How to make marijuana butter at home: easy and effective recipe
Marijuana butter is one of the most versatile ingredients in cannabis cooking. It’s a butter infused with cannabis that lets you enjoy its psychoactive or therapeutic effects without smoking. It’s ideal for making brownies, cookies, sauces, or even spreading directly on toast. In this article, we’ll teach you how to make it step by step in a safe, potent, and delicious way.
What is marijuana butter?
Marijuana butter is a mix of regular butter and previously decarboxylated cannabis flowers or trimmings. During slow cooking, the active compounds in cannabis, such as THC and CBD, dissolve in the fat of the butter. This makes it an excellent base for both recreational and medicinal cannabis recipes.
Why use cannabis butter?
Ingesting cannabis through food offers a different experience compared to smoking or vaping:
- Longer-lasting effects (up to 8 hours or more)
- Less impact on the respiratory system
- Better absorption of cannabinoids
- Possibility of more controlled dosing
In the medical field, it can help relieve chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, or lack of appetite. Recreationally, it provides a more intense, full-body, and longer-lasting experience.
The key step: decarboxylation
Before cooking with cannabis, it’s essential to decarboxylate the plant. This process transforms acidic cannabinoids (THCA, CBDA) into their active forms (THC, CBD).
How to decarboxylate:
- Grind the marijuana
- Place it on a baking tray with aluminum foil
- Bake at 115°C (240°F) for 30–40 minutes, stirring halfway through
This step maximizes the potency of your marijuana butter.
Ingredients for marijuana butter
- 250 g of high-fat butter
- 5 g of buds (or 10–15 g of resinous leaves)
- ½ glass of water (about 50 ml)
Required utensils
- Large pot
- Fine strainer or cheesecloth
- Blender or grinder
- Glass container or plastic container
- Wooden spoon
Step-by-step: how to make marijuana butter
- Prepare the marijuana
Grind the buds or cannabis trimmings. Then boil them for 20 minutes in water on very low heat. This removes chlorophyll and other impurities.
- Melt the butter
In another pot, melt the butter with the ½ glass of water, always on low heat, avoiding boiling.
- Mix the marijuana
Add the cleaned cannabis to the melted butter. Cook the mixture on minimum heat for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring constantly. You’ll see the butter turn a deep green color.
- Strain and cool
Strain the mixture using a fine strainer or cheesecloth to remove plant material. Pour the liquid into a container and let it sit for 2 hours at room temperature.
- Final resting
Store the container in the fridge for 24 hours. The butter will separate from the water, forming a solid layer that you can easily remove.
Storing cannabis butter
Keep the butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. If you want to store it longer, freeze it in small portions to use only what you need.
Effects and precautions
When ingesting cannabis, effects can take up to 2 hours to appear but are usually stronger and longer-lasting than smoking. It’s advisable to start with small doses, especially if you’re a beginner.
Effects may include:
- Deep relaxation
- Euphoria
- Prolonged sleep
- Increased appetite
Avoid driving or performing tasks requiring focus after consuming it.
Extra tips to improve your marijuana butter
- You can flavor the butter with vanilla, cinnamon, or orange peel.
- Adding terpenes at the end enhances flavor and effects.
- For sweet butter, mix with cocoa, honey, or sugar.
- For savory butter, add garlic, oregano, or spicy herbs.
Marijuana butter: benefits compared to other consumption methods
Many people are switching from smoking cannabis to consuming it as food, with marijuana butter being one of the most popular methods. This is because cooking with cannabis reduces respiratory risks and allows for a more controlled and pleasant experience. Additionally, ingested THC is metabolized in the liver and becomes a compound called 11-hydroxy-THC, which has a stronger and longer-lasting effect.
Edibles allow for more precise dosing. And although the onset is slower, the comedown is too, making it ideal for long-term treatments like pain or anxiety management.
How to use marijuana butter in your recipes
Once your cannabis butter is ready, the culinary possibilities are endless:
- Brownies and cookies – the classics of cannabis cooking
- Sauces and creams – from béchamel to pasta sauce
- Spread for toast – with a touch of honey or cinnamon
- In baking – muffins, cakes, glazes
- In savory meals – rice, risottos, stews, etc.
Always mix well to ensure uniform dosing, and never cook at too high temperatures, as this can degrade cannabinoids.
Can you make marijuana butter with trimmings?
Yes. In fact, resinous trimming leftovers (small leaves cut during bud pruning) are a very effective option for making butter. Although they have less THC than buds, they allow you to use the whole plant without wasting anything.
For these recipes, just be sure to decarboxylate the trimmings well and use an appropriate ratio. You can even mix trimmings with buds to increase potency without using your best flowers.
Marijuana butter with CBD? A non-psychoactive option
If you want the therapeutic benefits of cannabis without the psychoactive effects of THC, you can make butter with CBD-rich flowers. This version is commonly used to:
- Reduce anxiety
- Improve sleep quality
- Relieve pain without altering mental state
Be sure to use legal CBD strains and follow the same decarboxylation process to activate the cannabinoids. CBD butter is ideal for seniors or those seeking therapeutic use without “getting high.”
Is cannabis butter stronger than smoking it?
Yes, marijuana butter can be considerably more potent than smoking cannabis. This is due to how the body metabolizes THC when ingested instead of inhaled. When you smoke cannabis, THC quickly enters the bloodstream via the lungs and reaches the brain, causing a near-immediate but shorter effect (1–2 hours).
However, when THC is ingested in edibles like cannabis butter, it goes through the digestive system and then to the liver, where it’s transformed into 11-hydroxy-THC, a much more potent metabolite with longer-lasting effects. This compound crosses the blood-brain barrier more efficiently, intensifying and prolonging the high.
That’s why it’s best to start with small doses, especially if it’s your first time with edibles. Effects may take 30 minutes to 2 hours to appear but can last 6 to 8 hours or more depending on dose, individual tolerance, and whether you’ve eaten beforehand.
In summary, if you want a longer, deeper, and more body-centered effect, cannabis butter is a great option—but always with care and patience, as its potency can surprise even experienced users.
What is marijuana cream used for?
Marijuana cream, also known as cannabis cream or cannabis balm, is a topical product made with extracts from the cannabis plant, especially cannabinoids like CBD (cannabidiol) and, to a lesser extent, THC. Unlike edibles or smoking products, marijuana cream does not produce psychoactive effects, as it doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier. Its use is strictly local and therapeutic.
This cream is mainly used for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and soothing properties and is ideal for treating physical ailments such as:
- Muscle or joint pain
- Arthritis and osteoarthritis
- Tendonitis and sports injuries
- Menstrual cramps (applied on the abdomen)
- Skin irritation or inflammation
- Mild psoriasis or eczema
CBD is mainly responsible for these beneficial effects, as it interacts with endocannabinoid receptors in the skin. While some products may contain traces of THC, it’s generally not enough to cause any “high.”
Many marijuana creams also include natural ingredients like arnica, rosemary, menthol, or aloe vera to further enhance their calming and regenerative effects.
In short, marijuana cream is a natural therapeutic tool that is increasingly popular among those seeking localized relief without having to consume cannabis internally. It’s ideal for seniors, athletes, or those with chronic muscle and joint pain.
What’s the name of the marijuana oil that’s smoked?
The marijuana oil that’s smoked is commonly known as cannabis oil, though in cannabis culture it goes by various names depending on its type, purity, and extraction method. Some of the most well-known are:
- Hash oil
- BHO (Butane Hash Oil)
- Rosin (rosin tech)
- Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) – although this one is more medicinal than recreational
The most used for smoking or vaporizing is BHO, a concentrated cannabis extract obtained using butane as a solvent. This oil has a very high THC concentration, often over 70–80%, making it extremely potent. It comes in different textures like shatter (glass-like), wax (waxy), or budder (buttery).
Another very popular alternative is rosin, an extract obtained by applying heat and pressure to buds or hash. Rosin is notable for being solvent-free, which makes it a more natural and safe concentrate.
These oils are mainly consumed via:
- Dabbing – vaporized on a rig using high heat
- Vape pens – pre-filled cartridges for portable use
- Blunts or joints – some people coat their joints with oil to boost potency
It’s important to note that these oils are not the same as CBD oil or medicinal cannabis oil, which are usually taken sublingually or topically and are not meant to be smoked. Always make sure the product is suitable for inhalation before using it that way.
Does eating cannabis butter get you high?
Yes, eating marijuana butter can get you high, and in fact, the effect can be more intense and longer-lasting than smoking. This happens because when THC is ingested through food, it’s metabolized differently: it goes through the digestive system, reaches the liver, and is converted into 11-hydroxy-THC, a metabolite that is much more potent than inhaled THC.
The effects of cannabis edibles like marijuana butter can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in but can last up to 8 hours or more, depending on factors like dose, personal metabolism, whether you’ve eaten beforehand, and individual tolerance.
That’s why caution with quantity is key. Beginners often think “it’s not working” after 30 minutes and take more, which can lead to an excessive high, also known as a “whiteout.”
Symptoms of excess may include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Anxiety or paranoia
- Disorientation
To avoid this, it’s best to start with low doses (e.g., a quarter brownie or a teaspoon of butter), and wait at least two hours before taking more.
In summary, yes—eating marijuana butter can get you high, often more than smoking it. But with proper dosing, it can be a safe, effective, and very enjoyable way to experience cannabis.
