Edibles are some of the most popular types of cannabis products on the market. This kind of popularity raises a specific question, though: how long do edibles last?
Whether you’re referring to the shelf life or storage of your edible, or you’re curious about how long your THC gummy lasts in the bloodstream, we’ve got you covered.
We’re talking all about how long edibles last: from freshness to metabolites in the body and even the length of your high. So, let’s get started.
A Bit About Edibles
Before we answer the question, “How long do edibles last?”, we first need to establish what edibles are and how they work in the body.
As the name suggests, cannabis edibles are any edible product that has been infused with cannabis, typically cannabis extract.
The first, and most famous, type of cannabis edible is the pot brownie; however, you can find edibles of so many different kinds these days.
Gummies, chocolates, olive oil, honey, popcorn pretzels, and more: you can find it all infused with cannabis.
You’ll find the best, most potent edibles at your local dispensary with a medical marijuana card, though.
Edibles are some of the most unique cannabis products out there simply because of how they work in the system. With these, you’ll have to be a little patient.
Once you consume cannabis edibles, the body has to first digest the edible before the cannabinoids can start working within the system. From there, they travel to your liver where the THC cannabinoid breaks down further, turning into the active metabolite that makes you feel high.
However, this whole process can take a while, making you wait for an hour or two for the effects to feel present. So, keep this in mind when waiting for results: patience and moderation are key — no matter how tasty the edible may be.
While you do have to wait a little for the effects to kick in, the effects will last for hours longer than your typical product. You can expect to feel high for anywhere from 4-8 hours.
Next, let’s answer the most pressing question: how long do edibles last?
How Long Do Edibles Last: Freshness
When people ask, “How long do edibles last?” they’re often referring to the freshness and shelf life of their edible product.
The shelf life of a cannabis edible is going to vary significantly depending on the type of product you’re consuming. You have to consider the ingredients; after all, edibles are just infused foods.
For example, cannabis gummies are going to last longer than brownies made with cannabutter. This is because cannabutter is dairy-based, so it will go bad quickly. Gummies, however, are made with cannabis extract and don’t have as volatile ingredients. Thus, they’ll last longer.
In general, if you store your products properly and they aren’t made with components that expire quickly, you can likely hold onto your cannabis edible for several weeks, potentially a few months a time.
But, you don’t want to wait too long, or they will start to degrade, go bad, and simply not get you high the way you want to — nor will they be tasty, that’s for sure.
All of this beg the question, though: how do you store your edibles properly?
Again, this will differ depending on the type of edible you have, but the biggest rule to storing cannabis products comes down to keeping them in cool, dark, and dry places.
This means that your product shouldn’t be exposed to too much direct light, nor should you keep them anywhere that is exposed to moisture (like a bathroom or basement).
The ideal temperature for your edible should be around 60-68 degrees Fahrenheit; this will prevent the cannabinoids and terpenes from degrading, but it’s also not too cool that it will affect the composition of your edible.
So, how long do edibles last when you store them properly? Realistically, you can have fresh, potent cannabis edibles for about 3-6 potentially depending on their ingredients.
How Long Do Edibles Last in the Bloodstream?
Now that we’ve talked about how long the shelf-life of a cannabis edible is, let’s switch gears: how long do edibles last in the bloodstream?
If you have a drug test coming up and you’re worried about the THC in your system from a previous edible, you’re probably wondering how long you can expect the cannabis to stay in the body.
As with all things cannabis, this depends.
Primarily, you have to consider your frequency of consumption. In other words, how often do you consume cannabis products? Specifically, how often do you enjoy edibles?
Edibles tend to be highly concentrated products with high potencies. Thus, the effects tend to linger in the system for a while. If you consume them frequently — as in, a few times a week — you’re going to have to wait a few weeks, maybe even a month for the THC to clear the body.
If you’re more of a casual consumer, you can expect your edible to stay in the system for a few days, maybe a little over a week. Most people report that cannabis edibles are no longer detectable after 3-12 days. (Wide range, we know.)
Essentially, the more frequently you consume edibles, as well as the potency of these edibles, highly affect how long the product lasts in the system.
If you’re asking yourself “How long do edibles last in the bloodstream?” you have to consider how often you enjoy them, and whether or not they’re high-potency products.
How Long Do Edible Highs Last?
Finally, let’s talk about the length of your high. How long do edible highs last, really?
This should come as no surprise, but the length of your edible high is going to depend on several factors, such as your body chemistry, cannabis tolerance, and potency of the edible.
In general, though, you can expect the length of your edible high to be anywhere from 4-8 hours. Usually, the peak of a cannabis edible high comes at around 6 hours, but this may be different for some consumers.
Compared to other cannabis products, edible highs are some of the longest-lasting highs you can enjoy. You have to keep this in mind before consuming one, ensuring that you’re mentally and physically prepared to be high for several hours.
Understanding Edibles With Elevate Holistics
Here at Elevate Holistics, we want to help you understand everything there is to know about cannabis edibles: from how long edibles last to proper dosing and even how to make your own.
No matter what kind of advice or help you need regarding edibles, we’ve got the resources for you down below.
But, before you dive deep into the world of cannabis edibles, we’d highly suggest starting with getting a medical marijuana card.
Medical marijuana cards are the best way to access top-shelf, potent edibles at a much lower cost than recreational products. And, you’re always a priority in case your favorite edible runs low.
With Elevate Holistics’ telemedicine program, we can get you your medical cannabis card recommendation all online, right from the comfort of your home.
And, once you have your MMJ card, you’ll gain access to the best edibles in your state.
Start your health and wellness journey today.
