From the pot cookie to pot candies, weed edibles are growing in popularity alongside the increased social and legal acceptance of marijuana. For instance, a Google Trends check for the term cannabutter reveals a thirty percent increase in searches over just a three-month period.
This means that interest in weed edibles and related topics such as cannabutter are mirroring the general trends in society. So, what is cannabutter and how is it made, exactly?
In this article, we’ll walk you through making cannabutter at home and how to determine quantities when adding it to recipes. As a bonus, we’ve also included one classic pot brownie recipe. Take a look below for a tasty trip!
What is Cannabutter?
There are essentially two kinds of cannabutter: Homemade and professionally manufactured.
The cannabutter bought from professional dispensaries is of a much higher grade and quality than homemade cannabutter. But making it at home can be fun.
The proper term for making cannabutter is “decarboxylating”. We have some scientific background further in the article for a better idea of what this means.
In laymen’s terms, however, cannabutter is made from marijuana. It’s so-named because it is butter (or any other oil-based product) which has been infused with THC. Because THC is oil, not water soluble, to get the cannabis to release this active component requires oil.
The final product is a thick, creamy substance similar to butter. Cannabutter is the key ingredient in pot recipes and is vital when cooking with marijuana. This is because the THC will not be released by heat and moisture alone.
In other words, don’t try to simply cook using dried marijuana— the end result may taste like it contains pot, but it won’t create the expected high. The cannabis must be decarboxylated to be effective in weed edibles.
How to Decarb Marijuana Prior to Making Cannabutter
THC and CBD are the two key components which result in a high from marijuana. What most do not know is that before becoming THC and CBD, these two were known by the alternates THCA and CBDA.
THC, CBD, THCA, CBDA, and similar acronyms associated with marijuana and any other raw materials used in manufacturing are chemical makeups. The “A” added to THC and CBD signify that these compounds are acidic and contain carboxylic acid.
As acidic compounds, THC and CBD are inactive. This means they won’t have an effect on the cannabinoid receptors in the brain. Only by heating the product (as with burning or boiling) can the plant release these compounds in active form.
As a side note, THCA does provide some anti-inflammatory relief without the high. Some, knowing this, choose to eat raw marijuana for relief from certain ailments such as arthritis.
When cooking with marijuana, the cannabis seldom reaches the level of heat needed to release the carboxylic acid from the THC and CBD molecules, which is the reason for an additional step.
Also, because THC and CBD are oil-based compounds, they attach to oils, not water. Thus, boiling the marijuana in cooking oil, butter, or other such substance will allow for the release of these active components.
Once released from the marijuana, the THC and CBD then bond with the oil or butter. This generally turns the oil into a thick, green substance suitable for adding to weed edibles recipes.
How to Make Cannabutter
Making cannabutter can be as simple as boiling marijuana in an oil-based foodstuff or as complex as chemical extraction. For cannabis home cooking purposes, here’s an easy tutorial to which you can follow along:
A Simple Way to Make Amazing Pot Cookies, Brownies, and More
Who can resist fresh-baked, gooey, chewy, chocolate brownies? Add marijuana and the experience is heightened such that many choose to ONLY ingest their marijuana via a pot cookie, brownie, candy, or anything else, really.
Before introducing an easy, delicious pot brownie recipe, here’s a very simple tip when baking with marijuana: Just replace half of the oil or butter a recipe calls for with an equal measure of cannabutter.
As with any recipe, you may need to adjust the ratios of butter to cannabutter to find what you prefer. Other than that, either add a reasonable amount of cannabutter to a recipe or simply replace half of the oil-based substance listed.
This way, you can make anything from pot cookies to a space cake!
Easy Recipe to Make the Best Pot Brownies
What you’ll need to make amazing pot brownies:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 ounces shaved, unsweet chocolate
- 2-1/2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup cannabutter
- 4 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup pecan pieces
We promised simple, so here it is.
Directions:
Add the ingredients in the order listed; start by mixing all the dry ingredients first. Next, melt the cannabutter and shaved chocolate.
Then add the wet ingredients (including the cannabutter/chocolate) one at a time, blending them with the dry. Finally, add the chips and pieces. Mix well.
Now put into a greased brownie pan and bake for roughly 35 minutes at 176° C (350° F). Test to see if the pot brownies are done by inserting a toothpick into the center, then pulling it out. If the toothpick doesn’t have any batter clinging to it, the brownies are done. Enjoy!
If not, let them bake for 5 to 10 more minutes. (You can wait a few more minutes!)
A Quick Tip for Consuming Weed Edibles
Now that you know how easy it is to make weed edibles (and your own homemade cannabutter), the high is the limit!
If baking or cooking isn’t your thing, here’s everything to know about how to legally buy weed edibles online.
Regardless if you’re making it yourself or buying it, if you’ve never tried weed edibles before, remember this golden rule: start low and go slow. This is because it takes longer for the high to set in when consuming weed edibles. So, always start with small amounts and be patient—the high will kick in.
Happy baking and bon appétit!
