Looking for the most soothing way to enjoy cannabis? When it comes to the many modes of cannabis consumption, there are few options as soothing and relaxing as a cup of cannabis tea.
This creamy and floral lavender cannabis tea latte, which you can have hot or iced, is my favourite way to make canna-tea. The fat in the cream binds to the marijuana cannabinoids to ensure they make it into your system. The floral flavours blend well with the taste of cannabis, creating a seamless, complementary flavour profile. These potent concoctions can be made in a few different ways, and are easy to customize with your favourite teas, herbs and spices.
Cannabis Tea Gives You Cannabinoids Two Ways
Canna-teas also have a fairly unique effect and provide cannabinoids in two ways. First, cannabinoids are absorbed sublingually (under the tongue). This gives patients an almost immediate boost of relaxing and mood-altering effects from the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
RELATED: CANNABIS 101: THC VS. CBD
The rest of the cannabinoids are processed through the digestive tract like an edible. This way the THC (which is technically delta-9 THC) is converted into delta-11 THC. This version of THC is much more sedative and provides a heavy, pain-reducing body high around 30 minutes to an hour after you consume it.
The combination of the two effects makes it a lovely drink for bedtime. For a version better suited for the daytime, use a high-CBD marijuana strain instead of one rich in THC.
Should I Decarb My Marijuana?
If you’d like to get effects from delta-9 and delta-11 THC in your tea, you’ll need to decarboxylate your cannabis as a first step.
Raw cannabis doesn’t contain THC, but it does have tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA). THCA is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that has neuroprotectant and anti-inflammatory properties. But when THCA is heated to the right temperature, it turns into THC.
When you smoke marijuana out of a pipe or joint, you don’t need to decarboxylate beforehand—the heat from your lighter does it for you. But this is why when you’re making any kind of edibles—tea included—and you want to have a classic THC experience, you should decarboxylate your cannabis.
Of course, some people prefer not to decarboxylate at all. If you’re looking to minimize the psychoactive aspect of THC, for example, you can keep the cannabinoid in its original form of THCA and skip this part of the process.
Ingredients for Lavender Cannabis Tea Latte
This recipe serves 4 people.
- 1 gm dried cannabis flower (I recommend a sweet floral marijuana strain such as Lavender, Blackberry or Afgoo)
- 1 cup cream
- 2 cups water
- 1 tbsp dried lavender
- 1 tbsp dried chamomile
- Honey to taste
How to Decarboxylate Your Marijuana
- Preheat your oven to 250 degrees F.
- Put your cannabis in a covered baking dish, and place on the center rack.
- Bake for 30–45 minutes.
- Remove and let cool before using in your recipe.
How to Make Lavender Cannabis Tea Latte
- Mix together the water and cream in a small pot.
- Add the decarboxylated cannabis, lavender and chamomile, stirring to mix everything together.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.
- Let the mixture simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After 30 minutes, remove from heat.
- Lay some cheesecloth over a strainer, and use it to strain the tea into a glass container.
- Sweeten with honey to your taste.
- Allow tea mixture to cool to a temperature that’s safe to drink.
- Pour the strained tea mixture into teacups and serve.
- Store any remaining tea in the refrigerator, and consume within the next few days as iced tea.
This tea is creamy, delicious and very customizable. If lavender isn’t your thing, you can switch the lavender and chamomile out for just about any herb, tea or spice that you like. Just make sure to keep the cream, or replace it with some other fat for the cannabis to bind to.
Here are some other flavor and marijuana combinations that make delicious substitutions:
- Chai latte: Cinnamon, nutmeg and black tea. This combination works well with peppery cannabis strains like Bubba Kush or Yoda OG.
- Tropical bliss: Dried mango, dried pineapple and rooibos tea. These flavours team well with tropical marijuana strains like Maui Waui, Guava and Pineapple Express.
- Lemon cream: Lemon rinds and green tea. Try this version with citrusy cannabis strains like Super Lemon Haze or Lemon Kush.
