It’s no secret that the Cannabis plant hosts a wide array of health benefits.
It contains hundreds of cannabinoids that interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in our bodies, which in turn repairs imbalances in biochemistry and neurochemistry, and produces wonderful effects like relief from chronic pain, nausea, muscle spasms, and loads more.
But many people may be steered away from Cannabis by the idea of smoking or of being high. Well, we’re here to tell you that you don’t need to smoke or feel high to enjoy the wonderful health benefits that Cannabis has to offer.
You can control the degree of psychoactive effects you’ll feel and eliminate the risks of smoking by instead consuming delicious and nutritious edible Cannabis products. These products have a range of THC and CBD content, so you can find the ones that work and feel the best for you. Or you can get creative and make your own Cannabis-infused edibles! And have heaps of fun doing it.
There are many cookbooks out there today where you can find a Cannabis-infused recipe for just about anything, including savory dishes, snacks, desserts, candies, cocktails, and tons more.
So, let’s get into it. Why cook with Cannabis?
Nutritional Content of the Cannabis Plant
The leafy green raw Cannabis plant and its seeds are very nutrient dense, even considered a “superfood” by some.
It has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and possibly even anti-aging power. Plus, it’s high in fiber and essential vitamins & minerals such as:
Vitamin K (essential for blood clotting)
Vitamin C (immune system)
Iron (blood oxygenation)
Calcium (bones)
Folate (DNA repair)
Magnesium (nerve & muscle function)
Phosphorus (energy & bones)
Essential oils (stress relieving & up-lifting)
Pretty impressive, right? Juicing or consuming the raw plant is the best way to reap the full nutritional benefits of Cannabis while receiving a concentrated dose of cannabinoids, without getting high.
Wait, no high? Yup. Cannabis actually has to go through a process called decarboxylation in order to have psychoactive effects on us. This process changes the composition of certain cannabinoids through heat, like when you spark a bowl or slow simmer it in a crockpot with oil.
So, fear not. If you do want the high, you can definitely have it! You’ll just have to make sure you heat it for the correct amount of time and at the right temperature when cooking, or buy edible products with the proper amount of THC content.
Type of Edibles
There are 3 basic types of edibles based on where the cannabinoids are absorbed.
The first type is geared towards gastrointestinal uptake, or those digested through the stomach, like brownies, pill capsules, and other Cannabis-infused foods. Even though the effects might be more delayed with this type, they usually last the longest.
The second type is absorbed orally and digested by saliva, like lollipops, lozenges, and tinctures. This type can affect the patient almost immediately, but usually wears off within a few hours.
The third type is a hybrid category designed to be absorbed in both the mouth and stomach, like infused drinks and chocolate bars. These provide both fast relief and long-lasting effects.
You may also opt to eat edibles that only contain CBD or have a very low THC content to enjoy the incredible health benefits without feeling high.
Common Recipes: Cannabutter
Cannabis-infused butter, or cannabutter, is a great place to start cooking with Cannabis. This versatile ingredient can be added to almost anything for a Cannabis-kick that’ll taste great and give you lasting relief from pain or other symptoms.
You can use regular butter, olive oil, coconut oil, or any other fatty oil for this recipe. But make sure you keep a close eye, because butter burns easily!
Ingredients
- 1 cup of butter or oil
- 1 cup (7-10 grams) of ground Cannabis, decarboxylated
- 1 cup water
Process
- Decarb the Cannabis –
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 240°F
- Step 2: Break apart large buds with your hands
- Step 3: Spread the Cannabis on a baking sheet with sides
- Step 4: Let bake for 40-45 minutes until lightly browned and decarboxylated. Gently shake the tray every 10 minutes to expose the surface area of the buds equally and make sure it isn’t burning.
- Grind – Grind the decarboxylated Cannabis coarsely with a grinder.
- Melt the butter – Add water and butter into a medium saucepan and simmer on low until butter melts. The water will regulate the temperature and prevent scorching.
- Add the Cannabis – As the butter melts, throw in the plant medicine.
- Simmer – Simmer the mixture on low heat for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Make sure it doesn’t come to a full boil.
- Strain the Cannabutter – Set a funnel on top of a mason jar or container and line it with cheesecloth. Once the Cannabutter cools to room temperature, pour it into the cheesecloth funnel and allow it to strain.
- Refrigerate – Keep the Cannabutter refrigerated. Tip: After about an hour, you can remove any excess water that forms at the bottom of the container.
Dosing
The potency of your Cannabutter depends on many factors, like for how long and at what temperature it cooked.
Before going all in, test the potency of your finished product by spreading ¼ to ½ teaspoon on a snack and see how you feel after an hour. Increase or decrease the dose as desired and use it as a baseline for your recipes.
Cannabutter can be drizzled over popcorn, spread on toast, or used as an essential ingredient in recipes like mac ‘n’ cheese. The possibilities are pretty much endless with this feel-good fat.
There you have it: Cooking with Cannabis can be a simple, creative, and delicious way to medicate. We hope you enjoyed this article, and stay tuned for more recipes!
If you have any questions or would like to talk about your medical Cannabis options, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 443-708-5683 or email at info@purelifebaltimore.com. Connect with us on Facebook @purelifebaltimore.