How To Make Cannabis Oil?

Posted 6 years ago by Ian Shutts

Easy Instructions On How To Make Cannabis Oil

Cannabis oil can be pretty expensive, but if you have the ingredients, time, and a well-ventilated space, you can make your own cannabis oil which will be potent and equally therapeutic. The process may be time-consuming, but your efforts will pay off in the end. Plus, making your own cannabis oil is also inexpensive compared to store-bought cannabis oil.

Know Your Strains

There are different varieties of cannabis strains. Some have high THC and low CBD content, and others have high CBD and low THC. This is important to know since their effects will vary. For example, high-THC content will produce psychoactive effects like increased anxiety and paranoia. On the other hand, high-CBD content will produce fewer side effects since this cannabinoid is nonpsychoactive. Both, however, have very beneficial and therapeutic effects.

Before making your own cannabis oil, do your research on the different cannabis strains, look for trusted and quality suppliers, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. All these will help you in choosing the best strain that will work for you – either for the treatment of your symptoms or for recreational use.

how to make cannabis oil

Ingredients and Materials That You Need

How To Make Your Own Cannabis Oil

Ingredients:
High-quality cannabis strain of choice, 1 ounce.
Alcohol, preferably Everclear.

Materials:
Double boiler. You can also use a rice cooker.
Coffee grinder.
Wooden spoon.
Cooking thermometer.
Cookie sheet.
Bowls.
Cheesecloth. You can also use coffee filters.
Clean needleless syringes.
Mask.

Directions

It’s important that you make the cannabis oil in a well-ventilated area since you’re going to deal with flammable substances. So open all the windows and use an electric fan for proper airflow beneath the cooker. This will prevent the accumulation of toxic fumes.

The first thing that you need to do is to decarb your cannabis. This is an important step since heat releases and activates the cannabinoids, transforming them into compounds that your body can easily use.
Preheat the oven to 240-degree Fahrenheit.
Grind the cannabis.
Place the cannabis in the cookie sheet and spread evenly.
Bake it in the oven for approximately 40 minutes.

The second step is to extract the cannabinoids from the ground cannabis using a solvent (Everclear alcohol).
In a glass bowl, add the decarbed cannabis and pour alcohol over it, making sure that it totally covers and soaks the ground cannabis.
Mix well until the two are thoroughly combined.
Place the cheesecloth or coffee filter in another bowl and then strain the mixture.
Give the ground cannabis another washing by placing it in the first bowl and adding alcohol to it. Mix well and strain again into the second bowl.

The third step is to burn off the solvent and leave behind the cannabis oil. This usually takes about six to eight hours.
Over low heat, pour the cannabis-alcohol mixture in the double boiler or rice cooker until it’s about three-fourths full. You don’t want any of the mixture spilling over the cooker’s sides when it starts boiling since the mixture is highly flammable.
Let it boil gently and make sure the temperature stays between 210 and 230-degree Fahrenheit to avoid burning and destroying the cannabinoids.

Switch your fan on to its lowest setting and aim it at the cooker to prevent the accumulation of fumes.
As the solvent is burned off, add in more of the cannabis-alcohol mixture until you have all the mixture in the double boiler or rice cooker.

When the bubbling starts slowing down, add in about ten drops of water. This will help remove excess solvent from the cannabis oil.

Your cannabis oil is done when you no longer see any bubbles forming.

The last step is storing your cannabis oil.
Let the cannabis oil cool at room temperature.
Once cool, draw the cannabis oil up into the clean syringes.
Store the syringes in a cool, dark place.

cannabis oil

Alternative Method

You can also use any cooking oil (coconut and canola oils are the best) instead of alcohol. The oil will absorb the cannabinoids from the plant.

All you need is two cups of cooking oil per one ounce of decrabed ground cannabis.
In a pot over low heat, add both the oil and decarbed ground cannabis and stir well, mixing the two ingredients thoroughly.
Let the mixture heat for about three hours before allowing it to cool for about eight hours.
Repeat the process once or twice more so the oil absorbs all the cannabinoids, further increasing your cannabis oil’s potency.
Once done, using a cheesecloth and a funnel, strain the mixture into an air-tight glass container.
Store in the refrigerator.

Using the Cannabis Oil

Measuring its THC/CBD content and potency is difficult though, so you need to start at a low dose, assess its effects on you, and adjust accordingly. You need to wait for about a couple of hours before slightly increasing or decreasing your dose.

You can apply the cannabis oil directly onto your skin, place a few drops under your tongue, or use in your cooking!