Edibles happen to be a staple of many people's cannabis lineup, and recently, on account of the outbreak, some may even be picking to forgo smoking entirely and change to edibles because of health issues .
Much like pasta, rice, and toilet paper, perhaps you are considering stocking up on enough edibles to last throughout your period of self-isolation, but unlike the former, edibles have a tendency to be perishable. That means you might be wondering--how long do edibles remain fresh?
Do edibles have a comparable shelf life for regular foods?
Based on Scott Riefler, Chief Science Officer at SōRSE Technology, the response is yes. "When the cannabinoid is introduced in an proper manner... we wouldn't expect it to change the shelf life of the food platform ." Meaning, for instance, that a cannabis-infused chocolate bar should last as long as a traditional one.
Starting from there, a great deal will likely be common sense--check that the best-by date on the package to ensure a wonderful long shelf life and optimum taste and feel in the item, and pay extra attention to the expiry date, which will indicate when a product is no longer safe to eat. And much like meals found in every supermarket, edibles with additives will last more than those that are preservative-free.
Overall, this is good news for those wanting to buy in bulk. "Most cannabis edibles have very good shelf life," explained Riefler. "If you are stocking up, we'd suggest that for any food stage, you not purchase beyond six months ahead."
But what about for those that are tricky in the kitchen and wish to create their very own weed edibles?
"First, think about the non-infused counterpart of what it is you are attempting to make; consider the way you keep it and how much time it takes you to consume it or use it. The cannabinoid content will not affect the shelf life of [the] food itself," explained Riefler.
Do edibles lose strength over time?
The plate [or] expiration date speaks to this meals stage, not the cannabinoid as an ingredient. If we're talking about a three to six month window of time, then the potency should stay the same unless it is being abused in storage... in edible form, THC will keep its effectiveness around six months."
When asked if all cannabinoids are created equal, Riefler stated"CBD is a very secure cannabinoid.
"What can donate to degradation is oxygen. In a material that's solid in form, like a gummy or lozenge, the availability of oxygen in the interior is a lot less than that of a bottle of a drink," explained Riefler. "What also might accelerate reduction of effectiveness might include very acidic or basic surroundings. The method of introducing the cannabinoid to the edible matters."
Check the label for other important info
Past the expiry date, the label within an edible, and any cannabis merchandise, includes a ton of other important information that customers should check out, such as guidelines on dosage quantity and storage, nutritional value, and a batch number in case a product has to be remembered. And if you have special dietary restrictions, definitely check out the label.
Overall, edibles may have a very long shelf life and common sense is the best tool in determining if something is beyond the point of safe intake. Consider how much time it will be until your next shopping excursion, and feel safe stocking up by assessing tags, expiration and best-by dates, and pay attention to appropriate storage.
