THC edibles are a great way to enjoy cannabis. They’re tasty, potent, and come in a ton of different forms and flavors. But do edibles expire — and how can you keep them as fresh as possible before they spoil?

Here’s everything to know about edibles and their expiration, from differences between types of edibles to signs that they may be past their prime and tips for maximizing freshness over time.

Do edibles expire?

Yes, all edibles can eventually expire. One factor that affects spoilage is the type of edible you’re working with. From gummies to baked goods and beyond, edibles’ shelf life depends a lot on the ingredients. Let’s break down some of the different types of edibles, and a couple of the main components that might affect each one’s expiration timeline.

Types of edibles

The cannabis-infused edibles market continues to grow by the day. All edibles contain different blends of cannabinoids, different THC contents or potencies, and different forms. Here are some of the most popular subcategories of THC edibles.

• Gummies. THC gummies are compact, delicious, and incredibly convenient. They’re easy to throw in your pocket and take on the go and come in tons of different strengths and potencies. But how long do edible gummies take to expire? The answer is typically up to a year. Two of the main ingredients in weed gummies — sugar and gelatin — tend to act as natural preservatives and can keep gummies fresh for months on end.

• Baked goods. Compared to gummies, baked goods like edible cookies and brownies have a shorter shelf life. That’s because they’re food products with perishable ingredients like eggs, milk, and butter. Once those go bad, so does the whole edible. Because of this, it’s best to treat these types of edibles like you would any other baked goods and consume them within a couple of weeks.

• Popcorn. From caramel to chocolate to cotton candy, THC popcorn edibles are the perfect sweet and salty treat. Most cannabis popcorns contain fewer perishable ingredients than baked goods — usually only butter — so they may last a week or two longer than your typical cookie or brownie, but still not as long as gummies.

• Candy. Fruity taffy, peach rings, crunch gummies — candy edibles aren’t just your basic hard candies or mints anymore. Infused candies are becoming increasingly popular as more and more companies create edibles modeled after everyone’s favorite sweet treats. Most candy edibles don’t contain perishable ingredients like baked goods, so they’ll typically last as long as gummies — for at least a few months.

• Tinctures. Oil tinctures have a significantly longer shelf life than other forms of edibles and can last years if stored in the right environment. From tinctures containing CBD to THC to CBN, this form of edibles is a particularly good choice if you’re worried about freshness or expiration over time.

4 Signs your edibles are expired

It’s important to avoid consuming expired edibles, as they can pose food safety and health risks such as food poisoning. If you’re a beginner or new to edibles, you may not know how to identify an expired edible. Here are a few things to look for when determining the status of your edible.

• Appearance. First, inspect the physical appearance of your edible. If it looks different than when you first got it and has any discoloration, mold, or film coating, it’s probably a sign that it’s expired.

• Smell. Think of your edible like any other food you’d ingest. If it smells bad, sour, or markedly different than when you first took it home, it’s always safer to toss it.

• Taste. Same with taste: if it tastes off, it’s probably a good sign not to keep eating it. Trust your taste buds, and don’t ingest anything that tastes overly sour or stale.

• Texture. Give your edible a feel. If your cookie is rock hard or your gummies feel too soft or sticky, these may be signs they’re past their prime. Sometimes, changes in texture can relate to the temperature they’re stored at, so be sure to read the instructions and use your best judgment.

4 Ways to maximize freshness of edibles

To avoid the signs of spoilage listed above, there are some things you can do to increase the shelf life of your cannabis edibles. Here are some tips and tricks for maximizing the freshness of your edibles.

1. Pay attention to the ingredients

When it comes to taking proper care of your edibles, one of the first things to do is check out the ingredients list. This can give you an idea of how best to store it, and give you a general idea of how long it may last.

2. Be mindful of packaging

If your edible doesn’t arrive in an airtight container, be sure to transfer it to one. This is one of the best ways to keep your edibles fresh and ensure that over-exposure to oxygen doesn’t make them go stale prematurely.

3. Choose optimal storage conditions

Proper storage is super important. General best practices are to store edibles in a dark place, out of direct sunlight, and in a dry place without exposure to moisture. For baked goods, gummies, and tinctures in warmer climates, storing them in the refrigerator can be a great way to keep them as fresh as possible. You can also freeze cookies and brownies when they’re freshly made, and then thaw them as needed to extend their lifespan.

4. Note the expiration date

Expiry is inevitable, but being aware of your edible’s expiration date and ensuring you consume it before then is key. This date can typically be found on the item’s product label, but if you don’t see it you can try contacting the manufacturer. You also may find the manufacture date on the label — this will tell you when the product was made, so you can discern the likely expiration date for yourself.

Fresh Edibles, Fresh Experience

If you’re looking for fresh and tasty edibles, you’ve come to the right place. Mood is an online dispensary delivering high-quality, 100% legal cannabis products to your doorstep. Shop our selection of edibles today.