Do Cannabis Edibles Expire?
Posted by DaySavers Team on Jan 16th 2025
Yes, we all love a good pre-roll, but as the saying goes, Variety is the Spice of Life.
Can’t spark up? Looking for a different type of high? Already have the munchies anyway? We get it. And we agree: An Edible is a nice change from time to time.
But unlike flower, which we tend to use right away, sometimes edibles can sit around for a bit and it may leave you wondering: Do Edibles Expire?
You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Let’s get into it.
What are Edibles?
First, the basics: What are edibles? How are edibles infused?
An edible is a bit of food or beverage that has been infused somehow with THC, the molecule in weed that gets you high. It is a popular alternative to smoking or vaping and many people report the high from edibles can be more intense and longer lasting than those from flower or concentrates, whether in a vape pen or from a dab rig.
The most common ways to infuse an edible are with cannabutter (butter that has been infused with cannabis) or a THC distillate, a flavorless extract that is essentially pure THC removed from the plant material.
And the most common forms of edibles are gummies (which use a distillate) and other sweets like brownies or cookies (which can use either, depending on the resume). Beverages often use a distillate as their infusion method as well.
So Do Edibles Expire?
The simple answer is yes, edibles expire. Like any food product, there is an expiration date on the food itself that is unrelated to the THC inside.
Weed gummies will get just as stale as non-weed gummies over time and baked goods like brownies and cookies will go bad when their ingredients do.
Most cannabis edibles have a shelf life of between 3 to 12 months, depending on the type of edible and the ingredients used. Edibles made with perishable ingredients like dairy or eggs have a shorter shelf life than those made with sugar and gelatin alone.
The addition of preservatives in commercially produced edibles can also help extend their shelf life, as do proper storage to maintain potency.
When Do Different Edibles Expire?
Different types of cannabis edibles have varying shelf lives:
- Gummies and Hard Candies: These can last up to 6 months to 2 years when stored properly.
- Baked Goods: Items like brownies and cookies may go stale within a week or two without the addition of preservatives.
- Chocolates: Due to their higher fat content, chocolates typically have a shorter shelf life than gummies, but longer than baked goods. Chocolates will typically last several months to a year.
- Beverages: Cannabis-infused drinks may have varying expiration dates depending on their ingredients.
Again, always check the expiration date on your edibles to make sure the non-THC ingredients have not gone bad.
But do Edibles Lose Potency Over Time?
So we all know food goes bad eventually (even Twinkies). But the real question we all want to know is if the THC inside loses potency over time, right? Because even if the edible itself is still safe to eat, that’s not why you bought it, you know?
Again, the simple answer is “yes,” but the devil, as always, is in the details.
THC, the molecule in cannabis that gives you the plant’s signature “high,” can degrade over time, especially when exposed to light, heat and oxygen. In fact, THC converts to the cannabinoid CBN – known for its sleep-inducing properties – over time and even quicker when exposed to heat, oxygen and light, particularly high-UV light, like sunlight.
In fact, a 1997 UN Study found that cannabis stored at room temperature loses about 16% of potency in the first year, 25% after 2 years, 34% after 3 years and about 41% after four years.
Not that we expect you to have an edible laying around that long, of course. I mean if you weren’t going to eat it in four years, why did you buy it?
How Do I Tell if My Edible is Expired?
Your senses are your first line of defense against a potentially spoiled edible.
These signs that your edibles may have expired:
- Visible mold growth
- Changes in color or texture
- Off odors
- Loss of flavor
- Staleness or rancidity
As for potency, that’s nearly impossible to tell without lab tests, which, presumably, you don’t have at home. However, because THC degrades into other cannabinoids, you can still eat your edible, even after you’ve had it for a while, it just may not get you as high as the percentages on the label seem to indicate, since, of course, those percentages would have shifted.
That said, you may also notice that your older edibles provide a little more help at bedtime than your fresher ones, thanks to the increase in CBN, which may not be all bad as long as you understand going in what you may be getting.
How to Extend the Shelf Life of Edibles
To maximize shelf life and keep your cannabis edibles as potent as when purchased
- Keep them in a cool, dark place: Avoid exposure to heat and light, which can degrade both the food quality and cannabinoid content, speeding THC’s transition to CBN.
- Use airtight containers: This helps prevent exposure to oxygen, which can accelerate degradation.
- Refrigerate or freeze when appropriate: Some edibles, particularly those with perishable ingredients, may benefit from refrigeration or freezing. Even gummies will maintain freshness and potency longer if kept refrigerated.
- Follow manufacturer guidelines: Finally, always adhere to storage instructions provided on the packaging of commercially produced edibles.
Final Thoughts on Edible Expiration
Cannabis edibles, like any food item, should be consumed relatively quickly after opening to prevent them from going bad and to prevent the loss of THC potency. Remember to check the expiration date on your edibles and like all foods: when in doubt, throw it out!
Or, if that all seems like a bigger pain than it is worth, you can always pack up a pre-roll and just get on with Enjoying Your Day!
Yes, we all love a good pre-roll, but as the saying goes, Variety is the Spice of Life.