The cannabis market has grown exponentially since its legalization in 2018 and is forecast to continue its meteoric rise. However, pure cannabis isn’t the only marijuana variation responsible for this crazy growth.
Cannabis-infused products are trendy – specifically, cannabis-infused coconut oil. From cooking to edibles, coconut oil, and cannabis make a great pair and offer many excellent benefits.
Before you start exploring cannabis-infused coconut oil, let’s do a deep dive into what it is, why it’s good for you, and how you can create your own and use it daily. Let’s get into it!
Cannabis-infused oil, also known as canna oil, is coconut oil that has been combined with cannabis. After the infusion process, the cannabis oil holds both THC properties and its coconut oil properties.
It’s a great way to combine the benefits of both substances, and there are so many fun ways to use cannabis oil in your daily life.
Cannabis is a fat-soluble plant, which means it releases THC when it’s rendered in fat. If you’ve ever made pot brownies, you already know this. Most recipes recommend toasting your weed in a generous helping of butter or oil before baking it into your brownies to release the plant compounds.
The same rule applies to coconut oil, except, unlike butter, it comes with its own benefits and more versatile uses.
When you combine the benefits of coconut oil and THC, it becomes obvious why cannabis and coconut oil are a match made in heaven.
To get a clear idea of the benefits of cannabis-infused coconut oil, let’s examine why coconut oil is better as an infusion medium than other fats.
Fat gets a bad rep, but it’s a necessary component of a healthy diet. However, not all fats are made equal. In this regard, coconut oil is superior.
One of the reasons it’s superior is because of a fatty acid called lauric acid. Lauric acid may help balance cholesterol levels and promote heart health.
Lauric acid is also antimicrobial, which is the perfect medium for topicals. Its antimicrobial properties protect the skin from infections.
Another fatty acid with powerful properties found in coconut oil is caprylic acid. Like lauric acid, it’s an antimicrobial agent – but its effects don’t stop there.
Caprylic acid is also an anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory fatty acid, effectively treating skin conditions, inflammation, and some digestive disorders.
Lastly, coconut oil proves to be highly versatile as a cannabis product. Most people infuse their cannabis with butter, which can limit how you use it. Nobody wants to throw butter in their coffee.
Cannabis-infused coconut oil, on the other hand, can be used for everything from massages to cooking to making your favorite cup of Joe.
Neutral coconut oil is virtually tasteless, so you can use it for most foods. Coconut oil is also great for your skin, making it an excellent topical and moisturizer.
Whatever your goals with your cannabis-infused product, coconut oil will fit the bill.
Coconut oil comes with its fair share of benefits, but so do cannabis and THC. When we combine the two, they provide a host of benefits that can be life-changing.
Here are the most prominent things to look forward to from your cannabis-infused coconut oil.
Inflammation is a natural process all human bodies possess and is an integral part of our immune system’s defense mechanism. However, sometimes inflammation, which is supposed to go on and off as needed, stays on, leaving people suffering from chronic inflammation.
Chronic inflammation is dangerous and can cause health problems like arthritis, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, to name a few.
THC and coconut oil have anti-inflammatory properties and are effective anti-inflammatory supplements. The best part? The anti-inflammatory properties also work when applied as topicals.
The links between THC and chronic pain have been studied extensively. THC and cannabis-infused products are used by many chronic pain sufferers, from cancer patients to people with arthritis. And the results are positive: cannabis reduces pain significantly.
Using an oil like coconut oil, which is highly versatile, also opens up how people can take their THC. If you don’t want to smoke, you don’t need to.
Part of the wellness journey is substituting everyday products with healthier alternatives. One such option is coconut oil. If you’re regularly consuming butter, canola oil, or other mediums for your cannabis-infused products, it can impact your health and cholesterol levels.
Coconut oil, on the other hand, contains lauric acid, which has a positive effect on cholesterol levels.
As with any substance, moderation is key. Coconut oil is still a saturated fat and, while better than butter and many other oil options, should be consumed in moderation.
Coconut oil has been positively linked to conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. The fatty acids in coconut oil are metabolized by the liver, creating ketones that provide powerful energy reserves to the brain – which may lead to improved cognitive function and better memory.
Now that we’ve covered all the fantastic benefits of cannabis-infused coconut oil, let’s discuss all the great ways you can enjoy your infusion.
Cannabis-infused coconut oil is especially popular as a topical. Coconut oil is a popular moisturizer, and the addition of the cannabis benefits makes it an even greater product.
You can use canna oil as your daily moisturizer with a happy kick to fight inflammation in your joints or injuries (not on open wounds) and as an anti-inflammatory in body scrubs.
Cannabis-infused coconut oil is built for edibles. As mentioned earlier, you can use coconut oil to render your cannabis for edibles instead of using butter.
So, whether brownies, muffins, or cookies, canna oil makes a great THC carrier for all your baking. This way, you can keep the cannabutter (cannabis butter) for recipes that specifically need butter.
Cannabis-infused coconut oil isn’t limited to baking. You can use it as a regular oil substitute in almost all recipes and enjoy your THC-laced food, drinks, and other yummy goods. Here is a complete guide on making cannabis cooking oil to create your own.
Hot beverages are also a popular medium for enjoying canna oil. Add your cannabis-infused coconut oil to your tea or coffee, or create delicious THC hot chocolate with a creamy texture. Your options are virtually limitless.
You now know everything there is to know about cannabis-infused coconut oil! Next, we’ll show you how to prep and make your cannabis coconut oil at home.
To create your cannabis-infused coconut oil, you’ll need some equipment.
Next, gather your ingredients.
First, you’ll need 7 to 10 grams (around 1 cup) of your favorite weed strain.
Second, you’ll need coconut oil. The type you choose depends on what you plan on using the oil for.
Coconut oil is commonly available in virgin, unrefined, or refined coconut oil. Refined coconut oil has been processed and has a neutral smell and taste. If you plan on cooking with your canna oil, we’d suggest using the refined option.
If you’re using the oil mainly as a topical, opt for virgin coconut oil. It retains more nutrients and benefits because it’s less processed.
Whichever option you choose, gather one cup of the oil. You want to maintain a 1:1 cannabis and coconut oil ratio.
Decarboxylate is the process by which the THCA in cannabis is turned into THC, the psychoactive ingredient we all know and love. It’s usually activated when smoking, which introduces heat to the flower.
But because we’re cooking the buds, you’ll need to specifically decarboxylate your cannabis before infusing it to get all the THC in your oil.
The process is super simple. Collect your baking sheet, line it with baking paper, and sprinkle your cannabis buds on the sheet. Spread it evenly.
Heat your oven to 240ºF and let the marijuana bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Monitor the temperature – if it goes above 250ºF it will kill the cannabinoids.
The smell of the decarboxylate process can be quite intense, so keep your windows open and don’t freak out when you smell the marijuana baking.
If the marijuana is still in its bud form, use your grinder to grind the cannabis until it fills the 1-cup measurement. Don’t overgrind it – if the bits are too small, you won’t be able to strain it from the final mixture.
Consider the size of the strainer holes or mesh you are using, as this will determine the texture you should aim for when grinding your cannabis.
When grinding the cannabis with a grinder, aim for a texture that resembles coarse sand rather than a fine powder. This ensures that the cannabinoids and terpenes are released during the infusion process without creating difficulties during the straining stage.
Next, combine the coconut oil and ground cannabis.
You have a few options for the cooking process. Use a saucepan, pot, or slow cooker. Throw the cup of oil and the cup of cannabis into the pan and turn on the heat. Aim for a temperature of 160ºF to 200ºF – a mild simmer. Use your food thermometer here to get the temperature right.
Let your mixture simmer for 2 to 3 hours and keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t go over 200ºF. This could burn the oil and destroy the cannabinoids and terpenes.
After the mixture has simmered, prep your mason jar or food container. Wash it with hot water and ensure the container is clean to avoid contamination. Next, put the strainer over the entrance and carefully pour the canna oil mixture through the mesh.
If the mesh isn’t fine enough, use cheesecloth.
Give the mixture time to run through the strainer, but don’t squeeze the cheesecloth or push the mixture through. This will only break open the plant matter and leave an unpleasant, earthy taste in the oil.
Once it’s completely strained, throw away the plant matter and store your cannabis-infused coconut oil.
Cannabis oil has quite a shelf life – sometimes years. However, you need to store it correctly. This means using an airtight container and keeping foreign matter from the oil.
If you are storing the cannabis-infused oil outside, keep it away from direct sunlight. Choose a cool, dark space and ensure the temperature is consistent throughout the year. Put the canna-oil in your fridge to extend the shelf life even further.
Whatever you do, always use clean utensils, clean the container rim, and engage the airtight seal.
The main concern associated with cannabis-infused coconut oil is excessive consumption. However, the focus here isn’t on cannabis itself. It’s pretty challenging to overconsume THC-infused oil unless you have a large quantity or increased the cannabis ratio in the blend.
In this context, the risk of overconsumption refers to the coconut oil. While coconut oil has its merits, such as various health benefits, these advantages only apply when consumed in moderation.
Consuming too much coconut oil in one sitting can lead to immediate symptoms like nausea, headaches, swollen glands, and joint pain.
So, keep your daily intake low, to about two tablespoons of oil per day. If you consume canna-oil in healthy amounts, you have nothing to worry about.
The cannabis market is booming, and we’re exploring more and more fun ways to enjoy cannabis. One great way of enjoying cannabis is through cannabis-infused coconut oil.
It combines the benefits of coconut oil and cannabis. It works great as topicals, cooking oil for baking and cooking, and an additive for hot beverages.
The best part? You can make canna oil at home! Use our recipe to create your batch of canna oil and store it safely.
To create the best cannabis-infused coconut oil, you need the best cannabis. That’s why you need Embarc! We offer high-quality cannabis at unbeatable prices. Visit your nearest Embarc location today!
