When it comes to cannabis products, marijuana edibles are some of the most popular on the market. This is because they come in all different potencies, types, and flavors. You can purchase hard candies, chewy gummies, scrumptious cookies and brownies, or gooey caramels. If you have a favorite type of candy, chances are that you can find it in edible form. But once you get them, how do you keep them fresh? The answer is easier than you might think. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to store edibles, including:

• Why Do You Need to Store Edibles?
• How Do You Store Edibles? 
• How Do You Know If Your Edibles Have Gone Bad? 
• Storing Edibles FAQs

All cannabis products should be stored properly to preserve quality, and edibles are no exception. Because edibles are a type of ingestible product, their expiration time is a little different than other products. It’s also important to distinguish between edibles you made and edibles you purchased from a state-licensed dispensary.

Store-Bought Edibles: Similar to products purchased in a grocery store, edibles you’ve purchased from a dispensary are likely packaged to preserve freshness. Take a look at the label to see if there is an expiration date, and make sure to consume your product before then.

Homemade Edibles: Homemade items like brownies, gummies, or cannabis condiments will have a much shorter shelf-life than the store-bought version. Since these recipes usually contain perishable items like milk or eggs, they’ll need proper storage to ensure they remain delicious and safe for consumption. 

When stored just the right way, edibles can actually keep their THC potency longer than other forms of cannabis, making them easier to enjoy over longer periods of time. 

So you might be wondering then…
 

To store edibles, you need to remember the three elements to avoid: air, heat, and light. These environmental factors all cause edibles to degrade, lessening their quality and potency, and even giving them the potential to make someone sick. So how do you store them until you’re ready to consume them? Again, it depends on whether or not it’s store-bought or homemade. 

Store-Bought Edibles: Items like candy bars, gummies, and mints are likely going to stay good for several weeks, but it’s still important to use proper storage methods. This means that you should make sure to keep your edibles in an opaque, airtight container, and place it in a cool, dark place. Minimizing exposure to air, heat, and light will help your edibles last until you’re ready to enjoy them. 

Homemade Edibles: Some people know that they’re not going to consume their homemade edibles immediately, or they want to make a batch they can enjoy over time. In this case, be sure to put them in an airtight container and place them in the freezer. For additional safety, place the date when the edibles were made somewhere on the container. When you’re ready to enjoy them, set them on the counter and let them thaw naturally. 

Please remember that there are exceptions to these guidelines. For example, store-bought cannabutter should be treated the same as a homemade edible. 
 

It’s the fear of any cannabis connoisseur who enjoys edibles—expired edibles. So how do you know if they’re bad? The same way you’d know if other food goes bad. You’ll notice a strange smell or even an odd flavor if you take a nibble. If you touch the edible and it doesn’t feel right, go with your gut and dispose of it.

Note: Most store-bought edibles have an expiration date on them. This is to ensure that you get a top-quality experience when you consume the edible. It does not necessarily mean that the edible has gone bad. If you store the edible properly, it can maintain its quality long after the expiration date comes and goes. 
 

Keeping marijuana products like edibles stored correctly is part of being a cannabis enthusiast. To ensure you have all the information you need, we’ve answered some of our most frequently asked questions here: 

Do edibles stay good in the fridge?
Yes, for the short-term, most edibles stay good if you keep them in the fridge—especially if your edibles have dairy products in them. If you’re planning to consume your edibles within a week to a few months of purchase, we recommend storing them in a sealed container in the refrigerator. If you want to save your culinary creations, like homemade gummies, for longer, it’s better to freeze them. 

How do you store gummy edibles and candies?
The good news about storing gummy edibles and candies is that sugar works in your favor. In fact, it’s a natural preservative that will help keep your edibles fresh. That being said, there are a few things you can do to preserve your edibles’ freshness:

1. Keep your edibles in a sealed container. If you can make it airtight, even better. 
2. Find a corner of your fridge to store them. While you can also find a nice cool spot at the back of your pantry, it’s usually better just to put your edibles in the fridge. 
3. Individually wrap soft edibles (if they aren’t already). Chocolate, caramel, and other more delicate candies tend to spoil faster, creating a sticky mess. By wrapping them individually, you’re further protecting them from the air. 
   
   

Can you freeze edibles?
Yes! In fact, freezing your edibles is a great way to preserve not just their THC levels but also their flavor. Make sure you wrap your edibles before putting them in the freezer so they don’t get freezer burn. Then, when you’re ready to consume them, take them out a couple hours before you plan to enjoy them. That way, they’ll come to temperature naturally and won’t lose their flavor. 

Do Edibles Expire?
Edibles have an expiration date on them, so you know when they start losing their quality and potency. 
 

Being in the marijuana industry as long as we have, we have seen more and more unique types of edibles coming to the market, and we love sharing our knowledge about all things edible-related. Next time you’re at your local dispensary, be sure to ask one of our budtenders for storage suggestions. They’re always available to help.