Edibles a major segment of the legal cannabis industry. Eating or drinking cannabis-infused foods provides a highly enjoyable effect compared to smoking flowers. While you can buy professionally made edibles, many enthusiasts prefer to cook their own at home.
Activating THC through decarboxylation
Raw cannabis cannot get you high on its own. It contains THCA, an acidic precursor of THC. Only by exposing cannabis to heat can THCA convert to psychoactive THC. This process is called decarboxylation or decarbing. To decarb at home:
- Break buds into small pieces and spread evenly on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 240°F for 30-60 minutes until lightly toasted in color.
- Store in an airtight container until ready to infuse.
You’ll know decarbing worked when the cannabis changes from green to light brown. This activates the compounds to infuse into fats or alcohol.
Infusing with oils and butters
The most versatile method for infusing weed edibles is using cooking oils or butter. The lipids extract cannabinoids through binding with fats. Oils also allow precise dosing for recipes. Follow these simple steps:
- Decarb your cannabis as explained above.
- Melt butter or heat oil over low simmer. Try coconut, olive or avocado oil.
- Add decarbed weed and simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring frequently.
- Strain mixture through a cheesecloth to remove plant material.
- Refrigerate infused butter or oil until solidified.
Now you have potent THC/CBD butter or oil ready for baking, cooking, and more! Refrigerated infusions can keep for up to 2 months.
Making canna-butter brownies
A classic way to use infused butter is for pot brownies. Follow any brownie recipe substituting cannabutter for a portion of regular butter. Some tips:
- Use a 50/50 mix of cannabutter and regular butter. This prevents overpowering weed taste.
- Look for recipes using oil instead of just butter. Oil-based brownies mask weed flavor better.
- Avoid recipes with temperatures exceeding 300°F, which degrades THC potency.
- Cut brownies into small, consistent dosages and clearly label them. 10mg THC is a standard serving.
Enjoy these chocolatey treats for a powerful, euphoric body high! Effects take 30-90 minutes to onset. Be patient and dose gradually to find your comfort level.
Advanced extraction methods
While infusing butter or oils gets the job done, more advanced methods can create purer, better-tasting edibles:
- Alcohol extraction – Soak decarbed weed in high-proof alcohol like Ever clear for weeks before straining. Use the “green dragon” tincture in cocktails, vinaigrettes, or directly under the tongue.
- CO2 extraction – Using compressed carbon dioxide plus cold temperatures pulls out cannabinoids without any solvents. It requires pricey equipment but yields incredibly pure, potent cannabis oil.
- Distillate – Further refining CO2 oil through short-path distillation leaves behind thick, amber THC oil with up to 99% purity. Use tiny amounts to infuse edibles.
Experiment with these extraction methods for edibles with purer flavor and dosing accuracy. Just be sure to label your creations clearly.
