How to Make Tea with Cannabis: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making cannabis tea is a straightforward process: you infuse ground, decarboxylated cannabis into a fatty liquid like milk or coconut oil, then mix that into hot water or tea. This guide covers how to make tea with cannabis at home, from preparing the plant material to choosing the right base for your brew.
What You Need to Know Before You Start
Cannabis tea is an alternative to smoking or eating edibles. The effects come primarily from THC and CBD, which are fat-soluble compounds. Because they do not dissolve easily in water alone, you need a fat (like butter, milk, or cream) or an emulsifier to extract them effectively.
The plant material must be decarboxylated first. Decarboxylation is a simple heating process that converts THCA (the non-psychoactive acid form) into THC, the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects. Without this step, your tea will have little to no intoxicating effect.
Step-by-Step Preparation
Decarboxylate the Cannabis
Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C). Grind the cannabis flower coarsely and spread it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring halfway through. The plant material should turn a light golden-brown and smell toasty. Do not exceed 250°F, as higher temperatures can degrade THC.
Infuse a Fat Base
While the cannabis is decarboxylating, choose your fat. Whole milk, coconut milk, butter, or ghee all work. For a single serving, use 1 cup of milk or 1 tablespoon of butter.
In a small saucepan, combine the decarboxylated cannabis with your fat. Heat gently on low, keeping the mixture just below a simmer. A temperature around 160°F to 180°F is ideal. Let it steep for 15 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not let it boil, as high heat can destroy cannabinoids.
Strain and Combine
After steeping, strain the fat through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a cup. Press the plant material to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.
Now combine the infused fat with hot water or brewed tea. Use about 6 to 8 ounces of hot liquid per serving. Stir well. If you used milk, the tea will be creamy. If you used butter, you may need to whisk it to emulsify.
Flavor and Serve
Cannabis tea has an earthy, grassy taste that some people find strong. You can mask it with honey, sugar, lemon, ginger, cinnamon, or mint. Avoid using too much sugar, as it can overpower the tea.
Serve the tea warm. Drink slowly, as the effects can take 30 to 90 minutes to appear. Start with a small dose, especially if you are new to cannabis edibles.
Tips for Dosage and Safety
Dosage depends on the potency of your cannabis and your tolerance. A common starting point is 5 to 10 milligrams of THC per serving. If your flower contains 10% THC, that is about 100 milligrams per gram. A quarter-gram (0.25 g) would give you roughly 25 milligrams of THC before accounting for losses during infusion. Infusion efficiency varies, so it is safer to start with less.
Because cannabis tea is absorbed through the digestive system, the effects last longer than smoking — often 4 to 8 hours. They can also be more intense. Do not drive or operate machinery after drinking cannabis tea.
If you are pregnant, nursing, or have a medical condition, consult a healthcare provider before using cannabis in any form.
Key Takeaways
- Decarboxylate cannabis in the oven at 240°F for 30 to 40 minutes before making tea.
- Use a fat base like milk, cream, or butter to extract cannabinoids effectively.
- Steep the cannabis in the fat at a low temperature (160°F to 180°F) for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Strain the solids and mix the infused fat into hot water or brewed tea.
- Start with a low dose (5 to 10 mg THC) and wait at least an hour before consuming more.
- Effects last longer than smoking and can be more intense; avoid driving after use.
- Consult a doctor if you have health concerns or are taking other medications.
