How to Properly Incorporate Weed into Your Cooking: The Dos and Don’ts

Every enthusiast has wondered, can you mix dry weed into pre-made cookie dough? And if you do, will it still get you high? While the answer may surprise some, with proper preparation and understanding, you can easily incorporate weed into your favorite recipes without wasting any of your precious dried herb.

The Importance of Decarboxylation

Before you mix your dry weed into any recipe, it’s essential to understand a process called decarboxylation. This is crucial because raw cannabis does not contain the psychoactive compound Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); it contains THCA, which is non-psychoactive. Decarboxylation activates THC by converting THCA into its psychoactive form.

To achieve decarboxylation, you can either:

Smoke the weed, which is not recommended for edibles. Bake it at 220°F (105°C) for about 30 minutes in an oven. Melt it into butter to create cannabutter.

Creating Cannabutter: A Versatile and Flavorful Base

Cannabutter is a reliable and delicious way to incorporate THC into your edibles. To make cannabutter, follow these simple steps:

Grind your dried cannabis thoroughly. Place the ground weed into a glass container or a saucepan with a heat-proof lid. Add 2 cups of unsalted butter to the container or pan. Cover and let it sit for 1 hour. Warm the mixture over a low heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter is fully melted and the herb is evenly distributed. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it sit for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer into another container, collecting the remaining cannabutter and THC-infused liquid (known as cannabis oil). Refrigerate the cannabutter to harden it before use.

Once you've made your cannabutter, you can easily fold it into your recipe. For example, if you have premade cookie dough, simply mix the cannabutter into the dough before baking.

Alternative Methods: Vaping Immersion Cooking

If you prefer not to cook with your dried herb, you can vape it as described in the original post. Vaping provides a quick and effective way to consume THC, leaving a residue known as cannadust. Cannadust can be easily mixed into other foods, like an omelette or oatmeal, to achieve a similar effect to edibles.

Another alternative is to immersion cook your herb. This method involves mixing your dried weed into a liquid (like creamed corn) and microwaving it for a few minutes. This simple technique, known as "green corn," involves:

Mix your dried herb into a bowl of creamed corn. Microwave the mixture for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. The resulting "green corn" can be eaten immediately, providing a mild THC experience.

Tips for Enjoying Edible Weed

Enjoying weed by eating it comes with its unique set of considerations. Here are some tips to help you enjoy your goodies safely:

Start low and go slow. Initial doses may be lower than expected, typically around 10-15mg for new users. Wait 30 minutes before consuming more. The effects from edibles can take longer to kick in compared to smoking or vaping. Avoid overconsumption. Overdosing can lead to uncomfortable effects; be patient and wait for the high to set in properly.

In conclusion, by understanding decarboxylation and using techniques like making cannabutter, you can easily incorporate your weed into your cooking without wasting any of your precious herb. Proper preparation is key to achieving the desired effect and enjoying your edibles safely and effectively.