Stability Testing for Infused Pre‑Rolls: Why It Matters
Infused pre-rolls are flying off dispensary shelves, but what happens if your product loses potency, grows mold, or fails compliance midway through its shelf life? That's a risk no brand can afford to take.
Without proper stability testing, even premium pre-rolls can degrade before reaching the customer. This not only damages your reputation, but it can also trigger product recalls and result in lost revenue.
In this guide, we'll explain why stability testing is essential for infused pre-rolls, the key parameters to monitor, and how automation tools like Jiko by Sorting Robotics help you deliver safe, consistent, and shelf-stable products at scale.
What Is Stability Testing in Cannabis?
Stability testing in cannabis evaluates how an infused pre-roll holds up over time when exposed to real-world and accelerated storage conditions. It ensures your product stays safe, potent, and consistent, from production to consumption.
Chemical Integrity: Tracks changes in THC, CBD, and terpene profiles to confirm the product maintains its intended potency and flavour throughout its shelf life.
Safety Assurance: Moulds, yeasts, and bacteria remain a top cause of cannabis product recalls. According to a recent 60-day stability test, Curaleaf voluntarily recalled a pre-roll product after yeast and mould levels exceeded acceptable limits, underscoring the importance of routine stability monitoring in the real world. Routine lab checks catch issues early, keeping your product clean, compliant, and consumer‑safe.
Packaging Durability: Tests the long-term performance of packaging, ensuring child-resistance, tamper-evidence, and barrier protection remain reliable under stress.
Key Stability Testing Parameters for Infused Pre-Rolls
To ensure infused pre-rolls stay potent, safe, and compliant over time, brands must test specific stability metrics. Each factor plays a role in product integrity, shelf life, and consumer trust.
Moisture & Water Activity: Excessive moisture increases the risk of mould and microbial growth, particularly in live resin-infused pre-rolls. Controlling water activity (Aw) helps keep infused joints fresh while preventing spoilage, which is critical for maintaining a long shelf life and passing microbial tests.
Cannabinoid and Terpene Retention: Over time, THC degrades into CBN, which reduces potency. Studies show that THC degrades into CBN when exposed to heat and light, reducing potency by nearly 10-20% over six months without proper packaging or stability controls. Similarly, terpenes can evaporate, dulling flavour and aroma. Regular stability testing tracks these levels to ensure infused pre-rolls remain effective and enjoyable months after production.
Microbial Contaminants: Mould, yeast, and bacteria are the top reasons for cannabis product recalls. For example, a Curaleaf flower recall in 2023 was triggered by microbial contamination. Routine lab checks catch issues early, keeping your product clean, legal, and consumer-safe.
Packaging Integrity Under Stress: Your packaging must protect the pre-roll, preserve freshness, and comply with state laws. Stability testing ensures that seals don't degrade, labels stay readable, and the product stays child-resistant, even after months in variable conditions.
Why Stability Testing Matters for Infused Pre-Rolls
Stability testing is no longer optional; it's essential as of 2025. For infused pre-roll brands aiming to scale, stay compliant, and win consumer trust, this step ensures your product is safe, consistent, and shelf-ready.
Regulatory Compliance Is a Must: Many cannabis markets require long-term and accelerated stability testing. It verifies that your infused pre-rolls maintain potency, safety, and accurate labelling throughout their shelf life. Skipping this can block market access and delay the launch of products.
Shelf Life Based on Real Data: How long does your product stay effective and safe? Stability testing simulates storage conditions to determine true shelf life. This allows brands to confidently print expiration dates, reduce returns, and maintain consistency.
Brand Trust Starts with Product Consistency: When consumers trust that your infused pre-rolls will taste, burn, and perform the same every time, loyalty grows. Stability testing ensures every batch delivers the same experience, on Day 1 or Day 180.
Avoid Costly Recalls and Reputation Damage: Without testing, you risk mould, cannabinoid breakdown, or packaging failure, all of which can trigger costly recalls and damage to your reputation. Testing early identifies potential issues before they reach shelves, protecting both your brand and bottom line.
How Automation Enables Better Stability in Infused Pre-Rolls
Automation isn't just about speed; it's about consistency. When it comes to infused pre-rolls, automation plays a key role in improving product stability and long-term reliability.
Precision Dosing Reduces Variance: Automated systems like Jiko deliver exact amounts of concentrate in every pre-roll. This precision helps ensure consistent potency across batches, making stability test results more accurate and trustworthy.
Minimal Human Contact Lowers Contamination Risk: Manual processes increase the chance of introducing moisture, microbes, or uneven concentrate distribution. With robotic automation, the process stays cleaner, controlled, and compliant, right from production to packaging.
Repeatability Improves Shelf-Life Prediction: Consistency is critical for stability testing. When each pre-roll is made with identical inputs and methods, lab tests provide more reliable shelf-life estimates, allowing you to set expiration dates with confidence and minimise post-sale surprises.
How to Build a Stability Testing Program (The Right Way)
Creating a strong stability program ensures your infused pre-rolls stay safe, potent, and compliant over time. Here's how to get started:
Partner with a Certified Laboratory: Select a reputable, ICH-compliant, and GMP-ready laboratory to conduct all stability tests.
Set Clear Testing Intervals: Test at key milestones, Day 0, 30, 60, 90, and beyond 6-12 months.
Simulate Real and Accelerated Conditions: Utilise both room temperature and high-stress environments to predict shelf life accurately.
Track All Data: Record everything, batch details, packaging type, storage conditions, and results.
Use Results to Optimise: Refine your packaging, handling, or infusion process based on the data to preserve quality.
Expert Tips for Stable Pre-Rolls
Creating infused pre-rolls that stay fresh, potent, and safe over time isn't luck. It's a strategy. Follow these expert-backed tips to extend shelf life, boost consumer trust, and reduce costly risks.
Use low-moisture inputs and airtight, light-blocking packaging.
Automate to minimise human error and variability.
Conduct stability testing both during R&D and after scale-up to catch degradation early.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a typical shelf life?
Infused pre-rolls usually last between 6 and 12 months. Shelf life depends on the concentrate type (such as live resin or distillate) and the storage conditions; cool, dark, and dry conditions work best.
Can I do accelerated testing?
Yes. Accelerated testing simulates long-term storage by exposing products to high temperatures and humidity. This gives early insights into stability without waiting months for real-time results.
Does stability testing include microbial checks?
Absolutely. Microbial testing is crucial for detecting mould, yeast, and bacteria, particularly in solventless infusions like live resin or rosin, which can retain moisture.
Will packaging impact shelf life?
Yes. Packaging plays a significant role in shelf stability. Airtight, light-proof, and moisture-resistant materials help preserve potency, flavour, and freshness over time.
Final Thoughts: Secure Shelf Life, Strengthen Brand Trust
In today's fast-paced cannabis market, stability testing isn't optional; it's essential. Without it, you risk compliance failures, product recalls, and damage to your brand's reputation.
But when you combine robust testing protocols with automation tools like Jiko by Sorting Robotics, you create infused pre-rolls that're not only potent and consistent, but they're also built to last. From reliable shelf life to regulatory confidence, stability is your foundation for growth.
Ready to protect your product and your brand? Contact us to see how automation can future-proof your infused pre-roll line in 2025 and beyond.
