Cooking with cannabis-infused oil is a fantastic way to consume medical marijuana. Eating cannabis rather than inhaling it produces longer-lasting effects with a gradual onset. This means you may be able to take a single dose that lasts all day. And if you experience psychoactive effects from your medical marijuana, cooking with cannabis may help you to function better compared to inhaling it. Let's take a look at how to make cannabis-infused cooking oil, which can be used for baking, sautéing or frying, or as a salad dressing.
Ingredients
To make your cannabis-infused cooking oil, you'll need some form of marijuana, which could be flower, leaf or trim. You'll also need to choose an oil with a high fat content; the highest-fat oils are most effective at activating the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in medical marijuana. Olive oil and coconut oil are both good choices, although canola oil is an inexpensive alternative.
Equipment
You'll need a strainer with holes small enough to remove cannabis stems and other plant parts from the finished product. You'll also need a coffee grinder, blender or food processor for preparing the marijuana as well as a saucepan, double boiler or slow cooker to produce the infused oil.
How To
- Begin by grinding the cannabis in your coffee grinder, blender or food processor. You can use just the flower, which is the part that produces most of the medical effects of cannabis, or you can include the rest of the plant to enhance the flavor.
- Measure out your ingredients. In general, a 2:1 volume ratio of oil to marijuana works well. However, you may need to tweak this ratio depending on the potency of your cannabis.
- Heat the cannabis and the oil together to activate the THC. Use a low heat and a long heating time to allow this process to occur without scorching the active ingredients. If you use a saucepan, you'll need to apply a low heat for at least three hours. Although using a saucepan is the quickest way to prepare cannabis-infused oil, make sure to stir frequently to spread the heat evenly through the liquid and prevent scorching. Alternatively, you can put the oil and marijuana mixture in a crockpot or slow cooker on a low setting for up to three days, or heat it in a double boiler for around eight hours.
- Strain the oil. Passing the oil through a strainer removes fibrous parts of the plant material, leaving you with a smooth oil that you can use as a salad dressing or for cooking. You can use the leftover plant parts for other recipes if you want, or simply discard them.
- Store the oil. Pour it into a sealed container and store it in your larder or food cupboard. Your homemade cannabis oil should last for at least two months, but you can extend its shelf life by keeping it in the refrigerator.
Using Cannabis-Infused Oil in Cooking
Cannabis-infused oil is best used for cooking on a low heat. Overheating the oil can scorch it, so stick to gentle sautéing or use the oil as a flavorsome dressing for salads and bread. Remember to pay attention to the amount of marijuana-infused oil you consume each day, so you receive a suitable dose for your health needs.
Photo Credit: _e.t
