How to Make Your Cannabis Edibles More Potent
- Education
- Cannabutter Digest
Cannabis edibles are a popular choice for both recreational and medicinal users. They offer a longer-lasting high compared to smoking cannabis and are a delicious way to consume cannabis. However, making potent homemade edibles can be challenging. Many users face issues with the flavor of cannabis edibles, particularly the unpleasant green taste.
Using whole-plant ingredients can enhance the taste while still providing the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes, leading to improved flavor and health benefits. If your weed edibles haven’t delivered the punch you were hoping for, don’t worry! We’re here to guide you through the process of enhancing the potency of your cannabis edibles.
Understanding Your Dosage Needs
Before you start making your edibles, it’s crucial to understand how much weed to use. Everyone’s tolerance is different, so your ideal dosage may not be the same as someone else’s. Whether you prefer cannabis butter, infused oil, or coconut oil, start with a small amount and increase it gradually until you achieve your desired effect.
This trial-and-error approach is essential in finding the right balance for your edibles recipe, ensuring that your final product delivers the potency you’re looking for.
The Importance of Decarbing Your Cannabis Flower
Decarboxylation, or “decarbing,” is a vital step in making potent edibles. This process involves heating cannabis flower to activate THC, the psychoactive compound that gives cannabis its effects. To decarb your weed, spread crumbled weed on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet and
bake it at a low heat. If you’re looking for an easier and less smelly method, consider using a LĒVO machine. These devices ensure even distribution of heat, preserving the cannabinoids and essential oils in your plant material.
Proper Grinding for Better Infusion
Grinding your cannabis is another critical step in the infusion process. Use a food processor or simply crumble the weed by hand to achieve a coarse consistency. This allows for better infusion into the fat content of your chosen carrier, such as butter, olive oil, or coconut oil. The LĒVO pod ensures that your final product is free from plant particles, giving you smooth and potent cannabis edibles.
Adding More Weed
LĒVO II and LĒVO Lux machines come with a power pod that can hold roughly up to eight grams of marijuana. If this amount is insufficient for you, you can purchase a second pod that will allow you to double the potency of your infusions. You need not jump from infusing eight grams to sixteen right away! Simply add a bit extra to your second pod with each batch you make, so you can determine how much is right for you without going overboard.
Maximizing Potency with Infusion Techniques
The infusion process is where the magic happens. Accurately estimating the conversion efficiency during the extraction process is crucial to ensure reliable results with cannabis oil. Whether you’re using a slow cooker, a LĒVO machine, or the stovetop method, the key is to go low and slow.
Longer infusion times at low heat allow cannabinoids like THC to fully infuse into your butter or oil, resulting in a more potent edible itself. The LĒVO machines, for example, can infuse for up to ten hours, giving your cannabis edibles an extra kick.
Enhancing Potency with Multiple Ingredients
Layering infused ingredients is an effective way to elevate the potency of your weed edibles. By incorporating various oils and herbs, like coconut oil, you can enhance both the health benefits and the potency of your creations. For instance, using LĒVO machines, such as the LĒVO C, allows you to infuse cannabis into butter, honey, milk or even coconut oil with ease.
When making brownies, you can combine these infused ingredients—cannabis-infused butter, infused milk, and a dash of infused coconut oil—to not only amplify the potency but also enrich the flavor of your baked goods.
Adding Concentrates for Extra Strength for Homemade Edibles
If you’re looking to make edibles hit harder, consider adding cannabis concentrates like:
- Decarboxylated kief
- Hash
- Hash oil
- Distillate
- Tincture
These potent extracts can be easily incorporated into your favorite recipe, giving your homemade edibles an extra punch without needing to add more plant material.
Using High-Potency Cannabis Flower
Not all cannabis is created equal. The strain and quality of the cannabis flower you use will directly impact the potency of your edibles. When selecting your weed, opt for strains with high THC levels and consider other cannabinoids that may contribute to the desired effects, such as CBD for pain relief. Remember, the stronger the cannabis, the stronger the final product.
Adjusting Recipes for Maximum Potency
Sometimes, the recipe itself may call for adjustments to enhance potency. For example, you can replace any uninfused butter or oil with cannabis-infused versions, ensuring that every bite is as potent as possible. Additionally, using higher-fat ingredients like butter or coconut oil can help your body absorb the cannabinoids more effectively.
The Bottom Line
Making potent cannabis edibles requires attention to detail and a bit of experimentation. By understanding your dosage needs, properly decarbing and grinding your cannabis, and using the right infusion techniques, you can create edibles that deliver the potency you desire. Whether you’re using cannabis for recreational enjoyment or medicinal purposes, these tips will help you make edibles that hit just right. So grab your favorite recipe, infuse with care, and enjoy the powerful effects of your homemade cannabis treats.
Whether you are using cannabis for recreational or medicinal purposes, understanding your dosing needs is key. LĒVO’s automated infusion machines can take a lot of the guesswork out of the equation, making the process more precise, streamlined, and fun.
FAQs
What is the best way to make my cannabis edibles more potent?
To understand how to make edibles stronger, focus on creating a robust infusion using various techniques. Ensure you properly decarboxylate your cannabis, use high-quality cannabis flower, and consider layering infused ingredients. You can also use cannabis concentrates like decarbed kief or hash oil in your recipes for an extra boost in potency.
How do I know how much cannabis to use in my edibles?
Determining how much cannabis to use depends on your tolerance and desired effects. Start with a small amount and gradually increase it in future batches until you find the right dosage for you. Keep in mind that edibles affect everyone differently, so a little experimentation is necessary.
What is decarboxylation, and why is it important?
Decarboxylation involves heating cannabis to convert THCA into THC, the psychoactive compound that produces the high associated with cannabis. Without decarbing your cannabis, your edibles will not be as potent because the THC remains in its non-psychoactive form (THCA).
Can I increase the potency of my edibles without using more cannabis?
Yes, you can increase potency without using more cannabis by incorporating concentrates such as hash oil, tinctures, or decarbed kief into your recipe. Additionally, replacing uninfused fats with their infused counterparts can help enhance the overall potency.
What types of recipes work best for potent cannabis edibles?
Recipes that involve high-fat ingredients like brownies, cookies, and butter-based sauces work best for potent cannabis edibles. The fat content helps absorb and distribute the cannabinoids, making the edible itself more effective.
How should I store my cannabis edibles to maintain their potency?
Store your cannabis edibles in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Exposure to light, heat, and air can degrade cannabinoids, reducing the potency of your edibles over time.
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