How to make cannabis butter (cannabutter): Step-by-step guide

Cannabutter, also known as cannabis butter, is a staple in creating homemade edibles, offering a versatile way to infuse cannabis into your favorite recipes. Whether you’re looking to bake cannabis-infused brownies, cookies, or even savory dishes, learning how to make cannabutter is the first step. Below, we provide a comprehensive guide on how to make cannabutter at home, covering essential techniques, tips, and answers to frequently asked questions.

What is cannabutter?

Cannabutter is regular butter that’s been infused with cannabinoids like THC and CBD, extracted from marijuana. When consumed, it delivers the psychoactive effects of cannabis, making it an excellent option for edible recipes. Unlike smoking or vaping cannabis, edibles tend to have delayed but prolonged effects.

Why make cannabis butter?

Cannabis butter allows you to enjoy the benefits of cannabis in a smoke-free and discreet manner. Plus, it’s highly customizable—you control the potency, the strain, and the amount used in your recipes.

Ingredients and tools needed for making cannabutter

Before diving into the process, gather the following ingredients and tools to ensure a smooth cooking experience.

Ingredients

• 7 grams of cannabis flower (or adjust depending on your desired potency)
• 1 cup of unsalted butter (or clarified butter for a cleaner taste)
• 1 cup of water

Tools

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Medium saucepan or slow cooker
• Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
• Mason jar or airtight container

Step 1: Decarboxylating the cannabis

The first and most important step when making cannabutter is decarboxylation. This process activates the cannabinoids (THC and CBD) in the cannabis, making them bioavailable, meaning your body can absorb and process them effectively when ingested.

How to decarboxylate cannabis:

1. Preheat the oven to 240°F (115°C).
2. Break up the cannabis buds into small, even pieces. Avoid grinding them too finely.
3. Spread the cannabis evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure even heating. The cannabis should turn a light brown color.
5. Cool the cannabis for 5-10 minutes. After cooling, it’s ready for infusion.

Decarboxylation is crucial, as skipping this step means your cannabutter will lack potency, rendering the THC or CBD inactive.

Step 2: Infusing cannabis into butter

Once your cannabis is decarboxylated, the next step is to infuse it into butter. The fat in the butter will bind to the activated cannabinoids.

How to infuse cannabis into butter:

1. Melt the butter: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of butter with 1 cup of water. Heat on low until the butter melts.
2. Add the cannabis: Once the butter has melted, add your decarboxylated cannabis to the mixture.
3. Simmer on low heat: Let the mixture simmer on low heat for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Make sure the temperature doesn’t exceed 200°F (93°C), as this could degrade the cannabinoids.
4. Strain the mixture: After simmering, strain the butter mixture through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer into a glass container, squeezing out as much liquid as possible.
5. Cool the butter: Let the mixture cool and then refrigerate. The butter will solidify, and any excess water can be drained off.

How to store cannabutter

Once your cannabutter is ready, store it properly in a jar to preserve its potency and flavor.

• Refrigerate: Cannabutter will last for 2 to 3 weeks in the fridge when stored in an airtight container.
• Freeze: If you’re not planning to use it right away, canna butter can be frozen for up to 6 months. Use a well-sealed container to prevent freezer burn.

How to use marijuana butter

Cannabutter can be used in various sweet and savory dishes. The most common use is for baking, where it can be substituted for regular butter in recipes like brownies, cookies, and cakes. For savory recipes, you can add cannabis butter to sauces, sautés, or even drizzle it on top of dishes like mashed potatoes or pasta.

Dosing tips for cannabis butter

When cooking with cannabutter, it’s crucial to manage the dosage correctly to avoid overconsumption.

1. Test the potency: Start with a small amount of your marijuana butter (about ¼ teaspoon) and wait at least 1 to 2 hours before consuming more. This allows you to gauge its strength.
2. Calculate the dosage: If using 7 grams of cannabis with 1 cup of butter, each tablespoon of cannabutter will have approximately 28 mg of THC (depending on the potency of the strain). Adjust accordingly based on your tolerance and desired effects.

Frequently asked questions about cannabis butter

How much cannabutter does 7g of cannabis make?

Using 7 grams of cannabis and 1 cup of butter typically yields about 1 cup of potent cannabutter, depending on how much you strain out. This should be enough to bake a batch of brownies or cookies with moderate THC levels.

Can you freeze cannabutter?

Yes, cannabutter can be frozen for up to 6 months without losing potency. Use an airtight container or portion the butter into silicone molds for easy use later.

How long is cannabutter good for?

When stored properly in the fridge, cannabis butter can last 2-3 weeks. If frozen, it can maintain its potency for up to 6 months.

Can cannabis butter absorb through the skin?

No, cannabutter is not absorbed through the skin in the same way it is ingested. While some cannabis topicals can penetrate the skin, cannabutter is not designed for this purpose.

Can you buy cannabutter?

Weed butter is available at some dispensaries in countries where cannabis is legal. However, the availability varies by region and dispensary, so it’s essential to check local dispensary menus.

Conclusion

Learning how to make cannabis butter opens up a world of possibilities for creating your own cannabis-infused dishes. By mastering the steps of decarboxylation and infusion, you can control the potency and flavor of your cannabutter, making it a versatile ingredient in both sweet and savory recipes. Always remember to dose cautiously and store your cannabutter properly to maintain its quality.