Despite all of the misconceptions about medical marijuana, it has many health benefits and has been used to treat a wealth of issues that include, but are not limited to, muscle control problems, chronic pain, and more.
While many of us get our cannabinoids – those chemicals responsible for our buzz- through smoking, more people are getting used to eating medical marijuana, like brownies, chocolates and other infused edibles, as a more potent, effective, and long-lasting alternative.
But, anyone who’s ever tried making their own can tell you that cooking cannabis isn’t as simple as throwing some choice buds into a chocolate cake mix. Instead, you must create marijuana-infused ingredients that can then be used in combination with your favorite recipes.
To help you begin your journey into the world of cooking with medical cannabis, today we will be discussing how to make marijuana-infused cooking oil.
Step 1: Choosing your base
Cannabis is fat soluble and as such, you should only use an oil (like canola) that has a high-fat content. You can also use coconut or olive oil but, it’s important to note, that they have lower boiling points than canola. Thus, the base you choose should be dependent on how you plan to use your end product.
Step 2: Grinding the Cannabis
A food processor or coffee grinder are excellent for grinding large quantities of cannabis to an acceptable size. If you’re making a small batch, the same griender you use to grind your cannabis before packing a bowl or rolling a joint will also suffice. Just, remember that you will have to strain the oil later so, make sure that you don’t grind it down to a powder.
Step 3: Mixing the cannabis and oil
The strength of your final product will be dependent on the mixture. A good ratio for potent edibles is to have 3.5g of cannabis per half cup of oil. You can add more or less depending on yur tolerance. After making your selection, pour the oil into your cooking apparatus of choice, making sure that the ground up cannabis is completely covered.
Step 4. Cooking the mixture
The heating time will vary dependent on the cooking method and the quantity of cannabis that you use. But, regardless of these factors, your end goal is to make the cannabis infused oil without scorching it. The best way to accomplish this is by stirring the mixture frequently.
- Slow cooker: Cook the mixture on low for at least six hours but up to as long as three days.
- Double boiler: Cook on low for anywhere from six to eight hours, just make sure your double boiler doesn’t go dry.
- Saucepan: Cook on low for at least 3 hours. This method is most prone to scorching, so you must pay particularly close attention to the saucepan and stir frequently.
Step 5: Straining the oil
Use a strainer to remove the larger pieces of bud. For best results, do this step while the oil is still hot. Repeat again – this time with a coffee strainer – if big pieces remain. This will take a lot of time, so you must remember to be patient. For even better filtration, consider straining the mixture with several layers of cheesecloth.
Step 6: Storing your oil
After your oil has been strained, store it in an airtight container – anything else will cause it to lose its potency. If oxygen is kept from the contents, you can expect it to last for about 2 months – even longer if you refrigerate it.
Step 7: Cooking with your cannabis-infused oil
To cook with your oil, substitute the oil in your favorite recipes with the newly infused one. For example, if your recipe calls for a half-cup of oil, use a half-cup of your cannabis oil! Consider substituting just a small portion in the beginning until you get a better idea of its potency and effects. Enjoy your homemade edibles!
This article was provided by the generous folks at Essence Cannabis Dispensary.
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