Do Cannabis Edibles Expire? Here’s What You Need to Know

When you’re digging through your cabinets or cleaning out the fridge, you might think you’ve hit the jackpot when you find an old pot brownie or gummy. Then you ask yourself, “Wait, do edibles expire?”

It’s an honest question, and here’s a little spoiler alert: edibles do expire. However, long-time stoners know that certain munchies can last longer than others. Maybe you don’t mind stale snacks if they get you stoned. The key is not wasting your weed while avoiding anything that could make you sick.

Unfortunately, testing edibles isn’t as easy as sniffing an old Tupperware container or pint of milk. That’s why our cannabis blog is here to help you break down how to know when edibles expire.

Do Edibles Expire?

Expiration dates can be tricky because they don’t indicate when a product is unsafe to consume. Instead, these dates are generally in place to let the consumer know when the quality and potency of an edible will begin to decline.

The diminishing potency of THC is just one aspect to consider when edibles expire. There’s also the matter of the food material itself. Food will go bad and become inedible before cannabis becomes ineffective. That’s why it’s crucial to avoid bad brownies.

What Causes Cannabis Edibles to Expire?

It’s just a sad fact of life—all food will eventually spoil due to microorganisms and enzymes. However, certain factors cause food to perish faster. Avoid the following, and your edibles won’t expire before you can enjoy them.

Heat

Heat will affect the potency of your edibles, and it doesn’t even have to be extreme. Just leaving a brownie out on the counter will hurt its potency. Not only that, but it will also quickly become stale.

Most importantly, leaving edibles out can provide a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Growing bacteria is when an edible goes from losing its strength to becoming a bite that can make you feel ill.

Light

Just like fresh flower, avoid storing your edibles in direct sunlight. Sunlight can diminish their potency quickly. It can also hurt their freshness and flavors. In addition, light provides a heat source that causes bacteria growth and can potentially melt certain edibles.

Moisture

While storing your edibles in the kitchen makes sense, you’ll want to ensure they’re far away from sources of moisture. Condensation from boiling water on the stove or the dishwasher and water from the sink can degrade cannabis edibles. If moisture reaches the edible and is left untouched, this can easily develop into mold.

How Long Until Edibles Expire?

How long an edible lasts depends on what it is. Edibles do expire faster if they contain certain materials. Depending on what those are, an edible’s shelf life will differ.

For example, brownies are full of milk, eggs, and butter. These are very perishable because they are higher in fat content. Often, baked goods only last a month. Adding to that ticking culinary clock is whether you made those THC treats with homemade cannabutter or bought them from a dispensary. Homemade cannabis edibles will expire quickly.

Alternatively, gummy edibles expire slower because they contain less fat and more ingredients that naturally last longer, like gelatin or pectin. These cannabis chews are generally a safer bet to eat when questioning the expiration date than something baked.

Are Expired Edibles OK to Eat?

If an edible expires, it’s generally a good idea to throw it away. While not as dangerous as smoking moldy weed, eating an expired edible can cause digestive problems.

Edibles do expire, but they don’t cause irreparable harm. They don’t become toxic or pose a serious threat to your health. The worst you might experience is a stomach ache or nausea. Even though these stakes are generally low, trust us—you don’t want your potential high to become a night of hugging the toilet!

The best rule of thumb is to ditch your dusty old cannabis cookies and hit the dispensary for a fresh batch. They’ll taste better and get you higher!

How to Spot Expired Edibles

Since edibles do expire, buying them from a licensed dispensary ensures professionals oversee the quality of your products. They make sure you’re getting a consistent and safe product and label their items with vital information like expiration dates.

One of the easiest ways to spot expired edibles is to check the expiration date! The expiration date doesn’t necessarily mean the product is unsafe to consume. However, it’s a warning sign that isn’t worth ignoring. Fresh cannabis products are better tasting and more potent.

Changes in color and texture should be another red flag. Any edible that has a drastic change in its appearance or is difficult to eat is not worth the risk. Even if it doesn’t make you sick, there’s a good chance it isn’t potent enough to make it worth the effort.

Proper Storage is Key

Edibles expire less quickly when stored properly. Avoid the trio of heat, light, and moisture to ensure that your THC treats keep their freshness and potency.

Store edibles that don’t require refrigeration in a cool, dark, and dry place. Air-tight containers are a great option to keep food fresh. When coupled with a dry spot in a dark cabinet, you’re keeping your marijuana-infused munchies well-preserved and potent.

Some users may prefer to freeze their edibles. While this does help avoid heat and prolong freshness, it can affect the taste of your brownies or gummies. If you’re going to freeze your edibles, take precautions so they don’t become freezer-burned.

The Final Bite

It’s a sad fact of life—edibles expire. Knowing the signs of expiration and spoilage will help keep you from an unfortunate mishap. Trust us, a little buzz isn’t worth a high that’s plagued with nausea.

Every edible in our Westwood dispensary features easy-to-read labels for your convenience. It’s part of our commitment to customers, along with offering the best products at unbeatable prices. Visit us today and shop our amazing deals!