Marijuana has the advantage of lasting for a very long time, but what about the edibles and gummies in particular? Do they expire?
In this article, we have the answer to this question as well as some information on the shelf life and potency loss of edibles (see also “Do Edibles Smell?“), so keep reading to find out more!
How Long Can Edibles Last?
Generally speaking, edibles can be stored properly while still getting you high for 3-6 months after they are produced. Once that period has passed, your edibles will become stale, while the THC in them might start degrading.
Every edible has its own storage life, and if it is purchased from a licensed store or dispensary, it will typically have an expiry date indicated on the packaging that informs you of the day the product will no longer be safe to eat.
Several baked goods, such as brownies and muffins, could go bad within a week or less, but gummies can last much longer than that.
Do Edible Gummies Expire?
Like all edible products – and we’re not just talking about those that include THC – expire (see also “Does Weed Expire?“), so gummies are no exception to this rule .
Cooking food and infusing marijuana in it should not shorten its shelf life, so edibles have the same storage life as the equivalent products that contain no marijuana.
Edible gummies last as much as regular gummies do, and so do all the other edibles that are cooked and not refrigerated.
As is the case with all food, gummies too slowly degrade, and while there’s not much you can do to prevent that from happening, you can always store them properly to make them stay fresh until their expiration date.
Moreover, edible gummies with preservatives, the same as prepackaged meals, will last longer compared to those that are free from any such additives.
This is also the reason why they are so popular and preferred to other edibles available on the market, as the majority of edible gummies contain preservatives.
How Long Do Edible Gummies Last?
Edible gummies as well as other types of cannabis-infused hard candy can be stored indefinitely.
Given that gummies are made primarily with sugar, gelatin, and water, the addition of cannabis does not alter things.
Even those made with natural ingredients such as beeswax can last a while because beeswax rarely “expires.”
Nevertheless, edible gummies typically last anywhere from 6 to 12 months, or significantly longer.
Weed products are frequently packed in tightly sealed packaging, so if kept in the pantry where it’s cool and the sun doesn’t directly hit them, your edible gummies may well exceed their life expectancy.
Gummy boxes that are still unopened may last longer than those that you’ve opened because once you’ve opened them, gummies are then exposed to oxygen and microbes.
Keep in mind that opening boxes of gummies and touching them with your hands also exposes them to microbes that can expedite their quality deterioration.
Moreover, individually packaged edibles like gummies and candies have a longer shelf life too because they are not exposed to moisture or foreign particles, which can enhance the growth of mold and bacteria.
However, time pities no one which is why even gummies lose their potency and taste after some time. That is why it is useful to purchase professionally produced gummies with a clear expiry date or “best by” date written on the container.
However, regardless of whether you want to snack on some homemade or store-bought gummies, make sure to check them for discolorations or mold, especially when you’ve had them in the pantry for a long time.
Is It True That Edibles Lose Their Effectiveness After A Year?
In addition to expiration, edibles can end up losing their effectiveness after some time as THC breaks down.
THC usually degrades after a year and that is when it loses most of its effect, however, degradation can sometimes happen even faster.
Cannabinoids have a two-year lifespan when you store them properly. THC, on the other hand, has a slew of enemies that can hasten its decomposition.
THC’s deadliest adversary is oxygen, which raises the likelihood of it converting to cannabinol (CBN). THC then turns into less of a psychoactive effect when converted to CBN, yet it can still slightly get you in an ecstatic or laidback mood.
Heat and sunlight also accelerate the loss of efficiency in edibles, so make sure you keep them in a cool, dark, and dry place as previously mentioned.
Try to keep them in their original box if you can and avoid opening them unless you intend to eat them within 3-6 months.
Can Edibles Be Frozen?
If you wish to keep your THC edibles fresh, put them in your freezer to keep their effectiveness and prevent them from degrading.
Food that has been frozen will not be exposed to high temperatures, sunlight, or oxygen, so it’s a great place to leave them until you want to eat them.
In contrast to the cannabis flower (see also “What Is CBD Flower?“), freezing has no effect on cannabinoids’ effectiveness as they are infused in the edibles ’ingredients In fact, other ingredients will most likely worsen well before the cannabinoids do.
The only disadvantage of freezing edibles could be their taste when defrosted (see also “Can You Freeze Weed?“), so make sure they are thawed adequately before you eat them.
The Bottom Line
Edibles are an excellent method of administering medicinal cannabis, especially for first-time users.
And besides, smoking marijuana can also be off-putting, but edibles provide all of the favorable cannabinoids without the rough smoke or the need for additional equipment.
Edible gummies are one of the best edibles you can try and the ones that will last longer, with their shelf life ranging between 6 to 12 months.
However, to make sure your gummies will stay fresh, make sure you keep them in a container or packaging that is tightly sealed.
Hi, I’m Zack Finch and I work as a Budtender for a Health & Wellness center here, in sunny California. I have been using marijuana recreationally for around 6 years now, and have many a time enjoyed the benefit that weed has to offer.
Whether you’re looking for informational guides about edibles, vape oil, CBD, how to roll a cross joint, the best blunt wraps, anything you can think of, I’ll cover it here.
What are you waiting for? Become a bud buddy and dive in now!
