Cannabis Cooking Basics: Complete Beginner's Guide

Cannabis cooking opens up a world of delicious, precisely-dosed edibles you can make at home. This guide covers everything beginners need to know before stepping into the cannabis kitchen.

Quick Answer

Cannabis cooking requires three key steps: decarboxylation (heating raw cannabis to activate THC), infusion (extracting cannabinoids into fat-based ingredients like butter or oil), and incorporation (adding infused ingredients to recipes). The entire process takes 2-4 hours but yields consistent, homemade edibles.

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Why Cook with Cannabis?

Benefits Over Smoking

Longer-lasting effects: Edibles provide 4-8 hours of effects compared to 1-3 hours from smoking.

No lung irritation: Ideal for those who cannot or prefer not to smoke.

Precise dosing: Once you calculate potency, each serving is consistent.

Discretion: No smoke or lingering odor during consumption.

Versatility: From brownies to pasta sauce, cannabis works in countless recipes.

Understanding the Basics

Before you start cooking, understand these fundamental concepts:

Decarboxylation: Raw cannabis contains THCA, which is not psychoactive. Heat converts THCA to THC. This step is essential.

Fat solubility: THC and other cannabinoids dissolve in fats, not water. Always use butter, oil, or another fat-based medium.

Temperature sensitivity: THC degrades above 315°F (157°C). Keep cooking temperatures moderate.

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Essential Equipment

Kitchen Basics

Oven or decarboxylation device: For activating cannabis.

Double boiler or slow cooker: For gentle infusion without burning.

Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth: For separating plant material from infusion.

Kitchen scale: For measuring cannabis accurately.

Thermometer: To monitor temperatures during infusion.

Airtight containers: For storing finished products.

Optional but Helpful

Silicone baking mats: Non-stick surface for decarboxylation.

Lecithin: Helps cannabinoids bind to fats more efficiently.

Infusion machines: Devices like the Magical Butter Machine automate the process.

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The Three Pillars of Cannabis Cooking

1. Decarboxylation

This crucial first step activates cannabinoids. Without it, your edibles will not produce psychoactive effects.

Basic method:

• Preheat oven to 240°F (115°C)
• Break cannabis into pea-sized pieces
• Spread on parchment-lined baking sheet
• Bake for 40-60 minutes until golden brown
• Cool completely before infusion

2. Infusion

Extracting cannabinoids into a fat-based carrier creates your cooking base.

Popular infusion mediums:

• Butter (cannabutter) - classic choice for baking
• Coconut oil - high fat content, versatile
• Olive oil - great for savory dishes
• MCT oil - fast absorption, good for tinctures

Basic infusion process:

• Combine decarbed cannabis with fat in double boiler
• Maintain low heat (160-200°F) for 2-4 hours
• Stir occasionally
• Strain and store

3. Incorporation

Adding your infusion to recipes requires careful dosing.

Key principles:

• Calculate total THC in your infusion
• Divide by number of servings
• Mix thoroughly for even distribution
• Start with lower doses for first batches

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Understanding Potency and Dosing

Calculating THC Content

Formula: (mg THC per gram of cannabis) x (grams used) x (infusion efficiency, typically 0.7-0.9)

Example calculation:

• 7 grams of cannabis at 20% THC = 1,400 mg THC total
• After infusion (70% efficiency): 980 mg THC
• Divided into 24 brownies: ~41 mg per brownie

Recommended Starting Doses

Beginners: 2.5-5 mg THC per serving

Occasional users: 5-15 mg THC per serving

Regular users: 15-30 mg THC per serving

Experienced users: 30-50+ mg THC per serving

Always start low and go slow. Edibles take 30 minutes to 2 hours to take effect.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Skipping Decarboxylation

Raw cannabis will not get you high. Always decarb first.

Mistake 2: Overheating

High temperatures destroy THC. Keep infusion below 200°F and baking below 315°F when possible.

Mistake 3: Inconsistent Mixing

Cannabutter must be mixed thoroughly into batters to ensure even dosing. Unmixed pockets create hot spots.

Mistake 4: Impatience with Effects

Edibles take longer to kick in than smoking. Wait at least 2 hours before consuming more.

Mistake 5: Not Testing Potency

Make a test batch first. Consume a small amount and wait 24 hours before adjusting dosing.

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Storage and Shelf Life

Infused Butters and Oils

Refrigerator: 2-3 months in airtight container.

Freezer: 6-12 months. Freeze in ice cube trays for portion control.

Finished Edibles

Room temperature: 3-5 days for most baked goods.

Refrigerator: 1-2 weeks.

Freezer: 2-3 months.

Label everything clearly with dosage and date made.

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Legal Considerations

Cannabis cooking legality varies by jurisdiction. In legal markets:

• Only cook with legally obtained cannabis
• Never sell homemade edibles without proper licensing
• Keep edibles away from children and pets
• Store in child-resistant containers
• Label with THC content

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Getting Started: Your First Edible

For beginners, start with this simple approach:

1. Decarb 3.5 grams of cannabis (1/8 oz)

2. Infuse into 1 stick of butter (4 oz)

3. Make a simple box brownie mix substituting cannabutter for regular butter

4. Cut into 12 pieces

5. Test with half a piece, wait 2+ hours

This creates approximately 10-15 mg per brownie (depending on cannabis potency) - a moderate starting dose.

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Next Steps

Once you master the basics:

• Experiment with different infusion methods
• Try savory dishes like pasta and sauces
• Learn to make cannabis tinctures
• Explore concentrated products for higher potency
• Perfect your dosing calculations

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This guide is for educational purposes. Cannabis laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consume responsibly.