DIY: How to Make Cannabis-Infused Cooking Oil

Cooking with cannabis-infused 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 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.

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Ingredients for Cannabis 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.

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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.