The Best (And Safest) Ways To Store Your Edibles
With edibles and infused products now legal and on the shelves in Canada, it’s important to understand how to store them properly once you’ve brought them home.
After all, you wouldn’t leave your cannabis flower lying around on the coffee table, so you probably shouldn’t be leaving your infused chocolates on the kitchen counter either. Proper edible storage is crucial not only for keeping everyone in your house safe but also for making sure that they stay fresh and potent for as long as possible.
Safe Storage Practices
Part of being a responsible cannabis user means keeping your goodies out of the wrong hands, especially if you have young children or pets in the house.
It should go without saying, but if you’re going to transfer the product from its original packaging, label it clearly and make sure you use a childproof container. Storing your product in a high cupboard will also go a long way to keeping it hidden and safe, and depending on how young (and mischievous) your children are, you might want to consider keeping them under lock and key.
If you do choose to refrigerate, this could potentially pose an extra challenge if your children have a tendency to be in and out of the fridge. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to dramatically reduce the risk that they get their hands on them, like storing them out of sight and even going as far as to use a lockable food container.
If for some reason your kids do accidentally ingest cannabis, it needs to be treated as a medical emergency. Call 9-11 or take them to the nearest Urgent Care Centre.
Things That Kill Cannabinoids
Now that you’ve got your edibles safely stored away, let’s talk about the second part of the equation – storing them properly to preserve their shelf life. The first thing you’ll want to consider is how to make sure the active ingredients (the cannabinoids) themselves stay safe.
Fortunately, this is quite a straightforward process, as cannabinoids are fairly resilient, and there are really only three things you need to watch out for – heat, light and air. You’ll want to avoid keeping your edibles anywhere warm, humid or with fluctuating temperatures. In addition, you’ll want to keep them out of the light (either natural or artificial) and sealed up.
Preserving The Actual Product
When it comes to edible preservation, the issue isn’t so much the cannabinoids as much as all the other ingredients (dairy, flour, etc). Obviously, this is going to depend largely on the specific product, however, there are a few “best practice” steps you should keep in mind.
Refrigeration And Freezing
If you’re stockpiling a stash of goodies, you may be wondering if it’s safe to put them in the fridge or freezer and if doing so will kill any of the active ingredients.
Lucky for you, the answer in almost all cases is yes – freezing or refrigerating and edible won’t do it any harm, and can dramatically extend its shelf life.
Sealing
Remember that light and air can really have an effect on cannabinoids, so you’re going to want to store your product in a proper container. This could be anything from a plastic ziplock to an opaque glass container, but the big thing is making sure that it’s airtight and prevents light from getting in.
How To Tell When Your Edibles Have Gone Bad
The reality is that, for most products, the food component will go bad well before the cannabinoids if you’ve stored them correctly. Being able to identify an edible that’s turned is similar to identifying any other kind of food, and any sign of mould or bacteria is clearly an indication that you should be chucking it out.
When in doubt, remember that if you purchased your product in-store, there will likely be an expiry date that can serve as a guide.
For more information on how to get the most out of edibles, be sure to check out Spiritleaf’s education guide.
