Cannabis butter, or cannabutter, is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes to infuse them with the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabis. Whether you're looking to make edibles for medicinal purposes or just want to add a little extra something to your baking, cannabis butter is a great option. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make cannabis butter at home.
Ingredients and Equipment Needed:
- Butter
- Ground cannabis (flowers or trim)
- Optional: herbs or spices for added flavor (e.g. rosemary, thyme, chili flakes)
- Saucepan
- Thermometer
- Cheesecloth or other fine strainers
- Airtight container for storage
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Decarboxylate the cannabis. Before making the cannabis butter, it is important to activate the THC or CBD in the cannabis. This process, known as decarboxylation, can be done by evenly spreading the ground cannabis on a baking sheet and baking it in the oven at 240-245°F for 40-60 minutes. Gently mix it every 10 minutes to prevent burn. Once your material is changed to a deep brownish-green color, it means that they are successfully decarboxylated.
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Grind the cannabis. Once the cannabis has been decarboxylated, grind it using a grinder. You can use the food processor too. But make sure don't grind it too fine, because otherwise there will be unwanted plant materials getting into your final product.
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Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add the ground cannabis to the melted butter and stir to combine.
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Simmer and stir the mixture. Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. This will allow the cannabis to infuse into the butter. Use the thermometer to make sure the temperature doesn't get above 180°F. You will lose some of your cannabinoids if the heat gets too high.
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Strain the mixture. Once the infusion process is complete, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or other fine strainer to remove any plant matter.
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Cool and store the cannabis butter. Allow the cannabis butter to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container for storage. The cannabis butter can be stored in the fridge or freezer for later use.
Tips and Considerations
Adjusting potency
The potency of the cannabis butter can be adjusted by using more or less cannabis, or by adjusting the cooking time. Be sure to start with a small amount and increase as needed, as it can be difficult to determine the exact potency of homemade cannabis butter.
Keep in mind that the amount of THC in your butter will depend on the amount of THC/CBD in your starting material.
Flavor variations
Feel free to experiment with different herbs or spices to add extra flavor to the cannabis butter. Just be sure to add them during the infusion process to allow the flavors to fully infuse into the butter.
Storage and shelf life
Cannabis butter can be stored in the fridge or freezer for up to 3 months. It can also be frozen in silicone molds or an ice cube tray for easy portioning.
Dosage and potency calculation
As mentioned, calculating the dosage and potency of cannabis butter can be a bit tricky, as it depends on a number of factors including the strength of the cannabis used, the recipe used to make the butter, and the individual's tolerance and desired effects. Here are a few tips for calculating the dosage and potency of cannabis butter:
Determine the strength of the cannabis used. The strength of the cannabis used to make the butter will play a major role in determining the overall potency of the finished product. Be sure to know the THC or CBD content of the cannabis, as well as the weight used in the recipe.
Consider the recipe used to make the butter. Different recipes for making cannabis butter will have different ratios of cannabis to butter. A recipe with a higher ratio of cannabis to butter will result in a stronger finished product, while a recipe with a lower ratio will be less potent.
Determine the serving size. The serving size of the cannabis butter will also affect the overall dosage and potency. A smaller serving size will result in a lower dosage and potency, while a larger serving size will be more potent.
Calculate the dosage and potency per serving. Once you know the strength of the cannabis, the recipe used, and the desired serving size, you can calculate the dosage and potency of the cannabis butter by dividing the total amount of THC or CBD in the recipe by the number of servings. For example, if you have a recipe that uses 1 ounce of cannabis with 20% THC and makes 16 servings, each serving would contain approximately 12.5 mg of THC (1 x 20 x 0.01 / 16).
It's important to note that these calculations are estimates and may vary based on the individual's tolerance and desired effects. It is always best to start with a small dosage and gradually increase it as needed, as it can be difficult to determine the exact potency of homemade cannabis butter. It is also important to consider any potential drug interactions or contraindications before using cannabis products.
Conclusion
Making cannabis butter at home is a simple and rewarding process that allows you to customize the potency and flavor to your liking. Just be sure to decarboxylate the cannabis before infusing it into the butter, and take care to properly store the finished product. With a little patience and creativity, you'll be well on your way to making delicious and potentially therapeutic edibles at home.