Do Cannabis Edibles Go Bad?

Have you just whipped up a batch of homemade weed cookies or brownies? Or perhaps you’ve purchased a stash from a nearby dispensary or coffeeshop? In any case, you’ll want to learn how to store edibles properly to keep them potent and fresh. Discover the best ways to store cannabis edibles below.

Do Edibles Lose Potency Over Time?

Yes, edibles begin to lose their potency over time. The speed of this process largely depends on how an edible is stored. Various environmental factors quicken the degradation of THC—the principal psychoactive ingredient found within weed edibles. Exposure to light, heat, and air all drive the degradation of THC into a compound known as CBN. This byproduct is known to produce a psychoactive effect, but one much more stoning and soporific than that produced by THC. Learning how to properly store weed edibles will help them retain their potency for longer, and keep their overall quality intact for greater durations.

How Long Before Edibles Go Bad?

Put simply, edibles are food. However, unlike most foods we consume on a day-to-day basis, they are infused with cannabis constituents. Therefore, edibles can go bad just as quickly as their non-psychoactive alternatives. The speed at which an edible expires depends largely on its ingredients. Edibles that contain dairy, such as non-vegan cookies, cakes, and brownies, are among the quickest to go off. Those that contain less-perishable ingredients and preservatives, such as gummies and candy, last much longer. Check out how long you can store different cannabis edibles below.

How Long Do Edibles Last in the Fridge?

The answer to this question ultimately depends on the type of edible you're storing. If you’ve purchased an edible from a dispensary or coffeeshop, you can simply adhere to the expiration date on the packaging. If you’ve whipped up a batch of edibles yourself at home, you can keep moist bars such as cheesecake and lemon bars in the fridge for up to 7 days^[1], according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Goods that contain less moisture, such as some cakes, will store safely for 2–3 weeks when refrigerated. Make sure to wrap them tightly and place them into airtight containers to protect their constituents from degrading.

How Long Do Weed Gummies Last in Storage?

Gummies and similar candy products don’t require refrigeration. The ingredients they contain are generally much less perishable than other products, and are often made with preservatives. Again, if you’ve purchased weed gummies, simply refer to the expiration date on the packaging. If you prefer to make your own, the FoodKeeper app developed by the USDA recommends^[2] storing gummies at room temperature for no longer than nine months. However, storing your gummies in this environment can expose them to conditions that degrade THC faster. Make sure to place them in an airtight container and store them in a cool and dark place to shield them from warm temperatures and strong light.

How Long Does Cannabutter Last in the Fridge?

Unless you have Amish blood flowing through your veins, you probably start the process of making cannabutter using store-bought butter. This makes storage times easy: simply keep track of the expiration date on the original butter packaging. According to the USDA, butter will keep at room temperature in a pantry for 1–2 days, and in the fridge for up to 2 months^[3] from the date of purchase.

How Long Do Weed Cookies Last in Storage?

Cookies contain much less moisture than brownies and similar baked goods, and therefore have a much longer shelf life. Provided you keep them in an airtight container and in a cool and dark place, weed cookies will keep safely at room temperature for up to 3 weeks^[4]. If you don’t plan to eat your cannabis cookies any time soon or have a particularly large stash, then you can keep them for much longer in the fridge. Here, they’ll remain safe to consume for up to 2 months.

How Long Do Weed Brownies Last When Stashed Away?

Weed brownies are among the tastiest of cannabis edibles. They’re sweet, filling, and considerably moreish. But how long do pot brownies last? Unfortunately, because of their higher moisture content and perishable ingredients, they’re among the quickest to go off. You should place weed brownies directly in the fridge, and keep them stashed for no longer than 7 days before consuming them and enjoying the ride.

Can You Freeze Marijuana Edibles?

Absolutely. Freezing marijuana edibles makes it possible to greatly extend the shelf life of even the most perishable goods. Cookies and brownies will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months without a noticeable drop in quality. As well as persevering the perishable ingredients and flavors, freezers are dark and very cold, meaning they’ll protect THC, other cannabinoids, and terpenes from degradation. Place them in an airtight container before storage to remove oxygen from the equation, too.

How to Make Edibles Last Longer

Follow the tips below to store your edibles, and preserve their quality, for as long as possible:

• Use airtight containers: When left in the open air, the key compounds within edibles are oxidised, which causes them to break down much faster. For this reason, among others, make sure to store your weed-infused foods in airtight containers.
• Control temperature: Warm temperatures not only accelerate the perishability of ingredients such as dairy, but they also provide an environment for mold to thrive. Furthermore, higher temperatures cause THC to break down into CBN. If you’re not planning on consuming your edibles any time soon, place them in the fridge for short-term storage, or into the freezer for long-term storage.
• Monitor moisture: Excess moisture also creates the perfect environment for mold to take hold. At room temperature, make sure to store edibles in a cool and dry place. In the fridge and freezer, wrap them securely and place them into airtight containers to stop them from becoming too moist.
• Shield from light: Use opaque containers if you choose to store your edibles on a kitchen countertop for use in the near future. Otherwise, store them away from light in a dark pantry, fridge, or freezer.
• Tag and date: Labelling and dating your edibles will help them to last longer. Instead of second-guessing and assuming they’ve gone off, an accurate tag will tell you whether they’ve passed their expiration date or if they’re still good to go.

Best Practice for Storing Weed Edibles

There you have it—weed edibles can last much longer than you probably thought! At room temperature, cannabis cookies last a considerably long time! If you prefer gummies over baked goods, you can rest assured that they’ll remain preserved in your pantry for months to come. Baked goods such as brownies and cakes fare much better in the fridge. If you're planning on storing your edibles for some time, the freezer provides the best option for long-term preservation.

DisclaimerExtracts, concentrates, and oils used for dabbing are among the strongest cannabis products available. Proceed with caution when using substances high in THC. Start with low doses and slowly increase over time to build up a tolerance to the compound.

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