Tips For Making CBD-Infused Coconut Oil

If you are an ardent follower of updates on cannabis infusion, you'd know that CBD is highly sought after. Cannabidiol or CBD is the non-psychoactive extract obtained from marijuana plants. It is one of many chemical derivatives of cannabis buds, including Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Unlike THC, CBD is mainly used for health purposes.

Following the passing of legislation that allows and regulates the public use of marijuana for both recreational and therapeutic purposes into law, pharmaceutical companies and several other interested parties have re-invented how cannabis is consumed. People who want to enjoy the gift of nature in cannabis do not necessarily need to smoke weed or get ‘high’.

In this piece, we want to take a closer look at what we need to make CBD-infused coconut oil.

The Uniqueness of CBD-Infused Coconut Oil

When it comes to consuming cannabis, infusing CBD with coconut oil is one of the most versatile ways to use cannabis. Whether taken alone or baked into any kind of edible, CBD offers amazing benefits to the body. Today, we see it infused in analgesic products, body lotions, creams, and so on. Another good thing is coconut oil blends really well with most strains of cannabis.

Furthermore, it is super easy to make. If you choose to go vegan, a dairy-free option for your cannabutter would be coconut oil. You can actually use other oils, such as olive oil, avocado oil, and canna oil. Coconut, however, has a reputation that makes it more desirable than other kinds of oil. Its high heat capacity, for one, is a quality that makes it perfect for extracting the cannabinoids from marijuana. And just like butter, cannabutter made from coconut oil remains solid at room temperature.

When we look at the sterling qualities of both CBD and coconut oil, it's no wonder why coconut oil is often used to make CBD-infused products.

What Do I Need For Making CBD Coconut Oil?

The first and most important requirement is the right marijuana strain, and that would be a CBD-dominant strain of cannabis. The ideal type of cannabis for this purpose is CBD hemp flower, a variety of marijuana that`s primarily grown for CBD. When you extract CBD from the hemp plant, you will also get a little amount of THC.

For CBD products, the permissible level of THC concentration is 0.3%. If we were going to make cannabutter solely for the psychoactive benefit of weed, then THC-dominant cannabis buds would be the right choice. About 1 ounce of high-CBD cannabis strain is used.

The next essential ingredient you is coconut oil. You can use 2 cups of organic coconut oil (although any type would do).

Materials and Tools

• A double boiler or slow cooker
• A piece of cheesecloth
• A grinder, preferably a hand grinder
• Metal strainer/sieve
• Measuring cup
• A bowl to hold the oil

How To Prepare Your CBD Coconut Oil

The process involves four simple and straightforward steps:

1. Extracting the CBD from the hemp plant
2. Decarboxylate the cannabis
3. Infusing the coconut oil with the decarboxylated CBD extract
4. Strain your oil

Extracting and Decarboxylating the CBD from the hemp plant

There are different extraction methods, with each giving you slightly different results regarding the quality of the CBD extracted. You may need to get professional help or advice here, but if you`re extracting yourself, you can use the olive oil method.

The olive oil extraction method is the oldest method for extracting CBD. It is safe and produces very little or no undesired elements. Here, you have to first decarboxylate the raw plant materials by heating them to a desired temperature for some time until the CBD in the plant material is deactivated. Mix olive oil with the plant and heat it again to extract the cannabinoids.

Decarboxylating your cannabis is fundamental and key in the process of making cannabis-infused coconut oil. If you intend to infuse the CBD in edibles, you`ll make your cannabutter using this process.

Infusing the coconut oil with the decarboxylated CBD extract

Here, you'll need to make use of the double boiler or slow cooker. The slow cooker must be on low heat to get the best result. Mix the coconut oil with the decarboxylated cannabis and let it steam under low heat. Stir at intervals of 30 minutes, allow the mixture to heat, and steep for up to 4 or 6 hours.

If you are using a double-boiler, you`ll need to cook on low heat for up to 8 hours. Make sure you stir continuously throughout. The temperature also should not exceed 245°F. You may add water to avoid burning the content while heating. Turn off the cooker as soon as you finish heating and allow the oil to cool before moving.

Straining The Oil

Now, place the strainer over a bowl and line the strainer with the cheesecloth. Pour the cannabis and oil into the strainer. Do not squeeze too hard. Discard the hemp plant residue left behind. At this point, your CBD-infused coconut oil is ready! You can store it in a fridge, but note that it has an average shelf life of 2 months.

Tips For Making Effective CBD-Infused Coconut Oil

1. If the oil begins to smoke, turn off the heat immediately. Allow the oil to cool a bit before starting again.
2. Avoid grinding the cannabis finely. It makes it harder to strain and leaves a bunch of plant material in the oil. Simply break up the cannabis buds in little bits before decarboxylating.
3. Use fresh coconut oil products to get the best taste.

Precautions To Note: Factors that may affect the quality of your CBD extract

1. Temperature control is important as too much heat can destroy the cannabinoids in the extract.
2. You also need to use the right strain of cannabis. The temperature and time for heating depend on the strain of cannabis you use. Ensure that you use a CBD-dominant strain to maintain the potency of the CBD.
3. It is best to use freshly-cut marijuana leaves or dried hemp flower buds.

Doing More With CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a highly-beneficial derivative of marijuana. The substance finds application in the alleviation of pain, seizures, and several other medical conditions.

To learn more on what you can do with CBD, you can enroll in a course today with the Cannabis Training University, the leading marijuana school. The courses are tailored to enhance the knowledge of persons seeking to pursue a professional career or learn more about their hobby in the cannabis industry.