs of contamination, discard it immediately. These signs include:
- Visible mold
- Strong rancid smell
- Severe ingredient separation
As a rule of thumb, if you’re in doubt, throw it out.
Conclusion: Store Your RSO Properly for the Longest Shelf Life
In general, RSO, especially in tincture format or if it’s ethanol-extracted, can last a while if you store it properly.
Like any cannabis product, though, RSO will lose potency over time no matter how well you store it. Products like edibles and suppositories tend to degrade the fastest.
Remember, too, that product stability can greatly depend on who you buy RSO from. If the company doesn’t offer pure, third-party lab-tested products like we do, your RSO product may lose potency and expire much faster than it should.
If you’re taking RSO for serious medicinal reasons like combating aggressive cancers or chronic pain, we recommend that you never take a chance on weak RSO as it can lead to degraded benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are some questions we commonly get from customers about the shelf stability of RSO.
What Is the Shelf Life for RSO?
When stored in a cool, dark, and dry place, RSO, on average, remains potent for up to 24 months. When refrigerated, unopened, alcohol-based RSO tinctures can last up to 10 years.
Can I Use RSO After It Expires?
RSO doesn’t go bad like edibles, even after its expiration date. This means you can likely use expired RSO oil without experiencing any symptoms. However, we don’t recommend it, especially if the product contains a carrier oil, which typically goes bad within 2 years.
Does RSO Need to be Refrigerated?
No, you don’t have to refrigerate RSO oil, especially if you’ve only bought one syringe and plan to use it every day. However, if you buy RSO in bulk, refrigeration will keep it potent and stable longer, extending its lifespan.
What Is the Best Way to Store RSO?
We recommend storing your RSO in a cool, dark, and dry place. UV rays from the sun, moisture, and air are the biggest degradation causes when storing RSO: avoid all three, and you’ll have nothing to worry about. For extended storage, refrigeration is best.
Does RSO Lose Potency Over Time?
Yes. Like every other cannabis product, RSO loses potency in storage [3]. Use it before its best-by and expiration date to ensure you get the most effective result possible.
References
[1] FAIRBAIRN, J. W., et al. “The Stability of Cannabis and Its Preparations on Storage.” Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, vol. 28, no. 1, Jan. 1976, pp. 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-7158.1976.tb04014.x
[2] Huebner, D. S., Batarshin, M., Beck, S., König, L., Mewis, I., & Ulrichs, C. (2024). “Influence of different UV spectra and intensities on yield and quality of cannabis inflorescences.” Frontiers in Plant Science, 15, 1480876. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1480876
[3] Aviram, J., Lewitus, G. M., Vysotski, Y., Yellin, B., Berman, P., Shapira, A., & Meiri, D. (2021). “Prolonged Medical Cannabis Treatment is Associated With Quality of Life Improvement and Reduction of Analgesic Medication Consumption in Chronic Pain Patients” Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, 613805. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.613805
