Producers and retailers have been scrambling to move their stock before Gov. Mike DeWine’s ban on THC beverages in Ohio takes effect Oct. 14.
But if you’re a consumer who’s stocked up, you can relax. There’s no need to clear out your own inventory any time soon.
Ohio makers of THC-infused sodas and seltzers say their products will remain safe, stable and able to do their thing long beyond the duration of DeWine’s 90-day ban.
“Shelf life is typically 12 months from the production date,” said John Lynch, the creator of Columbus-based Rambling House sodas, who added a THC-infused line of Drink Me drinks in 2020. “That means any product currently on shelves will remain safe and stable for consumers who have purchased it recently.”
Production of Drink Me seltzers stopped ahead of the state ban, Lynch said. DeWine issued his executive order Oct. 8 after the Ohio General Assembly failed to act on his repeated calls to restrict access to intoxicating hemp in the state.
Liquor stores, beer and wine shops, and taverns that sell the drinks say they don’t sell them to people younger than 21. DeWine’s harshest criticism has been for makers of THC-infused candy whom he said are using names and packaging that mimic sweets popular with children.
Seventh Son Brewing Co., a Columbus beer brewer that began making THC-infused Green Buddy Beverages in March, halted production before the governor’s order Oct. 8. Brewmaster Colin Vent said the drinks are pasteurized and their fruits and extracts are shelf-stable, so “there are no concerns” from a safety standpoint.
How long will THC beverages retain their potency?
What about the THC, though? How long will the THC in beverages retain the properties for which they’re purchased?
THC drinks are growing in popularity among consumers as an alternative to alcoholic beverages. They have similar effects — feelings of relaxation or euphoria — without the hangovers or health issues. Green Buddy’s 12-ounce cans include 5 milligrams of THC, while Drink Me seltzers have 10 milligrams in a 12-ounce can.
The question of long-term potency is one Seventh Son hasn’t been asked much yet.
“We typically sell out of stock before they have a chance to age much past a month or two,” Vent said.
THC components do lose potency over time, though, he said, and studies are being done to determine the rate. Natural Ways CBD, an online seller of cannabis-infused products, said THC in canned beverages starts degrading after about a year.
It recommends storing cans of THC beverages in a cool, dark place.
Dining reporter Bob Vitale can be reached at rvitale@dispatch.com or at @dispatchdining on the Instagram social platform.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What’s the shelf life on THC beverages? With Ohio ban starting, here’s what to know
Reporting by Bob Vitale, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
