Recipe: How to Make Cannabis-Infused Cooking Oil

Preparing food with cannabis-infused cooking oil is a great way to consume medical marijuana. Eating cannabis rather than inhaling it produces longer-lasting effects—anywhere from six to eight hours—with a gradual onset. This means you may be able to take a single dose that lasts all day. And if you experience psychoactive effects from your medical marijuana, cooking with a little bit of cannabis cooking oil
may help you function better compared to when you inhale it.

Let’s take a look at how to make cannabis-infused cooking oil. This versatile oil can be used for baking, sautéing or frying, or in a salad dressing.

Ingredients for Cannabis-Infused  Cooking Oil

• To make your cannabis-infused cooking oil, you’ll need some form of cannabis, which could be flower, leaf or trim.
• You’ll also need to choose an oil with a high-fat content; the highest-fat oils are most
  effective at activating the THC in medical marijuana. Olive oil and
  coconut oil are both good choices, although canola oil is an inexpensive
  alternative.

Equipment for Cannabis Cooking Oil

Here’s what you’ll need to make the cannabis-infused cooking oil:

• a strainer with holes small enough to remove cannabis stems
  and other plant parts from the finished product.
• a coffee grinder, blender or food processor to prepare the cannabis
• a saucepan, double boiler or slow cooker to produce the infused oil

Step-by-Step Instructions to How to Make Your Cannabis Cooking Oil

1. Begin by grinding the cannabis in your coffee grinder, blender or
   food processor. You can use just the flower, which is the part that
   produces most of the medical effects of cannabis, or you can include the
   rest of the plant to enhance the flavor.
2. Measure out your ingredients. In general, a 2:1 volume ratio of oil
   to cannabis works well. However, you may need to tweak this ratio
   depending on the potency of your cannabis.
3. Heat the cannabis and the oil together on low to activate the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the flower. Allow for a long heating time to let the activation process occur without
   scorching the active ingredients. If you use a saucepan, you’ll need to
   apply low heat for at least 3 hours. Although using a saucepan is
   the quickest way to prepare cannabis-infused oil, make sure to stir
   frequently to spread the heat evenly through the liquid and prevent
   scorching. Alternatively, you can put the oil and cannabis mixture in a
   crockpot or slow cooker on a low setting for up to 3 days, or heat
   it in a double boiler for around 8 hours.
4. Strain the oil. Passing the oil through a strainer removes fibrous
   parts of the marijuana plant material, leaving you with a smooth oil that you can
   use as a salad dressing or for cooking. You can use the leftover plant
   parts for other recipes if you want, or simply discard them.
5. Store the cannabis cooking oil. Pour it into a sealed container and store it in your
   larder or food cupboard. Your homemade cannabis oil should last for at
   least two months, but you can extend its shelf life by keeping it in the
   refrigerator.

RELATED: DIY RECIPE: CANNABIS-INFUSED PUMPKIN SEED PESTO

Using Cannabis-Infused Oil in Cooking

Cannabis-infused oil is best used when cooking over low heat. Overheating
the oil can scorch it, so stick to gentle sautéing or use the oil as a
flavorsome dressing for salads and bread. Remember to pay attention to
the amount of cannabis-infused cooking oil you consume each day, so you receive
a suitable dose to meet your health needs.

Photo credit: Viking Homechef Cooking School

If you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our Cannabis 101 post. HelloMD can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it’s 100% online, private and efficient.