Cannabutter (cannabis-infused butter) is one of the easiest and most versatile ways to enjoy the effects of cannabis in edible form. Whether you’re new to cooking with cannabis or just want to know how to make cannabutter from scratch, this guide will walk you through the entire process, step by step.

What is Cannabutter?

Cannabutter is simply butter that has been infused with the active compounds in cannabis, primarily THC and CBD. It can be used in place of regular butter in your favorite recipes to create edibles like brownies, cookies, or even savory dishes.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup of butter (unsalted is best, but salted works too)
• 1 cup of ground cannabis flower (roughly 7-10 grams; the amount can vary depending on your desired potency)
• 1 cup of water (optional, but helps prevent the butter from burning)
• Cheesecloth or fine strainer
• A saucepan or double boiler
• A container to store the finished cannabutter

Step 1: Decarboxylate the Cannabis

Before infusing your butter, you need to decarboxylate (decarb) the cannabis. This process activates the THC and CBD so that they become effective when ingested. Without this step, the cannabinoids won’t have their full psychoactive or medicinal effects.

1. Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C). This temperature ensures the cannabinoids are activated without burning off the potency.
2. Break up your cannabis into small pieces using your hands or a grinder, but don’t make it too fine. Spread it evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Bake the cannabis for 30-40 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. The cannabis should turn a light brown or golden color. Be careful not to let it get too dark or burnt.
4. After baking, remove the cannabis from the oven and let it cool. Your cannabis is now decarboxylated and ready for infusion.

Step 2: Melt the Butter

Now that your cannabis is decarbed, it’s time to infuse it into butter.

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. You can also use a double boiler to reduce the risk of burning the butter.
2. Once the butter is melted, add 1 cup of water (optional). Water helps regulate the temperature of the butter and prevents it from scorching. As the butter cooks, the water will evaporate, so don’t worry about it diluting the final product.

Step 3: Add the Decarboxylated Cannabis

Once the butter has melted and the water is simmering, it’s time to add the cannabis.

1. Stir in the ground cannabis slowly, making sure it’s evenly mixed into the butter.
2. Keep the heat on low, and let the mixture simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Do not let it boil, as high heat can destroy the cannabinoids. The ideal temperature for infusion is between 160-200°F (70-95°C).
3. During this time, the THC and CBD will bind to the fats in the butter. The longer it simmers, the more thoroughly the cannabinoids will infuse, but be careful not to overcook it.

Step 4: Strain the Cannabutter

After 2-3 hours, the infusion is complete. Now it’s time to strain out the plant material from the butter.

1. Place a cheesecloth or fine strainer over a container or bowl. Slowly pour the cannabutter mixture through the cheesecloth to separate the butter from the plant material.
2. Once all the butter has been strained, gently press or squeeze the cheesecloth to extract every last drop of butter. Be careful not to squeeze too hard, as this can push plant particles into the butter.
3. Discard the leftover plant material in the cheesecloth.

Step 5: Cool and Store the Cannabutter

Now that your cannabutter is strained, it’s ready to cool and solidify.

1. Let the cannabutter cool to room temperature. If you added water, the butter and water will separate as the mixture cools. Once fully cooled, the butter will solidify at the top, and the water can be drained off.
2. Transfer the cannabutter to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Cannabutter can last up to two weeks in the fridge or six months in the freezer.

Step 6: Dosage and Cooking with Cannabutter

Understanding potency is crucial when cooking with cannabutter. The potency of your butter will depend on the strength of your cannabis and how much you used. If you’re new to edibles, start with a small amount to test the effects.

• Start low and go slow: Use a small amount of cannabutter in your recipes, and wait 1-2 hours after consuming the edible to gauge the effects before eating more.
• Cannabutter can be substituted for regular butter in most recipes, but be mindful of overheating it. High temperatures (above 350°F) can degrade the THC and reduce the potency of your edibles.

Tips for Success

1. Quality of cannabis: The quality of your cannabis will directly affect the potency of your cannabutter. Using higher-quality flower or adding concentrates like hash can increase potency.
2. Consistent stirring: Stir the mixture occasionally while it’s infusing to ensure an even distribution of cannabinoids throughout the butter.
3. Experiment with flavors: Cannabis can have an earthy taste that may come through in the final product. To counter this, try using the cannabutter in recipes with strong flavors like chocolate, spices, or citrus.

Conclusion

Making cannabutter is a simple and effective way to create homemade edibles. With just a few basic ingredients and some patience, you can infuse butter with cannabis and use it in a wide range of recipes. Remember to always start with small doses when consuming homemade edibles, as the effects can be stronger and last longer than smoking or vaping.