How to Make Cannabutter

Is Making Your Own Edibles With Cannabis Worth It?

Edibles let me enjoy cannabis more healthily,  without the ashtray aftertaste. They last longer, hit differently, will save you money, and are a great way to use your leftover trim from your home grow. Need I say more? Ok then, they can also be fine-tuned to suit the occasion. Want to get creative and chatty? There’s a strain and a dose for that. Want to melt into the couch after a long week? Same. Making edibles at home is cheaper, more reliable, and way more fun than buying them. You control the strain, the ingredients, the flavor, and,  most importantly,  the dose. 

At ILGM, we have access to amazing genetics, featuring a wide range of strains with diverse terpene profiles and effects. So I’ve started experimenting, so you don’t have to: brownies, oils, salad dressings, tinctures, gummies. Some turned out beautifully. Some… not so much. But the satisfaction of creating your own edibles is only matched by the satisfaction of growing your own cannabis. 

Each attempt taught me something, and over time, I have devised some easy-to-master skills that I’m eager to share with you. So grab your apron, gather your supplies, and don't forget your stash. I’ll guide you through how to make cannabis infused butter, cannabis tinctures, and infused oils so you can make medicated meals (or drinks and snacks) for yourself or to share with other people.

Decarb: The Absolute Essential First Step in Edible Making

Decarboxylation is the chemical process that activates the cannabinoids in your cannabis. Without it, your edibles won’t be effective, no matter how carefully you infuse them. 

Raw cannabis contains the non-psychoactive compounds THCA and CBDA, which won’t get you high. By heating your cannabis gently, you convert those acids into active THC and CBD, which is the stuff that brings euphoria, relief, and relaxation.

Buds before Decarb

Before you start baking brownies, infusing oils, or making cannabis cocktails, there’s one essential step you need to master: decarboxylation, or “decarbing” for short. In essence, you need to slowly cook your weed before you cook with your weed…

Keep a fan running or windows open, because yes, it will smell like you are cooking with well… cannabis.

When you’re done, your weed should look golden brown, feel slightly dry, and be ready to infuse into butter, oil, or tinctures. Think of decarbing as the “on” switch for your edibles. Skipping it means leaving all that THC and CBD potential on the table, literally.

Buds after Decarb

Edible Dosage: How To Get It Right?

I cannot stress this enough: start low and go slow! When it comes to cannabis edibles, the dose matters more than anything. Edibles affect everyone differently; what gives one person a pleasant buzz might overwhelm someone else, so we always recommend starting low and going slow. You can always take more, but you can’t rewind time or take less, you get me?

Things to consider (because bodies are weird, different, and wonderful):

• Tolerance & experience — regular consumer or just starting out?

• Body weight & metabolism — changes how quickly cannabinoids are processed.

• Empty vs. full stomach — emptier = faster/harder; fuller = slower/softer.

• Guests — if you’re sharing, always tell people what to expect.

Stoner Math (the only formula you really need)

Stoner Math is a simple method for estimating the potency of your edibles. By doing a little quick math, you can figure out roughly how much THC is in your butter, oil, or finished treat. It helps you avoid making edibles that are either too strong or too weak to feel. You don’t need to be great at math; just follow a few easy steps to get a good idea of your dose.

First: THC % × 10 = mg THC per gram of flower

Example: 20% THC ≈ 200 mg THC per gram

Then: Total THC in batch = mg THC per gram × grams used

Per serving = Total THC ÷ number of servings

Example: Infuse 3.5 grams at 20% THC: 3.5 × 200 = 700 mg THC in the oil or butter Cut into 35 brownies = about 20 mg THC per brownie

These are rough estimates. Real potency varies based on how well the cannabis is decarboxylated and how efficiently THC binds to fat.

Easy Cannabutter Recipe 

Butter is where the magic really begins. Cannabinoids are fat-loving molecules, which means they need to bind to something rich in fats, like butter, cream, or oil, to be absorbed properly by the body. Coconut oil is another excellent option, particularly for vegan recipes or those with a higher saturated fat content. Once infused, your cannabutter can be stored in the refrigerator and used at any time you're cooking. Just be sure to label it clearly, with the date and dosage, so there are no accidental surprises in the kitchen.

How to Make Cannabutter
Melt 1 cup of unsalted butter with 5 grams of decarboxylated cannabis and 1 cup of water (plus 1 teaspoon of sunflower lecithin if you have it) in a double boiler or slow cooker.

• Keep the temperature low—around 185°F (85°C)—and let it infuse for 4 to 6 hours, stirring occasionally. 

• Once done, strain out the plant material with a muslin, chill the butter, and it’s ready to use. 

• Stored properly, it will keep for weeks.

Dose: 5 grams of cannabis at 20% THC = approximately 1,000 mg of THC before infusion.If infused into 1 cup of butter (which equals 48 teaspoons), you’ll get about 20 mg of THC per teaspoon…in theory. Actual strength may be lower depending on decarb and infusion efficiency. Always start low and increase gradually: try ¼ teaspoon to test the effects, and adjust the amount next time as needed. You can always take more, but you can’t take less.

How to Use Cannabutter?

Whether you're baking a batch of classic brownies or cookies, or experimenting with savoury recipes, homemade cannabis butter gives you the freedom to add cannabis to many recipes.

You can also just spread it on toast for a really chillaxed end to the day, great with a cup of cannabis tea too if you want to enjoy a nice, deep sleep.

Until Next time…