Cooking with cannabis: a beginner's guide
How to make cannabutter or oil at home, including the step most people skip, and how to dose it.
Making your own edibles is satisfying and economical, but homemade edibles are also where dosing goes wrong most often. How to do it safely, and portion it right.
The step everyone skips: decarboxylation
Raw cannabis won’t get you high, the THC is in an inactive form. Decarboxylation (gently heating it) activates it. Skip this and your butter does nothing.
- Spread ground flower on a tray and bake low (around 110 to 120°C) for 30 to 45 minutes until lightly toasted.
- Then infuse it into fat, butter or oil, over low heat.
Making cannabutter (the basics)
- Decarb your flower as above.
- Simmer it gently in butter (with a little water) on very low heat for a few hours, never boiling.
- Strain through cheesecloth and chill.
The hard part: dosing
This is where caution matters most. You usually can’t know the exact mg per serving at home, so:
- Treat homemade edibles as stronger than you expect and start with a tiny portion.
- Wait a full two hours before more. See our edibles dosage guide.
- Label and store it clearly, away from kids and pets.
A note on legality
Adults can make edibles at home for personal use, but not with solvents, and you can’t sell them. Keep it personal and safe.
Sources
- Health Canada, Cannabis edibles
Frequently asked questions
Why do I need to decarboxylate cannabis before cooking?
Raw cannabis has very little active THC. Gently heating it first (decarbing) converts THCA into THC, so your edibles actually do something.
How do I dose homemade edibles?
Estimate the total THC, divide by the number of servings, and start with a small portion. Our homemade edibles calculator does the math for you.
Can I just put raw cannabis in food?
Not effectively. Without decarbing and a fat for the cannabinoids to bind to, you'll mostly taste it without much effect.
How strong are homemade edibles?
Very variable. Potency swings with decarbing, how evenly it mixes, and cooking losses, so always start low and wait a full two hours.
Know your local rules
Legal age, where to buy, and where you can use it all change by province.
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