If you’ve come across the “special brownies” that non-420--enthusiasts are supposed to avoid, you already know what edibles are. If not, then you’re missing out on a weed delivery system that has been reinventing how people get high. Imagine you need to get your blaze on but don’t have all the tools of the trade at your disposal - grinders, rolling papers, bongs, chillums, etc. Such a hassle, isn’t it? Well, that’s where a sweet little edible comes into play, as it can give you right what you need without any problem whatsoever. 

If you’re still unaware of what cannabis edibles are, worry not. I’m here with a comprehensive guide on what they are and how you can easily make them at home! (P.S. - it’ll help you save a few pounds too!)

Introduction to Cannabis Edibles

What are Edibles?

Simply put, cannabis edibles are cannabis-infused food or drink (mostly food), that contain either of the two major cannabinoids - THC or CBD. While THC-dominant edibles primarily cater to recreational purposes (getting high with your homies), CBD-dominant ones are used for medicinal requirements. 

Enough of the textbook talk; here’s why these edibles are all the rage today. In the past decade, cannabis edibles have had a serious glow-up, serving as the perfect alternative to smoking your favourite herb when you can’t. These treats have graduated from mundane pot brownies to Willy-Wonka-approved, perfectly dosed Skunk goodies. The best part? You can get them in various colours, shapes, and sizes that fancy you - from micro-dosed mints and sugar-coated gummy bears to decadent chocolate bites and gooey caramel candies. Who said getting your dab on couldn’t involve fun shades that bring out the kid in ya’? 

[ Also Read: Weed Gummies - How to Make Cannabis Gummy Bears? ]

Getting Your Hands on Edibles 

As mentioned, cannabis edibles are generally CBD or THC-dominant. If you’re trying to get an edible Mary Jane, there are two main types you can opt for: -

  • Balanced CBD/THC edibles - Dubbed as marijuana or weed edibles, these contain the same or almost the same amount of CBD and THC. The THC presence in these edibles imparts some of the all-time classic cannabis highs.

  • CBD-dominant edibles - These contain little to no amount of THC, and hence, don’t provide any sort of intoxication (what fun is that?). 

Now, coming to the task at hand. If you’re looking to indulge in these oh-so-good edibles, you can purchase them at medical or recreational dispensaries, provided they sell them. For first-timers, this is a great option, as the folks at the counter often help you find your way to canna-bliss. Plus, you can even buy cannabis edibles online, if you’re already a pro in Mary Jane edibles. However, if you know what you’re doing and want to save some cash, you can simply make the edibles yourself.

 

Before that, there’s one key point you must remember - finding your number. No, not your mobile one. Rather, the sweet spot that gets you high without making you do things you’d regret (or at least, feel somewhat bad about).

How to Find Your Number

When shopping around for edibles, the first thing you’ll probably notice is the clearly labelled CBD and THC amount they contain. Most weed consumables mention the edibles dosing, and it’s the best way to get the right amount for yourself. 

It all boils down to tolerance, as some people prefer a few drags while others smoke a big fat joint themselves. For first-timers, experts suggest following the golden rule: start low, go slow. This usually means getting edibles with a THC amount of 5mg or below. Start small, work your way up, and you’ll reach the heavenly gate of consuming a 100mg brownie that gets you into the zone. Thanks to today’s digital era, you can also find a cannabis edible dosage calculator online to assess exactly how much you’d like to consume.

Need a clear idea about cannabis edibles dosage to use the calculator? Read about it, here: Cannabis Edibles Dosage mg Chart - Find the Right Dose.

Cooking or Baking Edibles - All You Need to Know

How to Make Cannabis Edibles: A Complete Guide

Alright, now that we’ve got all the technicalities out of the way and you know your sweet spot, here’s the fun part. Instead of spending extra money, you can simply purchase the raw ingredients, and cook up an excellent batch of edibles. Granted, you’ll need to get your Gordon Ramsay on. Here’s the complete guide to how to make edible cannabis. (P.S. - You’re free to treat this as your cannabis edible cookbook, wink wink.)

What you’ll need

  • One-eighth of an ounce of weed, or more
  • A fatty cooking substance, for e.g., oil or butter
  • An oven, slow cooker, or frying pan
  • A trusty cheesecloth
  • Last but not the least, some patience and free time to enjoy your high

Getting started

The main focus is making the weed-infused oil. Once done, you can transform various recipes into psychedelic servings. Let’s get you started.

  1. The first step is grinding your Mary Jane, and it’s advisable to use a near-perfect grinder to steer clear of chunky pieces that ruin the entire experience. You may also use any kooky technique you’ve mastered as a teen, just as long as you grind the buds well enough to infuse the oil. 

  2. Next, remember to keep the weed-to-oil ratio in mind for a perfect oil infusion. This will depend on your desired potency, but the standard ratio is one ounce of          weed for each cup of oil. If you’re using butter, four sticks for every ounce of weed is appropriate.

How to make the oil

There are three ways you can cook up the ideal weed oil. Choose your poison: -

  • In a slow cooker - Slow cooking can be one of the best ways to concoct weed oil. For this, simply place your cannabis and oil in a jar, fill the cooker with water halfway, and keep it on low. Now, simply put the jar in the water and you’ll have your ‘voila!’ moment. All you have to do is set the jar and forget about it. However, do remember that you’ll need at least six hours to extract all you want from the weed.

  • In a dutch oven - Don’t have a slow cooker? No problem! Treat your weed and oil to a nice water bath in your dutch oven. Simply put the oven to 180° Fahrenheit and place your oil mixture in an oven-safe jar. Fill up the oven halfway with water, place the jar in it, and cover and cook for a minimum of six hours. Remember, the longer, the better.

  • On a stove - Cooking edibles on a stove is probably the most popular method. You‘ll begin with warming your oil in a pan at super low heat, followed by adding in the ground cannabis. Continue by stirring constantly for the next 20 minutes to prevent the weed from burning. The only catch of this procedure is that the mixture will be weaker compared to those made by the other two methods. However, if you’re in a hurry for edible paraphernalia, this is ideal, as you won’t have to wait as long.

If you’d like to make the ever-popular cannabis-infused coconut oil, check this blog out: How to Make Cannabis-Infused Coconut Oil?

What are the Final Steps in Cooking Edibles?

Once your mixture is ready, there are a couple of things you need to do. Take a look: -

  1. Strain out your weed - Once your weed and oil mixture are one, you’ll have to strain out the leftover herb pieces. It’s a simple and swift procedure: take your strainer (the kind you’d choose for spaghetti), line it with a cheesecloth. Pour the mixture into the strainer and let it drip into a bowl underneath the lined strainer. Once the dripping stops, roll your cheesecloth into a ball and squeeze as hard as you can to get every last drop of the precious liquid.

  2. Start cooking - Yes, this is where your Gordon Ramsay takeover will occur. The best part? Your imagination will be the only limit, as edibles can be just about anything. Be it funfetti cupcakes, chocolate muffins, banana bread, almond cookies, or chocolate bundt cakes, you can add the infused oil or butter to just about anything, even salad dressings! Experiment, instead of cooking the same-old batch of brownies and cookies, and fun will be guaranteed.

  3. Ensure portion control - After making cannabis edibles, it’s inevitable to be more than eager to consume your masterpiece. However, it’s vital to keep portion control in mind. Simply start with a small piece of the edible (if it’s a candy, take one), and go slow. You can always eat more, but remember, edibles don’t provide instant gratification. Many first-timers ask, “Can edibles hit instantly?”, and that’s usually not the case. However, they do offer a lasting high that often stays longer than what you’d experience after smoking a blunt.

 

So, that’s all from my side, folks. I hope this will help you turn into a cannabis Masterchef, coming up with your own quirky edible cannabis candy, bread, cookies, etc., that impress your smoke-up gang. Don’t forget to keep toking with Olivastu!

[ Also Read: Cannabis-Infused Butter Recipe: How to Make Cannabutter? ]

FAQs

1. What type of edibles get you high?

Ans. Any cannabis edibles with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) can make you high. Usually, these edibles fall under four broad categories - Sativa only (Sative strains of weed containing both CBD and THC), Indica only (Indica strains containing both THC and CBD), Hybrids (containing both Indica and Sativa strains), and CBD-only. All these can get you blazed.

2. Can edibles last two days?

Ans. Usually, cannabis edibles provide a high that kicks in after 30 mins to two hours of consumption. While the effect may last up to 12 hours post-consumption, residual effects can stay up to 24 hours. However, it’s highly unlikely that their effects will last for two days.

3. Why do I still feel high after edibles?

Ans. Cannabis edibles are known for delayed intoxication, which kicks in after half an hour to two hours after consumption. However, the effects rarely last 24 hours, and if you’re still high days after consuming edibles, chances are the dosage was too high. 

4. Can edibles have a delayed reaction?

Ans. The technical process of consuming edibles is that they pass through your digestive system and then reach the bloodstream. This takes time, and hence, the high kicks in after some time of consumption. It’s important to keep in mind that everyone is different, and hence, the effects can take longer to kick in some individuals. One can even feel the intoxication kicking in after 3-4 hours of eating an edible.

5. What do edibles taste like?

Ans. Cannabis edibles with chocolate, coffee, candies, or other strong flavour profiles mask the taste of weed. Edibles usually have a strong taste of weed if they’re lighter and have a higher potency. However, weed doesn’t taste too good, and hence, you can easily make a tasty edible by including various ingredients.