Cannabis butter and Cannabis oil, or Cannabutter and Canna Oil, can be used in food preparation to produce edibles of all kinds. It is a great alternative for patients/recreational users who do not wish to smoke the flower, but still want to take advantage of the medicinal effects the plant provides. In fact, some strains with high THC levels have shown increased anesthetic properties after heating and being absorbed into the butter/oil.
When making butter/oil at home, you will need to decarboxylate (aka decarb) the cannabis you plan on using, first. This can be done several ways, so be sure to do your research to ensure you are doing it correctly. The process essentially converts the THC-A in the cannabis to THC, resulting in edibles that are more potent and kick in quicker. Decarbing the Cannabis also makes the end product safer and more effective, as it lowers the potential of botulism bacteria growing in the butter/oil.
Here is an easy recipe to follow once your Cannabis has been decarbed:
Ingredients:
1 cup of water
½ cup of butter or oil
*¼ oz. cannabis, finely chopped & decarbed
*For best results, do not use spread/oil substitutes
- Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan
- Put butter/oil into a glass bowl that will loosely fit the top of saucepan
- Once butter is melted, add the Cannabis and simmer on low heat for 3-4 hours, stirring often (this will ensure that all of the psychoactive properties of THC are absorbed into butter/oil)
- Strain the butter/oil into a glass dish that has a tight fitting lid; refrigerate immediately/keep refrigerated
- Start making your favorite edibles!
Making Cannabutter is a fun experience and a great alternative for Cannabis users who do not wish to smoke the flower. Just be aware of the dosages, as the THC level will vary from dish to dish. You should also avoid using seeds and stems in the Cannabis you use for this recipe because you may experience headaches from the end product, which would be pretty counter-productive, right?