How to Make Butter from Marijuana: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating marijuana butter, also known as cannabutter, involves infusing regular butter with the active compounds in cannabis. In short, this process involves decarboxylating cannabis, simmering it with butter and water to extract cannabinoids, then straining the mixture to yield potent, cannabis-infused butter ready for cooking and baking.
Understanding Cannabutter
Cannabutter is a cornerstone ingredient for many cannabis edibles. It allows for the relatively easy incorporation of psychoactive compounds into a wide range of recipes, from brownies and cookies to sauces and savory dishes. Its versatility and consistent dosage (when made correctly) are major reasons for its popularity.
Benefits of Making Your Own Cannabutter
Why go through the effort of making your own cannabutter when pre-made options exist? Several key benefits outweigh the inconvenience for many cannabis consumers:
- Cost Savings: Homemade cannabutter is often significantly cheaper than purchasing it pre-made from dispensaries.
- Dosage Control: You have precise control over the potency of your cannabutter, allowing you to tailor it to your individual needs and tolerance.
- Ingredient Quality: You can ensure the quality and source of your ingredients, choosing organic butter and cannabis.
- Customization: You can experiment with different strains and ratios to achieve desired effects.
- Availability: If you live in an area without legal cannabis dispensaries, making your own cannabutter may be your only option.
The Decarboxylation Process: Activating the Cannabis
Decarboxylation is a crucial step in preparing cannabis for edibles. Raw cannabis contains THCA and CBDA, non-psychoactive acidic forms of THC and CBD. Heat converts these compounds into their active forms, THC and CBD.
To decarboxylate cannabis:
- Preheat your oven to 220-240°F (105-115°C).
- Spread coarsely ground cannabis evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cannabis should turn a light golden brown.
The Infusion Process: Combining Cannabis and Butter
This process extracts the cannabinoids from the decarboxylated cannabis into the butter. Water is used to prevent scorching and help with separation.
- Combine decarboxylated cannabis, melted butter, and water in a saucepan or slow cooker. The ratio is generally 1 cup of butter to 1 cup of water and 7-14 grams of cannabis, depending on desired potency.
- Simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. The longer the simmering time, the stronger the infusion.
- Strain the mixture through cheesecloth or a fine-mesh sieve into a container. Discard the plant material.
- Refrigerate the container overnight. The butter will solidify on top, separating from the water.
- Remove the solid butter from the water and discard the water.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping Decarboxylation: This will result in weak or inactive cannabutter.
- Using Too High Heat: High heat can degrade the cannabinoids and burn the butter.
- Not Using Enough Water: Insufficient water can lead to scorching.
- Inadequate Straining: Leaving plant material in the butter will affect the taste and texture.
- Incorrect Storage: Improper storage can lead to spoilage and loss of potency.
Storing Cannabutter for Optimal Potency and Longevity
Proper storage is essential to maintain the potency and freshness of your cannabutter. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 weeks, or in the freezer for several months. Label the container clearly with the date and estimated potency.
| Storage Method | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 2-3 weeks |
| Freezer | 2-3 months |
The Effects of Cannabutter and Edibles
The effects of edibles differ significantly from smoking or vaping cannabis. Edibles take longer to kick in (30 minutes to 2 hours), and the effects can be more intense and longer-lasting. Start with a low dose (5-10mg of THC) and wait at least two hours before consuming more. Be patient and responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabutter
How do I determine the potency of my cannabutter?
It’s difficult to determine the exact potency of homemade cannabutter without lab testing. However, you can estimate the THC content based on the amount of cannabis used and its known potency. Use online calculators to estimate the potency. Start low and go slow when consuming edibles.
Can I use trim instead of flower to make cannabutter?
Yes, you can use trim (the sugar leaves and small buds that are trimmed from the cannabis plant) to make cannabutter. Trim is typically less potent than flower, so you’ll need to use a larger quantity to achieve the desired potency.
What type of butter is best for making cannabutter?
Unsalted butter is generally recommended as it allows you to control the salt content in your recipes. High-quality butter with a higher fat content will also result in a richer, more potent cannabutter.
Can I use coconut oil instead of butter?
Yes, coconut oil is a popular alternative to butter for making cannabis infusions. Coconut oil has a high fat content and can be used in place of butter in many recipes. The process is essentially the same, substituting coconut oil for butter.
How do I know if my cannabutter has gone bad?
Cannabutter can go bad just like regular butter. Signs of spoilage include a rancid smell, discoloration, or mold growth. If you notice any of these signs, discard the cannabutter immediately.
Can I use a slow cooker instead of a stovetop?
Yes, a slow cooker is an excellent option for making cannabutter. It provides a gentle, consistent heat that helps prevent scorching. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
What is the best ratio of cannabis to butter?
The ideal ratio of cannabis to butter depends on the desired potency. A general guideline is 7-14 grams of cannabis per cup of butter. Adjust the ratio based on your tolerance and experience with edibles.
How can I reduce the grassy taste of my cannabutter?
Using water during the infusion process helps reduce the grassy taste. Additionally, you can use a longer simmering time and strain the butter thoroughly. Some people also add lecithin to the mixture to help with emulsification and flavor.
Is it legal to make cannabutter at home?
The legality of making cannabutter at home depends on the laws in your state or country. It is essential to research and understand the laws in your area before making or possessing cannabis-infused products.
What can I make with cannabutter?
The possibilities are endless! You can use cannabutter in any recipe that calls for butter, such as brownies, cookies, cakes, sauces, and savory dishes. Start with small doses and adjust accordingly.
Can I use CBD-rich cannabis to make cannabutter?
Yes, you can use CBD-rich cannabis to make cannabutter that provides the therapeutic benefits of CBD without the psychoactive effects of THC. Follow the same process, but use cannabis with a high CBD content.
What is lecithin and why do people add it to cannabutter?
Lecithin is an emulsifier that helps bind the cannabis compounds to the butter more effectively. This can result in a more potent and consistent product. It also aids in nutrient absorption during digestion.