Jul 13, 2023

How to Store Gummy Edibles

Whether you purchase gummy edibles from a dispensary or make your own, storing them properly is essential. If cannabis or hemp gummy edibles are not properly stored, they can go hard, dry, and even get moldy. Eventually, the THC or other cannabinoids will also degrade and eventually go to a point where the gummies are practically useless.

Therefore, it is essential for you to know why cannabis and hemp gummy edibles degrade and what causes them to go bad. If you know what causes them to go bad, you can then take the appropriate steps to prevent them from doing so, which we will discuss further below.

Not only will we take a look at how to properly store gummy edibles, but we'll also take a look at some of the best containers you can use. Just to provide you with a reference point, we'll also provide you with some tips on how to tell if your gummy edibles have gone bad. We also have some awesome gummies for you to check out.

Key Takeaways

Gummy edibles can last anywhere from three or four days up to a year or longer, depending on the storage method of choice.
Heat, oxygen, light, and moisture are the four biggest threats to the shelf life of your cannabis edibles.
Proper storage techniques, including using an opaque and airtight container, and storing your cannabis in a cool location, will greatly prolong the shelf life.

What Are Cannabis Gummy Edibles?

Cannabis gummy edibles are gummy or chewy candies that are infused with a specific cannabinoid, which could be THC, CBD, CBN, and many more. These edibles may also have a variety of cannabinoids infused together. Depending on the cannabinoids used, these gummies may or may not get you high.

Some cannabis or hemp gummies, such as those made with CBD, have potential health benefits, all without generally being psychoactive. THC gummies, on the other hand, may provide you with some benefits but will also get you high.

Just like regular gummy candies, they are chewy and often pretty sweet and tasty too. These cannabis gummy edibles are generally made with some kind of high-quality cannabis or hemp extract. Some kind of cannabis oil, tincture, or sometimes even butter can be used to make these gummy edibles.

How Long Do Cannabis Gummy Edibles Last?

The issue with this question is that cannabis or hemp gummies have no set shelf life once they have been made. How long they will last depends on a wide variety of factors. First, as discussed above, edibles may be made with oils, tinctures, or in rare cases, even butter.

A tincture made with high-proof alcohol on its own lasts much longer than any kind of cannabis oil or butter. Alcohol, by nature, is sterile and lasts for many years without the risk of growing mold or bacteria. This is certainly not the case for cannabis oil or butter, with both oil and butter being perishable.

Oil and butter rot. They start to go rancid, especially if not properly refrigerated. Theoretically, if you make some weed edibles out of cannabis oil and you leave them out on the counter, you only get a few days out of them.

In general, if you leave gummies out in the open, they usually won't last more than three or four days. This is true whether they are made with tincture or oil. If you leave gummies out in the open, they'll go hard and dry and become difficult to eat. However, if properly refrigerated, they should last up to three or four weeks, and if you put them in the freezer, up to several months.

Mold is another issue. Remember that these are perishable food products, and they contain some moisture, so mold is always a threat. If left in moist conditions, those edibles might go bad in just a few days because mold does not take long to grow.

Even if your gummy edibles do not go hard or dry, don't suffer from mold growth, and don't rot due to being perishable, you still need to consider the fact that THC degrades over time.

Remember that cannabis loses about 16% of its potency in the first year, with 26% or more being lost after the second year. If you wait too long to eat them, after they're released, they won't be very potent anymore.

What Causes Edibles Gummies to Degrade?

Generally speaking, there are four main factors that cause edible gummies to degrade, so let's find out what these are.

Excessive Heat

A big threat to the shelf life of your edibles is heat. Food products and heat, in general, just don't go together. Once again, food products are perishable, and heat causes them to degrade and rot. There is a reason why food is kept in the fridge because food stays good longer in cooler conditions.

Not only will the perishable ingredients in your gummies start to rot if they are left in the warmth, but the terpenes may also evaporate.

Eventually, excessive heat may also affect the THC content of your cannabis edibles. Therefore, always keeping your edibles in a cool location is best. Anything under 70 degrees Fahrenheit is considered ideal, with under the freezing point being best.

Direct Sunlight

One of the biggest threats to the shelf life of your cannabis gummy edibles is light, specifically sunlight. The high-frequency radiation that comes from sunlight has the ability to ionize atoms in various objects.

This breaks down organic matter at a molecular level. UV light literally breaks down THC and causes it to degrade. Light is considered the number one threat to the longevity of all cannabis products. This is why you should keep cannabis in a dark place.

Exposure to Moisture

We then have the issue of moisture. Moisture won't cause THC to degrade per se, but it causes another big problem, mold. If the humidity level in your storage container is above 65%, chances are mold will start to grow.

Although eating a little bit of mold might not kill you, it's certainly not healthy or enjoyable. This is something we recommend avoiding at all costs. Excessive moisture may also eventually change the chemical makeup of the edibles, which can change their flavors and effects.

Oxygen

The fourth threat to the shelf life of your cannabis edibles is oxygen. Oxygen can cause various components in those edibles to oxidize. Oxygen also allows for the growth of mold and bacteria.

There is a reason why vacuum packing food has become common, particularly in grocery stores, because vacuum sealing foods and removing oxygen from the equation allows them to stay good for much longer.

Therefore, if you really want to keep your cannabis edibles in top condition for as long as possible, vacuum-sealing them is an option.

How to Store Pot Gummies - What Temperature Should You Store Gummy Edibles?

The best temperature to store your gummy edibles is below freezing. Below-freezing temperatures prevent the degradation of THC, it stops mold growth, and if you have your cannabis in the freezer, it won't be exposed to light either. If properly stored in the freezer, cannabis edibles should stay good for a year or longer.

If you prefer putting your edibles in the fridge, you may also do this, although it isn’t as cold as a freezer, and this makes a difference. When put in a refrigerator, expect the edibles to last for between three and six months, depending on the ingredients and other factors.

How to Properly Store Edible Gummies – The Best Containers

Let's take a quick look at some of the best ways to properly store cannabis gummy edibles to prevent them from going bad.

Glass Jars

Glass jars are always a good option to store your edibles. This is especially the case if you have an opaque glass jar that does not let the light through. Glass jars are also airtight containers. You could also easily put a glass jar inside the fridge or freezer. Glass jars are also ideal because glass does not absorb any of the terpenes or cannabinoids from the edibles.

Silicone Containers

If glass is not an option for you, maybe because it is too fragile, then a silicone container is another good choice. Just make sure that it is high-quality silicone, not cheap plastic. Cheap plastic might absorb some of the terpenes and other components from the edibles. Furthermore, the silicone container in question should be totally airtight and sealable, it should keep moisture out, and it should be opaque as well. Remember that light needs to be kept out.

Airtight Containers

Generally speaking, any kind of airtight container does fine here. An airtight container keeps moisture, oxygen, and heat out. If the airtight container in question is opaque, it will also keep light out. The best course of action is to seal cannabis edibles in an airtight container and put them in the freezer. This will keep them cool, keep oxygen away from them, and also keep light away.

Freezer

Seeing as the best temperature to store edibles at, to make them last as long as possible, is subzero, the freezer is one of your best bets.

Childproof Containers

If you have children running around, childproof containers are called for. You do not want kids getting into your edibles because this can have serious negative effects.

How Can You Tell If Your Gummy Edibles Have Gone Bad?

There are a few ways to tell if your gummies have gone bad.

The gummies may get very hard and chewy.
The edibles can dry out and become rock solid.
You may notice the color changing or becoming duller.
You might notice the smell of the edibles changing for the worse.
If you see condensation in the container and even mildew or mold, then they've gone bad.
If you eat the edibles and they don't get you high anymore, then they aren't good anymore.

Conclusion

The bottom line here is that edibles if left out on a shelf, might feel bad in just a few days. On the other hand, if properly stored in an airtight container and put in the freezer, they can easily last for over a year. Therefore, proper storage is essential.

Where to Buy Gummy Edibles Online

Before we call it a day, let's just take a quick look at some of the best gummy edibles that you can buy online.

Experience a world of relaxation with our legal Delta-9 THC gummies. Each juicy piece is infused with 5mg of hemp-derived Delta-9 THC and 5mg of CBD, offering a balanced wave of relief and tranquility.

Pros:

Variety of Flavors: Choose from our 5 mouth-watering flavors - Watermelon, Blue Raspberry, Pineapple, Mango, and Mixed. There's a taste for every palate!
Quality Ingredients: Our gummies are 100% Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Dairy-Free. Plus, we've ditched the High Fructose Corn Syrup for a healthier alternative.
Transparent and Trustworthy: We use 100% hemp-derived CBD and Delta-9 THC. No synthetic distillates or unknown compounds. What you see is what you get!

Cons:

Dosage Caution: We recommend starting with half a gummy and waiting up to an hour before ingesting more. It's essential to find the dosage that works for you in a comfortable environment.
Potential Restrictions: Due to the presence of THC, avoid operating heavy machinery after consumption.

Try the potent effects of THC-P, a cannabinoid that's been part of the cannabis plant since its inception. Our Foundry THC-P Gummies work similarly to Delta-9 THC, bonding to the CB1 Receptors in your body at a higher rate for more intense effects.