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Have you been thinking of making weed edibles at home? Making a perfect batch of marijuana edibles may be challenging, but the process is simple and easy to master.
The fastest and most straightforward way to make edibles is by using tinctures. However, if you want to put your time and effort into making weed edibles from scratch, you have to make cannabis oil or butter from flower.
In this article, we will break down seven easy steps to making cannabis edibles at home. We will also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about edibles and the process of making them.
Keep in mind that making edibles at home means you will not get the exact potency of each batch unless you get them tested in a lab. Nonetheless, there are ways to estimate how much THC or CBD the resulting cannabis oil will have depending on the average potency of the specific marijuana strain you will use.
How to Make Cannabis Oil for Your Cannabis Edible
The most important ingredient to make weed edibles at home is cannabis oil or butter. You can make each of these pretty much the same way. We will use cannabis oil in this specific article, but you can easily replace the oil in the recipe with butter to make cannabutter.
Photo by CBD Infos on Unsplash
Step 1: Choose a Strain
You have the liberty to choose which strain you will use for your cannabis oil. You can opt for a high-THC strain, a high-CBD strain, or a balanced strain. Choose depending on your goals. Choose high-THC varieties if you want to make edibles for recreational purposes. For medicinal purposes, choose high-CBD options.
If it is your first time making edibles or you have a low tolerance to cannabinoids, choose strains with a lower potency. Do not aim for THC levels higher than 15%. Do not use Dutch Treat or Durban Poison right away. Reserve that for when you gain more experience with cannabis.
The amount of cannabis you need for your oil will depend on the recipe you want to follow. In most cases, an ounce of fresh marijuana flower will be enough.
Step 2: Choose an Oil to Use as Base
If you tried mixing a few drops of tincture into a beverage, you might have noticed that oil and water do not mix well. You may already know that from elementary science experiments as well. The point is that if you want to make beverages, you might want to use alcohol-based tinctures. However, if you want to make food edibles, it is okay to use oil. Which oil, though?
MCT oil, coconut oil, and olive oil are the most popular options. If you are planning to use oil with a high smoke point, you can use canola oil. Nevertheless, it is best to stick to MCT oil, coconut oil, or olive oil to make edibles.
Choose whatever oil is best to use in the recipe you plan to cook. Think also about how the base oil will affect the overall flavour of the edible.
Learn how to make cannabis infusions here.
Step 3: Grind the Weed
Before anything else, always buy cannabis flower from a reputable and transparent seller. If you want to be as accurate in estimating the potency of the cannabis oil you make, you should buy from a store that provides detailed information about their flower products. You should be able to have access to the lab results of the flower you buy.
Now that you have decided which marijuana strain to use, it is time to grind the weed. Use a quality grinder to ensure that you get an even grind. Although you can use a coffee grinder or any other food processor that can grind your weed, it is ideal to use a product specifically designed for weed. You do not want your weed to taste anything like coffee in the first place.
Remember not to grind the flower so fine. A medium grind is good enough if you want to separate the plant matter from the cannabis oil more efficiently. Before proceeding to the next step, be sure to decarboxylate the cannabis. Check out the instructions in this cannabis infusions guide for more detailed information on decarboxylation.
Step 4: Mix the Cannabis into the Oil
Most people like to use slow cookers to make cannabis oil. However, it is also fine to use a saucepan. You can mix the oil and the cannabis into the slow cooker or the pan, whichever you have at the moment.
The ratio between cannabis and oil will depend on the recipe you follow. If you still do not have your hands on a recipe, you can mix one part of cannabis with three parts of oil. However, you can dilute the mixture with a 1:16 ratio or one part of cannabis in sixteen parts of oil.
I also filmed a whole video showing you three different ways to decarb your weed. You can find ithere.
Step 5: Infuse the Cannabis into the Oil
Heat the mixture in your pan or slow cooker until all ground cannabis dissolves. Keep the heat to around 180 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid damaging the potency of the THC or CBD in the cannabis flower. You may add some water to prevent the ground buds from scorching.
It takes around six to eight hours for the infusion process to take place. If you are using a saucepan, you may finish the process in at least three to four hours. If you are using a saucepan, always monitor the mixture because it may boil over and spill. Remember that the more you cook the mixture, the more weed will infuse into the oil.
Step 6: Strain the Oil
Be careful with this step because you are dealing with a hot liquid. You may start straining the infused oil while it is still hot. If you wait for the oil to cool at room temperature, it may solidify, especially if you use coconut oil or butter. You may use a metal strainer, coffee strainer, or cheesecloth to separate the plant matter from the cannabis oil infusion.
Cheesecloths work better than coffee strainers when straining a greater volume of cannabis oil. However, be sure to use several layers of cheesecloth to prevent any plant material from mixing with the oil.
When you strain the oil, pour it into a clean glass container. If the glass is cool, heat it with warm water to keep it from breaking. You do not want to waste the precious marijuana oil you have prepared for many hours.
Step 7: Store the Cannabis Oil
Congratulations on making your very own cannabis oil. You can use it now to make edibles or store it for future use. Remember that heat and direct sunlight may decrease the potency of your oil. Therefore, store it in a cool dark place away from direct sunlight.
Once the oil is ready, you can consume it sublingually or ingest it directly. However, it is fun to make edibles out of it. At this point, you may calculate the potency of your cannabis oil based on the average THC content of the marijuana strain you used. Since you only have an estimate of the potency of your product, always start with a low dose and test how your body reacts. Gradually increase your intake until you find out your ideal dose.
Oil is a versatile ingredient that you can use for many kinds of recipes. However, butter is also widely popular in various cannabis infusion recipes. If you prefer to make cannabutter the next time, you may want to start with a single stick of butter and infuse it with decarbed cannabis between 8-24 hours using a slow cooker. You can use the cannabutter on various recipes or add it to your toast.
How to Make the Best Cannabis Edibles
Photo by Kawê Rodrigues onUnsplash
A great recipe is the first thing you need to make the best cannabis edibles. Now that you know how to make cannabis oil or cannabutter, you need a guide to making delicious edibles that are both great-tasting and potent.
Do not worry because this site provides you access to free and amazing recipes you can easily make at home. Check out our cannabis-infused recipes and choose from among your favorites. You can make these recipes using your own cannabis oil or one you can buy at a local dispensary.
Edibles: Effects and Benefits
Edibles typically provide the same benefits as smoking and other forms of consumption. The only downside is the time it takes to deliver the potent cannabinoids into your system.
Edibles have to pass through the digestive system and the liver. Hence, you must wait at least 45 minutes to two hours for the effects to manifest.
Once tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is metabolized in the liver, it transforms into 11-hydroxy-THC, a metabolite 2-3 times more potent than THC. Therefore, your cannabis experience is more pronounced when you eat weed instead of smoking it.
If you do want to experience the harmful effects of smoking, eating edibles is a great way to consume marijuana. Gummies are the most popular commercial edibles in stores, but you may also find other forms like candy, chocolate, beverages, and cookies.
If you are bored of the typical weed edibles, you can make your own at home by following our delicious recipes.
Hey I’m Anna, also known as Cannabinista™
I’m a cannabis content creator, recipe developer, and enthusiast for the ancient plant. I’ve dedicated my platforms to helping you create a healthy relationship with cannabis through mindful consumption and providing education that resonates with the modern consumer.
My ultimate goal is to debunk traditional stoner stereotypes and myths, by showcasing the world of cannabis through my POV.
