Watch out vapes, there’s another tasty side of cannabis in town: cannaoil.
Cannaoil, also known as cannabis oil, is one of the base ingredients in so many popular marijuana products. But, what is cannabis oil, what are its benefits, and can you make your own cannabis oil?
Let’s find out.
What is Cannaoil?
Cannaoil is a cannabis-infused oil. It is made from cannabis and contains all the cannabinoids of the flower, including THC and CBD.
The type of oil you can use to make canna oil varies, but common choices include olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil.
Coconut oil works great because it is versatile and will work well in baking or cooking, but the scent can be overpowering. Olive oil, on the other hand, brings added health benefits to your cannabis cooking oil.
Whichever type you choose, the main ingredient is cannabis, so you’ll still get the same rich result when you’re making cannabis cooking oil at home.
The Versatile Benefits of Cannaoil
The therapeutic benefits of products like cannabis oil are incredible.
Of course, the effects will be different for every person. However, here are just some of the versatile benefits of cannabis-infused oils:
|
Benefit |
Description |
Potential Uses |
|
Pain Relief |
Cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoids in cannaoil may help reduce chronic pain by interacting with the endocannabinoid system. |
Arthritis, migraines, muscle pain, and general inflammation. |
|
Anxiety and Stress Relief |
Cannaoil, particularly with high CBD content, can have calming effects, potentially reducing anxiety and stress levels. |
Anxiety disorders, social anxiety, PTSD, and stress management. |
|
Anti-Inflammatory |
Cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce swelling and inflammation in the body. |
Conditions like arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and muscle recovery. |
|
Sleep Aid |
THC and CBD in cannaoil may help regulate sleep cycles and improve sleep quality. |
Insomnia, sleep apnea, and general sleep disturbances. |
|
Appetite Stimulation |
THC in cannabis oil can increase appetite, which can be beneficial for individuals undergoing treatments that reduce appetite. |
Cancer treatments, eating disorders, or HIV/AIDS. |
|
Anti-Seizure |
CBD has been shown to have anti-seizure properties, especially in treatment-resistant epilepsy. |
Epilepsy and seizure disorders, particularly in children. |
|
Skin Health |
Topical application of cannabis oil may help with skin conditions due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. |
Acne, psoriasis, eczema, and general skin irritation. |
|
Neuroprotective |
Cannabinoids may help protect brain cells and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. |
Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis. |
|
Digestive Support |
Cannaoil can aid in digestive issues by reducing inflammation in the gut and improving gut health. |
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, and nausea. |
|
Mood Regulation |
Regular use of CBD-rich cannaoil can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression. |
Depression, mood disorders, and emotional imbalances. |
Cannabutter vs. Cannaoil
Cannabutter and cannabis oil are both cannabis-infused products, but they’re still different. The main difference when discussing cannabutter vs. cannaoil is the fat used.
Cannabutter is made with butter, a dairy product, while cannabis oil is made with any type of oil, such as olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil.
Other notable differences in the cannabutter vs. cannabis oil discussion include the following:
-
Flavor: Cannabutter has a stronger butter flavor than cannabis-infused oil. This may be a factor if you make edibles meant to taste like butter, such as cookies or brownies.
-
Potency: Cannabis oil packs a punch; it is more potent than cannabutter because it can dissolve more THC; THC dissolves better in oil. This means that you can use less cannabis-infused oil to achieve the desired effects.
-
Accessibility: Cannaoil is more accessible than cannabutter because it is easier to find in stores. Sometimes, the best way to access cannabutter is to make it yourself. (Though, as we’ll talk about next, making cannabis oil at home is more than possible!)
How to Make Canna Oil: Tips
Like most DIYs, making cannabis oil at home can be fun, so we’ll teach you how to make this unique type of cannabis cooking oil in simple steps with delicious outcomes.
But before we delve into the steps, here are some tips to note:
-
Use high-quality cannabis: Your output is only as good as your input, so select the best bud. The quality of the plant material you use will affect the potency and overall quality of your cannabis oil. You can experiment with different cannabis strains to determine which works best.
-
Decarboxylate your cannabis: You can’t use raw cannabis to make weed oil without decarboxylating it first. Decarboxylation activates THC and other cannabinoids in cannabis so that the canna oil can absorb them.
-
Cook slowly and steadily: Don’t be too eager to get it done; you must be patient and cook your mixture over low heat for a long time to get the best results and extract the maximum amount of THC from the cannabis. Too much heat and not enough cooking time will produce low-quality cannaoil.
-
Strain your cannabis oil properly: You must strain your weed oil after cooking to remove the weed and do it properly. Weed can give canna oil an unpleasant bitter taste.
-
Reduce odor: It takes two to three hours to cook cannaoil, and that much cook time means your kitchen and maybe even the whole house will have a weed odor. Weed is great, but you may find a buildup of weed odor unpleasant. Turn on a vent or fan or open the windows to let the smell out while use cannabis cooking oil.
How to Make Cannaoil: Ingredients, Tools, and Steps
So far, we’ve answered the “What is cannaoil?” question, briefly discussed cannabutter vs. canna oil, and highlighted the tips for making this cannabis cooking oil.
Now, let’s get look at some recipes and get cooking.
Ingredients and Tools
-
7 grams of fresh cannabis. You can use 3.5 grams if you want less potent cannaoil
-
Baking sheet
-
One cup of cooking oil (olive or coconut oil, typically)
-
Cheesecloth or strainer
-
Glass jar
-
Cannabis grinder
-
Parchment paper
Step 1: Decarboxylate Your Ground Cannabis
Remember we said decarboxylation would activate the cannabinoids in cannabis flower? Well, it’s the first step on the checklist of how to make cannabis oil at home.
Start by preheating your oven to 245°F. Grind your cannabis, but don’t grind it into a fine powder so it won’t pass through the cheesecloth or strainer.
Spread the ground cannabis on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then heat in the oven for 30 – 40 minutes.
Step 2: Cook Oil with Cannabis
Put the oil and decarbed cannabis in a slow cooker or saucepan and cook on low to medium heat for two to three hours, keeping the temperature between 160°F-200°F.
Make sure it’s low heat. If you rush it and use high heat, you’ll ruin your homemade cannabis-infused oil.
Step 3: Strain the Cooked Oil
Let the canna oil cool after cooking. Place a cheesecloth or strainer on your glass jar and pour the infused oil in.
Don’t squeeze it: just let it drip through completely. For best results, strain your cannabis oil twice to ensure there’s no leftover plant material.
Step 4: Store Cannaoil
Yes, storing is an important step, so make sure to keep your cannabis oil in a cool, dark place.
Your canna oil can last for up to six months, and you can freeze it if you want it to last longer than that.
Note that over time, THC will convert to a cannabinoid known as cannabinol (CBN). So the longer you store it, the less potent it may become. That’s not bad, though, because CBN has its own benefits.
Popular Cannabis Oil Recipe Options
If you’re thinking of what to make with cannaoil, worry not, as it is a versatile ingredient that allows you to explore several cannaoil recipes, replacing your plain oil.
One of the most popular uses of this infused oil is for making cannabis edibles, of course.
You can make potent brownies, biscuits, and cakes. However, don’t use high heat if you’re baking with cannaoil, or you’ll burn off the terpenes and cannabinoids. We recommend slow and steady baking to preserve the quality of the cannabis oil in your recipe.
Besides baking, you can also use homemade cannabis oil to make stir fries and sauces. You can drizzle it on pasta or even eat it with bread. Yum.
If you don’t feel like doing any kitchen work, you can consume your weed oil orally by placing a few drops under the tongue.
How to Store Cannaoil
After making your cannabis oil, you need to store it properly to preserve quality. Don’t let your efforts waste because of poor storage.
Below are some tips on how to store your homemade cannabis oil:
-
Store in a cool, dark place: Pick a spot away from sunlight, humidity, and heat; your kitchen cabinet will do. The ideal temperature for storing your cannabis oil is between 60 and 70°F. Also, you need to use an airtight container; otherwise, your canna oil will go rancid if air gets into it.
-
Avoid storing in plastic: Plastic can leach chemicals into your cannabis cooking oil, which can alter the flavor and potency. Glass containers will do just fine.
-
Freeze it: If you’re storing your canna oil for a long time, you can freeze it. This will extend its shelf life considerably. When you’re ready to use the oil, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
If you follow these tips, you can store cannabis oil for several months without losing its potency or flavor.
How to Dose Cannaoil
Dosing is important when consuming cannabis because you’ll know the amount of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids you consume and what effects to expect. That said, you can’t know the exact level of potency in your cannabis, but you can make estimates based on THC content.
Basically, pay attention to the amount of THC in the flower you use to make canna oil. The higher the THC content, the stronger the psychoactive effects.
For instance, a strain like OG Kush contains 20% THC so that’s a potential cannabis oil potency of 1400mg. You’ll lose some of that potency during the infusion process but still get potent canna oil: about 70% to 95% of the THC will remain after the infusion.
To be safe, you can dilute your canna oil with plain cooking oil so that you consume a low dose and watch how your body reacts to it before you consume more.
It’s always best to start with a low dose because you risk unpleasant side effects if it’s too high.
Can You Buy Cannabis Oil Already Made?
Yes, you can! Licensed dispensaries sell cannabis oil that’s ready to use. That way, there’s no effort on your end.
Keep in mind that you’re looking for cannabis oil, not CBD oil. Canna oil is more potent because it contains cannabinoids from the whole plant, including THC, CBD, and terpenes, which work together to produce an entourage effect.
CBD oil, on the other hand, contains only CBD. So, don’t mix them up when you visit your local dispensary.
Getting the Best Canna-Ingredients With An MMJ Card
Need access to awesome cannabis products in order to make your weed oil at home? Then you need an MMJ card.
With your MMJ card, you can legally purchase tested and verified cannabis products from licensed dispensaries, giving you access to various high-quality ingredients, including flower, concentrates, and, of course, cannabis oil.
Your MMJ card also gives you privileged access to discounts and promotions from licensed dispensaries.
Whether you’re looking for canna oil or CBD oil, let Elevate Holistics help you find your ideal products with your medical marijuana card.
Click the link below to get started on your medical cannabis journey.
