Using cannabis for medical purposes goes back to ancient times. Based on records, its earliest use was in India, where the country’s ancient people used it to create medicine and then infused that medicine with cannabis to cure various diseases. Cannabis sustains its functionality when stored properly. Those who want to buy or make their own cannabis edibles should know how to store cannabis edibles so they last for a long time.
Factors that affect cannabis edibles
The main reason for storing cannabis edibles shouldn’t be to hide them from other people, although these products shouldn’t be within the reach of children. This is why Grip N Pull Child-Resistant Bags exist. When users store cannabis properly, it enhances the flavors. Before doing that, one should first know the factors that affect the quality of these products, which are:
Humidity
This damages the flavors and concentrations of edibles.
Sun Exposure
While sunlight can enhance the flavors of edibles, it can also damage them when they get exposed to excessive or direct sunlight.
Heat
Cannabis can improve more when stored in cold and dark places.
Contamination
It’s possible that cannabis edibles will get contaminated by exterior substances or even some insects.
Best storage materials
There is no single method on how to safely store cannabis edibles. The method chosen will differ from one person to another. But there are certain materials that will work best when storing cannabis edibles without compromising their flavor and quality. These include:
Airtight Containers
To store cannabis concentrates for up to one month, use parchment paper to wrap small quantities of edibles, then seal these individually wrapped pieces inside a Ziploc bag. Place the Ziploc bags in an airtight container. Consumers can also use barrier bags for flower packaging.
Glass Jars
Users can also use glass jars for flower packaging to store edibles. These are very effective although it will depend on what users intend to store. For instance, cannabis products that don’t stick to the glass will work well in vacuum-sealed jars, then placed in a dry storage area. For those storing cannabis products that are a bit sticky, they should wrap these well first using parchment paper before storing them in glass containers.
Freezing
Freezing concentrates will lengthen their shelf lift up to 1 year without significant loss in both flavor and quality. But this method requires some caution when preparing the concentrate to freeze. For one, the user should remove extra air to prevent moisture from forming if there are any temperature changes. When taking out the concentrate from the freezer, thaw it slowly as abrupt changes in temperature might affect the taste or ruin the concentrate. Users can also freeze edibles, though not as long as concentrates.
Getting started with Marijuana Edibles
There are several steps to follow when storing cannabis properly if the products don’t have the proper cannabis edible packaging. This starts with the type of edibles. For instance, it’s not recommended to store a batch of cannabis ice cream using the same method as storing cannabis cookies. If the edible product needs to stay cold, the user must make sure that it stays cold. If the edibles can remain at room temperature, the user doesn’t have to place them in the refrigerator. Either way, the basic storage rules are:
- Keep the edibles in a dark place.
- Keep the edibles away from extreme temperatures.
- Keep the container of the edibles airtight
These general rules might look familiar, especially for those who keep medical marijuana tinctures and other similar products. For peak potency, these rules apply to edibles too. Different products have different shelf expectancies and freshness levels and storing them properly will help maintain that freshness and quality.
Long-term storage
It’s not recommended to store baked edibles on shelves. It’s better to store them in the freezer where they will last longer and remain edible. Other tips for long-term storage include:
Keep edibles away from sunlight
The moment the cannabis buds get separated from the branches, then used as an ingredient in edibles, they won’t do well in sunlight anymore. Light will degrade cannabis products like cannabutter, oils, distillate, and other edibles. Users must store their cannabis products in an opaque container when placing them in the freezer to keep the light away.
Wrap the edibles properly
Whenever possible, users should avoid placing the edibles in sandwich baggies or wrapping them using plastic wrap. This might cause the edibles to stick to the plastic when frozen. Plastic wrap will also have an effect on the taste.
Wax or parchment paper
Instead of plastic, better alternatives for wrapping edibles are wax and parchment paper. Edibles will come off easier and these materials will preserve the taste of the edibles while making sure that they don’t stick together.
Keep the air out
Your best bet for freezing edibles long-term is by using silicone containers or glass jars. Compared to other storing methods, these containers have the advantage of letting in less moisture and air. Allowing moisture and air will affect the potency and flavor of the edibles. This may lead to faster spoilage as moisture and air feed molds and bacteria. Also, although it’s not usually considered one, air can be a very destructive substance as it contributes to the breakdown of different substances like THC and other components. For some cannabis edibles, however, users must leave plenty of room at the top of the containers or jars.
Mason jars work too
When it comes to freezing liquids in mason jars, users must remember that liquids will expand. The last thing users would want is to deal with a cracked jar inside the freezer. To avoid this, users must make sure that the edibles are at room temperature before placing them in the freezer. If storing edibles in glass jars, wrap the jars in opaque bags first to prevent light exposure. When using plastic baggies (although not recommended), try squeezing out as much air as possible before placing them in the freezer. For more effective plastic bag storage, use a vacuum sealer.
