Cannabis-infused edibles are all the rage lately, but they're a far cry from the boxed brownies you mixed with shake and seeds back in high school. In honor of 4/20, we present a step-by-step guide to making cannabutter and cannaoil, to be used in any and all of your favorite recipes. For more detailed instructions, see our notes below. Illustration by Keara McGraw.
Step 1: Pick Your Strain
Step 2: Calculate Your Dosage
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Multiply the weight of your weed in milligrams by its assumed THC content:6 grams = 6,000 mg6,000 x .15 = 900 mg THC in 6gNext, divide that number by the total number of tablespoons of fat you're using. In our cannabutter recipe, we recommend 6 grams of cannabis to 1 pound of butter or 2 cups of oil.900 mg THC / 32 tbsp (in 2 cups) = 28.1 mg THC/tbspFinally, calculate how many tablespoons of weed-infused fat your recipe calls for, and its total yield. If your brownie recipe that serves 6, 8, or 12 people calls for 5 tablespoons of regular butter and 5 tablespoons of cannabutter, only use the cannabutter in your calculation.5 x 28.1 mg THC = 140.5 mg THC in total brownie batch140.5 mg / 6 servings = 23.4 mg THC per brownie140.5 mg / 8 servings = 17.5 mg THC per brownie140.5 mg / 12 servings = 11.7 mg THC per browniePlease remember that these are rough guidelines and that your mileage may vary. It's always better to underdose than overdose.The first mistake newbie edibles bakers make is forgetting to decarboxylate (or decarb) their cannabis. Not doing so keeps precious THC locked up as THC-A, which is basically unactivated THC that has no psychoactive properties. (Though it does have other effects.) If you want to get the most out of your bud, you'll want to decarb with the following method.Heat the oven to 250°F. Spread marijuana out into an even layer on a baking sheet. Bake the marijuana, taking care not to let the marijuana go over 250° and burn (if this happens, you can lose potency). Bake for about 35-40 minutes, then remove from the oven and cool before grinding into a coarse powder. This decarboxylated weed will keep in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 2 months.
Step 3: Decarboxylate
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