Nothing lasts forever, and even edibles, which last quite a while, are no exception.
Eventually, your edibles will expire, meaning that it’s time to discard them.
Doing so is easy but requires some care and intentionality. The same is true of checking whether your cannabis edibles have expired and storing them in ways that extend their shelf life.
Keep reading to learn how to dispose of expired edibles and keep your products fresher for longer.
Do edibles go out of date?
Yes, edibles go out of date. This occurs for two reasons.
The first is that fats such as oil and butter are often used to create edibles. This is because THC, the cannabinoid that causes intoxicating effects and is associated with therapeutic benefits, binds to fats, making them effective for infusing edibles.
All fats eventually go bad, though some last longer than others.
The second reason why edibles expire is that, over time, oxygen exposure degrades THC into another cannabinoid called CBN.
This ultimately reduces the potency of edibles to the point that they’re effectively expired.
Furthermore, CBN is often associated with sedative effects, so expired edibles may make you feel sleepy without offering other benefits.
The good news is that, compared to many food items, edibles can last quite a while.
How long does it take for edibles to expire?
Cannabis gummies and candies generally take six months to a year to expire.
Some cannabis consumers find that gummies and candies remain potent and flavorful for up to a few months after their expiration date if stored properly.
However, your edibles’ packaging will often display a “best by” date that’s worth paying attention to.
The packaging may also say that your edibles should be consumed within a certain number of days after you open the package.
For example, baked goods infused with cannabis have a much shorter shelf life; they’re only good for, at most, a week after opening the package.
How to tell if edibles have expired
The easiest ways to tell if cannabis edibles have expired include:
- Spotting visual cues. Discolored or faded edibles have likely gone bad. Though rare, edibles with clear signs of microbial or fungal growth are also expired and should immediately be discarded.
- Sensing textural changes. Edibles that are much softer or harder than when you purchased them may be expired.
- Smelling foul aromas. Any unusual odors, especially sour or moldy ones, are a sign of expired edibles.
- Tasting bad flavors. If your edibles now have an unpleasant taste to them, they’re almost certainly expired. Edibles are manufactured with an eye toward sweet, sharp flavors, and anything else is a near-certain sign that something is wrong.
- Looking at the packaging. If the best-by date on your edibles’ packaging is in the past, your edibles may have expired. That said, edibles lacking visual cues or bad odors after this date may still be good.
How to dispose of expired edibles
To discard expired edibles, first, make sure your edibles are in their original packaging.
Then, make sure the package is fully sealed, and place it in a child-proof, pet-proof trash receptacle.
Although cannabis products’ packaging is already child-proof and pet-proof, the more you can do to prevent children and pets from accidentally ingesting cannabis, the better.
Additionally, even if your product’s packaging is recyclable, you should still use it to discard your expired edibles.
The packaging will be much more tamper-proof than standard plastic bags or other containers, making for more responsible disposal.
Will expired edibles still hit?
Although expired edibles may still hit, they won’t be as potent, flavorful, or enjoyable as when you first purchased them.
As your edibles get older, their THC content degrades, making for weaker edibles.
If anything, edibles that have begun delivering less robust effects than usual are another sign of expiration.
And if you notice any other visual, odor-based, or taste-based signs of expired edibles, you shouldn’t consume your edibles just to check whether they still hit.
Instead, discard them and buy new edibles; it is best not to consume expired edibles.
Storage tips to extend edibles’ shelf life
Here are some common ways to extend your edibles’ shelf life and push back their expiration date.
- Store your edibles in a cool, dark, dry place that never gets direct heat or light exposure, especially from the sun.
- Refrigerating or freezing cannabis-infused baked goods significantly extends their shelf life. However, freezing other types of edibles may result in undesirable changes to texture upon thawing. (Always thaw frozen edibles before consuming them.)
- Although more commonly associated with storing cannabis flower, you may find that stashing your edibles with humidity packs extends their shelf life.
One last tip: Buy edibles only from licensed dispensaries.
Since edibles sold at licensed dispensaries must comply with state regulations, they’re top-quality and have a long shelf life, and their packaging clearly indicates their expiration dates.
Shop for New Jersey’s best edibles at Blue Oak
The premium cannabis edibles on the menu at Blue Oak Dispensary, located in Bloomfield near Montclair, can help you achieve holistic well-being and a balanced lifestyle.
Most of them won’t expire for many months, or even up to a year, so you won’t have to rush to consume them.
And when they do expire, disposing of them is easy.
