With medical marijuana and its benefits becoming more accepted across the United States, it’s no surprise that more people are becoming curious about cooking with cannabis. While cannabutter is one of the most popular ways to cook with cannabis, coconut oil is a great alternative, especially for those who are lactose intolerant or are looking for a vegan option.
The Benefits of Using Coconut Oil When Cooking with Cannabis
Coconut oil is a great option for cooking with cannabis for a few reasons. First, coconut oil is high in saturated fat, which helps to bind medical marijuana’s THC to the oil. Coconut oil is also a great choice if you’re looking for a healthier option than butter, as it is lower in calories and cholesterol.
Additionally, the effects of edibles may last longer than smoking or vaporizing cannabis. This allows you to consume less cannabis overall and receive long-lasting medicinal benefits such as:
- Pain relief
- Stress reduction
- Improved sleep
- Anti-inflammatory effects
Supplies Needed to Make Cannabis Coconut Oil
Before you can start making your edibles and receiving the benefits of cannabis coconut oil, you’ll need to gather a few supplies. With all these supplies at your disposal, you’ll be able to make a batch of cannabis coconut oil to use in your favorite editable creations.
For this recipe, you will need:
- 1 cup of coconut oil
- Baking sheet
- Aluminum foil
- Mason jar or other airtight container
- Strainer or cheesecloth
- 7 to 14 grams of cannabis (ground)
- Scale
- Saucepan or slow cooker
*Additional Information
- Cook Time– 3 hours
- Prep Time– 1 hour
- Total Time– 4 hours
- Calories– 1 cup = 1,879 calories
- Recipe Yield – 1 cup
Dosing Your Cannabis Coconut Oil
If you are new to using cannabis or have never made edibles before, it’s important to start with a low dose and increase as needed. Using a dosage calculator may help determine how much cannabis to use. However, if you do not have access to a dosage calculator, making an accurate estimate is still possible.
To understand the dosage of your edibles, you will need to know the percentage of THC in the cannabis you are using. This can be done by asking your medical marijuana dispensary. They will be able to tell you how potent the cannabis is that you are purchasing.
For this recipe, it is assumed that cannabis has a THC percentage of around 15%. Each gram of cannabis weighs 1000mg. With this in mind, one gram of cannabis will result in 150mg of THC in your cannabis coconut oil.
Once you know how many milligrams of THC are in your ground cannabis, you can estimate the dosage of each serving by dividing the total milligrams of THC by the number of servings you want to make.
Making Cannabis Coconut Oil
Now that you have all the supplies you need and know a little bit more about dosing, you’re ready to make your own cannabis coconut oil. To make this recipe, simply follow these steps:
Step 1: Decarboxylate Your Medical Cannabis
First, weigh out your cannabis on the scale and grind it into small pieces using a grinder. Then, spread out an even layer of ground cannabis onto a baking sheet. Evenly spreading out the cannabis is important so that it decarboxylates evenly.
Preheat your oven to 240 degrees Fahrenheit and cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place in the oven and let it bake for 45 minutes. Afterward, take out the baking sheet and let it cool down to room temperature.
Step 2: Combine Coconut Oil and Ground Cannabis
Once your cannabis has cooled, it’s time to combine it with coconut oil. To do this, place your decarboxylated cannabis and coconut oil into a mason jar and stir gently. Next, add the lid to the airtight jar and ensure no water can enter during the infusion process.
Step 3: Infuse the Coconut Oil
Now it’s time to infuse coconut oil with cannabis. If you are using a slow cooker, place the mason jar into the cooker, and fill it with room temperature water until the jar is submerged. Set the slow cooker to “low” and let it cook for three to six hours. Be sure to shake or stir the jar occasionally during this process.
Step 4: Strain Mixture
Once you are done infusing the coconut oil with cannabis, remove the jar from the slow cooker using oven mitts and let it cool to room temperature. Once cooled, find a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth and place it over another bowl. Slowly pour the cannabis coconut oil mixture into the strainer to remove any pieces of cannabis. Next, pour the infused cannabis back into the jar and tighten the lid for storage.
Step 5: Enjoy
You are now ready to use your cannabis coconut oil in any recipe you desire. As always, start with a small amount to determine the potency of your edibles and enjoy.
How to Store Your Cannabis Coconut Oil
Once you’ve made your cannabis coconut oil, it’s essential to store it properly to maintain its potency and freshness. The best way to do this is by keeping it in a dark and cool place, such as a pantry or cupboard. You may also store it in the fridge, but this isn’t necessary. Keeping it in an airtight container is also important. If stored properly, your cannabis coconut oil may last up to six months.
Ways to Use Cannabis Coconut Oil
Some of the best ways to use cannabis coconut oil include:
- Baking: Use in any recipe that calls for butter or vegetable oil.
- Cooking: Use in place of butter or vegetable oil when cooking on the stovetop.
- Topical ointments: Mix with other ingredients to make your own topical ointments for pain relief or skin conditions.
- In your coffee or tea: Add a teaspoon of cannabis coconut oil to your morning coffee or tea for an extra boost.
Cannabis coconut oil is versatile, easy to make, and extremely shelf-stable. With this recipe, you can be sure to enjoy your cannabis coconut oil for months to come in any way you desire.
Visit a Florida Medical Marijuana Doctor
If you’re a Florida resident interested in trying medical marijuana, take our qualification survey or schedule an appointment with Medical Marijuana Treatment Clinics of Florida today. We will determine if you are eligible for treatment and help you get started on the path to healing.
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