Beginner’s Guide to Cooking with Cannabis

Cannabis-infused foods, commonly known as edibles, have been around for centuries. From ancient India’s bhang-infused drinks to today’s gourmet cannabis cuisine, there are endless ways to incorporate cannabis into your meals. Whether you’re looking to relax, manage pain, or simply explore a new culinary experience, cooking with cannabis can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor. This guide will cover everything you need to know as a beginner, including decarboxylation, making infusions, dosing, and essential cooking tips.

1. Understanding Decarboxylation: Unlocking the Power of Cannabis

Raw cannabis won’t get you high if you eat it. Why? Because it contains THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid), a non-psychoactive compound. Heat is required to convert THCA into THC (the psychoactive component). This process is called decarboxylation.

How to Decarboxylate Cannabis

• Preheat your oven to 220°F (105°C).
• Break apart cannabis buds into small pieces but avoid grinding too fine.
• Spread evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Bake for 30–45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure even heating.
• Cool before use – it’s now ready for infusions.

2. Making Cannabis Infusions: The Key to Edibles

Cannabis is fat-soluble, meaning it binds well with fats like butter and oils. Instead of adding raw cannabis to food, you should infuse it into a fat source.

Cannabis Butter (Cannabutter) Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup water
• 7–10 grams of decarboxylated cannabis

Instructions:

• In a saucepan, melt butter with water on low heat.
• Stir in the decarboxylated cannabis.
• Simmer on low heat for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally (Do not exceed 200°F/93°C).
• Strain through a cheesecloth into a container.
• Cool and refrigerate.

Cannabis Oil Recipe (Coconut or Olive Oil)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut/olive oil
• 7–10 grams of decarboxylated cannabis

Instructions:

• Heat oil in a slow cooker or saucepan over low heat.
• Add cannabis and stir occasionally for 2–3 hours.
• Strain using cheesecloth and store in a sealed jar.

"Remember: Always start low, go slow, and enjoy responsibly!"

3. Dosing: Start Low, Go Slow

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is consuming too much cannabis in their edibles. Unlike smoking, where effects are immediate, edibles take 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in because they must be digested first.

How to Calculate Doses

• If you use 10 grams of cannabis (at 15% THC), you have 1500 mg of THC in total.
• If your butter/oil makes 30 servings, each serving has 50 mg THC.
• Beginner dose: Start with 5 mg THC (1/10th of a full-strength dose) and wait at least 2 hours before consuming more.

4. Cooking with Cannabis: Dos and Don’ts

Now that you have infused butter or oil, you can add it to any recipe! But keep these key tips in mind:

Do’s:

• Use low heat: Avoid exceeding 300°F (150°C) to preserve THC potency.
• Mix evenly: Stir well to ensure every bite has an equal dose.
• Pair with strong flavors: Cannabis can have an earthy taste, so mix with chocolate, spices, or citrus.
• Store properly: Keep edibles in airtight containers, away from children and pets.

Don’ts:

• Don’t cook directly with raw cannabis: It won’t activate THC properly.
• Don’t overconsume: Effects take time, so be patient.
• Don’t mix with alcohol: This can intensify the effects and lead to discomfort.

5. Easy Cannabis Recipes for Beginners

Cannabis-Infused Brownies

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cannabutter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ⅓ cup cocoa powder
• ½ cup flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp baking powder

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
• Mix cannabutter and sugar, then add eggs and vanilla.
• Stir in cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder.
• Pour into a greased baking pan.
• Bake for 20–25 minutes.
• Cool and enjoy in small portions!

Cannabis Tea

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp loose-leaf tea (or a tea bag)
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 tsp cannabis-infused coconut oil
• Honey or milk (optional)

Instructions:

• Steep tea in hot water for 5 minutes
• Stir in cannabis-infused coconut oil.
• Add honey or milk if desired.
• Sip and relax!

6. Storing and Labeling Your Edibles

Cannabis-infused foods can be very potent, so proper storage is important.

• Use airtight containers: Keeps potency intact.
• Label everything: Clearly mark cannabis-infused items.
• Keep out of reach of children: Store safely to avoid accidental consumption.

7. Final Thoughts: Experiment and Enjoy Responsibly

Cooking with cannabis is a fantastic way to experience its effects in a controlled and delicious manner. By understanding decarboxylation, infusions, dosing, and cooking techniques, you can create amazing edibles tailored to your preferences.

Back to Home