More people than ever before have got a severe case of the “munchies.” No, we’re not talking about the “munchies” you get after smoking weed; in this post, we’re referring to the rapid rise in the cannabis edibles market. Nowadays, there’s no shortage of cannabis-infused goodies for consumers to choose from. Plus, since it’s easier for people to purchase legal weed, more MMJ patients are getting into making DIY edibles. But what is the average shelf life of these homemade delights?
While edibles have many positive traits, please remember that they don’t last forever! Like any other edible product, THC treats have an expiration date. To ensure you have a safe edible experience, you should know the basics of determining the average shelf life of cannabis edibles.
What’s The Average Shelf Life Of A Cannabis Edible?
Honestly, there’s no way to determine the exact expiration date for every cannabis edible. Each product has different ingredients and goes through unique manufacturing procedures, all of which alter its longevity. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few general principles you could keep in mind when evaluating your cannabis edible’s longevity.
First off, most scientists agree that food-related ingredients spoil faster than cannabinoids. In fact, cannabinoids like THC or CBD could last for a year without a significant dip in potency. So, when you’re trying to figure out a product’s shelf life, it’s a safe bet to compare it with similar non-high-inducing goods like store-bought brownies, chocolate bars, or gummies.
Also, products made with perishable ingredients degrade faster than other edibles. For instance, brownies and cannabutter will always spoil quicker than infused gummies, gums, or hard candies.
If we had to give a rough “shelf life estimate,” you should expect perishable goods to last about one to two weeks when stored in the fridge. On the other hand, products like cannabis gummies could last as long as one year when stored in a reliably cool and dry place.
Please keep in mind that homemade cannabis edibles usually go bad faster than manufactured products. Unsurprisingly, manufacturers tend to use preservatives in their products, which helps lengthen their shelf-life. While this feature may be a slight downside to making DIY canna-goodies, you do have the advantage of choosing what ingredients go into your favorite treats. Plus, with a tCheck potency tester, you could adjust your THC and CBD dosages with incredible precision.
How Could You Tell A Cannabis Edible Has Gone Bad?
Determining whether a cannabis edible has spoiled isn’t all that different from evaluating comparable non-infused products. First, break out your magnifying glass and inspect your edibles for signs of a mold infestation. If your treats pass this visual inspection, it’s time for a tried-and-true “sniff test.” Edibles that smell like they belong in the trash probably shouldn’t go in your tummy.
While these two tests should help you determine whether your edible is good, you should also be on the lookout for an icky oily sheen. Since cannabinoids are fat-soluble, manufacturers must emulsify them while making their edibles (unless they’re working with new water-soluble cannabinoids). If a company cuts corners in the manufacturing process, cannabinoids like THC could separate from the food and end up on the packaging. This oily residue may not mean your edibles are “bad,” but it signals you’re not getting the highest-possible cannabinoid count.
What’s The Best Way To Preserve Cannabis Edibles?
No matter what edible you enjoy, the worst thing you could do is store it in a hot, damp, and bright area. All of these factors will increase the risk of a mold infestation and deteriorate delicate cannabinoids and terpenes. Improper storage will always hasten your edible’s degradation, so you must keep your products in the proper place.
For extra perishable goods like cannabutter and brownies, it’s usually best to place them in the fridge. Other edibles like gummies or hard candies should be kept in their original packaging in a cool, dark, and dry area. For extra protection, you should consider storing these edibles in an airtight container.
These simple storage hacks will ensure your edibles make it to their recommended expiration date. Heck, in many cases, edibles that are adequately stored are still OK to eat weeks or months after the manufacturer’s “best by” recommendation.
Is It OK To Freeze Cannabis Edibles?
If you made more cannabutter than you expected, you could safely store a few slabs in the freezer without worrying. Contrary to popular belief, freezing doesn’t degrade the potency of cannabinoids. You can put most edibles in the freezer for about six months without a significant reduction in taste or efficacy. You can store the canna pulp from your recent infusion in the freezer as well! Save the leftover flower from your latest infusion (also known as pulp) and use it a variety of ways up to 6 months later.
Evaluate Your Edibles With A tCheck Tester
As long as you store your edibles properly, you shouldn’t have an issue enjoying them at your own pace. Even better, you could control the dosage of your DIY edibles with devices like the tCheck potency tester. Using one of our intuitive devices can help you accurately measure your cannabinoid percentages, so you can set reliable daily doses of your DIY cannabutter, brownies, or gummies.
