Infusing warm drinks is not as hard as one might assume. Simply choose a base, infuse it with a little heat, and construct the drink. A multitude of drinks can be constructed from a single base. Here is a guide on how to infuse drinks with cannabis:
Decarboxylate your cannabis: Before you start infusing your drink, you need to activate the THC in your cannabis. This process, called decarboxylation, involves heating the cannabis to a specific temperature for a certain period of time. (CBD does not need this). To decarboxylate your cannabis, preheat your oven to 245°F (120°C). Grind your cannabis and spread it out on a baking sheet. Bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
Choose your base: You can infuse almost any type of liquid with cannabis, but some common bases include milk, cream, and oil. THC and CBD are fat-soluble, which means that it binds to and is stored in fat cells in the body. This is why consuming THC and CBD in the form of edibles (which are usually made with some type of fat or oil) can produce longer-lasting effects than smoking or vaporizing cannabis. However, THC and CBD do not necessarily need fat or oil to bind to in order to be effective. They can also be consumed in the form of tinctures, typically made with an alcohol base. In these cases, THC and CBD do not bind to fat but are still able to produce psychoactive effects. Choose a base that you enjoy the taste of and that complements the flavor of your cannabis.
Infuse the base: Place your chosen base in a saucepan over medium heat. Add your decarboxylated cannabis to the pan and stir to combine. Let the mixture simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure that the cannabis is evenly distributed throughout the base.
Strain the mixture: Once the infusion is complete, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove any plant matter.
Add the infused base to your drink: Once the infused base has cooled, add it to your drink of choice. You can use it to make cannabis-infused coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or any other type of drink.
Note: The strength of your infused drink will depend on the potency of your cannabis and the amount you use. It’s important to start with a small amount and increase as needed to find the right dosage for you. It’s also important to remember that the effects of THC and CBD can vary greatly from person to person, so it’s important to use caution when consuming edibles and to start with a low dosage.