How to Make Your Own Cannabis-Infused Butter and Oils at Home

Cannabis-infused butter and oils are versatile ingredients used in various recipes, from baked goods to savory dishes. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cannabis consumer, making your own cannabis butter (often called "cannabutter") or cannabis oil at home is a simple process that can enhance your cooking experience while offering the benefits of cannabis in a delicious form.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the easy steps to make both cannabis-infused butter and oil, the differences between them, and tips for dosage and storage.

Why Make Cannabis-Infused Butter or Oil?

Cannabis-infused butter and oils allow you to enjoy the benefits of cannabis without smoking or vaping. By using cannabis in cooking, you can create edibles that offer longer-lasting effects and more controlled dosing. Additionally, infusing cannabis into fat (like butter or oil) helps your body absorb cannabinoids more efficiently.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

To make cannabis-infused butter or oil, you don’t need any fancy equipment. The basic ingredients and tools include:

  • Cannabis: Choose a strain with your desired effects (THC for psychoactive effects, CBD for therapeutic benefits, or a combination of both).
  • Butter or Oil: For butter, unsalted is best. For oil, coconut or olive oil works great.
  • Grinder: To break down the cannabis.
  • Baking sheet: For decarboxylation.
  • Saucepan or slow cooker: To infuse the butter or oil.
  • Cheesecloth or strainer: To filter out plant material.

Step 1: Decarboxylation (Activating the Cannabis)

Before infusing cannabis into butter or oil, it must go through a process called decarboxylation. This step activates the cannabinoids (like THC and CBD), so they are effective when consumed.

How to Decarboxylate Cannabis:

  1. Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C).
  2. Grind the cannabis into small, even pieces (don’t over-grind it into powder).
  3. Spread the ground cannabis evenly on a baking sheet.
  4. Bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure even heating.
  5. Remove from the oven and let the cannabis cool before using it in your infusion.

Step 2: Making Cannabis-Infused Butter

Cannabutter is a staple in most cannabis-infused recipes. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of unsalted butter
  • 1 cup of water
  • 7-10 grams of decarboxylated cannabis

Instructions:

  1. In a saucepan, melt the butter with water over low heat (the water prevents the butter from burning).
  2. Once melted, add your decarboxylated cannabis to the mixture.
  3. Simmer on low heat (160-200°F or 70-95°C) for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Do not let it boil.
  4. After simmering, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth into a container to remove plant material.
  5. Let the cannabutter cool at room temperature, then refrigerate until solid.

Your cannabis butter is now ready to use in any recipe that calls for regular butter!

Step 3: Making Cannabis-Infused Oil

Cannabis-infused oil is great for making healthier cannabis edibles or as a base for topical creams.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of coconut or olive oil
  • 7-10 grams of decarboxylated cannabis

Instructions:

  1. In a saucepan, heat the oil over low heat.
  2. Add the decarboxylated cannabis to the oil.
  3. Simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Again, avoid boiling.
  4. After simmering, strain the oil through a cheesecloth into a container.
  5. Allow it to cool and store in a glass jar.

Cannabis-infused oil can be used for cooking, in salad dressings, or as a base for homemade skincare products!

Dosage Tips

Edibles, especially those made at home, can have varying potencies. To avoid consuming too much, start with a small amount and wait at least two hours to feel the full effects before consuming more. A common starting dose is 5-10 milligrams of THC, but you can adjust based on your tolerance and desired effects.

Storage

Both cannabis butter and oil should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Properly stored, cannabutter can last up to a month, while cannabis oil can last several months. You can also freeze cannabutter to extend its shelf life further.

Cooking with Cannabis Butter and Oil

You can use cannabis-infused butter and oil in nearly any recipe that calls for regular butter or oil. From cookies and brownies to sautéed vegetables, these infusions will add a subtle cannabis flavor along with their therapeutic effects. Just be mindful of the temperature—cooking at high heat can degrade cannabinoids, so try to keep your cooking temperature below 350°F (175°C).

Final Thoughts

Making cannabis-infused butter and oil at home is a rewarding way to incorporate cannabis into your lifestyle. Whether you’re making edibles for relaxation, pain relief, or just to enjoy, learning how to infuse cannabis into butter or oil gives you control over dosage and ingredients. Plus, it’s fun!

Experiment with different strains, dosages, and recipes to find what works best for you. Always consume responsibly, especially when it comes to homemade edibles, and enjoy the process of creating your own cannabis-infused creations!