Introduction to Edibles: Effects and Butter Recipe

Everyone's familiar with the concept of edibles, even if you don't consume cannabis. If there's a stoner movie, there's bound to be edibles in it. What's so great about them? To start, they are great for those that need cannabis to medicate but cannot smoke it, they can be VERY potent, and they can be quite delicious if made correctly. Edibles can come in the form of capsules, baked goods, butter, candies, mixed with any kind of food or in alcohol or vegetable glycerine tinctures. Edibles are powerful and it is recommended to start out with small amounts and increase every half hour to an hour until desired effect is achieved.

Pros: Slow approaching, steady high, and powerful high when dosed properly.

Cons: Slow approaching, creates strong odor throughout house/apartment while cooking, time consuming, varying effectiveness when homemade. Easy to have TOO much.


THC is fat and alcohol soluble which makes it a great medium for cooking. Edibles can be made in an infinite amount of ways but they all stem from the same initial process. In order to make proper edibles you cannot just put cannabis into a batch of brownie mix and get "baked". You can grind up fresh cannabis and lightly toast it in the oven at 325°F for 5 minutes until it is very lightly toasted. This is called "decarbing" and is simply the process of activating the THC. You don't have to do this step but it definitely helps make it more potent. Once your cannabis is activated you can now make your oil, butter or tincture. Alternatively you can use previously vaporized cannabis or as I call it, "Vapor Poo". Using vaporized cannabis will create a much less potent butter and will give you more of a body buzz/high due to the activation of other chemicals present in the plant.

Left: 4-dose chocolate chip cannabis cookie Right: Cannabis Indica tincture to treat insomnia 

Cannabutter Recipe

What You Need:

• A large saucepan or double boiler/crock pot (crock pot is the best)
• Spoon
• Butter (Its about 1lb. of butter to every ounce of cannabis so make sure you do the math).
• Cannabis 
• Cheesecloth
• Rubber bands
• Tupperware/storage containers (for finished product)

Crock Pot Directions:

Step 1: Add Cannabis and butter to Crock Pot. Set on low setting and cook for 4-8 hours

Step 2: Follow Stove Top Cooking Steps 5 and 6

Stove Top Directions:

Step 1: In a saucepan add water until about 1-2 inches deep and bring to a boil

Step 2:
Add desired amount of butter and heat until melted. Then put heat to low

Step 3:
Add your cannabis and keep on low setting. Stir occasionally and let simmer for 3 hours

Step 4:
Prepare your tupperware containers by folding your cheesecloth over several times (may need 2 cheesecloths) and placing it over the top of the tupperware and securing it with rubber bands.

Step 5:
When the water has turned glossy and thick on top you are now ready to strain the cannabis out of the butter. Slowly pour the contents through the cheesecloth. Once you're done pouring, carefully tie up the cheesecloth and squeeze out the remaining butter. Remaining plant material can be put into a meatloaf/food or capsules to get further use from your cannabis. CONTENTS MAY BE HOT! USE CAUTION!

Step 6:
Place the normal tupperware lid on the container and store in the refrigerator until the butter has solidified

Step 7:
Now that the butter has solidified, the water we used must be drained. Poke around the edges of the container with a butter knife to loosen it from the sides and allow the water to drain out. Now enjoy!

**NOTE** When making cookies or similar foods, weigh out portions to make sure each cookie/item is the same "dosage"

Edibles do not have to be limited to sweets. There are many great foods cannabis can be added to. It pairs well with other herb rich recipes like pastas and sauces. It could also be as simple as a slice of toast with a little bit of cannabutter. The sky is the limit or at least your pantry is *giggles*