Question

I put my unopened weed from dispensery (sealed dark glass) in the freezer 7 days ago (it's still there). I'm ready to use for edibles. What is the right way to open and use it without losing any potency?

Answer 1

When using cannabis from the freezer for edibles, you want to minimize any loss of potency and maintain its quality. Here's the recommended process:

1. Thawing: Before opening the container, take it out of the freezer and allow it to thaw at room temperature. Avoid exposing it to sudden temperature changes, as this can cause condensation inside the container and potentially compromise the product.

2. Open carefully: Once the cannabis has thawed, open the container carefully. Be gentle when removing the lid to avoid damaging the product or causing unnecessary agitation.

3. Avoid grinding or handling excessively: Handling cannabis too much can lead to the loss of trichomes, which contain the valuable cannabinoids and terpenes responsible for the plant's potency and flavor. If you need to break apart the buds for your recipe, use a grinder or your hands sparingly and gently.

4. Measure the desired amount: Determine how much cannabis you need for your edibles recipe and measure it precisely. Avoid using more than required to prevent overpowering the edibles with a strong cannabis taste.

5. Seal the rest: If you don't plan to use all the cannabis at once, quickly reseal the container and return it to the freezer. This helps preserve the potency and flavor of the remaining cannabis.

6. Infuse the cannabis: Now that you have the measured amount of cannabis, you can proceed with infusing it into your chosen edible recipe. Common methods include decarboxylation (heating the cannabis to activate the cannabinoids) and infusing the activated cannabis into butter or oil for cooking.

7. Follow the recipe: Follow your edibles recipe carefully to ensure you achieve the desired potency and flavor. Cooking at low temperatures over a longer period often results in better retention of cannabinoids and terpenes.

By following these steps, you can minimize the loss of potency and maintain the quality of your cannabis when using it for edibles. Remember, cannabis edibles can take longer to take effect compared to smoking or vaping, so start with a small amount and wait at least an hour before consuming more to gauge its effects.