Among the usual cannabis oils and infused pre-rolls, edibles have long been favored among the cannabis community. They’re one of the most resourceful ways to consume weed, as they’re incredibly versatile and discreet. Edibles bridge the gap between smokers and non-smokers, allowing everyone to enjoy the benefits of cannabis.
There are a couple of ways to infuse cannabis into food. Cannabutter is the most common, but there are dairy-free alternatives out there as well, like coconut oil, kief, olive oil, or tea. The best part is that you don’t need to be a weed connoisseur to make quality edibles. They’re fairly simple as long as you follow a few basic instructions.
In order to start making edibles on your own, however, you first need to learn how to decarboxylate your weed.
Decarboxylation
Decarboxylation is the process of activating certain compounds in cannabis to convert THCA to THC — the psychoactive cannabinoid in the plant. It’s the most sought-after part of the bud because it’s what makes you feel ‘high’. The easiest way to decarboxylate your weed is by using an oven on low heat for an extended period so that you don’t end up burning the plant.
First, preheat the oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, break up your bud into grain-sized pieces, making sure they’re small but not too fine, or else they risk burning. Then, spread them out on an aluminum foil-covered baking sheet and put them on the middle rack. Keep an eye on things to make sure they’re not burning, and take them out after 45 minutes. You should let them cool off for 30 minutes before using them.
If you skip decarboxylation and go straight to cooking with your bud, you will end up with a bunch of food that tastes like marijuana but does nothing else.
1. Cannabutter
Cannabutter is the most common way to make edibles. When heated, high-fat substances attract cannabinoids from decarboxylated matter, which turns into THC. Therefore, using butter is preferred because it’s high in fat and easy to cook with.
Making cannabutter is easy if you’ve got the time and tools. Recipes vary depending on amounts, but this method involves water, the stovetop, and typically takes about 4 hours to complete.
2. Coconut Oil
Using coconut oil to infuse cannabis into edibles is a great alternative to butter. Coconut oil is dairy-free, plant-based, and has endless health benefits.
This method requires a slow cooker instead of the stovetop, so keep that in mind before you begin. Like the cannabutter, it also takes about 4 hours to complete.
Once you’re done, you can use the finished product however you’d use it normally. Coconut oil is one of the most versatile substances out there — you can eat it, you can use it as a lotion for your skin, or condition your hair. The possibilities are endless.
3. Decarboxylated Kief
Kief is the very potent dust-like substance that coats the bud and accumulates at the bottom of your grinder. Once you decarboxylate it, you can infuse kief into lots of different foods. Some of the most common uses for decarboxylated kief are adding it to a seasoning blend, baking flour, and honey.
Each recipe requires different times and tools to create the desired edible, but they all follow the basic technique of letting things simmer for a few hours.
4. Olive Oil
Like butter, olive oil is a staple of most recipes. Making cannabis-infused olive oil means you can basically turn any recipe into an edible.
The process is similar to the ones already mentioned. It involves heating the olive oil and decarboxylated cannabis together, usually using a mason jar inside of a slow cooker filled with a bit of water.
It should also only take a few hours, depending on the amounts and strains you’re using.
5. Tea
Cannabis-infused tea is a great option if you’re short on time. However, you will still need to use decarboxylated cannabis if you want to experience any effects.
The options here are endless. You can use cannabis-infused honey or another suitable cannabis-infused fat. You can also infuse water with plain old dried cannabis flowers. It should be noted, though, that this last method is the least effective of the bunch because THC is not water-soluble.
You’re All Set
Thankfully, you’re an adult now, marijuana is fully legal in 16 states, and the days of buying weed brownies from a random guy your friend knew are over. There has been a major shift in the public opinion of marijuana in the last decade, and it has never been more accessible or prevalent than it is today.
There’s nothing stopping you from learning how to make your own cannabis-infused edibles. All you need to do is decide which method to use, and the possibilities are endless.
Disclaimer:
Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily WeSay.
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