While you can always buy pre-made cannabis edibles, you may be inclined to try your hand at making them at home. Making cannabis edibles is simple enough, but it involves a little more than just adding a few buds or dropping some cannabis oil into the batter or other food product.
There are several steps that you’ll need to take to create edibles that are delicious while providing your mind and body with just the right amount of cannabis.
Here are a few tips to consider when making baked goods.
Appropriate Dosing
For those who are new to the world of baking cannabis edibles, it’s important to start with smaller amounts of cannabis. This is particularly important for first timers, who should use less to start then work their way up with subsequent baking endeavors.
Decarboxylate the Cannabis
The first task is decarboxylating the cannabis. Before making edibles, the cannabis will need to be heated to convert acidic cannabinoids into forms that are active in the body, such as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This process is referred to as decarboxylation.
It’s important that chopped or ground cannabis is heated at a low temperature for a short amount of time to ensure that the cannabinoids are well preserved. While cannabis can be decarboxylated in an oven at 120°C for 1 hour [1], there are nifty devices that DIY edibles makers can check out.
Once the cannabis has been decarboxylated, it can then be used to bake or cook.
Create Cannabutter
Most baked goods involve butter or other fats, such as cooking oil or coconut oil. Cannabutter — or cannabis-infused butter — is often used to create cannabis edibles.
To make cannabutter, melt butter in a saucepan, and once the butter has completely melted, add the decarboxylated cannabis to the mix and reduce the heat to simmer. Cover the mixture and allow it to simmer for two to three hours until the mixture begins thickening at the top. Alternatively, a device like the Magical Butter can be used for “set it and forget it” applications.
Pour the mixture into a bowl lined with cheesecloth and strain the butter. Allow the butter to cool. Once it reaches room temperature, store in the refrigerator.
Eat Small Portions to Start
Whether you’re baking cookies, brownies, or a chocolate cake, consider cutting the final product into small portions and allowing at least an hour to pass before consuming another piece.
Since cannabis in edibles must navigate the digestive system before entering the bloodstream, the effects will take time before they are felt. Giving your body time between portions can ensure that you don’t consume too much cannabis in one sitting.
References
- Wang M, Wang YH, Avula B, et al. Decarboxylation study of acidic cannabinoids: a novel approach using ultra-high-performance supercritical fluid chromatography/photodiode array-mass spectrometry. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2016;1(1):262-271. [journal impact factor = N/A; times cited = 53 (Semantic Scholar)]
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Image source: https://pixabay.com/photos/chocolate-cake-chocolate-pistachios-4967195/
