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Category: Issue 30

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Joint Art: Beautiful Consumable Creations

November 4, 2021 Published by

Nothing gold can stay, but that’s actually a happy thought for Jaime Nacrur.

Nacrur, better known by his Instagram handle @weavers_, has carved out quite a niche for himself in the cannabis community by crafting impressively intricate, and sometimes oversized, art sculptures made completely out of flower and 24-karat gold blunt wraps.

While Weavers’ first commissions were relegated to making weapons such as guns and knives formed from tobacco wraps, the California artist has pushed the boundaries of his creativity by crafting blunts that include liquor bottles, microphones and even UFC fighting gloves.

Weavers’ astounding works of smokable art even earned him an exhibition, sponsored by Hitman Glass. The art show premiered in November 2017 at Hitman’s Los Angeles coffee house to much fanfare, and included a massive Darth Vader statue constructed out of 10 pounds of cannabis and gold blunt wraps from Shine Papers.

“I’ve been rolling blunts and making art for over 30 years,” Nacrur said. “Four years ago, I had the opportunity to combine my love for art and cannabis through my artist identity, Weavers. I immediately fell in love with the response I received from the people that appreciated my work.”

Now at the height of his popularity and success, Nacrur said he decided rolling blunts would be his primary art form when he saw the joy that it brought to others.

“In modern day society, we’re surrounded by stress and anxiety,” he said. “When I saw a group of over 100 people smiling and enjoying themselves because of my creation, I couldn’t describe how great it made me feel. Every piece of consumable art that I make has a strong positive impact on the cannabis community. A large driving force in my career is watching my work make people happy.”

Nacrur ended up on the radar of sponsors like Shine and Hitman organically at shows and through friends.

“We support each other’s brands and it is mutually beneficial for all parties,” he said, noting that he has now been commissioned to make personalized blunt creations for a number of different celebrities. “I can proudly say that these people have smoked my blunts: Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, Lil Dicky, Too $hort, Action Bronson, Lil Debbie, DJ Quick, Xzibit, Rae Sremmurd, Mally Mall, B-Real, the Diaz brothers, Sizzla, The Game and a few I can’t mention. I also made blunts for the Netflix sitcom ‘Disjointed,’ and the Viceland shows ‘Bong Appetit’ and ‘Ancient Aliens.’”

Weavers blunt Cannabis Now

After making so many works of art, he struggled to identify which one he was the most proud of, but did mention the most complicated piece he’s ever created involved making a 3D version of the logo for Captain Jack’s, a now-closed dispensary that was located in Upland, California.

When asked about the highest price he’s ever been paid for his art, Nacrur said he doesn’t do it for the money, but rather the challenge.

“I’m challenging myself and trying new things,” he said. “I’ve created my own niche.”

TELL US, have you ever seen such creative joints?

The post Joint Art: Beautiful Consumable Creations appeared first on Cannabis Now.

Microdosing Is the Future of Cannabis

August 7, 2021 Published by

As North America has settled comfortably into its recreational era, I’m thinking about the future of cannabis consumption.

While aficionados of the plant rightfully have many concerns about the pharmaceutical industry’s evolving relationship with marijuana, I’d argue that the future of cannabis is based on certain pharmacological principles — those of consistency, predictability and repeatability.

And a large part of that equation leads us to the importance, and even necessity, of microdosing cannabis.

We already know that the future of cannabis revolves around the consumers who have yet to walk into a marijuana shop. The existing ganja markets have progressed substantially — but the industry is currently looking to untapped markets for future growth.

The Santa Monica mom or Toronto dad who never got their medical marijuana recommendations but are curious about the ease a recreational shop offers in the months to come? These are the personas that marketing executives are now targeting from El Paso to Saskatoon, from San Diego to Bangor.

But how does legal cannabis appeal to this cautiously careful rookie demographic?

By offering these potential new adopters a consistent, predictable and repeatable high — the kind of pinpointed experience they’ve rarely, if ever, enjoyed from the cannabis plant.

It’s part of the beauty of cannabis, really: This is a plant, a living being, with the haphazard inconsistency that comes along with that. But now that cannabis is a government-regulated commodity and states are testing marijuana flower and pot products for potency, these growers and producers face responsibilities that black market operators never had to bother with.

Kiva’s Terra Bites contain only 5 mg THC per bite. Photo Gracie Malley for Cannabis Now

And I should know. Five years ago, I wasn’t consuming cannabis at all. I don’t smoke anything, and so my only real experiences with marijuana came from the occasional random pot brownie, all of which were just that: random. But when a friend first offered me a square of his state-regulated infused chocolate bar — with a label that explained that each break-apart piece included exactly 10 mgs of activated THC — I was immediately intrigued.

And after a number of consistent-ish experiences with that brand, where I was able to repeat my cannabis high for the first time in my life, I was immediately won over. I remember my third or fourth nibble of edible marijuana — riding that giggly high and marveling at how much fun I was having on this new-to-me substance — thinking that I suddenly and unexpectedly had a new favorite drug.

And that’s how a new adopter is won over — but I would never have come over to cannabis were it not for edibles (aka non-smokables) and, more importantly, a consistent product.

And that’s where microdosing comes in.

For most states, a single serving of edible marijuana is 10 mgs of THC. I’ve made this unpopular argument before, but that’s way too high for most people — from the new adopters dipping their toes in the water to the veteran smokers whose tolerance is inhalation-specific.

But 2.5 mgs of THC? That’s a friendlier dose. It’s still too much for some, but it’s more realistic than 10 mgs, and it also allows patients and recreational consumers to experiment more thoughtfully and carefully as they figure out their specific tolerance.

If we time-traveled back to my early experiences with state-regulated edibles in 2013, you’d find me in the kitchen with a cutting board and steak knife trying to accurately split apart a 10 mg square of chocolate into four pieces. Of course, it was an exercise in futility; The weed candy bar split evenly apart at its molded seams, but nowhere else.

I didn’t know it then, but I was microdosing — learning from a previous experience that 10 mgs was too much for me, but roughly a quarter of that was juuuuust right.

All these years later — basically decades in cannabis time — brands from California (Kiva) to Colorado (Sweet Grass Kitchen) to Washington (Willie’s Reserve) are selling microdose edibles, recognizing the new market demand for these kinds of products.

And to think that microdose edibles weren’t anywhere to be seen back when Colorado and Washington first started slinging retail cannabis back in 2014.

Microdose edibles aren’t only for the noobs.

While my general tolerance for edible marijuana was 2.5 mgs of THC back in 2013, these days it’s more in the 12.5 to 15 mgs range. You know how I know that? Because I’ve been experimenting — with a 10 mg gummy chased by a 2.5 mg (or two) chewable candy.

I know exactly how that combination will make me feel. Just as I know exactly how two hard ciders will make me feel.

And that comparison is everything.

While alcohol is certainly deadlier and more addictive than marijuana, the legal booze market has decades on legal weed — and in that time brewers and distillers have pinpointed their products’ potency, giving consumers the confidence and trust to develop loyalty to brands because of how those drinks affect them.

And that’s the next stage for the cannabis industry: Producing an intimately repeatable experience for consumers looking for that “I’ll-have-a-PBR” equivalent. And microdosing is key to this trust-building exercise, especially for the wide-open demographic awaiting their first experience with marijuana — or at least their first in a long while.

TELL US, have you tried microdosing cannabis?

The post Microdosing Is the Future of Cannabis appeared first on Cannabis Now.

Make These Delicious Cannabis-Infused Mocktail Recipes At Home

May 13, 2021 Published by

It’s entirely likely you or someone you know has made the unfortunate and all-too-easy party blunder of imbibing too much alcohol and then adding cannabis to the mix. What seems like a natural social combination of a few drinks and a few joints can quickly turn into nauseous, seemingly unending awfulness. The effects of both cannabis and alcohol can creep up on you unexpectedly, as your body interacts with the intake of chemicals at different speeds. I’ve certainly questioned on many a dark morning the plausibility of ever combining the two reliably, under any circumstances. The jury’s still out.

In the meantime, I can report firsthand that enjoying the two individually is the best plan. To take it even further, you can replace an alcoholic beverage with cannabis-infused mocktails, which is beneficial to your body, as opposed to the known havoc wreaked by alcohol. Instead of drinking a numbing poison for kicks, there is now the option of enjoying a plant that has been used throughout recorded civilization as a holistic natural medicine.

The question is, however, how can you enjoy cannabis consumption as innocuously and acceptably as drinking an alcoholic beverage?

Welcome to the world of “mocktails”: cannabis-infused drinks that are a delicious, effective and subtle alternative to an alcoholic beverage. Take extra care when drinking cannabis, as liquids are processed more quickly by your body than edibles, so you may feel the effects in as little as 10-20 minutes. Let it ride for at least 45-90 minutes before drinking more, to be on the safe side.

Remember: you can always drink more, but you cannot go back in time and drink less.

Luckily, it’s impossible to overdose on cannabis, but the effects can be unpleasant and overwhelming if too much is consumed for your personal tolerance.

Here’s a cannabis-infused simple syrup recipe to use as a base ingredient for your own homemade cannabis mocktail creations. It does take some time and patience, but is well worth the effort:

Cannabis-Infused Lemon Simple Syrup Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup filtered water
1 cup sugar
12 drops cold-pressed essential lemon oil
2 teaspoons corn syrup
1/2 gram cannabis BHO concentrate
1/2 gram (1 teaspoon) sunflower liquid lecithin (found in health food stores)

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Bring the cup of filtered water to a simmer. Add one cup of sugar (tip: slightly dampening the sugar before adding it to the simmering water will help the crystals incorporate more smoothly), 2-3 drops of essential lemon oil and 1 tsp of corn syrup. Take care not to boil the mixture, as that will alter the ratio of water-to-sugar in the syrup through evaporation.
  2. Loosely cover the saucepan with a lid, and bring the syrup mix to a simmer for 5 minutes. Do not stir, as the sugar may crystallize easily at this stage with the introduction of any foreign particulates. Set it aside to cool slightly during the next step.
  3. Heat cannabis concentrate to a steady 250º F degrees in a glass or stainless steel dish that will be big enough to later accommodate the addition of 1 cup of syrup.
  4. Continue to heat the concentrate until bubbles have stopped at maximum bubble formation, about 5 minutes. Temperatures of stoves and other variables make this step extremely unpredictable; the best way to gauge the correct time is visually. Stir the concentrate slightly with a bamboo skewer while heating to ensure even decarboxylation.
  5. Thin the cannabis oil with 10 drops of essential lemon oil and 1 tsp corn syrup. Mix thoroughly.
  6. Add 1 tsp sunflower liquid lecithin to the cannabis oil mixture. Stir thoroughly while heating at 175º F for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
  7. Quickly add the 1 cup of simple syrup to the warm cannabis oil mixture, stirring vigorously to incorporate the oil mixture into the syrup.
  8. Heat the syrup to 160º F. Using a wet pastry brush to keep sides free of crystals, keep an eye on the mixture and stir with a very clean whisk periodically to break up the foam. This is the most difficult step, as it can take up to 3 hours for the oil to be fully dissolved. Patience and low heat are key to the success of this emulsion while avoiding the further decarboxylation of the cannabis oil.
  9. When the oil has dissipated to a sheen of droplets, remove the syrup from the heat and cool slightly before stirring. Stir vigorously and steadily with a clean whisk.
  10. Pour the now infused-syrup into an air-tight container. (Tip: Use a spatula to ensure you fully scrape the sides of all the infused goodness.)
  11. Label clearly, and store up to one week in a dark, cool place. If the infused syrup does separate or crystallize, don’t worry, it can easily be mixed up again by simply stirring, and can be reheated gently, as needed.

Dosage: If your BHO potency is 70 percent THC (700 mg), one half-gram would then contain around 350 mg THC. With 16 tablespoons in each cup of infused syrup, a single tablespoon would contain approximately 22 mg of THC.

Three Cannabis-Infused Mocktail Recipes

Cannabis-Infused Rosemary Cucumber Ginger Beer

Rosemary, Cucumber & Cannabis Ginger Beer Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

1 liter (4 cups) of ginger beer
1/2 cup cannabis-infused lemon simple syrup
1 cucumber, sliced
2 sprigs of rosemary, slightly crushed
Ice, extra rosemary sprigs and a fresh cannabis fan leaf for garnish, if available

makes 4 servings at a 44 mg dose per mocktail

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Add all the ingredients into a jug and stir.
  2. Cover and refrigerate for between 2-4 hours.
  3. Serve over ice, and garnish with extra rosemary sprigs and a fan leaf or two. Share and enjoy!

 

Cannabis-Infused Mojito Mocktail

Cannabis-Infused Mojito Mocktail Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

5-6 mint leaves
2 tbsp fresh lime juice (juice from approximately half of a medium/large lime)
2 tbsp cannabis-infused lemon simple syrup
½ cup ice
1/2 cup club soda or sparkling mineral water

makes 1 serving at a 44 mg dose

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Muddle 3 of the mint leaves and the lime juice in the bottom of your glass.
  2. Add 2 tablespoons canna-infused lemon simple syrup, the club soda or sparkling water, and the rest of the mint leaves.
  3. Stir to mix thoroughly. Add ice and enjoy!

Thai Basil and Lime Cannabis-Infused Mocktail

Thai Basil & Lime Cannabis-Infused Mocktail Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 lime, sliced into 4 lime wedges
A small handful of fresh Thai basil
2 tablespoons cannabis-infused lemon simple syrup
1 cup club soda or sparkling water, plus more to top off
1 cup ice
Lemongrass stalks, trimmed (optional, to use as stir sticks)
Cannabis leaves for garnish, if available

makes 2 servings at a 22 mg dose per mocktail

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Muddle the basil with the lemon cannabis simple syrup in a serving glass.
  2. Add the club soda or sparkling water, and stir until well mixed.
  3. Add the ice and lemongrass stalks. Top off with club soda or sparkling water and a slice of lime. Share and enjoy!

The post Make These Delicious Cannabis-Infused Mocktail Recipes At Home appeared first on Cannabis Now.

5 Best Strains for Superior Socializing

August 9, 2020 Published by

Opening a jar of Super Lemon Haze, I’m hit with an overwhelming wave of citrus aroma. The crystal covered buds smell like a lemonade stand: sweet, sticky and a little bit tart. When I take the first inhalation, the taste reminds me of lemon meringue pie, so light and sweet, but with the unmistakable flavor of lemons. A few seconds later, a smile spreads across my face. I feel uplifted, energized and ready for conversation. Time to go socialize!

Cannabis can sometimes have a bad reputation when it comes to socializing. Since some strains make people feel sleepy, anxious or anti-social, many avoid using marijuana in social contexts. Fortunately, cannabis is an incredibly varied plant with many different effects. While certain strains may have you hiding in the corner rather than talking to friends, others are the ideal party companion, leaving you relaxed, energized and talkative. These differences have everything to do with the terpene and cannabinoid profile of the plant. Some profiles promote social tendencies while others increase anxiety, or leave you too tired to talk. The trick is finding the strains that promote your prosocial tendencies. Here are our top picks for social strains:

Super Lemon Haze

This sweet and sour sativa, described above, has a zippy, energetic high that’s a favorite among sativa smokers. The citrusy taste isn’t just a delicious flavor, it also indicates a terpene profile rich in limonene. This terpene is known for its relaxing, energizing and uplifting effects. If cannabis makes you sleepy, try sativas rich in limonene for a high that won’t put you to sleep.

Hawaiian

Another popular sativa strain for socializing is Hawaiian. Its strong topical aroma has notes of pineapple, guava and passionfruit and will leave you feeling like you just stepped onto a tropical island. The flavor is light and sweet with hints of fruit, but the real vacation is the happy and relaxed high that comes from these beautiful buds. With a perfect blend of terpenes like limonene, pinene (which aids focus and alertness) and myrcene (which has calming effects), this strain has been described as euphoric, talkative and giggly. Hawaiian is likely to leave your whole party smiling.

ACDC

ACDC is a woody, earthy sativa, with notes of pine. This clear-minded social strain is known for its 20:1 CBD:THC ratio and its relaxed, focused effects. Most strains have relatively high levels of THC, which often causes increased anxiety. If you find yourself to be more anxious after smoking a THC-heavy strain, try a sativa like ACDC that’s rich in CBD, as CBD counteracts this anxiety — leaving you relaxed and ready to mingle.

Cabbage Patch

Cabbage Patch is a sweet but tart sativa-dominant hybrid. This tasty flower is rich in THCV, a cannabinoid that can help side-step heightened anxiety from THC. While THCV offers all the energizing and euphoric effects of THC, it also relaxes users and is less likely to cause anxiety and paranoia. Cabbage Patch leaves users feeling relaxed, giggly, and energetic, which is the perfect mix for any party.

Afgoo

For those who prefer the high from indicas, Afgoo is an amazing choice when you want to get social. These sweet and slightly earthy flowers have notes of pine and berry. With high levels of myrcene, Afgoo is exceptionally relaxing and always leaves me feeling happy, warm and loving. It’s an exceptional strain for spending time with loved ones.

Originally published in the print edition of Cannabis Now. LEARN MORE

TELL US, what are your favorite strains to smoke when socializing?

The post 5 Best Strains for Superior Socializing appeared first on Cannabis Now.

Hempseed Oil Inside & Out

April 16, 2020 Published by

Most people are familiar with the industrial and commercial usefulness of hemp for making clothing, paper, plastic, fuel and even hempcrete, which can be used to build homes and other structures. Hemp’s ability to enrich the soil that it’s grown in with nitrogen and other nutrients, as well as the fact that it grows quicker than trees and produces recyclable and biodegradable products, also makes it an environmentally friendly crop.

This fibrous plant produces edible seeds — sometimes referred to as hemp hearts — which are a great source of vegan, plant-based protein. They can be eaten or pressed into a deeply nourishing oil for use in all kinds of skincare staples like cleansers, lotions, face masks, eye cream and makeup products from mascara to lip gloss.

The nutritional properties of this wondrous oil read like a grocery list of all the best things to put on your skin. It’s rich in protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, insoluble fiber, vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, calcium and phosphorus. All of these nutrients are good for you inside and out and can make a major impact on the overall appearance of your skin whether you consume hemp seeds or apply hempseed oil topically in a product. Hempseed oil’s balanced ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids improves cardiovascular function, supports the immune system and promotes healthy flow in the intestines.

Unlike other medicated, cannabis-infused topicals that lots of people use to help reduce pain, aching muscles and tension throughout the body, hempseed oil products contain almost no traces of THC, which make them completely legal and easily accessible to anyone in any state, regardless of the legislation surrounding cannabis use.

If you have skin issues that you’re looking for some assistance with, check out all the ways hempseed oil can make a difference and consider adding it to your daily skincare routine.

Moisturize Your Skin

Hemp oil is a humectant that not only draws moisture to the skin, but also helps the skin retain and preserve moisture, reducing dryness overtime. It’s easily absorbed by the skin and can penetrate the epidermis and subdermal layers for deep relief that can stop itching and skin irritations like eczema, which can leave your skin looking and feeling very parched.

Reduce Wrinkles and Fine Lines

Hempseed oil contains all 21 known amino acids that play a role in helping your skin stay plump, firm and looking youthful. Most importantly, hempseed oil has oleic acid that can help to reduce atopic dermatitis and it contains linoleic acid, which can slow down signs of aging. Regular use can regenerate and energize the skin’s natural protective layer that can become dull, porous or rough over time.

Benefit All Skin Types

Because hempseed oil has a composition that’s incredibly similar to lipids produced by the skin’s epidermal cells, it’s suitable for all skin types whether your skin is dry, oily, combination or sensitive. It’s also non-comedogenic, meaning that it softens and smooths skin without the risk of clogging pores, which can cause unsightly blackheads due to excess oil on the surface.

Fight Acne and Skin Irritation

This powerful anti-inflammatory also has antioxidant properties that can balance the skin’s natural sebum production and even-out skin tone. When combined with a good cleanser, hempseed oil can reduce and prevent acne caused by dead skin cells, dirt buildup or hormonal changes.

Originally published in Issue 30 of Cannabis Now. LEARN MORE

TELL US, have you ever tried hemp oil?

The post Hempseed Oil Inside & Out appeared first on Cannabis Now.

Wake & Bake: 3 Cannabis-Infused Brunch Recipes

April 5, 2020 Published by

A cannabis-infused brunch is the best way to start the day. If you’re looking for a gentle buzz that will keep you focused and clear in the morning, one of these items will do you fine. And who says it has to be served for breakfast anyway? Everyone loves stuffed French toast for dinner! Especially if it’s accompanied by bacon.

Stuffed French Toast

Starting your day with cannabis-infused French toast seems just too good to be true. The ricotta and the jam combine to give this dish the right level of creamy, tangy sweetness.

Ingredients – Serves 2

  • 4 slices of white bread
  • 2 teaspoons canna-butter, melted
  • ¼ cup ricotta cheese
  • ¼ cup jam of your choice
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Confectioner’s sugar, for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Brush 2 slices of the bread with the melted canna-butter. Layer the 2 slices with the ricotta cheese and then the jam. Top off each sandwich with a slice of bread.

2. In a wide, shallow bowl, beat the eggs and milk. Dip the sandwiches into the egg mixture.

3. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. When the butter starts to foam, add the sandwiches. Cook until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes, and then turn and cook on the other side until golden brown.

4. Place on serving plates, cut in half, drizzle with any remaining jam, and sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar, if using.

Chef’s Note: For picture-perfect confectioner’s sugar sprinkling, use a small tea strainer or sifter. Feel free to vary the jam flavor as you like; apricot is always a good choice.

Bacon & Egg Muffins

cannabis-infused-brunch-egg-muffin

This is an easy breakfast that everyone adores. It looks like it was tons of trouble to make, but it’s a cinch. It’s really yummy with shredded Swiss cheese as well, and you can also substitute sautéed spinach for the bacon.

Ingredients – Serves 4

  • 4 flour tortillas
  • 4 teaspoons canna-butter, melted
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4 strips of bacon, cooked and chopped
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • Salt and black pepper

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 340° F.

2. Press the flour tortillas into 4 cups in a standard-size muffin pan. Brush the inside of the tortilla cups with the canna-butter.

3. Divide 3/4 cup of the cheddar cheese among the tortilla cups. Top with the chopped bacon. Carefully break an egg into each tortilla cup. Top evenly with the remaining cheese. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper.

4. Bake until the eggs are set, about 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

Chef’s Note: If the tortillas seem brittle, heat them in the microwave for 10 seconds to soften them. To bring the eggs to room temperature, place them in a bowl of tepid water for 20 minutes.

Oatmeal with the Works

cannabis-infused-brunch-oatmeal

Try to use the best-quality oatmeal you can afford because it really does make a difference. Steel-cut oats are nice and chewy. This cannabis-infused brunch item is such a cozy way to start the day.

Ingredients – Serves 4

  • 3¼ cups water
  • 2 cups steel-cut oats
  • Pinch of salt
  • 4 teaspoons canna-butter
  • 1 banana, peeled and sliced
  • 4 tablespoons chopped pecans
  • 4 tablespoons chopped walnuts
  • 2 tablespoons dried cherries
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Directions

1. In a large pot, bring the water to a boil. Add the oats and salt and gently simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let rest, covered, for 2 minutes. Stir in the canna-butter.

2. Divide the oatmeal among 4 bowls and evenly top with the remaining ingredients. Serve immediately.

Chef’s Note: When I have leftover oatmeal, I make pancakes. Add an egg, a few splashes of milk, a bit of baking soda, and whatever spices you like to the oatmeal. Dollop the batter onto a griddle, and you have recycled one great breakfast into another.

These recipes were excerpted from “Cooking with Cannabis,” published by Quarry Press, an imprint of The Quarto Group.

TELL US, do you wake and bake? What cannabis-infused brunch would you make?

Originally published in Issue 30 of Cannabis Now. LEARN MORE

The post Wake & Bake: 3 Cannabis-Infused Brunch Recipes appeared first on Cannabis Now.

How To Decarb: Make Cannabis Psychoactive With Heat

April 2, 2020 Published by

In order to derive the greatest potency from the cannabis plant when making edibles, always decarboxylate your material before infusing it in another substance such as oil or butter.

Decarboxylation is the process of heating up plant matter to initiate the active compounds in cannabis, namely THC and CBD. This process is called decarboxylatation because heating bud breaks off the natural carboxyl chain of molecules attached to raw THC, thus allowing THC to cause euphoria. That’s why eating raw pot plants yields no psychoactive effect.

Ingredients

Any amount of cannabis, buds or trim.

Directions

Step 1:  Preheat your oven to 240º F.

Step 2: Break apart any large buds with your hands.

Step 3: Spread the cannabis on a baking sheet that has sides.

Step 4: Place in the oven.

Step 5: After 45 minutes, remove the cannabis from the oven, it should now be lightly browned and decarboxylated.

Chef’s Note: When decarboxylating at a low temperature you are preserving the maximum amount of terpenes, or the oils in marijuana that inform plant flavor profiles, as well as some of the health benefits.

Excerpted from “Cooking with Cannabis,” published by Quarry Press, an imprint of The Quarto Group.

TELL US, have you ever tried making your own edibles?

The post How To Decarb: Make Cannabis Psychoactive With Heat appeared first on Cannabis Now.