Cannabis Cannabutter
Cannabis Cannabutter. Approximately ~5.6mg THC per gram at full strength. 4 hours total, 100g yield.
Cannabutter is the cornerstone of cannabis cooking — the golden gateway that transforms raw flower into something your kitchen can actually work with. Unlike the store-bought spreads gathering dust in your fridge, homemade cannabutter gives you complete control over potency, quality, and dosage, making it the foundation for everything from ANZAC biscuits to pavlova bases.
This foolproof method produces consistently potent cannabutter using a gentle water bath technique that prevents burning and preserves those precious cannabinoids. With 7g of cannabis flower yielding approximately 560mg of THC total, each gram of finished cannabutter delivers around 5.6mg THC — perfect for precise dosing in your favourite recipes, or calculate your exact dose with our free Edibles Dosage Calculator.
Quality 4-piece metal grinder with kief catcher — consistent cannabis preparation before infusion.
View on Amazon → Organic Cheesecloth (1.5m × 1.0m)Certified organic, unbleached cheesecloth for straining cannabutter and infused oils cleanly.
View on Amazon → Kitchee Electric Butter Oil Infuser & DecarboxylatorElectric butter and oil infuser with built-in decarboxylation — precise temperature control for perfect cannabis infusions every time.
View on Amazon → Nut Milk Bag / Fine Mesh Strainer (2-pack)Reusable organic cotton strainer bags — finer mesh than cheesecloth for ultra-smooth infusions.
View on Amazon →THC Per Serving
Ingredients
Cannabis Cannabutter
This recipe uses the cannabis-infused ingredient below. Tap for our step-by-step preparation guide.
- 7g cannabis flower (dried and cured)
🧈 Fat Base
- 100g unsalted butter (plus extra for water displacement)
- 500ml water
Equipment You’ll Need
Ardent FX Decarboxylator
Precision decarboxylation device — activates THC perfectly every time with zero guesswork.
View on Amazon →
Digital Kitchen Scale (0.01g)
Precision scale for accurate cannabis and ingredient measurements — essential for consistent dosing.
View on Amazon →
Organic Cheesecloth (1.5m × 1.0m)
Certified organic, unbleached cheesecloth for straining cannabutter and infused oils cleanly.
View on Amazon →
Method
Decarboxylate your cannabis flower by spreading it evenly on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake at 110°C for 40-45 minutes, stirring gently halfway through. The flower should turn light golden-brown and feel dry and crumbly.
Combine the decarboxylated cannabis, butter, and water in a heavy-bottomed saucepan or slow cooker. The water prevents the butter from burning and helps extract water-soluble compounds.
Simmer gently for 3-4 hours on low heat, maintaining the mixture at 85-90°C. Stir occasionally and add more water if needed — the mixture should never boil or bubble aggressively.
Strain the mixture through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer into a bowl, pressing the plant material gently to extract remaining oils. Don’t squeeze too hard or you’ll push bitter chlorophyll through.
Separate by refrigerating the strained liquid overnight. The butter will solidify on top while the water settles below. Carefully lift off the solid butter disk and pat dry with paper towel.
Store your finished cannabutter in ONGROK UV Glass Storage Jars (2-pack, Child-Resistant) or wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Label clearly with the date, potency, and contents — this isn’t optional!
Expert Tips
Start With Half Strength
For your first batch, use 3.5g of cannabis instead of 7g to create milder cannabutter perfect for testing dosages and getting comfortable with homemade edibles.
Quality In, Quality Out
Your cannabutter is only as good as your starting material. Choose properly cured flower with a good nose — harsh, poorly dried cannabis makes bitter, unpalatable butter.
Temperature Matters
Never let your mixture boil. Cannabinoids start degrading above 180°C, and THC converts to less potent CBN around 220°C. Keep it gentle and low.
Strain Twice for Smoothness
For ultra-smooth cannabutter, strain once through coarse mesh, then again through fine cheesecloth. The extra step eliminates any plant particles that can create bitter aftertastes.
Label Everything
Always label your cannabutter with strength, date made, and clear warnings. Cannabis edibles look identical to regular food — protect everyone in your household.
Test Before Cooking
Before using cannabutter in a complex recipe, test a small amount (0.5-1g) to gauge potency and your tolerance. Wait 2 hours for full effects before deciding on recipe quantities.
Storage Guide
| Method | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | 3-5 days | Airtight container, cool dark place |
| Refrigerated | 3-4 weeks | Wrapped tightly, maintains potency |
| Frozen | 6 months | Portion into ice cube trays for easy dosing |
Important Safety Information
- Calculate your dose before cooking — use our free Edibles Dosage Calculator.
- Start low, go slow. If this is your first time with edibles, try 0.5g of cannabutter (~2.8mg THC) and wait at least 90 minutes before having more.
- Onset time: 30-120 minutes. Do not consume additional servings within this window.
- Duration: Effects can last 4-8 hours.
- Do not drive or operate machinery after consuming cannabis edibles.
- Store securely — label all containers with contents, date, and dosage. Keep away from children, pets, and unsuspecting housemates.
- Legal context: Cannabis remains illegal for recreational use in most Australian states. Medicinal cannabis is available through TGA-approved prescriptions. Know your state’s laws.
- Emergency: Australian Poisons Information Centre — 13 11 26 (24 hours)
Enjoyed This Recipe?
Get new cannabis recipes delivered weekly — with per-serve dosing guidance.
We respect your privacy. Privacy policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely — decarboxylation converts THCA (non-psychoactive) into THC (psychoactive) through heat activation. Raw cannabis won’t produce the effects you’re looking for in edibles. Bake your flower at 110°C for 40-45 minutes before making cannabutter.
Yes, coconut oil works brilliantly and often produces more potent results due to its higher saturated fat content. Use the same ratios and method, but note that coconut oil solidifies at cooler temperatures and has a distinct flavour that suits some recipes better than others.
Harsh flavours usually come from too much heat, over-extraction, or poor-quality starting material. Keep temperatures low (85-90°C), don’t over-simmer, and strain carefully without pressing too much plant matter through the cheesecloth.
Cannabis edibles typically take 30-120 minutes to take effect, depending on your metabolism, what you’ve eaten, and tolerance level. The onset can be delayed if you’ve eaten a large meal beforehand. Always wait at least 90 minutes before considering taking more.
Definitely — use half the cannabis (3.5g instead of 7g) to create milder cannabutter with approximately 2.8mg THC per gram. This is perfect for testing tolerance, trying new recipes, or making treats for cannabis newcomers.
Stay calm — cannabis edibles can’t cause fatal overdose, but can be uncomfortable. Find a safe, quiet space, stay hydrated, and try to sleep it off. CBD can help counteract THC’s effects if available. If you’re genuinely distressed, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.
Popular With Cannabis Cooks
Smell-proof UV glass jar — blocks light degradation and locks in freshness for months.
View on Amazon → Ardent FX DecarboxylatorPrecision decarboxylation device — activates THC perfectly every time with zero guesswork.
View on Amazon → MagicalButter DecarBox KitSilicone decarboxylation box with digital thermometer — pairs perfectly with the MagicalButter Machine for complete activation.
View on Amazon →More Cannabis Recipes
As an Amazon Associate, Cannabis Cuisine earns from qualifying purchases. All product recommendations are independently chosen.