Edibles are one of the easiest ways to consume cannabis, and they’re tasty, too! Cannabis edibles can deliver a completely different high that lasts longer and relieves pain.
Some benefits of taking edibles include:
- Effects can last longer than inhalation
- Effects peak more slowly
- Doesn’t require any special equipment
- Doesn’t smell
- No smoking/inhaling
- Can be more helpful for pain relief
- Tastes great
You can buy a wide variety of cannabis edibles at your favorite Massachusetts dispensary, including brownies, gummies, chocolate bars, drinks, cookies, chocolate-covered coffee beans, mints, and more!
However, purchasing pre-made edibles can get expensive, especially if you need a higher dose. Plus, it’s fun to try out new recipes and get high on food you never imagined. Here’s our guide to creating your own edible cannabis products at home!
Preparing Your Cannabis To Make Edibles
Start by choosing your favorite flower from the nearest dispensary in Massachusetts. Pick a strain that corresponds to the effect you’re looking for. For instance, sativas tend to be energizing, while indicas are more relaxing.
Putting raw flower into your brownies will leave you without feeling high at all. Your cannabis will have to be activated with heat in order to release its THC. This process is called decarboxylation or decarbing.
To decarb your flower, preheat your oven to 245ºF. The temperature should not go any higher, since you want to avoid burning your bud. It’s better to decarb your cannabis low and slow.
Break your marijuana up into smaller pieces. You can do this with a grinder, food processor, or your hands. You want pieces that are smaller so they decarb correctly, but not so small that they won’t filter out with a mesh strainer.
Cover a baking sheet in parchment paper and spread out the broken up cannabis. Bake it in the oven for 30-40 minutes. Gently stir the buds every 10 minutes to make sure they bake evenly.
Keep an eye on the weed as it bakes. When it’s done, the flower will be a light to medium brown color and dry to the touch. If it starts to smell like it’s burning, pull it out.
There are a few other ways to decarb flower. You can use a slow cooker or electronic decarboxylation machine. These can be easier, but less accessible if you don’t have the right appliances.
How to Make Cannabis-Infused Butter
Once you have your decarbed cannabis, you can use it to create cannabutter. This classic substance can be used in either sweet or savory dishes.
This recipe makes one cup (or two sticks) of cannabis-infused butter. It’s super simple!
Melt the Butter
Start with two sticks of unsalted butter. Put them in a saucepan over low heat. Add a cup of water to help regulate the temperature and keep the cannabutter from scorching.
Add the Herb
Once the butter is fully melted, add your decarbed cannabis. The pieces should be small, but not so small they’ll go through a strainer.
For this recipe, we recommend using one cup of ground cannabis. That should equal about seven to nine grams of weed from your local recreational dispensary.
Simmer
Your cannabutter will need to simmer for two to three hours to reach its top potency. Keep the temperature between 160-200ºF. It should never come to a boil!
Strain
Once your butter is ready, use a mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the bits of weed. Pour the liquid butter into the strainer over a glass jar. Don’t squeeze it, as this can add chlorophyll to your butter, which makes it taste bad. You can discard the plant material once you’re done.
Refrigerate
At the end of this process, you’ll have a jar of melted cannabutter. It will need to harden before you can use it to make baked goods. Let it solidify overnight. If you don’t have that much time, you should wait at least three to four hours before use.
You might notice that a small amount of water forms at the bottom of your jar. That’s okay! Just remove the solid butter with a knife and drain the water out.
You’ll be left with cannabutter that you can use to make cannabis baked goods and other edibles!
How to Make Cannabis Oil
Cannabis oil is an alternative to cannabutter. It works better in some recipes, especially candy.
You can use a variety of cooking oils as your base. Coconut oil is best for making a THC infusion. However, it can have a lingering taste that doesn’t work for every recipe. You can also use olive oil or vegetable oil.
Start by decarboxylating your weed from your favorite dispensary in Massachusetts using the same method as above, then follow the rest of the instructions.
Set up a Double Boiler
It’s very important that your oil doesn’t burn during this process. The best way to do that is by using a double boiler.
If you don’t have a double boiler, it’s easy to make one. Fill a pot halfway with water, then put a glass or metal bowl on top. Make sure the bowl fits in the pot without touching the water.
Heat the double boiler on your stove’s lowest setting.
Add the Oil & Cannabis
Once the water in the pot is simmering, add your oil to the bowl. Many recipes start with one cup. Keep it above the water for the entire process.
Now bring the oil to 160-180ºF. If you have a kitchen thermometer or candy thermometer, it will be easier to measure the heat.
Once it’s heated through, add the decarbed cannabis.
Steep the Mixture
The mixture needs to steep for the marijuana to incorporate into the oil. Keep the temperature between 160-180ºF and simmer for 2-4 hours. Stir the mixture occasionally.
Strain the Oil
Place a metal strainer or cheesecloth over an empty mason jar. A cheesecloth is best if you want a clearer color.
Pour the mixture through the cheesecloth. This will remove the decarbed cannabis from the oil. Remove the cannabis from the cloth and pour the oil over again. Do this at least three times for the purest results.
Now you’re left with cannabis infused oil!
7 Awesome Cannabis Edible Recipes
Once you have your cannabutter or infused oil, it’s time to use it to make some baked goods!
Some of our favorite edibles recipes are:
- Weed brownies
- Gummies
- Blueberry pancakes
- Chili
- Shrimp and grits
- Salsa
- Hollandaise sauce
- Potato salad
- Nut butter
Each recipe will have different measurements and guidelines. It’s best not to start with a brownie mix or other pre-made mix, since cannabis can change a recipe substantially. No matter what food you’re in the mood for, you can find an infused recipe. You’ll love cooking with cannabis!
Find Cannabis Edibles at Gage Cannabis Co in Massachusetts
Ready to try making homemade cannabis edibles for yourself? Visit Gage Cannabis Co, the premier weed dispensary in Ayer, Massachusetts!
We stock some of the best cannabis edibles in Massachusetts, including:
- Brownies
- Cookies
- Gummies
- Chocolate bars
- Mints
- Drinks
- Chocolate-covered coffee beans
Check out our dispensary menu to find the best flower and place your first order with Gage today!