Edibles, also known as edible marijuana, are foods infused with cannabis that provide the effects of marijuana when eaten. Edibles come in many varieties, but some foods make better edibles than others based on factors like taste, how well the food absorbs cannabis, and more. Making your own edibles at home can be a fun and creative way to consume cannabis, as long as you understand the dosing and take proper precautions.
What are the benefits of edibles?
Edibles offer some advantages over smoking or vaping cannabis:
– They are discreet – edibles look like regular food or candy and don’t have an obvious cannabis smell.
– They provide a long-lasting high – edibles can provide effects that last up to 8 hours because cannabinoids are processed through the digestive system. Smoking and vaping provide a shorter high.
– They are healthier for lungs – inhaling smoke can irritate lungs, while edibles avoid this issue.
– They are easier to dose – edibles like gummies come in pre-measured doses, while smoking requires guessing dosage.
– They are versatile – all kinds of foods, drinks, and confections can be infused. You can get creative with edible recipes.
However, edibles do come with some drawbacks to consider: slower onset of effects, very intense experiences if you take too much, and lengthier highs that you need to plan for.
What foods work best for edibles?
Certain foods are naturally well-suited for being infused with cannabis when making homemade edibles:
Fats and oils
Cannabinoids like THC and CBD bind best with fats. Using oils, butter, lard, or other fatty ingredients ensures the cannabis will be absorbed efficiently when eaten. Cooking oils like canola oil, coconut oil, olive oil, or vegetable oil work well. Butter is a classic choice for absorbing cannabinoids effectively.
Dairy
Incorporating dairy products like milk, cream, or cream cheese into edibles helps distribute cannabinoids evenly through foods. The fat contents in dairy also helps with absorption. Dairy-based edibles like cheesecakes, brownies, and candies using milk or cream perform very well.
Alcohol
Cannabis tinctures use alcohol to extract and infuse cannabinoids. Using spirits like vodka, rum, or Everclear when making edibles will help pull out the cannabis compounds. The alcohol aids absorption in the body. Cannabis-infused cocktails, gelatos, and chocolates work nicely.
Sugars and syrups
Whether using sugar in baked goods, honey in confections, or corn syrup in candies, the stickiness helps the cannabis adhere evenly throughout the edible for balanced dosing and absorption. Sugary or syrupy foods like gummies, chocolate, and drinks absorb cannabis well.
What foods do not work well for edibles?
While the above foods excel when making edibles, some foods are not well-suited:
Water-based foods
Since cannabinoids bind to fats and alcohols, they do not dissolve well in water. Water-based foods like soups, sauces, and ice pops will not properly absorb and distribute the cannabis. Very low doses could be used, but absorption would be poor.
Lean protein
Low-fat proteins like chicken breast, fish fillets, or shrimp provide minimal fat for the cannabinoids to bind with, reducing effectiveness. Fattier proteins like bacon, ground beef, and dark meat chicken work better.
Vegetables and fruits
While juicing cannabis is an option, eating vegetables and fruits often will not get you high effectively since they contain little fat. An exception could be avocados or olive oil-based vegetable dishes. But generally, fruits and veggies are not ideal edible bases.
Breads and grains
Breads, pasta, rice, etc. offer no fat for absorption. Large doses could potentially work, but absorption would be inefficient. Again, adding fats like butter, oils, or cheese helps compensate.
How to choose your edible recipes
If you want to make your own cannabis edibles at home, keep these guidelines in mind:
– Use fattier ingredients whenever possible – the more oils, butter, cream, etc. you can incorporate, the better the absorption.
– Complementary flavors are key – choose ingredient combinations that taste good together and mask cannabis flavor.
– Prepare properly – decarboxylate your cannabis first and know your proper dosing. Measure accurately.
– Store safely – keep edibles in sealed, childproof containers away from kids and pets. Clearly label contents.
– Start low, go slow – consume small doses and wait 2+ hours to gauge effects before taking more. Overconsumption can be very unpleasant.
– Use large batches – it’s challenging to properly infuse small amounts of cannabis into single servings. Make big batches of butter, oil, or tinctures for ease of dosing.
– Mind the temperature – cooking at too high of a temperature can degrade cannabinoids. Avoid oven temps above 350°F. Use lower stovetop heat for infusions.
Best foods for cannabis edibles
Here are some of the top foods that make great edibles when infused with cannabis:
Butter
Cannabis-infused butter (cannabutter) is the basis for many edibles. Use it in recipes for cookies, cakes, brownies, and more. The fat absorbs cannabinoids efficiently. Clarified butter works even better.
Oils
Oils like canola, coconut, and olive oil can be infused with cannabis easily. They provide the fat needed for absorption and can be used for cooking, dressings, marinades, and wherever else oil is used.
Milk and cream
Dairy helps bind cannabinoids to foods. Use whole milk and heavy cream for richest results. Make hot cocoa, milkshakes, cream-based soups, cheesecake, custard, and more.
Alcohol
Soak cannabis in alcohol to create versatile tinctures. Try infusing vodka, rum, brandy, or other spirits. Use drops of your tinctures to make cannabis cocktails, add it to foods, or take sublingually.
Chocolate
Chocolate naturally contains some fat and cocoa butter making it ideal for THC absorption. Enjoy chocolate edibles like fudge, candies, peanut butter cups, and more.
Coconut oil
With its high saturated fat content, coconut oil infused with cannabis makes a great base for edibles. Use it in recipes for curry dishes, sweets, shakes, coffee, etc.
Honey
Sticky, sweet honey helps bind cannabinoids to any food you drizzle it on. Infuse honey and add it to tea, yogurt, oatmeal, sauces, and baked goods for a tasty twist.
Nuts and nut butters
Nuts offer healthy fats to help absorb cannabinoids. Try making cannabis-infused nut butters like peanut or almond butter for spreading on toast or using in THC-laced cookies and candies.
| Food | Why it Works Well | Recipe Ideas |
|---|---|---|
| Butter | High fat content for absorption | Cookies, brownies, cakes, pie crust |
| Oils | Provides fat soluble base | Marinades, dressings, cooking oil |
| Milk/Cream | Dairy fat helps binding | Hot cocoa, cheesecake, custard |
| Alcohol | Extracts cannabinoids easily | Tinctures, cocktails, gelato |
| Chocolate | Contains cocoa butter | Fudge, candies, bars |
| Coconut Oil | High in saturated fats | Curries, coffee, shakes |
| Honey | Stickiness helps binding | Tea, yogurt, oatmeal |
| Nuts/Nut Butters | Provide healthy fats | Nut butter cookies, candies |
Example edible recipes
Here are some example recipes using the most cannabis-friendly ingredients:
Cannabis-Infused Butter
Ingredients:
– 1 oz cannabis bud, decarboxylated
– 1 lb unsalted butter
– Cheesecloth
Instructions:
1. Decarboxylate cannabis by heating at 225°F for 1 hour.
2. Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add decarboxylated cannabis.
3. Simmer 3 hours over very low heat, stirring occasionally.
4. Strain butter through a cheesecloth to remove plant material.
5. Use cannabutter in any recipe that calls for butter!
Cannabis Coconut Oil
Ingredients:
– 1⁄2 oz cannabis bud, decarboxylated
– 1 cup coconut oil
– Cheesecloth
Instructions:
1. Decarboxylate cannabis by heating at 245°F for 45 minutes.
2. Add coconut oil and decarboxylated cannabis to a mason jar. Seal lid.
3. Simmer jar in a water bath for 2-3 hours. Shake jar occasionally.
4. Strain oil through a cheesecloth.
5. Use infused coconut oil in recipes or take it as a supplement.
Cannabis Milkshake
Ingredients:
– 1 cup whole milk
– 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
– 1⁄4 cup cannabis-infused chocolate syrup
– 1⁄4 tsp cannabis-infused vanilla extract
– Whipped cream for topping
Instructions:
1. Combine all ingredients except whipped cream in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream.
4. Enjoy your cannabis-laced treat!
Storing your edibles
Be sure to store any homemade edibles properly:
– Keep edibles in tightly sealed, airtight containers. Glass jars work great.
– Store in cool, dark places like the fridge or freezer for longest shelf life.
– Avoid temperature fluctuations – don’t leave edibles sitting out on the counter.
– Label containers clearly with their contents and the date created.
– Keep edibles secured away from children and pets. Use childproof containers.
Proper storage keeps your edibles potent and avoids accidental consumption. Infused oils, butters, baked goods, and candies will stay fresher longer when stored carefully.
Dosing edibles safely
Consuming edibles comes with some risks if you don’t dose carefully:
– Start with very low doses – 5mg THC or less to begin. Wait at least 2 hours before taking more.
– Be extremely careful with homemade edibles – commercial edibles state dosage clearly. Know the potency of your homemade treats.
– Eat on a full stomach – this helps slow absorption and prevent over-intoxication.
– Have CBD on hand – ingesting some CBD may help counteract unpleasant THC side effects if you get too high.
– Don’t operate vehicles – impaired coordination and cognition make driving dangerous.
– Stay hydrated – cannabis can dry out your mouth and dehydrate you. Drink plenty of water.
– Practice moderation – larger doses do not necessarily mean better experiences. Find your minimal effective dose.
– Keep edibles away from children and pets – ingestion could make them very ill.
With proper dosing edibles can provide pleasant, long-lasting effects. But overconsumption leads to much stronger effects than smoking so dose carefully!
Conclusion
Edibles offer a tasty, healthier alternative to smoking cannabis, with long-lasting effects when dosed properly. Choosing foods containing fats, oils and alcohols will allow for proper binding and absorption of cannabinoids when making your own edibles at home. Butter, oils, milk, cream, chocolate, honey and alcohol all lend themselves nicely to infusing. Store your homemade edibles properly in airtight containers in cool, dark spaces and clearly label contents. Start with low doses of 5mg THC or less and wait several hours before taking more to prevent accidental overconsumption. With some care and creativity, edibles open up a whole new way to enjoy cannabis discreetly.