How to Make Cannabis Coconut Oil
Want a vegan alternative to cannabutter for an infused recipe you’re trying out? Or maybe you want a base for a variety of skin and self-care products. Whatever you’re going for, cannabis coconut oil might be your solution.
July 13, 2020
So let’s get to it.
Ingredients and supplies for cannabis coconut oil
The process of making cannabis coconut oil is pretty straightforward. You don’t need any fancy items or tools to produce a potent and versatile oil. Here’s what you’ll need:
- ¼ oz of cannabis (aka 7 grams) – you may add more or less to suit your desired potency
- 1 cup of coconut oil
- Mason jar with a secure lid (make sure it can hold at least one cup of oil)
- Saucepan
- Cookie sheet
- Parchment paper
- Grinder
- Large spoon
- Cheesecloth or fine strainer
- Airtight container for storage
We like to keep our recipes adjustable. If you are worried that the ratio of ¼ ounce of cannabis to one cup of oil will be too strong, add less. The cannabis coconut oil will work regardless of if you put 3, 7, or even 10 grams in. Of course, the more you add, the stronger it will get. Start slow if you don’t know what to expect.
See Related: How To Read Cannabis Product Labels
Steps to make cannabis coconut oil
The first thing you need to do when making cannabis coconut oil is to decarboxylate the cannabis. This is how you activate the THC to ensure that the cannabis coconut oil gets you high. If you skip over this step, your oil may not get you high.
- Step 1: Decarboxylate your cannabis
First, preheat the oven to 230 degree Fahrenheit. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Now, grind your cannabis into small chunks. Do not grind it super fine. You want to leave a bit of chunkiness for the best results.
Carefully spread the ground cannabis across the lined cookie sheet until it is evenly distributed.
Put the cookie sheet into the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes. Check every now and again to ensure the bud does not get too toasty or burn.
- Step 2: Add coconut oil to the mason jar
This step is very straightforward. While you’re waiting for the weed to decarboxylate, add the cup of coconut oil to the mason jar.
- Step 3: Add water to the saucepan and bring to medium/high
Fill the saucepan with water and bring the heat to medium/high.
You want the water to reach a rapid simmer without ever boiling.
- Step 4: Add your buds to the jar
When 35-45 minutes have passed and your weed looks toasty but not burnt, it’s time to pull it out. You can immediately dump the contents of the cookie sheet into the mason jar with the coconut oil. Make sure you shut the lid tightly at this point.
- Step 5: Place the jar in the hot water
Carefully set the jar in the hot water to let it heat up. Once you’ve placed it in the water, you can lower the heat slightly to ensure it doesn’t get too hot. Leave the temperature comfortably between medium and high to keep a nice simmer going.
- Step 6: Leave in the water for at least three hours
You need to leave the mason jar with cannabis coconut oil in the simmering water for at least three hours. For this reason, some people prefer to use a crockpot rather than a saucepan. Feel free to use a crockpot on high heat to accomplish this recipe with less supervision. If you choose to use a crockpot, you may need to leave the jar in for longer depending on how hot it gets.
- Step 7: Remove from the saucepan and strain into an airtight container
Take the jar out of the saucepan and prepare an airtight container to store your new cannabis coconut oil.
Open the lid and begin straining the oil through a cheesecloth, mesh strainer, or similar fine strainer that can accommodate cannabis buds.
Make sure you get all of the oil out and then place the lid on the airtight container.
You’re done! The oil’s shelf-life is about two months, but this can be extended with refrigeration.
What to use cannabis coconut oil for
Now that you’ve made the coconut oil, you may be wondering the best ways to use it. Well, the options are endless. Most recipes that call for butter or coconut oil can be replaced with this cannabis coconut oil. Additionally, any recipe calling for cannabutter can easily be swapped out with this dairy free option.
Several of these stoner lunch recipes can be made by swapping out the cannabutter with cannabis coconut oil. The same goes for these homemade cannabis chocolates. The results will be delicious and potent either way.
You don’t want to use cannabis coconut oil for recipes that will end up scorching the oil. We do not recommend adding the oil to a pan and bringing it to an extremely high heat for frying, as an example. That can destroy the THC and prevent its effects.
You can also use cannabis coconut oil for a variety of topicals and skin products. Many people opt to make homemade salves and lotions with their oil. Coconut oil is great for skin and the added effects of the THC make it a powerful product.
Bonus: How Long Do Cannabis Seeds Last?
Cannabis coconut oil is versatile
As we’ve discussed, cannabis coconut oil can be used for a variety of purposes. You’re not going to run out of uses with a little bit of creativity.
However, it’s also very adaptable. You don’t have to add seven grams of cannabis to one cup. You can add just three, and have a much less potent solution. Or you can add 10 grams and make a much more potent solution.
Similarly, you can reach for many different potencies to get the perfect cannabis coconut oil. Make sure you check out how much THC your buds have before you begin. You can always ask one of our friendly budtenders at our Bellingham dispensary or Spokane weed shop how much THC a product contains. We can give you a good idea of how strong your oil may turn out.
You can even choose CBD flower to make a non-intoxicating product!
Whatever you do, we have a feeling you’re going to fall in love with this cannabis coconut oil.
Keep Reading: How To Get Rid Of The Smell Of Weed
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