Cannabis and cannabis-infused products have short shelf lives. While some last a few months, others last just a day or two, making storage and transportation quite a challenge.
The shelf life of cannabis-infused products primarily depends on:
- Ingredients used
- Preparation method
- Temperatures processed under
- Packaging material
- Storage conditions
- Usage format
Knowing how to store these products will help you keep them fresh for longer.
Tips to store cannabis-infused products
Follow these tips to keep your cannabis products tasty and fresh. To make things easier, we’ve listed out the most common cannabis product types and their storage requirements:
Edibles
Edibles like pastries, lollipops, and brownies are one of the most volatile cannabis-infused products available. This is mainly because of the presence of other ingredients such as chocolates and eggs, which are perishable themselves.
When storing cannabis-infused edibles, the rule is to store them in a clean, dark, and cool place. Wrap them in a wax paper or aluminum foil and then store them in an airtight container or a ziplock bag and put them in the refrigerator. Don’t use plastic wrappers as they could break down the edibles, ruining the consistency and flavor.
Brownies, cakes, and pastries have a shorter expiration date compared to gummy bears, chocolates, and candy. Remember to check the expiration date before purchasing them from the store.
Topical ointments
The rule of cool, clean, and dark applies with ointments and creams too. Usually, cannabis-infused lotions and creams come with their own airtight locks, ensuring that you don’t need to find a new container. Just remember to store it in a dark and cool place so that the chemicals don’t break down due to exposure to heat.
Tincture
Cannabis-infused tinctures are one of the longest lasting products on the market. They lose strength much slower than traditional glycerin tinctures and other cannabis products.
When storing tincture, keep the bottles in the refrigerator or in a freezer. This will slow down the degradation process even further. Most tinctures last months and remain very strong even until the very end.
Cooking oils and butter
Cannabis-infused oils are the traditional coconut or olive oils infused with the cannabis extract. Keep them in airtight glass bottles and store them in the refrigerator. You can even place the oils in ice cube trays and keep them cool.
When cooking, remember not to use it on high heat and never microwave the oil. Cannabis degrades at temperatures higher than 392 degrees Fahrenheit and loses its THC content, making it redundant. We recommend that you mix some water into the oil, to prevent the oil from overheating.
The same goes for cannabis butter. Store it in an airtight glass jar and keep it in the refrigerator or store it in the ice cube tray. Cook it on a low flame and do not microwave.
Flowers and leaves
If it’s dry buds that you’re planning to store, then you can just wrap them in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in a cool and dark place. A refrigerator isn’t necessary for dry leaves and flowers.
If you have fresh harvest with you, putting it in an airtight glass container and placing it in the refrigerator will help. Some cannabis buds retain their strength for up to a year this way. Remember to remove the seeds from the buds before you refrigerate them, as you can grow new crops with them later.
