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Making Cannabutter: Step-by-Step Guide for Perfect Cannabutter

Blocks of cannabis butter on a wooden cutting board, surrounded by cannabis buds and wrapped in parchment paper, with a natural outdoor background

Have you ever tried making cannabutter for the first time and ended up with a complete mess? That was me and my ex-partner, diving into the process with high hopes and zero cheesecloth. What we ended up with was a lumpy, grassy concoction that tasted more like lawn clippings than anything remotely delicious.

Don’t even get me started on us learning what we could and couldn’t do in the kitchen with cannabutter—that’s a story for another time. But that kitchen disaster taught us the importance of proper straining and equipment. Through trial and error, we also discovered that ghee can be an excellent alternative for those looking for a richer, nuttier flavor (and yes, it works for cannabutter!).

In this guide, I’ll walk you through foolproof steps to make perfect cannabis-infused butter at home. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a curious newbie, I’ve got you covered. Let’s make sure your edibles are delicious, potent, and, most importantly, smooth—no grassy mess included!

What is Cannabutter?

Cannabutter is simply butter that has been infused with cannabis, turning it into a versatile ingredient that elevates any dish. Whether you’re whipping up some brownies, making a savory pasta, or just spreading it on toast, cannabutter allows you to enjoy the benefits of cannabis in a tasty, discreet way.

The Basics:

Cannabutter is made by gently heating cannabis with butter, allowing the cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) to bind to the fat molecules in the butter. This creates a potent, infused butter that can be used in place of regular butter in any recipe.

Why Use Cannabutter?

  • Consistency: Edibles provide a consistent and long-lasting effect, unlike smoking or vaping.
  • Discreet Consumption: You can add cannabutter to almost any dish, making it a subtle way to consume cannabis.
  • Versatility: From sweet treats to savory dishes, cannabutter can do it all.

Fun Fact: Did you know that cannabutter can also be made using ghee, which is a clarified butter? Ghee has a higher fat content and richer flavor, making it perfect for infusing cannabis and enhancing the taste of your edibles!

Making cannabutter not only lets you enjoy cannabis in a delicious way but also gives you control over the dosage and strength of your edibles. You can tailor your cannabutter to be as potent or mild as you like, making it perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients and Equipment

Now that you know what cannabutter is, let’s dive into what you’ll need to make it. Getting the right ingredients and equipment is crucial for a successful infusion, ensuring you end up with a smooth and potent final product.
 

Ingredients:

  • Cannabis: About 7-10 grams of high-quality flower. The better the quality, the better your cannabutter will be.
  • Unsalted Butter: 1 cup. Using unsalted butter helps you control the flavor of your final product. (You can also use ghee for a richer, nuttier flavor.)
  • Water: 1 cup to help with the infusion process and prevent the butter from burning.

Equipment:

  • Saucepan: For melting the butter and infusing the cannabis. Make sure it’s large enough to hold all your ingredients comfortably.
  • Mixing Bowl: To hold the infused butter after straining.
  • Cheesecloth: Essential for straining out the plant material and getting a smooth final product.
  • Storage Container: To store your finished cannabutter. An airtight container works best to keep it fresh.

Pro Tip: Have a Magical Butter machine or thinking about an infusion machine? These products can streamline the process and ensure a consistent, high-quality result. Check out my affiliate post on the Magical Butter machine to see how it can make your cannabutter making experience even easier.

What is Decarboxylation?

Decarboxylation is the process of heating cannabis to convert THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) into THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) into CBD (cannabidiol). These active compounds are what give cannabis its effects.

How to Decarboxylate Your Cannabis

  1. Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 240°F (115°C). This is the optimal temperature for decarboxylation without burning your cannabis.
  2. Prepare Your Cannabis: Break up your cannabis into small, even pieces. You don’t need to grind it too fine, just enough to spread it out evenly.
  3. Bake the Cannabis: Spread the cannabis pieces evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 30-40 minutes, gently turning the cannabis with a spatula halfway through to ensure even heating. The cannabis should turn a light golden brown.
  4. Cool Down: Remove the cannabis from the oven and let it cool. Your decarboxylated cannabis is now ready for infusion.

Making the Cannabutter

Now that your cannabis is decarboxylated, it’s time to infuse it into the butter. This process will allow the cannabinoids to bind to the fat molecules in the butter, creating a potent and versatile ingredient for your culinary adventures.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Melt the Butter:
    • In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of unsalted butter and 1 cup of water. The water helps regulate the temperature and prevents the butter from burning.
    • Heat the mixture over low heat until the butter melts completely.
  2. Add the Decarboxylated Cannabis:
    • Once the butter has melted, add your decarboxylated cannabis to the saucepan.
    • Stir gently to ensure the cannabis is evenly distributed throughout the butter.
  3. Simmer:
    • Maintain a low simmer (do not let it come to a boil) for 2-3 hours. This slow infusion process allows the cannabinoids to fully bind with the butter.
    • Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to keep the mixture evenly heated.
  4. Strain:
    • After simmering, set up your cheesecloth over a mixing bowl. Carefully pour the mixture through the cheesecloth to strain out the plant material.
    • Gather the edges of the cheesecloth and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Be cautious, as the mixture will be hot.
  5. Cool and Store:
    • Let the strained cannabutter cool to room temperature. The butter will separate from the water as it cools.
    • Once cooled, transfer the cannabutter to an airtight storage container, discarding the water layer. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for longer storage.

Tips for Making the Best Cannabutter:

  • Use High-Quality Butter: The better the butter, the better the final product. Consider using unsalted, organic butter or ghee for a richer flavor.
  • Low and Slow: Keep the heat low and simmer gently. High temperatures can destroy cannabinoids and reduce potency.
  • Proper Storage: Store your cannabutter in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer to maintain freshness and potency.

Dosage and Usage Tips

Understanding how to dose and use your cannabutter is essential for a great experience. Here’s a simple way to estimate the potency of your cannabutter and some practical tips for using it in your cooking.

Simplified Dosage Calculation

Calculate the Total THC Content:

    • THC Percentage: Check the THC percentage on your cannabis packaging.
    • Weight: Note the weight of the cannabis in grams.
    • Calculation: Multiply the weight (in grams) by 1000 to convert to milligrams, then multiply by the THC percentage.
      • Decide the number of servings you want from your cannabutter.
      • Divide the total THC content by the number of servings.

Example: If you have 7 grams of cannabis with 15% THC:

  • 7 grams x 1000= 7000mg 
  • 7000mg x 0.15 = 1050 mg of THC

Estimate THC Per Serving:

  • Decide the number of servings you want from your cannabutter.
  • Divide the total THC content by the number of servings.

Example: If you use the cannabutter to make 40 servings:

  • 1050mg/40 = 26.25mg THC per serving 

Understanding What This Means:

  • If your batch of cannabutter yields 1050 mg of THC and you divide it into 40 equal servings, each serving will contain approximately 26.25 mg of THC.
  • For Beginners: This might still be a strong dose. Beginners should start with 5-10 mg of THC per serving to gauge their tolerance. You can adjust the amount of cannabutter you use in your recipes to control the dose.

Practical Cooking Tips

Cannabutter can be used in a variety of recipes, from sweet treats to savory dishes. Here are some simple ideas:

  1. Baking with Cannabutter:
    • Substitute Wisely: Replace regular butter with cannabutter in your baking recipes. For example, if your cookie recipe calls for 1 cup of butter, you can use 1 cup of cannabutter but adjust the amount depending on your desired dosage.
    • Even Mixing: Ensure your cannabutter is evenly mixed into the batter or dough to distribute the THC evenly.
  2. Cooking Savory Dishes:
    • Infuse Oils: Cannabutter can be used in place of regular butter in cooking. Melt it over low heat and use it to sauté vegetables or stir into pasta.
    • Avoid High Heat: High temperatures can degrade THC, so cook on low to medium heat.
  3. Simple Spreads and Toppings:
    • Toast and Spreads: Spread cannabutter on toast or mix it into oatmeal for a quick and easy edible.
    • Finishing Touch: Use cannabutter as a finishing touch on popcorn or potatoes, adding it after cooking to preserve its potency.

Creating cannabutter at home can be a fun and rewarding process, allowing you to enjoy cannabis in a variety of delicious ways. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can make high-quality cannabutter that suits your preferences and needs.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Decarboxylation: Essential for activating THC and CBD in your cannabis.
  2. Infusion Process: Slow and steady wins the race—keep the heat low and simmer gently.
  3. Dosage: Calculate carefully to ensure you get the right potency for your needs.
  4. Versatility: Cannabutter can be used in a wide range of recipes, from baked goods to savory dishes.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a curious newbie, I hope this guide has provided you with valuable insights and inspiration. Happy cooking and enjoy your cannabis-infused creations!