Are 1 year old edibles still good?

October 28, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 1999 study, approximately 16% of THC in cannabis products degrades in the first year, meaning that one year old edibles are likely less potent than when purchased. This loss of potency, however, is not the only consideration when assessing if old edibles are still good to consume.

Quick Summary

The safety and efficacy of one-year-old edibles depend on the product type and storage conditions. While potency inevitably decreases as THC converts into CBN, certain edibles like gummies may remain safe, though stale. Perishable ingredients in baked goods pose a greater food safety risk if consumed past their prime.

Key Points

Potency is diminished: After one year, edibles will have significantly less THC due to degradation into CBN, resulting in a milder, less predictable high.
Check for spoilage: The food components of an edible can spoil and become unsafe to eat, especially baked goods containing dairy and eggs.
Gummies vs. baked goods: Gummies, being sugar-based, have a longer shelf life and may be safe but stale, whereas baked goods are high-risk for food poisoning.
Visual and smell tests: Always inspect old edibles for mold, discoloration, and off-putting smells before considering consumption.
Proper storage matters: Edibles stored in airtight containers away from heat and light will retain potency and freshness longer than poorly stored ones.
Better safe than sorry: When in doubt, it is always safer to discard old edibles and get fresh ones to avoid health risks and ensure a more potent experience.

The Truth About Expired Edibles: Potency vs. Safety

When you discover a forgotten package of edibles, the first thought is often about the potential high. However, the question of whether are 1 year old edibles still good? is a two-part inquiry: one concerning the psychoactive effects and the other involving food safety. Unlike fine wine, edibles do not get better with age, and their ingredients will degrade over time, whether they are cannabis-infused or not.

Why Edibles Lose Potency Over Time

Time, light, heat, and oxygen are the primary enemies of cannabinoid potency. Over a period of one year, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound responsible for the classic high, slowly degrades into CBN (cannabinol).

Oxidation: Exposure to oxygen is a major catalyst for THC degradation. The more air an edible is exposed to, the faster the THC will convert to CBN, which can be less psychoactive and more sedating.
Light and Heat: UV light and warmth also accelerate the breakdown of cannabinoids. This is why proper storage in a cool, dark place is critical for preserving potency and extending shelf life.
CBN Conversion: As the THC breaks down, the concentration of CBN increases. This means a year-old edible might not deliver the uplifting or euphoric effects you expect, and may instead produce a much milder, sleepier high or no effect at all.

The Food Safety Question

While the cannabinoids inside don't become toxic, the food ingredients absolutely can spoil. The risk of foodborne illness is the most critical safety concern when eating one-year-old edibles.

Comparing Shelf Lives of Different Edibles


Edible Type	Typical Shelf Life (Fresh)	Safety After 1 Year	Potency After 1 Year
Gummies & Hard Candies	Up to 12 months	Likely safe if stored properly, but check for mold.	Significantly reduced.
Baked Goods	1–2 weeks (refrigerated)	Unsafe; high risk of mold and bacterial growth.	Likely lost entirely due to spoilage.
Chocolates	6–12 months	Safe if no signs of spoilage; may develop "bloom".	Reduced.
Infused Beverages	Up to 6 months (unopened)	Unsafe after 1 year, especially if opened.	Reduced or gone.

How to Assess the Condition of Old Edibles

Before even considering consumption, a thorough inspection is necessary. Your senses are your best tool for evaluating the safety of expired food.

Visual Cues: Look for any visible signs of spoilage. This includes mold, which may appear as white, green, or black spots. Discoloration, changes in texture (like gummies becoming rock-hard or baked goods becoming crumbly), and ingredient separation in beverages are also red flags.
Smell Test: A funky, sour, or otherwise off-putting odor is a definitive sign that the food has spoiled. Trust your nose, as this is often the most reliable indicator of bacterial growth, especially in perishable baked goods.
Taste Test (Cautiously): If the edible passes both the visual and smell tests, a tiny taste test can be performed. If it tastes stale, off, or unpleasant, discard it. A bad taste is a quality issue, not necessarily a safety one, but it does indicate the edible is past its prime.

Risks of Consuming One-Year-Old Edibles

While serious harm is uncommon, the risks of consuming old edibles are not worth ignoring.

Foodborne Illness: The primary danger with expired edibles is the risk of ingesting harmful bacteria or mold, which can lead to vomiting, nausea, and other gastrointestinal distress. This is particularly true for edibles containing perishable ingredients like dairy or eggs.
Diminished Effects: The THC has almost certainly degraded, meaning the edible will be significantly less potent than when fresh. Your expected high may be weak, different, or nonexistent.
Unpleasant Experience: Even without health risks, the experience will likely be subpar. The flavor and texture will have degraded, making the edible far less enjoyable.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict

So, are 1 year old edibles still good? The short answer is: probably not. While sugar-based products like gummies may remain technically edible from a food safety standpoint, their potency will be considerably diminished and the taste and texture will have deteriorated significantly. Perishable edibles like baked goods are a definite no-go due to the serious risk of food poisoning from spoilage. For the best and safest experience, it is always recommended to consume edibles when they are fresh and properly stored. If you have any doubts about a year-old edible, it is far safer to throw it out and purchase a fresh batch. Remember that the date on the package is a guide to peak quality, not just an arbitrary number.

An authoritative guide on the safe consumption of cannabis can be found on the National Institute of Drug Abuse website, which offers further information on the effects and risks of cannabinoids.

Proper Storage to Extend Edible Shelf Life

To prevent this dilemma from happening again, follow these tips for proper edible storage:

Keep them cool and dark: Store edibles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat.
Use airtight containers: After opening, transfer edibles to an airtight container to minimize oxygen exposure.
Consider freezing: For long-term storage, especially with baked goods, freezing is a viable option to preserve potency and prevent spoilage.
Label clearly: Always label homemade edibles with the date and dosage to keep track of freshness.

/### Final takeaway: It's best to discard old edibles, especially if they show signs of spoilage, and purchase a fresh product for the intended potency and safest consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

A year-old edible will likely still provide some effect, but it will be significantly less potent than when fresh. The THC will have degraded into CBN, which is known for its more sedative effects, so your high will be different and much milder.

If you eat a year-old edible, the effects will be weaker than expected due to potency loss. More importantly, you risk an upset stomach or food poisoning if the food ingredients have spoiled. Always check for mold and odd smells before consuming.

Yes, you can get sick from expired edibles if the food ingredients have spoiled and contain harmful bacteria or mold. The risk is highest for perishable items like baked goods made with dairy and eggs.

No, edibles do not get stronger over time. The potency of the THC degrades, or breaks down, over time, meaning the psychoactive effects will decrease, not increase.

Check for visual signs like mold, discoloration, or a change in texture. Give it a sniff—any sour, musty, or off-putting odor is a clear sign of spoilage. If it passes both, you can do a small taste test for staleness.

Store edibles in an airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry place. Keep them away from heat, light, and moisture to preserve both freshness and potency.

Yes, the shelf life depends on the ingredients. Sugar-based edibles like gummies can last up to a year, while baked goods containing dairy or eggs have a much shorter shelf life, lasting only days to weeks.