Cannabis tea has been around for centuries, as ancient civilizations have long understood the therapeutic benefits of this plant. But, learning how to make cannabis tea is a bit of a different story.
Over the years, cannabis tea has evolved quite a bit. These days, you can make loose-leaf cannabis tea or infuse it with the cannabinoid — and dosing — of your choosing.
If you’re interested in learning how to make cannabis tea, or even just what this infused type of tea entails, we’ve got you covered.
What is Cannabis Tea?
First things first, let’s cover the basics: what is cannabis tea?
Cannabis tea is a type of tea that’s either been infused or made using the cannabis plant.
You’ll find cannabis tea in various blends and flavors, including classics like green tea, white, black, herbal, mint, or even citrus tea — all of which have been infused with cannabis.
Nowadays, you can even come across cannabis-infused teas in different forms. There are loose-leaf teas meant for brewing, while other brands offer cold, bottled tea, or even sparkling teas for those who enjoy a bit of carbonation.
Since this tea is infused with the cannabis plant, it’s going to produce psychoactive results post-consumption. How strong the results are will differ depending on your individual tolerance, as well as the strength of the tea itself.
If you’re okay with getting a little stoney from your tea, adding a bit of cannabis may be a great option for you.
How Does Cannabis Tea Work in the Body?
The way that cannabis tea works in the body is a bit different than other canna-products on the market.
After you consume your dose of cannabis tea, the cannabinoids within the drink will first travel throughout the digestive system.
Then, they have to make their way into your liver, where the liver processes the compounds — and converts them into a more potent THC form.
Once the THC has transformed into 11-hydroxy-THC, these compounds are able to be absorbed into the bloodstream, making their way all throughout the body.
THC is able to bind with both the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, helping to produce strong highs and supportive therapeutic effects.
All of this is to say that when it comes to cannabis-infused drinks and foods, patience is key. This whole process takes a bit of time to work, with many people experiencing effects anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours after drinking their tea.
How to Make Cannabis Tea
Now that you know what this infused drink is, let’s answer the million-dollar question: how do you make cannabis tea? And can you make it yourself at home?
Absolutely! If you want to learn how to make cannabis tea, the process is likely a bit easier than you’d think.
Below, we’ve explained the three easy steps you need to take to make your own cannabis-infused tea.
But first, you’ll need the following ingredients/materials:
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- Cannabis flower
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- A grinder
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- Baking sheet and parchment paper
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- A fat-based substance such as butter or coconut oil
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- Tea bag
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- Fine strainer or cheesecloth
Step One: Decarboxylation
The decarboxylation process is key if you want to enjoy the psychoactive effects of your cannabis.
To do this, you’ll start by preheating your oven to about 230°F. As your oven heats, take about a half-gram of bud and grind it up in your grinder. (If you don’t have a grinder, you can break it up with your hands.)
Grab your baking sheet and cover it with parchment paper. Then, evenly coat the paper in your ground bud.
Place the baking sheet in the oven and “bake” your cannabis for about 30-40 minutes.
This process will activate the THC in the cannabis, giving you the effects you know and love.
Step Two: Make Your Cannabutter/Canna-Oil
After your cannabis has been decarboxylated, it’s time to make your cannabutter or canna-oil, depending on the fat you choose. Cannabis is fat-soluble, so pairing it with a fat-based substance helps to release the cannabinoids more effectively.
Take your decarbed cannabis and mix it with the butter or oil until it is well-coated. Then, boil about 1.5 cups of water on the stove.
Once the water is boiling, go ahead and add your cannabis and fat mixture. Turn it down to low heat and let it simmer for around half an hour. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent the mixture from sticking to the pan.
Next, it’s time to strain. Strain the mixture into a cup by using a fine strainer or cheesecloth, removing all the plant matter that’s left behind.
Step Three: Infuse Your Tea!
Finally, you’re ready to infuse your tea. Take your favorite tea bag and place it into the cannabis-infused hot water you just poured.
Steep it to your preference. If you don’t like the plant-like flavors the cannabis brings, you can always add honey or sugar to taste, of course.
And that’s it! You’ve officially made your own cannabis tea at home.
The Benefits of Sipping on Cannabis Tea
People choose to turn to cannabis tea for so many different reasons. Whether you want to learn how to make cannabis tea to help you sleep at night, ease pains, or just start your day off on the right foot, it’s a great product to help you do so.
Quickly, here are some of the main benefits of cannabis-infused tea:
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- Pain Relief: Many people find that the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of cannabis present themselves beautifully within cannabis tea. It may help with pain from conditions such as arthritis or neuropathic pain.
- Anxiety and Stress Relief: The cannabinoids within cannabis — CBD, specifically — are known for having calming, relaxing properties. This is great for those who typically have high stress or anxiety levels.
- Nausea and Vomiting Relief: Cannabis tea may help reduce the feelings of nausea, and stop vomiting, as well. It may also help relieve certain symptoms of conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.
- Sleep Aid: The calming, soothing properties of cannabis tea may be perfect before bed, as many people find it helpful for falling and staying asleep.
It’s important to remember that each person is going to experience unique benefits from products like cannabis tea. This is because the cannabinoids in the tea work with your body specifically!
Other Ways of Making Cannabis Tea
If you don’t have flower that you want to infuse into your tea, you don’t have to follow the steps we outline above. Instead, you can always make your cannabis tea an easier way: using an extract.
If you have a favorite THC — or even CBD — oil, then infusing it into your tea will be effortless.
All you have to do is place your typical dosage of cannabis oil directly into your hot or cold tea. Make sure to mix it up, as well. (Though you will find that these two products don’t blend seamlessly — this is due to their opposing compositions.)
After you’ve done this, you can consume your tea as normal. Then, after about an hour or so, you are likely to start experiencing the effects of your oil.
This method is much better for those who want a quicker option, or if you have a go-to oil that you want to stick with.
But, if you’re a bit bored or want to experiment with strengths and flavors, learning how to make cannabis tea from flower is the way to go.
Crafting the Best Cannabis Tea With an MMJ Card from Elevate Holistics
If you want to craft the best cannabis tea possible, it’s ideal to start with getting your medical card — online, of course.
When you have a medical card, you gain access to top-shelf cannabis products at lower prices than recreational consumers. And, if you don’t live in a state where weed is permitted, it’s the only way to access high-quality, legal bud.
Elevate Holistics makes getting your MMJ card effortless, too. Our appointments are 100% online, and you can complete them right from home in under 15 minutes. This way, there’s no disruption to your busy schedule.
Then, once you have your medical card, you’ll be able to buy top-shelf bud to craft the tastiest, most potent cannabis tea you’ve had yet.
Ready to learn how to make cannabis tea in your own home? Start by getting your medical marijuana card online today — just click here or the button below.
