The proper way to store cannabis edibles

Whether you take them for the long-lasting effects, to avoid smoking, or just for fun, cannabis edibles are a great way to consume everyone’s favourite herb. But very often we make more than we could consume in a single sitting. Therefore, we may want to store them for future use.

Here you’ll find information on storing all manner of cannabis edibles well into the future.

WHAT ARE CANNABIS EDIBLES?

Edibles are cannabis products that can be ingested as a means to experience the effects of THC and other cannabis constituents. The most common cannabis edibles in popular culture are space cakes, hash brownies, and cookies. While these are among the most popular edibles to make, they are by no means the only ones.

In fact, cannabis edibles can be as broad and unusual as you’re willing to get in the kitchen. Weed can be cooked into pretty much anything, provided a few basic rules are adhered to.

Some forms edibles can take include:

• Cannabutter
• Cannabis coconut oil
• Weed-infused curries
  
• Smoked barbecue cannabis pork ribs
• Cannabis smoothies

As you can see, pretty much anything edible can become a cannabis edible—and recognising this is important when it comes to storing them.

CAN EDIBLES LOSE THEIR POTENCY?

This is a somewhat contested issue that divides edibles fanatics. Though some claim that the THC in edibles begins to degrade after around 3–6 months, others attest that even after a year or more of proper storage, edibles retain their original potency. If you find some lurking in a cupboard, and you ascertain that they are safe to eat, it’s wise to test their potency for this very reason. Don’t assume they’ll be weaker!

CAN EDIBLES GO BAD?

That being said, edibles are basically just food (albeit food with psychoactive properties), so yes, they can go bad. With that in mind, just treat edibles as you would any other type of food when it comes to determining whether they’re good to eat or not.

Yes, they may still get you high after a month. But the presence of mould could still make you ill! Therefore, if you want to give your edibles a long life, you must store them correctly.

WHAT AFFECTS THE SHELF LIFE OF EDIBLES?

The main thing that affects the lifespan of an edible is its ingredients. A cookie or brownie might go stale, but it will last a while. Cannabutter can also last for a long time. Barbecue pork ribs, on the other hand, will have a shorter existence. So primarily, the foodstuffs determine how long the edibles can last.

But as with other foods, storing edibles appropriately can greatly increase their shelf life. As long as the food stays good, the THC will stay strong!

HOW TO STORE CANNABIS EDIBLES

One of the best ways to store edibles is in the form of cannabutter or oil. These forms have a very long lifespan (in stable conditions) and are the basis of most other edibles anyway. So rather than shoving your barbecue ribs in the freezer, why not put your cannabutter in there, then just make fresh ribs when you want them?

Storing edibles in these forms will allow you to get the most out of them, and retain the possibility of making many different, fresh products when you actually desire them.

One thing to note is that strong, regular exposure to light and air can degrade the cannabinoid content of your edibles. Therefore, always store your products in a dark place in airtight containers, and they will retain their potency.

SHORT TERM / EDIBLES WITH A LONG SHELF LIFE

In the short term, you’re best off keeping edibles in the fridge. This probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Fridges provide cool, dark, and low-humidity environments in which bacteria and fungi struggle to grow, greatly increasing the lifespan of foodstuffs, including edibles.

Edibles with a long shelf life tend to be easier to store, and can be put into any suitable cool, dark, dry environment (such as a cupboard) without losing their viability. Edibles with a long shelf life are those such as:

• Gummies
• Hard candy
• Chocolate

And then, you have edibles with a long(ish) lifespan, but which must be stored in the fridge. Condiments and sauces fall into this category. For instance, a mayonnaise or chutney imbued with the psychoactive properties of THC can last for many months, but only if stored in a fridge.

LONG TERM / EDIBLES WITH A SHORT SHELF LIFE

For long-term storage, your best bet is to try and keep edibles in the form of oil or cannabutter. As mentioned, attempting to store it this way, rather than in the form of an easily degradable food, is generally a much better option. Plus, you don’t run the risk of spoiling the quality of the edible either.

Though they don’t go so bad that they become inedible, things such as cookies and brownies have a fairly short shelf life until they become stale and unpleasant to eat. For these, you will increase their life significantly if you keep them in airtight containers.

To maintain the viability of oils and cannabutter (or anything else containing moisture) for longer periods of time, you can turn to the freezer for help!

CAN YOU FREEZE EDIBLES?

Yes, you can. Or at least, the THC won’t degrade if you do. That’s why storing edibles in the form of oil or cannabutter is so recommended. They freeze easily and can then be cooked into fresh edibles, meaning you get the quality of something freshly made.

In terms of freezing other items, just treat them as you would normal food. If you can freeze it normally, you can freeze the cannabis version too!

CAN YOU STORE CANNABIS EDIBLES IN PLASTIC CONTAINERS?

You can store edibles in plastic, but it can affect the taste. Obviously keeping brownies in Tupperware for a few days is not an issue. If, however, you want to freeze something long term, try wrapping it in baking paper or storing it in glass jars (as long as they don’t crack!).

STORING CANNABIS EDIBLES: TOP TIPS

Here are some top tips to get the most out of storing cannabis edibles:

• Keep away from light and air
• Use an airtight container
• Store in a cool, dry, dark environment for best results
• When removing part of a stored edible, use a clean implement so the rest doesn’t become contaminated
• Label containers so you know how old they are
• If you’re worried about your edibles going bad, your best bet is to freeze them
• If you see mould, throw the edible away!

There you have it. Storing marijuana edibles needn’t be a stressful event. As long as you take a few precautions, you can enjoy THC-rich treats for a long time to come!