Many of us have taken to the enjoyment of weed edibles. Weed edibles can be tasty treats that give us the feeling we need from the weed while also giving us something good and tasteful that we often enjoy, like brownies or cookies.
Weed edibles brought from dispensaries will have an expiration or “best by” date on the package if it expires. But what about the weed edibles you get from a neighbour or a friend? How are you supposed to know the shelf life of weed edibles?
What is the Shelf Life of Edibles?
While it may be hard to know the shelf life of weed edibles you get from a neighbour or a friend, there is a general rule of thumb to remember. First, consider how long you would keep that same product without the weed. For example, brownies or other baked goods infused with weed will last about as long as the non-infused product.
In short, “the shelf life of an edible depends on the type of edible, how it was made, and preservatives that are added to it.” (Do Edibles Go Bad? 2022).
What Affects The Shelf Life of Cannabis Edibles?
When it comes to knowing how long the shelf life of weed edibles is, it comes down to knowing two things: the type of edible it is and the ingredients in the edible.
The Type of Edible
If your edible is a product you usually need to refrigerate due to being perishable, it’s likely to have less shelf life. Products like energy drinks, sauces, and condiments are prime examples. It’s likely these types of products won’t last longer than a week. Products like cookies and brownies will likely last a little longer than that. Cannabis gummies, candies and lollipops will outlast them all. In addition, the shelf-life will be similar to other similar edible items, even if there is no THC. For example, Zuzili ACV gummies will typically last the same amount of time as THC gummies.
The Ingredients
It’s also important to remember that some ingredients perish quicker than others and have a shorter shelf life. For instance, products with dairy, like cheesecake, will spoil eventually, even with refrigeration. So these types of products may go bad in less than a week.
Candies and lollipops have preservatives, like sugar, in them, allowing them to be consumable for much longer, sustaining for much more extended periods.
That said, feel free to keep weed edibles for as long as you would the regular product without the infused weed. However, understand that most other ingredients in the product will degrade long before the cannabis extracts in the product will.
Are Expired Weed Edibles Still Potent?
Some sources say that it would be at least a year before the weed in an edible product goes bad (Herrington, A., 2020). However, much of that decision goes into how the weed was manufactured or infused into the product.
The weed product’s potency may decline over time, meaning the longer you have the product, the less potent the weed. Most weed edibles are infused with THC oil; if the oil isn’t properly infused, it may not all get into the product. It can separate from the product and leave residue on the packaging, thereby shortchanging what gets into the product.
Can You Tell If a Cannabis Edible Has Gone Bad?
The first thing you want to do in determining if weed edibles have gone bad is to consider the product itself. How long would the product last without the infused weed? When you’ve considered that, carefully inspect the product. Allow your senses to be your guide and assess the colour, texture, and smell before consuming it. If your senses tell you not to consume, then it’s probably a safe thing not to do.
What you need to remember about weed edibles is that it’s a long time before the weed itself goes bad. The weed doesn’t go bad; it just degrades. That means it’s not as potent as it once was over time. Remember, the longer you have the edible, the less effect the weed will have on you. If the effect is ultimately what you’re going for with the weed edible, it would be wise to consume it sooner than later.
However, if you don’t mind eating expired cookies or brownies in your possession, go for it if the food item seems okay to eat. Keep in mind the reaction this may have to your gut health.
Tips for Storing Weed Edibles For Longer Shelf Life
When storing weed edibles, if a label clearly states to refrigerate, or if this product would usually be refrigerated without the infused weed, it should be stored in the refrigerator until it expires.
For all other weed edibles:
- Store it in a cool place like the fridge or freezer, which can prolong freshness.
- Light can degrade weed edibles over time, so avoid clear containers and keep them in a dark place.
- Keep your weed edibles dry.
- Biting directly into a weed edible exposes the remaining pieces of it to bacteria from your mouth. So if you don’t plan to eat the entire portion, it’s best to cut off (if possible) what you want to eat rather than biting into it.
- An airtight container in a pantry or cupboard is an excellent way to store most weed edibles from a dispensary.
- Always keep your edibles in a safe or locked place where it doesn’t get into the wrong hands, especially if others, like children, live in your household.
Follow these steps for storing edibles properly so that your edibles last as long as possible. As long as your products are stored properly, you won’t have to worry about mold or spoiled products.
Conclusion
The bottom line is weed edibles are susceptible to expiring like any other food product and should be kept as long as the non-infused product. Read the label on products whenever you buy cannabis edibles online in Canada from a store or dispensary to know the expiration date. If you’re making weed edibles at home or getting them from someone else, follow your senses to determine how consumable they are. Also, it is essential to know that marijuana edible delivery can affect the product’s shelf life, especially if the heat is too high and melts and changes the consistency of the edible items.
References
Do edibles go bad? (2022, August 3). Weedmaps. https://weedmaps.com/learn/products-and-how-to-consume/do-edibles-go-bad
Get Kush. (2022, October 7). Buy Weed Edibles Online in Canada. Available at: https://getkush.cc/product-category/edibles/
Herrington, A. (2020, June 9). The shelf life of weed: Do Cannabis edibles expire? https://cannabisnow.com/the-shelf-life-of-weed-do-cannabis-edibles-expire/
Weed Delivery Vancouver. (2022, October 7). Same-Day Weed Edibles Delivery in Vancouver. Available at: https://weeddeliveryvancouver.io/product-category/cannabis-edibles/
Zuzili. (2022, October 7). Buy Zuzili ACV Gummies Online. Available at: https://zuzili.com/acv-gummies
