How to Bake with Cannabis

Next time you’re watching a tv show or movie where someone’s rolling around on the floor from eating raw cannabis, you might laugh - but after reading this, you might be laughing for a different reason. Believe it or not, eating raw cannabis isn’t suggested … by anyone. It isn’t effective and it’s downright wasteful! Raw cannabis needs to be decarboxylated in order for your body to absorb the cannabinoids. Joints, bongs and vapes all decarboxylate cannabis instantly when heat is introduced. When baking with cannabis, it’s a small but imperative part of the process.

HOW TO DECARB CANNABIS
Decarboxylation is the process that activates compounds in cannabis such as THC and CBD. It’s surprisingly easy as long as you follow the rule of thumb: Go slow and low.

What you need
Oven
Baking Sheet
Parchment Paper
Cannabis*

Directions
1) Preheat your oven to 225 degrees and ensure your rack is available in the middle position. Usually, it’s warmer at the top and cooler at the bottom. Using the middle rack helps ensure that you’re working with a more consistent temperature.
2) Cut out a piece of parchment paper and lay it across the baking sheet. This will minimize the direct contact of the cannabis and help evenly distribute the heat.
3) Lightly break up the cannabis until it’s approximately the size of a grain of rice. Too fine of a grind increases the risk of burning. Spread the cannabis evenly across the parchment paper.
4) Place on the middle rack inside the oven and bake.
5) After 45 minutes, remove the cannabis from the oven and let it cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes. The cannabis should look golden brown and lightly toasted.
6) Once it’s cooled, place your decarboxylated cannabis inside an airtight jar for future baking!

* Recommended cannabis products for the job:
TWD.28 – Indica
TWD.28 – Sativa
Back Forty – Pine Kush

HOW TO MAKE BUTTER/OIL FOR BAKING
After decarboxylation, your cannabis is ready for effective use in all your culinary adventures! 
But first, let’s be honest: When it comes down to it, we want these treats to taste amazing. That’s why you normally don’t see any signs of physical cannabis in your edibles. Typically for baking (depending on your preference), decarboxylated cannabis is used to make infused butter or oil. It may sound like a lot of work, but it isn’t! Here’s how it’s done:  

MAKING BUTTER

What you need
Saucepan
Cheesecloth
Butter
Decarboxylated cannabis

Directions
1) Melt butter in a saucepan (add a little water to keep from burning)
2) Add your decarboxylated weed and simmer for 2-3 hours
3) Strain the butter into a jar (with cheesecloth to catch the ground-up herb)
4) Refrigerate.

MAKING OIL

What you need
Saucepan
Cheesecloth
Coconut or vegetable oil
Decarboxylated cannabis

Directions
1) Combine an ounce of ground, decarboxylated bud to 2 cups of oil
2) Heat for at least six hours or more without boiling
3) Use some water to keep from burning
4) Strain the oil from the ground-up

From there, you can make a long list of delicious food items! From classics like cookies and brownies to healthy snacks like veggie dip or salad dressing! Don’t forget to have fun, but not to over-consume - which is especially tempting when it comes to tasty treats. Edibles take longer for the body to process, so instant results are not to be expected. Wait at least 2 hours to feel either a body or head high!