Edible cannabis products contain cannabinoids that you can consume by eating or drinking. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in cannabis that can affect your mind and body after consumption. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is a cannabinoid that makes an individual feel high.

Read on to learn the important of storing cannabis edibles to get the most potency and freshness.

How do Edibles affect us?

Edibles are consumed and digested, encouraging the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to do its job. The endocannabinoid system comprises an extensive network of chemical signals and cellular receptors densely packed throughout our brains and bodies. 

The “cannabinoid” receptors in the brain — the CB1 receptors — outnumber many other receptor types in the brain. They regulate the body through immediate feedback, turning up or down the movement of whichever system needs to be adjusted, whether hunger, temperature, or alertness. Our bodies produce molecules called endocannabinoids to stimulate these receptors, which have a structural similarity to molecules in the cannabis plant. 

What is the ECS responsible for?

The endocannabinoid system regulates learning and memory, emotional processing, sleep, temperature control, pain control, inflammatory and immune responses, and eating. This vital system is currently at the center of renewed international research and drug development.

Edible Dosage

When trying edibles for their medicinal properties, begin with a low dose, then increase the amount depending on comfort levels. You can exponentially increase the quantity if unsatisfied with the desired effects after the first use.

You can also boost your dosage of cannabis products slowly over a few weeks to reduce discomfort and ensure safe cannabis consumption.

Are edibles legal?

Yes. Cannabis-infused edibles are legal in certain states within the United States as long as they are produced by licensed cultivators and manufacturers of cannabis or industrial hemp.

We suggest checking your local laws to know what is allowed in your state regarding THC and hemp.

Do I need a Medical Card?

In recreational states, a medical marijuana card is not required to purchase and possess vegan edibles. However, some states will require a person to register before getting edibles. Leafy DOC can help you obtain a medical card in certain states.

LeafyDoc is supported in the following states: California, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.

Click here for more information, and check out the simple steps below.

Book an Appointment

Skip unnecessary trips to the doctor’s office and complete your appointment from the comfort of your home. You’ll need to provide prior medical history and book your appointment.

Meet with a Doctor

Connect with the correct state-certified physician and easily talk to your provider on mobile phones or tablets. The provider will evaluate your condition and address any questions or concerns. Then, they will provide recommendations for approved medical marijuana patients.

Get your Medical Card

Your health coach will be available to address any questions you may have and support your upgraded lifestyle. You’ll be able to keep continuous communication through every step to getting your medical cannabis card from your state.

Marijuana Edibles Over Time

Author and cannabis edible expert Robyn Lawrence shares her extensive knowledge by offering readers access to information that can assist people with using cannabis as a culinary tool. Through her books, workshops, events, and media, she has impacted people all over the globe with her independent voice and ideas.

Here are some takeaways from her timeline of cannabis usage in edibles throughout history:

Cannabis use in edibles dates back to the Middle Age, over 50,000 years ago. Marijuana is considered one of the first plants humans explored for consumption and medicinal purposes. Ancient India held the “origin of edibles” through a hash-filled confection called mahjoun.

In Medieval times, Uzbekistan created guc-kand with THC for pain relief and sexual performance. Indonesia used marijuana in a toffee candy called dodol Aceh, while Cambodia infused Khmer foods with cannabis. Greece had khylos, a cannabis-infused wine steeped for several days.

The Polish would combine cannabis seeds with salt, olive or coconut oil, and cannabutter and place it on a piece of crusty bread. Since then, as medical marijuana and recreational legalization grow in popularity, cannabis has been used to make edibles more than ever before.

Common Types of Edibles

Here are some of the most common types of edibles you’ll find online and at your local dispensaries:

• Beverages
• Baked Goods (brownies, cookies)
• Gummies
• Gourmet Candy
• Hard Candy 
• Savory Snacks 

Store-Bought Cannabis Edibles vs. Making Your Own

Creating homemade cannabis products can be very challenging if you aren’t already an experienced and passionate cook.

At the end of the day, the primary objective is to find edibles that meet your specific recreational needs and provide optimal clinical effects, so whether that’s yours or someone else’s, consider both pros and cons.

Storing Homemade Cannabutter

You can use the marijuana butter immediately to make baked goods and many recipes from the cannabis gourmet cookbook. Infused butter and cannabis oil have a shelf life of up to six months in the refrigerator and up to a year in the freezer when properly stored in airtight plastic containers or sealed glass jars.

Do Edibles Lose Their Potency?

Yes. Cannabis plants naturally dry and become less potent and flavorful over time, so storing edibles properly in an airtight container is an essential step.

Will Freezing Edibles Affect the Quality of the Marijuana?

Yes, freezing marijuana effectiveness is a concern for edibles. Freezing can cause the trichomes to become brittle and break off, reducing the potency of the product. It’s best to store edibles in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to maintain their quality.

How Should I Store Cannabis Edibles?

There are multiple ways for storing cannabis edibles, however, it greatly depends on the type of edible you will be placing in storage. We have covered marijuana butter, so let’s go over a few other types of edibles and their shelf life.

For weed brownies, it’s best to store edibles with wax paper in airtight silicone containers. If you are planning to freeze, be sure to cover in plastic wrap and then place in sealed, zip-up plastic bags for best results. These will maintain their full potency for about two months and can successfully be stored for up to six months.

With tinctures, it’s best to keep in a dark, glass container in room temperature. Storing like this will keep it fresh for a few months. While you can freeze tincture in airtight containers, it doesn’t maintain the integrity of the oil as well.

For weed gummies, they will typically last up to a year without being frozen, but the potency will decrease over time. If you are going to freeze gummies, wrap them up and place in a plastic bag before deep freezing for best results.

Wrapping It Up

There are ways to store many edibles and freezing seems to be the best option to maintain potency and fresh flavors. The most important thing to remember is to store the cannabis buds appropriately from the harvesting process to the completed weed edible product to make sure you are maintaining a safe, potent, and tasty edible experience.