Inspired by the work of the legendary Brownie Mary, Jesse began baking delectable medical cannabis edibles for herself and the community a decade ago. She would prepare chocolates, zucchini bread in the summer, and traditional Swedish recipes like cardamom buns (Kardemummabullar) she’d learned in the kitchen with her mother.

The key ingredient for her recipes is infused oil. Below you will find different methods to create your own oils and butter at home.

Ingredients

• 4 oz coconut oil (alternatively you can use 4 oz butter, clarified is best, but unsalted butter will work just fine, or 4 oz olive oil. Coconut oil is the best option due to the high saturated fat content which will absorb more cannabinoids)
• 3.5g to 7g of your favorite cannabis flower (alternatively if you vape cannabis flower, you can use your already vaped bud [AVB] – yes, you read that right! See below for this cost-saving approach)

Yield

4 oz of butter or oil

Equipment

• Grinder
• Mason jar with lid
• Cheesecloth or coffee filter
• Pressure cooker (we also detail a stove top method in lieu of a pressure cooker)

Directions

Decarboxylation for Fresh Herb (skip this step if using AVB)

1. Grind your fresh cannabis. Put ground cannabis into a mason jar and close the mason jar only finger tight.

2. Place the mason jar on top of a trivet in the pressure cooker and fill with water up to the level of the cannabis in your jar (not any higher, you don’t want your mason jar to be floating!)

3. Close the lid on your pressure cooker, and pressure cook for 30 minutes, then let the steam release naturally for 10 minutes. NOTE: CBD-rich flower needs slightly longer to decarb than THC-dominant flower. Decarboxylate in the pressure cooker for 45 minutes and allow to naturally release.

4. Pro tip: let the jar cool before opening; this will help maintain the flavor of the terpenes, as they will adhere to the edge of the jar as it cools.

Making the Infusion

1. Once your decarbed cannabis has cooled down (or if you’re using AVB start at this step) pour 4 oz. of your oil or butter of choice into the mason jar over your decarbed weed. If the fat is solid at room temperature, make sure to melt it so it’s in liquid form before adding to your decarboxylated cannabis. Stir to incorporate. Seal the mason jar shut, but only finger tight.

2. Place the mason jar in your pressure cooker and fill the cooker with water so that it comes up to the level of the oil or butter in the mason jar. Seal the pressure cooker and pressure cook for 60 minutes.

3. Let the oil or butter cool to a temperature you can handle.

4. Use cheesecloth or a coffee filter to strain the cannabis flower from the oil. Throw away the leftover flower. Coconut oil or olive oil can be stored at room temperature, but make sure to stir them well before using; butter should be stored in the fridge for longer term use. Use in any of your favorite recipes!

Budget-friendly Alternative to Decarboxolation: Already Vaped Bud [AVB]

If you vape your cannabis flower, save that vaped weed! Baking with the already vaped bud can be a great way to make the most out of each nug. When you vape cannabis, you are causing the THCA to go through rapid decarboxylation to the psychoactive cannabinoid THC. Please use the color graphic below to reference what your vaped cannabis should look like.

Cannabis that’s been vaped to a light level will have plenty of cannabinoids left, along with terpenes and flavinoids and is ideal for baking with edibles. Cannabis that is medium or medium dark vaped will have lower levels of cannabinoids and you may need to use a larger quantity for edibles.

Alternative Decarboxylation Methods

Stove Top Method (also works for a crockpot):

1. Place mason jar with cannabis on top of a trivet in a sauce pot on the stove top. Fill with water up to the level of your cannabis in the jar (not higher so the jar doesn’t float).
2. Remove the jar from water. Bring water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. When water is at a simmer, place the mason jar with fresh herb on top of the trivet. Let that simmer for 90 minutes.
3. NOTE: Because CBD can take longer to decarboxylate, place the jar of CBD-rich flower in the water before bringing to a boil. Reduce to a simmer as soon as it reaches a boil, and let simmer for 90 minutes.

Alternative Preparation Methods

Mason jar on the stove top (also works for a crockpot): Place mason jar with melted butter or oil and decarboxylated cannabis on top of a trivet in a sauce pot on the stove top. Fill with water up to the level of your cannabis in the jar (not higher so the jar doesn’t float). Remove the jar and bring the water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and place your mason jar in the water on top of the trivet. Let simmer for 3-6 hours. You will need to add in more water as some of it will evaporate.

Water bath in a slow cooker: Put about 2 cups of water and add in your butter or oil. Bring to a boil and let the butter or oil melt if needed. Add in you decarboxylated cannabis and reduce heat to a simmer. Let simmer for 3-6 hours. Filter through a cheesecloth or coffee filter and place in the fridge to let the cannabis infusion and the water separate. Discard the water afterwards.

To calculate the potency of your infusion and determine how much to use in your recipes, please read this blog by Jesse.