What if I ask you the most common method for medical cannabis consumption? Smoking may be just on the tip of your tongue. Isn’t it so? Yes, you are right about it.
However, in recent times, edibles like gummies are becoming popular. People who have issues with smoking or vaping are most likely to prefer these yummy treats. It is also popular among people considering weed for fat loss.
As edibles are gaining attention, so do the questions surrounding them. Consumers are curious to learn if cannabis edibles expire, how to increase their shelf-life, or what happens if you eat expired cannabis gummies.
We are here to help you find your answers and satisfy your curiosity. So, let’s not waste any more time and get right to it.
Do edibles expire?
Yes, cannabis edibles expire. Everything has an expiry date, be it the groceries you buy from your local store or personal care products. Similarly, cannabis edible gummies expire. They can lose their freshness, flavor, and potency.
If you are going to buy edibles from medical marijuana dispensaries, then they do come with an expiry date. However, when it comes to homemade weed butter or simply other cannabis edibles, you need to be extra cautious about expiry.
Similar to any food item at home, homemade cannabis edibles can spoil or become rancid. Several factors affect the shelf-life of these medical cannabis edibles, too.
Don’t worry; we will come to how you can increase the shelf-life of cannabis edibles in a while. But before that, let’s learn how long edibles last.
How long do edibles last?
Different types of cannabis edibles have different shelf-life. For example, cannabis cookies can last up to 1 week. Cannabis brownies are good for around 2 weeks. Similarly, cannabis gummies have a shelf life of 1 year.
Keep in mind that these are for homemade edibles. However, for store-bought edibles, always check the expiration date.
How long do the effects of edibles last?
Cannabis-infused edibles have lasting effects as compared to smoking and vaping. Smoking and vaping effects last for up to 4 hours. On the other hand, the effects of edibles last for 6 hours or more.
However, it is also important to note that the effects of edibles kick in within 20-90 minutes, whereas smoking effects start to kick in within 2 to 10 minutes.
How to increase the shelf-life of cannabis edibles?
Now, coming to the point we discussed earlier. Can you increase the shelf-life or freshness of your edibles? Yes, you can. Here are some tips that will help you increase the shelf-life of cannabis edibles:
- Store edibles in a cool, dark place. The best temperature to store cannabis edibles is 12-18°C.
- Keep your edibles away from sunlight and heat.
- Place the edibles in an airtight container to reduce exposure to oxygen and moisture.
- Keep an eye on the expiry date to check if they are usable or not.
- You can also store your edibles in the fridge. However, thaw it before use.
- Check regularly for spoilage. Discard anything that smells, tastes, or looks off.
These tips will keep your edibles fresh and potent for a long time.
Can I freeze edibles?
Yes, freezing is a good option to preserve the quality of your cannabis. Doing so will keep your cannabis edibles away from sunlight and heat.
However, consider that your edibles’ taste and texture may change over time when freezing. So, it is best to freeze only the edibles whose taste won’t change when put in the refrigerator.
What happens if you eat expired edible gummies?
What happens when you eat expired chocolates or drinks? Have you ever come across a situation where you didn’t consider the expiry of your edible, and once you are done eating it, you get to know that it is expired?
We all have encountered such situations at least once in a lifetime. The only difference that you can experience is the change in taste, texture, or freshness. 9 out of 10 times, you never get sick eating those expired eatables.
Similarly, eating expired cannabis edibles isn’t a big deal. All you experience is the change in taste and maybe potency. It won’t get you in big trouble. However, it is best to avoid eating expired edible gummies.
Conclusion
Edibles are becoming popular among people who aren’t a fan of smoking weed. And for a good reason: they aren’t harsh on your lungs like smoke. However, you should think of them as your regular edibles that expire and lose their taste over time.
It is best to consider the expiry dates of THC edibles if you buy them from medical marijuana dispensaries or otherwise make a quantity that you can consume quickly.
Keep in mind that you must get your medical marijuana card to make, store, and use weed edibles.
