Learn how to make cannabis-infused honey, the famous 'cannahoney'!
Do you know cannahoney? It's exactly what it sounds like - honey that's been infused with cannabis. And no, doing so requires no chemistry training or any fancy lab equipment.
Cannabis-infused honey (or “cannahoney”) can be used to make all sorts of recipes that call for honey, or just to make a truly divine mug of hot tea. And after infusing some honey with cannabis, you have a cannabis infusion that you can easily add to any dish that needs a little sweetness — and lots of smiles.
So if you're looking to get a little sweeter (sorry) with a healthy, all-natural sweetener, look no further.
What is the point of cannabis honey?
There are more ways to get high than ever before and almost everyone has their preference. And while foods might not be ideal as a daily method, they definitely have a very obvious appeal. Edibles don't need to be smoked or steamed, they don't leave a smell you need to vent out of your home, and the breeze?
It can last for hours and provide a full-body warm sensation that can also make something as simple as “Bee Movie” very hilarious. Edibles might even leave you in the kitchen staring at the bottle and asking: if bears hibernate for months, what do they dream of? How does a bear get honey out of its paws? And what is a bear anyway? Are they just giant dogs that like fish? Are they sirens?
You get the idea, foods are potent and a lot of fun. And while they won't get you out of your vape pens anytime soon, they can represent a big change of pace every now and then.
You can get yourself into a sticky situation with herb honey or really any cannabis edibles if you make one of these rookie mistakes.
The most common is simply not being patient enough. Countless people have tried a new edible and not knowing for sure its potency, have tried a dose and waited… only to not feel anything after about an hour. They then decide to take another dose, only to feel the first one kick in a few minutes later. You can see where this is going.
While there is no real physical danger in overeating, an overly potent edible dose can be an unpleasant experience. The best way to avoid overdoing it is to simply be patient. Wait at least an hour and a half after taking a dose before deciding that you need to take more.
The other common mistake occurs when making edible items and is also easy to avoid.
Decarboxylation – don’t forget this step
Decarboxylation is a long word to describe a fairly short and simple chemical process during which marijuana is heated, thereby converting the cannabinoid THCA into THC. This allows you to get high by simply eating it, without applying heat like you do when smoking cannabis.
Fortunately, decarboxylation is very easy. All you need to do is grind some marijuana and bake it in the oven for about 30-45 minutes at about 105-120°C. Be sure to check every 10 minutes or so to make sure that the cannabis is not burnt. You'll probably also want to break a window, unless you enjoy the aroma of cannabis baking in your kitchen and living room.
How to make cannabis honey
Ingredients:
1 cup of honey
3.5-7 grams of decarboxylated cannabis (depending on the potency you prefer)
Gauze
String (optional)
clay pot
Airtight bottle for storage
Instructions:
Take the decarboxylated cannabis and wrap it in a piece of gauze and tie it with string. This will make it much easier to remove the cannabis after the infusion is complete. (Alternatively, you can infuse the cannabis directly into the honey and then strain it through the cotton cloth into a jar.)
In a one-liter jar, mix the honey and gauze with the cannabis and close the lid.
Place a hand towel on the bottom of the crockpot under the jar and add water until the jar is submerged above the honey.
Heat the crockpot to about 93°C (200°F) and keep it on low heat for about 8 hours, giving the jar a good shake every hour and burp the lid if you feel the pressure building up.
Carefully remove the pot from the heat and use tweezers to extract the cotton cloth with the cannabis inside. Squeeze the rest of the honey from the cheesecloth and place it in the jar.
You can also use a much faster bain-marie method like the one in this recipe. Simply place your decarboxylated cannabis directly into the honey pot and cook over low heat in a double boiler for about 40 minutes, making sure it doesn't boil over. Remove the honey and cannabis from the heat and filter them through cheesecloth into a new pot.
Cannabis honey can stay fresh for at least a few months if kept in a cool, dark place.
Cannabis honey tips and dosage
There is no set amount of cannabis you should use for this recipe. If you prefer a smoother batch, about 3-4 grams (or an eighth) per cup of honey is more than enough. For a stronger batch, consider doubling the amount.
The strength of cannabis will depend not only on the amount of cannabis used, but also on the potency of the strain. That's why it's hard to say precisely how much THC you can expect in each dose.
Regardless, a good rule of thumb is to start with a small dose – about ¼ or ½ teaspoon – and see how you feel after just over an hour. With the cannahoney, it's always easy to take another spoonful if needed.
What can I do with cannahoney?
Cannabis-infused honey is highly versatile and there is virtually no limit to what can be considered a “cannabis honey recipe”.
You can use it to replace some or all of the honey in baked goods like honey cake, or mix it into the honey you would use in a vinaigrette and drizzle it over a salad.
The easiest way, though, is arguably just to take half a teaspoon and mix it with a cup of hot tea and watch the rest of the day take on an entirely different vibe.
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