It’s 2021, and cannabis brands are getting more creative with edibles than ever before. But although there are a plethora of cannabis-infused products on the market today, nothing beats making your own edibles at home – and in my bluntest opinion, the simplest, tastiest, and most versatile thing you can create is cannabis coconut oil.
Most people tend to shy away from the idea of homemade edibles because of how labor-intensive it sounds, but it’s actually quite simple – just somewhat time-consuming.
Cannabis coconut oil is flavorful, rich, and perfect for cooking pretty much any dish you can think of. From sweet treats like weed brownies and cookies to full-on meals that leave you feeling hazy and blissful, coconut oil works well with most foods, making this the perfect concoction to keep in your cupboard for daily medicating, special occasions – or just a nice evening in.
Benefits of Edibles & Why Cannabis Coconut Oil?
Smoking is arguably the most popular method of cannabis consumption among users, but there is a certain amount of risk that comes with each puff. Although it is nowhere near as dangerous as smoking tobacco, smoking in general isn’t great for the lungs, and if you’re not cleaning your pipe or bong often enough, the resin buildup can be even harsher on your body.
That being said, there are many different ways to consume cannabis that don’t involve any sort of strain on your lungs. From tinctures to topicals and transdermal patches, it’s simple to get the plant into your system with little effort, but the tastiest and most fulfilling way to consume it is by infusing your meals with cannabis coconut oil.
Here are some of the most popular benefits that tend to come from this method of consumption, specifically in the form of cannabis coconut oil:
- There is no smoking required with edibles. This is the most obvious benefit, but to reiterate, anyone looking to consume cannabis without the risk that comes with smoking will highly benefit from turning to edibles.
- Edibles come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors. While smoking cannabis is pretty straightforward (light up and inhale), ingesting cannabis in edible form comes with a lot of room for innovation, and so does cooking with coconut oil. Whether you have a sweet tooth, a thirst for a bubbly beverage, or are hungry for a full meal, cannabis coconut oil can infuse its way into pretty much anything edible or drinkable. It complements sweet and savory flavors and is so rich and full-bodied, it blends well with just about anything. The options are pretty much endless, which is great for anyone who likes to switch things up!
- Consuming edibles is easy and discreet. While smoking is pretty difficult to hide (you know, because of the smoke), edibles allow for discretion. They’re perfect for ingesting on the go, traveling, or just practicing discretion for any desired reason.
- The effects of edibles last much longer than they do from smoking. Although smoking hits the body pretty instantaneously, edibles have a much more powerful impact once they take effect. They also allow for more of a “body buzz,” but be careful – ingesting over your limit in edibles can result in negative side effects like dizziness, “couch lock,” or confusion that may last for several hours.
- Coconut oil is the most versatile option. While cannabutter is another popular medium for infusing meals, this isn’t ideal for vegans, people with lactose intolerance, or anyone else following a specific diet. Coconut oil is vegan-friendly, has a similar consistency to butter, and comes with a variety of benefits.
Benefits of Coconut Oil
High in healthy fatty acids and creamy goodness, coconut oil has been utilized for centuries in a variety of ways. Now that you’re familiar with all of the benefits that come along with cannabis-infused edibles, let’s discuss some of the benefits that coconut oil specifically has to offer.
- Coconut oil contains a high amount of healthy fatty acids. These saturated fats are necessary for the body and encourage fat burning. They also provide your body and brain with energy and raise good cholesterol, which might help reduce your risk for heart disease.
- Coconut oil may have antimicrobial effects. About 50 percent of the fatty acids found in coconut oil are made up of lauric acid, which is known for its ability to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This may work in tandem with cannabinoids, which are also recognized for their supposed antimicrobial properties.
- Coconut oil may be beneficial for those who suffer from seizures. Researchers have looked into the ketogenic diet, which is known for being low in carbs and high in fats, as a possible aid for those who suffer from seizures. Studies have shown this diet to dramatically reduce the rate of seizures in children with epilepsy, and coconut oil– which is high in healthy fatty acids and therefore conducive to a ketogenic diet – is a great staple to induce ketosis.
Coincidentally, cannabis has also been recognized for its ability to help reduce seizures – specifically CBD. Epidiolex, the first FDA-approved medication to include CBD, is legal on a federal level and is used to help those with epilepsy.
- Coconut oil is great for the hair, skin, and teeth. Although coconut oil is both tasty and healthy to add to any meal, its benefits go beyond simply ingesting. Many people use coconut oil for cosmetic purposes: it works great as a skin moisturizer, protects the hair against sun damage, and may kill some harmful bacteria found in the mouth if used as a mouthwash.
How to Make Cannabis-Infused Coconut Oil
Between the benefits of edibles and the benefits of coconut oil, infusing this superfood with cannabis is the best way to optimize all of these fantastic recognized benefits. The process can be somewhat time-consuming, but the steps are simple and will leave you with a hefty helping of infused coconut oil to use whenever you feel like taking your meal, drink, or snack to the next level.
There are a few different ways to craft this concoction, but using an oven is the most efficient and hassle-free method. This recipe will make a small quantity to start out with, but feel free to double, triple, or quadruple it once you’ve gotten the hang of the steps:
Ingredients/Supplies:
- 7 grams (a.k.a. a quarter ounce) of cannabis flower
- ½ cup of coconut oil
- Cannabis grinder (or some scissors)
- Oven-safe baking dish
- Aluminum foil
- Cheesecloth
- A storage container for the final product (we recommend a nice mason jar)
Steps:
- Preheat your oven to 215 degrees Fahrenheit. In the meantime, break up your quarter ounce with your grinder, scissors, or just your hands, but the goal is to break it down as small as possible.
- Cover the bottom of the baking dish with your ground cannabis, sealing it tightly with the aluminum foil.
- Bake the cannabis in the oven for 30 minutes. This will activate your cannabis via the decarboxylation process, which is essential. Without activating your cannabis, your edibles will do nothing more than taste slightly of weed.
- Remove your cannabis from the oven, leaving the aluminum foil cover on.
- While the dish cools, prepare the coconut oil, making sure it is melted (during the colder months, coconut oil tends to harden like butter) by placing in the microwave or in a pan on the stove until warmed.
- Once the cannabis has cooled for about 15-20 minutes, uncover and quickly pour the coconut oil in, making sure to coat all of the cannabis. Use a spoon to mix until thoroughly combined.
- Cover the mixture with aluminum foil once again and pop back into the oven for about an hour and a half, stirring once or twice throughout to distribute the cannabinoids as evenly as possible.
- Remove the dish from the oven and allow to cool until you can handle. In the meantime, prep your cheesecloth by placing a double-layer over your mason jar (or whatever container you are using).
- Once you can handle the dish, carefully pour the oil onto the cheesecloth, straining out the chunky plant matter in the process.
- Once you’ve poured all of the oil into the cheesecloth, wring out the cheesecloth to make sure you’ve squeezed out as much remaining oil as possible.
- You’re done! Simply cover your mason jar, store in a safe place, and grab whenever you are ready to infuse. Not so bad, right?
Guidance on Dosing Cannabis Coconut Oil
When you’re utilizing cannabis coconut oil, dosage can be tricky at first. Like with all infused edibles, increased onset time means you might not feel the full effect until two hours or more.
Consumers often make the mistake of over-ingesting before the effects have fully hit them, which results in getting “too high” and feeling somewhat uncomfortable.
In general, it’s best to go low and slow with edibles, especially when it’s hard to measure the dose or potency.
Start out with a smaller dose than you’re used to, and if you’re new to cannabis, consider waiting a few hours or the next day even before trying a bigger dose if needed.
If you want the effects of a cannabis edible to appear faster, consider consuming on an empty stomach and then eating a fatty snack (like cheese or peanut butter) 15 minutes later.
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A good picture showing white mold next to cannabis trichomes.
