thegreenbkr

As the cannabis industry continues to expand–and more people are discovering all the fantastic things cannabis has to offer–there’s also a growing confusion. I get questions all the time. Do edibles expire? Should I store them differently than other food? What if there is no date on them? 

So, here I’m going to answer those questions because I want to make sure you’re only eating the tastiest, most delicious, and healthiest treats out there. 

Do Edibles Expire?

Y’all. OF COURSE, edibles expire. Almost everything expires–except for honey. No joke, honey lasts FOREVER. With that said, there is more to know.  

The expiration of an edible doesn’t have anything to do with the cannabis it’s infused with–it’s about the food product itself. Depending on the ingredients, an edible can get stale or expire the same way a non-infused food can. So if your CBD cookie is made with dairy or eggs, you can bet your ass that it’ll go bad more quickly.

In a previous post, Do Edibles Go Bad, we talked about this at length, but in short, how long your edibles last depends on preservatives and how you store them, too. 

If you buy your edibles from small local shops, they might not last as long as an edible from a major dispensary. Why? Because they probably won’t have a ton of preservatives (but they’ll usually taste better and be better for you without the junk). 

Similarly, a vacuum-sealed edible will last longer than a cookie you leave sitting out on a plate with no protection. 

Does the Potency Lessen Over Time?

The short answer here is–sometimes. MOST of the time, you can expect that your edible will go bad before it loses its potency. 

For one, it depends on how they’re manufactured. Cannabis oil is super thick, so to make sure it stays inside edibles, it has to be properly emulsified–just a fancy word that means mixed with another liquid that it normally doesn’t want to mix with (think oil and water). 

When cannabis oil isn’t properly emulsified, it might separate out of the edible. If you’ve ever grabbed a week-old pot brownie that’s suddenly way oilier on the surface than it used to be–this is why. When the cannabis oil separates out of the edible, it takes some CBD or THC with it.

Potency also depends on whether your edibles are infused with THC or CBD. CBD is super stable, so its potency lasts longer than THC. With that said, THC edibles are still potent for up to six months. And let’s be real, you should be eating most of your edibles way before six months after you bought them!

How Should You Store Edibles?

The way you store your edibles can have a huge impact on their potency over time and how long they last before they go rancid. 

Light, heat, and exposure to oxygen are all your enemy when it comes to making your edibles last. So make sure to store that shit in an airtight container in a cool, dark place if you want to enjoy your cannabis-infused treats longer. 

Is There a Way to Know If My Edible is Expired?

This is a common question because not all edible packages come with a handy expiration date on them. I guess we haven’t reached milk status yet, right!?!

But here are my 2 cents–if you’re questioning whether or not it’s safe to eat… Don’t eat that shit! When in doubt, take a sniff. If your edible smells or looks sketchy, toss it. 

As a rule of thumb, refrigerated edibles typically have the shortest shelf life–just 5-7 days. So make sure you’re ready to enjoy those tasty treats soon after you buy them. 

On the other hand, dairy and egg-free cannabis-infused treats like gummies and hard candies will usually last the longest. Keep in mind that these edibles might not go rancid–but they can still get stale, which is still gross.

A Fellow Greenie’s Take

My favorite way to make sure I’m only ever eating the best quality shit–write the date you purchased your edible on its packaging if there’s no expiration date. This will help you keep track and avoid the guessing game. 

Try to resist the urge to stock up for the winter. I know it’s tempting to clear out the whole shelf when you see your favorite treat in the shop–but ask yourself if you’ll be able to eat it all before they expire. 

If the answer is anything but a definite yes, don’t waste your money or risk having to eat edibles that taste like shit! 

Finally, treat your cannabis-infused treats with love by storing them properly, and you’ll be able to love them longer. Keep any edibles made with egg or dairy in the fridge. The rest of your cannabis-infused treats should be kept in an airtight container away from direct sunlight between 50 and 70 degrees. 

All the edibles I make at The Green Baker come with care instructions so you don’t have to guess how to store them or how long they’ll last. Less worrying, more enjoyment of tasty cannabis-infused goodness!

Any more questions? Ask away!

Okay greenies, this is one that really hits home for me (pun intended). I recently had to move The Green Baker location. And you know moving… it’s already a pain in the ass. But when you add being a cannabis company to the mix things get even more complicated. 

Cannabis and real estate are still struggling to work together. It’s just one more barrier to legitimately having a cannabis business that isn’t in the legacy market. This is especially true in states like Florida. And what are cannabis companies supposed to do? What are the options? 

A Growing Demand

Over one-third of realtors are saying residential real estate inventory is tight thanks in part to the cannabis industry–specifically in those states where marjuana has been legalized. Similarly, over 30% of realtors in legal states have seen an increased demand for warehouses, 23% for storefronts, and between 18% to 28% increase in demand for land because of the cannabis industry.

There’s no doubt–cannabis companies are growing like crazy! And with that comes a growing demand for real estate. With that said, it’s still not easy for us small cannabis brands. 

First, I had to get a hemp license to sell cannabis edibles. In our beautiful state of Florida you need to have a commercial kitchen to obtain this permit, so no making your brownies out of sweet old grandmother’s kitchen.

• First Option: Rent a Kitchen– Rental by the hour kitchens can cost anywhere from $100- $300 an hour and you’re sharing that space with other businesses that may or may not be cannabis-friendly.
• Second Option: Get Your Own– So let’s get our whole own kitchen, right? Well, a second-generation kitchen can cost from $2000-$5000 a month depending on its size. Oh, and did I mention each permit is $650 EACH! So you wanna do farmers markets? That’s $650! You want to sell to other businesses? That’s $650! You want to just sell to your customers that’s $650. Costs not associated with your kitchen rental begin to add up pretty quickly. So having access to well-priced and safe kitchen space could make or break your bottom line.

A Lingering Stigma

Unfortunately, when I was forced to look for new real estate, I was hit with so many no’s that I started to panic. 

Once, I got told no because the location was near a school. For the record, there are no laws or regulations preventing cannabis companies from being near schools. Why should there be? 

While opinions like these may be well-intentioned, the bottom line is–there’s a bad stigma surrounding the cannabis space. And real estate is just one more obstacle for cannabis companies like mine to overcome. 

In fact, overcoming this deep rooted stigma remains one of the biggest challenges of the cannabis industry today. Successful businesses are forced to take warehouses, kitchens, spaces, etc that are less than ideal all because of perceived security risks. For example, some places have zoning laws that only allow cannabis companies to purchase real estate in very limited areas in certain industrial spaces. 

This means it’s super common for us cannabis businesses to compete with each other over a few measly parcels of land.

It’s rough out there!

Financial Implications for a Small Business

Lack of real estate trickles down to the financials too. The cannabis industry is very dependent on real estate. Why? Because cannabis needs to be grown, processed, and sold. Without a physical space to do it, how can I have a business at all? Owning or leasing property is crucial for the financial success and growth of any cannabis business. 

On top of that, since cannabis is still federally illegal, financial institutions can’t give loans to cannabis companies–despite the growing adoption of cannabis use and legalization throughout the country. Imagine trying to start a new business without taking out a loan from the bank? It’s hard as hell!

To get around this, most small cannabis businesses have to use tactics that aren’t in their best interest to get things going, like borrowing money from friends or dipping into their own personal savings. And if businesses can find a way around the bank loan barrier, they are still faced with a shit ton of other issues–like the daily management of money. 

Imagine trying to pay bills without a business checking account.  The cannabis industry has to deal in cash to get around problems like not being able to accept credit card payments, open bank accounts, or pay payroll taxes by check. But having to manage all that cash on a daily basis can attract some sketchy shit. So these companies often have to rely on–and pay for–armored trucks and armed security guards to transport and secure their money.

When Will the Cycle End?

The cycle continues–a cannabis company can’t get a location and can’t get access to funding thanks to banks not being able to give loans. Without real estate, the company has no way to make money to support its business. Then the company is forced to continue in the legacy market, or give up on their business altogether. 

It’s a vicious ass cycle, isn’t it?

Waiting for Equity

Florida has a long way to go before we see true cannabis equity. We should look to states like California and Colorado as examples of what we could be doing better. California has generously permitted zones for cannabis businesses to occupy, and both states have implemented social equity programs in an effort to erase the stigma around cannabis. 

If we want to see our cannabis market bloom in Florida, we should be taking notes from some of the first states to fully legalize it.

So yes, the struggle is hella real when it comes to real estate and the cannabis industry right now. But no matter the struggles, you can bet yo girl is going to keep pushing to provide quality products and education about the benefits of cannabis! The way I see it, that’s the only way shit is going to change. So stay tuned for my next phase cause I’m not done yet creating and making waves to educate and shine a light on the disparities within the cannabis industry here in the state. 

See what we’ve got cookin. 

You know that weed brownie your bestie gave you that’s been chillin’ in your pantry for the last month? You better get to eating it, Greenie! You’ve probably wondered at some point in your life if edibles go bad–the short answer is yes! If you dabble in edibles often, you’ll want to know all the details on this, so let’s dig in. 

The ingredients play a huge part  

Like with anything else, the ingredients in your edible are a huge factor in determining how long it’ll be good for. Some foods are more perishable than others! For example, if your edible has any sort of dairy ingredients (think milk, butter, oils, etc.), it’ll most likely have a shorter shelf-life than other edibles. This includes fresh, baked goods like cookies, cakes, and brownies.

You’ll experience this the most when purchasing your edibles from smaller or local businesses that home-make their edibles (like mine at The Green Baker!). 

We don’t add any kind of preservatives to the mix for a longer shelf-life, whereas some larger-scale cannabis companies do since they produce in such large quantities. 

A few things to keep in mind with edible expiration

• While some edibles may not ‘go bad’ because they don’t have those dairy ingredients, like gummies and chocolate, they can still get stale (hard pass!).
• Any edible you buy from a dispensary will have an expiration date on the packaging. Stick to those as much as you can.
• If you’re wondering if your edible has gone bad, smell test that shit! If it smells, tastes or looks funky, it’s time to get rid of it.
• Refrigerated edibles typically last 5-7 days and candies, gummies, and lollipops usually last the longest 

What happens to an edible’s potency over time?

If you’re questioning whether your edible has gone bad or not, you’re also probably wondering if it’ll still be as potent as when you first bought it. You would think that the closer an edible gets to expiring, the less potent it becomes, right? 

That’s actually not the case! Regardless of the edible itself going bad, the potency of the cannabinoids in the edible remains relatively the same. If you’re talking a 3-6 month period, the potency would remain unchanged, unless stored incorrectly.  

When comparing CBD to THC in an edible though, THC slowly degrades over time, whereas CBD is a lot more stable. You can expect the THC potency in your edibles to last around 6 months.

The way that you store your edibles also has an effect on their potency and ability to last! Allowing too much oxygen to get to your edibles, for example, can definitely lead to degradation. 

Air, light, heat, and time are all working against your edibles, which is why it’s essential you store them right. Use common sense. If you leave a cannabis-infused rice crispy treat out on the counter, unwrapped, it’s going to go bad and lose its potency faster. 

How to preserve and store edibles appropriately

To truly enjoy your edibles like they’re meant to be, you need to keep them in pristine condition! The last thing you want to do is buy a bunch, take a couple bites, and leave them half-opened on your counter for days or weeks.

Keep these things in mind:

• Refrigerate more perishable edibles that have dairy ingredients (cakes, cookies, brownies, etc.)
• Store edibles like gummies, chocolate, etc. in cool, dry and dark places (like your pantry)
• Put your edibles in air-tight bags or containers to keep them as fresh as possible
• Sticking your edibles in the freezer is also an option and can help with longevity 
• Try not to hang on to edibles for more than 6 months 

The Green Baker’s two cents 

My advice to you? Don’t wait so long to eat your edibles! Or purchase smaller packs so you’re more likely to eat them before they go bad. You don’t want to waste your money, right? And you definitely don’t want to eat edibles that taste like shit! 

With all of the edibles I make, I provide care instructions for them so you know exactly how to store them and how long you can enjoy them. You already know I have a whole ass selection that’s continuing to grow! 

[Peep the menu]

If you think cannabis and racism don’t have any correlation to each other, it’s time to wake up Greenies! I want to hit a more serious note with this one and put aside my usual baking talk. This is something I’m passionate about and I think it’s good for people to know! 

Two major conversations are currently taking place in our country: racial injustice and the legalization/acceptance of cannabis. Though it may seem like these are two completely unrelated things, they are actually very linked. A quick look back at the history between the two says it all. 

Understanding the bigger picture can help us all to ‘right’ many wrongs, and steer future business in a more fair, balanced direction for all of us. 

The Start of Cannabis in the US

So, let’s take it back to the beginning of cannabis in the US so we can start to paint a picture:

• In the 1800s, there were no federal restrictions on the sale or possession of cannabis in the US
• In the early 1900s, Mexican immigrants came to the US, fleeing their country due to political unrest, and they brought with them recreational cannabis use—and it took off. 
• In the 1920s, Mexican immigrants were negatively associated with cannabis as anti-drug campaigners described terrible crimes associated with the people who used it. 
• In 1936, Reefer Madness underscored the association with weed (or “demon weed”) and Mexican immigrants, black Americans, prostitutes, and the lower class.
• In 1937, cannabis sales started being taxed
• In 1938, fear-mongering instigator Harry Anslinger enacted the Marihuana Tax Act
• In 1952, the Boggs Act was passed which made sentencing for drug convictions mandatory (possession could land you in prison and leave you with a huge ass fine)
• In 1960-1970, the era of hippies and flower power changed the perception of weed with a counterculture movement weed-smoking took on a new perception through the counterculture movement 
• In 1970, the Controlled Substances Act was passed which made cannabis a schedule I drug (in the same category as heroin and LSD)

And to this very day, it’s still considered a schedule I drug! Crazy. 

The Misconceptions Created Around Cannabis

It wasn’t long after the introduction of cannabis to the US that propaganda surrounding it started to come out. This led to legislation that created more misconceptions around cannabis use. 

The first major piece of misleading propaganda was a film called Reefer Madness. It portrayed young teenagers getting high for the first time and committing murder, attempting rape, and hallucinating. A little extra, right? Most of the media during this time showcased weed as a gateway drug to the hard stuff, like heroin and morphine.

Though Mexican immigrants were cast in a negative light nearly from the beginning, it wasn’t until Reefer Madness hit the big screen and the Marihuana Tax Act was passed by Harry Anslinger that misconceptions really centered around race. 

In Anslinger’s position of power, he sold the idea of marijuana as a violence-inducing drug. He also connected it to black and Hispanic people by saying cannabis made Black people forget their place in society or jazz music was evilly crafted by high people. Say what…

The sad part is that it really showed in our society. One year after the act was passed, black people were three times more likely to be arrested for violating narcotics laws than white people. Mexicans also were nine times more likely to be arrested for the same charge. This is despite the use of cannabis is nearly equal among whites, blacks, and Hispanics. 

The Precedent Was Set

From the very beginning, this narrative was put into place—and it targeted black and brown people. Politicians used marijuana as a way to divide everyone by: 

“Painting the drug as a scourge from south of the border to a ‘jazz drug’ to the corruptive intoxicant of choice for beatniks and hippies, marijuana as a drug and the laws that sought to control it played on some of America’s worst tendencies around race, ethnicity, civil disobedience, and otherness” 

The government straight up described cannabis as a drug for the inner city and Blacks. They also lied about it leading to murder, rape, and insanity. And don’t forget, cannabis usage among whites and non-whites were pretty much the same! 

Which is crazy considering still to this day, black Americans are arrested for cannabis charges nearly 4:1, compared to whites. In the ’60s though, more of the white community got involved in the Make Peace Not War era, which put marijuana out there in a positive light. But, it wasn’t enough to stop Nixon’s Controlled Substance Act. This thing essentially snowballed arrests for cannabis, keeping the black and brown communities incarcerated even longer! 

Marijuana’s Controlled Substance Categorization

With the passing of the Controlled Substance Act, weed became a schedule I drug. Still blows my mind to this day! You know what else is considered a schedule I drug? Let me name a few for you, Greenies:

• Heroin
• Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
• 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy)
• Methaqualone
• Peyote

How are you going to tell me that cannabis belongs up there with all of those drugs? Schedule I drugs are legit considered ‘drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse’. Not gonna lie too, it’s interesting to me that tobacco and alcohol aren’t listed as any type of drug. 

Where We Are Now

When we look at where we are now, we have definitely come a long way. States are now taking regulation into their own hands and pushing to decriminalize it. Basically, no penalty for being in possession of it–a huge step towards protecting the brown and black community against the racist nature of cannabis policy. 

Even states like New York have been advocating to decriminalize it federally! Their Senator totally understands the role that race has played all this time. The new bill he’s proposing is purposely trying to make recompense to poor and colored communities for years of damage done by super restrictive federal drug policy. 

The best part is that it calls for the immediate expunging of nonviolent, marijuana-related arrests and convictions from federal records. That’s what I’m talkin’ bout. 

The Lasting Effects

As I’m sure you’re well aware, there’s also been a huge push for police reform. Which is important for educational purposes when it comes to the role cannabis plays in society now. 

Changing policies and this push for police reform are helping to not only put cannabis in a category to help people but also to begin creating racial equality within this industry that’s finally starting to take hold in the right way. 

Years of prosecutions of primarily black and brown people have just had a huge impact on communities all over! While expungement is definitely a way to start turning those wrongs into rights,: 

“It still doesn’t make up for the years and decades of fewer educational, employment, and other related opportunities as a result of that drug arrest. Nor does record expungement assist the people who have been negatively affected by a family member’s drug arrest and/or incarceration.”

What WE Can Do

While we can’t change how cannabis had such a racially driven component to it in the past, we can take note of the history and do better moving forward. 

• We can support movements that focus on retraining and reforming police that address existing and ongoing racial disparities
• We can all do our part to spread awareness
• We can support black and brown owned businesses 
• We can use cannabis responsibly and make an effort to educate each other 

Cannabis is a soul-hugging medicine that can bring us together, no matter the color of our skin. It should be something to come together over and share the love in. And at The Green Baker, that’s exactly what I aim to do! 

[Come say hello]