There’s plenty of online stores and dispensary’s where you can buy cannabis edibles, but what’s the fun in that? There’s something to making edibles yourself, especially when they turn out great! This is our comprehensive guide on how to create weed edibles.
Click here to read our updated comprehensive article on how to make Cannabutter!
What you’re going to need
Before we start, let’s go over a few things that are required for making weed edibles.
- Cannabis / Kief
- Butter
- An oven that can be heated to 240 degrees Fahrenheit
- A double boiler
- Baking tray and parchment paper
- Cheesecloth (optional)
- Hemp Cord or cooking twine (optional)
- Strainer
If you have all of these things, let’s get started! There is a video tutorial at the bottom of this page if you would rather watch. 🙂
The importance of decarboxylation when making weed edibles.
For your weed edibles to work the way you want them to, there is a very important step. That step is decarboxylation. All this means is that you need to activate the THC, that way you get the psychoactive effects you intended for. The literal definition of decarboxylation is: “a chemical reaction that removes a carboxyl group and releases carbon dioxide (CO2)”
Click here to read our comprehensive guide on decarboxylation!
When it comes to cannabis, Decarboxylation removes the COOH group from the THC-A molecule by releasing H2O and CO2, turning it into the psychoactive THC.
This step is crucial because it will turn the THC-A molecule into the psychoactive THC molecule. If you were to smoke cannabis this would already be happening naturally when you burn it. But, since in this case, there is no cannabis being burned we need to do this extra step.
How to decarboxylate
I mentioned earlier that burning cannabis creates decarboxylation naturally. That is close to what we’re going to be doing here. Instead of burning, we’re going to be heating the cannabis up to a certain temperature. This is the same thing that vaping cannabis does.
It is possible to use vaped cannabis inside of your weed edibles, and there will be psychoactive effects. However, if you have already vaped that cannabis, you will have already used a substantial amount of the THC. Consequently, you will have to use much more cannabis in the edible
If you are using kief, follow the same process as buds, just skip the grinding step. If you’re using cannabis flower, the first step is to grind your cannabis buds. Once you have ground the cannabis, get an oven-safe tray, and cover it in parchment paper. Next, spread the cannabis evenly over the sheet.
What temperature to activate the cannabis?
The temperature that you should be heating the cannabis to is a bit of a debate. There might be better temperatures out there, and you will have no trouble finding people that claim theirs is the best. To their defence, they might be right. But, the temperatures that we have here are backed by some scientific evidence. At the end of the day, you’re going to have a hard time finding temperatures with a noticeably different effect than these. In other words, these temperatures will do the job!
240 degrees Fahrenheit is the number that I’ve had success with.
There has also been some good research done by our friends over at Marijuana Growers HQ. they did an amazing decarb experiment and noted their results:
As you can see from the two charts, 30 minutes was not quite enough time to completely decarboxylate the cannabis trim. In my experience, 30-40 minutes for kief, and 60 minutes for cannabis trim are the most optimal times.
Before we move on to the cannabis butter, we need to go over the dosage guide.
Dosage guide to cannabis butter
The dosage guide to making cannabis butter tends to be a little tricky. You’re going to have a hard time finding the exact potency of the butter that you’re making. It’s also worth noting that since some recipes are going to require more butter than others, you’re going to want to add regular butter into the mix. But, it’s up to you. If you’re planning on going to another dimension after dinner time, add away. 😉
The problem
Its not always easy to know the exact potency of the cannabis that you’re using. Especially since you have activated the cannabis. You should have a rough idea of the THC percentage, but there is still lots of room for error. You also have to keep in mind that if there is a small error in your calculations at the beginning, this error is going to be carried throughout, and it will make your final potency percentage off by quite a bit.
The solution
We have a great dosage calculator to help you when you’re cooking cannabis butter. Keep in mind, since you won’t have an exact percentage it’s going to be off by a little bit. This tool should help you get a rough estimate for the potency of your butter.
This dosage calculator will automatically update when you fill out your own values. It will work for both kief and cannabis flowers.
Using this tool, you can make your cannabis butter to whatever potency you’d like.
How to make cannabis butter
Cannabis butter is the best way to make weed edibles. It’s not necessary, but if you’re eating the activated cannabis straight, it going to taste pretty bad. Making cannabis butter is the best option, in my opinion, it can be used in place of real butter in all recipes! It also can be kept in the fridge for weeks! We have lots of great recipes here at The Canna School, most of them require cannabis butter.
The first step to making cannabis butter is grinding your cannabis again. You want the cannabis ground very fine, so once it’s done cooling off go ahead and grind it a second time. Next, take some cheesecloth and wrap some of your cannabis up. Once it’s wrapped up, take the hemp cord/ cooking twine and secure it. If you skip this cheesecloth step, everything will still work fine. You will just have a lower quality of cannabis butter.
Add the amount of butter in a pot that you want. Next, turn the heat on low and cook until the butter has completely melted. After the butter has melted, add your cannabis to the butter. You will need to let this cook on low for about 2 to 3 hours stirring every 30 minutes or so.
Once the butter and cannabis have been cooking for 2-3 hours, get a strainer. You’re going to need a strainer that is not going to let the ground cannabis pass through it. Finally, strain the cannabis butter into a container, and let it cool in the fridge.
If that was a little hard to follow, check out this video.
RuffHouse Studios youtube
How much potency you should make your cannabis butter
The potency of your cannabis butter is a very important step. If you’re just starting out with cannabis, I would recommend no more than 40mg of THC per serving.
It’s also important to note that weed edibles for a beginner might not be the best idea. Cannabis edibles are no joke. I’ve seen what they can do to some of the most experience stoners. If you eat too much it will NOT be a good time.
If you are experienced with cannabis but are new to weed edibles. I would suggest starting with 5 mg of THC per serving and working your way up as you please. This way you know what you getting yourself into
Another important thing to keep in mind. If you made weed edibles previously and they had no effects, don’t add 5 times as much this time. Just take it slow and work your way up. There’s a possibility that there was an error in your potency calculations the first time, or that there was less THC in the first batch you made. The last thing you want is a brownie with enough milligrams of THC to kill a horse.
Cannabis recipes
If you’re looking for some new recipes to try, click here.
Ryan is a content manager at thecannaschool.ca who has a background in economics. Ryan specializes in making cannabis edibles at home but loves to write about all things cannabis!
My bad as every post I had a different feeling and all of them were posted despite me not seeing it. To each their own. Do what you want. Just don’t fail like this dude. I get blasted for 6 hours but it relies on 30 min of patience. Read back. Or don’t. I don’t care. I thought I did but after seeing all my posts I’m embarrassed. Just get some crackers spread on nutella and bake with your desired weed at 350 for 30 min. That’s it. This dude? Joke.
Sorry just had to blow this shit up so people stop wasting their weed. I’ve wasted so much over the years and now I don’t even smoke it as that’s a waste. Trust my process as most people are idiots. Getting sick of it is all. You decathlon and everything in one go in my process and I double dare anyone to beat it. I Stand by my process while this loser won’t even stand by his own website spearing crap. Makes me toss and turn. Hope you read Neptune but this shitbsgs website might keep you grounded. Douche.
Fuck your toddler raping website you obvious pedophile. I know everything against you as you touched my child you loser. The cops and I are coming for you.
Omg fuck you tor this I poured my heart out but due to moderation I forgot a step and you will all suffer because of this obnoxious piece of shit. Don’t listen to him he’s a retard. I gave you the magic potion so let’s do what happens as I’m not writing this again because skinflutes want to be experts on shut they clearly know nothing about. May god fuck your asshole.
What I wrote didn’t make me sound like a retard the first 13 times I posted it. I am an actual scientist that works in the cannabis industry and I gave you my 21 years of results. You don’t like it? Kill yourself. For the rest of you. Your welcome. I should not have got this much hate for preaching the truth. The owner of this site I hope the worst shit ever happens to you as you not only spread misinformation but your a fucking loser too. Do the world a favor and kill yourself. To the rest. I gave this for free after tossing and turning wasting my weed. I hope someone gets something out of this after the losers on the internet feel they need to interject their stupid worthless “opinion”.go fuck your mom for being born you primate Dickfuck. See that guy in the mirror? That’s a loser spreading false information to people who need it. No go in the corner where you belong worthless fuck.
Oh shit I almost forgot to mention. If you can’t follow the easiest directions in the world and an old trade secret I’m literally giving out for free. You need to do two things. #1 go the speed limit and #2 kill yourself because clearly nobody can follow number one. This is my daily dose of hate in my life as it takes me 30 min to go 2.7 miles to my gym. I had to say it before I fucking explode. Anyway sorry….take my recipe. Just don’t drive on it or you will die. Promise.
Omg I had to post. I consider myself the cannabis/edible king in my circle and most of the people in my circle tried to hang with me but ended up in the Emergency room so there’s your warning. This guy is 100% in that after 30 min you are good. I have 20 years (21 but eg) of maki g the same concoction every time. So to be fully honest I have been using concentrate like this. What I do is put it between two Vanilla wafers (the taste is terrific and balances out the THC well). After that (since I am a spaceman who does tons of acid I go for glory here) I add 4-5 grams of THC shatter. Now if you are new? DO NOT DO THIS. You will think you died. But for the truly connected like me? You gotta do this. Anyway just take Nutella (highly sat fat solvent) and dip your shatter into the nutella on the cracker so it’s fully covered. Wrap it in foil and bake for Approx 30 min or whenever you feel the decarcerate has mattered.(30 min is king in my 20 plus years of doing this literally daily. I won’t steer you wrong. You have to remember that soy lecithin is already in the nutella so your golden. My advice: get somewhere safe. I hope this helped somebody as I have a flourishing business. Add soy lethithin if your not confident in your nutella but it’s in there. May you all walk in the moon daily like me for 20 years. A lot of this is shit. But there is no one more pro at making edibles than me I promise. I make 300g as a side gig as everyone comes to “daddy THC”. I’m not repeating this again. Your welcome who know how to read. If your one of the few. You are welcome.
You may want to correct that :
“I would suggest starting with 50mg of THC per serving and working your way up as you please.”
I think you meant 5mg.
And I think your a bitch. We all got opinions right. Read my pro comment as you don’t know what your doing.
Absolutely the best recipe I have used. The Double boiling really works to get the best quality without the hassle of the yucky water at the bottom.
I’ve made some butter but not sure how strong as I used an ounce of trimming 10 grams of bud 250gm of butter and simmered for twelve hours final product is awesome looking now my brownie recipe needs 125gm butter to make 12 brownies will they be too strong or give a go ya recon
Bro view these sites again. I will give you what you want and it’s easy. Been doing since I was in high school. I’m the “space cadet” in my circle because I invite you to the moon. Fuck this guy. I posted my recipe. It’s full proof. Enjoy my friend. Also…nobody knows but the spaceman what works. This guy isn’t far off but he’s still distant in my world. I’m on the moon. You all still worship guys on earth like a bunch of noobs. I’m 39 and been doing this with very minor alterations in high school. Takes me 25 minutes to float on Jupiter. Get in my level or don’t make a website you human joke. Everyone sucks apparently but me as ive done all the recipes on the internet and it turns out my easy remiss cures all colds. My wife is a scientist and we figured it out in the littlest time possible. I got two decades of proof that says this is a waste of time. Come over to gofucoff.com if you can’t read what I wrote plain as day(you don’t have to there if your still reading). I am the Johnny Appleseed of the cannabis game and been thrown in jail too many times. I did it for you. None of you earned it. So remember who mattyspace is. Your welcome.
When making cannabutter, is there anything to do with the ground cannabis that has been strained out?
I have an unused vape pen. I am going to take the oil ou of the pen an add it to the proper measurement for the cookies then stir an bake as directed. Is this ok
I would recommend half of that dose for a first time. I am a veteran user, and 25mg will give me a nice pleasant buzz. 50mg is still comfortable, and is all I need for severe pain. Remember that everyone is different so take it slow while you find your sweet spots!
I have 2 squares of CBD/THC Coconut oil. I was thinking of melting them down to a fluid oil and adding to a peanut butter recipe. Would it be just that easy or should I do the whole decarboxy process first?
Making one box of brownies, it only calls for 1 third cup of oil, so I was gunna use a quarter once in a cup of butter or oil, is that enough weed?
Hi Shane,
That should be plenty. check out the calculator at the bottom of these posts:
Butter or Oil
You can input the potency of your cannabis and it will tell you the potency of your entire extract in mg. Play with the amount of grams until you see a mg/serving that you like. 🙂