Cannabis Honey: What it is, and a CannaHoney Recipe

By WeedWeek Jul 31, 2020

Cannabis-infused honey, also referred to as cannahoney, is a tasty way to consume cannabis, whether for recreational or medicinal purposes. Infusing marijuana with honey allows you to reap the benefits proffered by the cannabis sativa plant without having to take a single hit off a joint. This article will guide you through the many benefits of cannabis-infused honey and will give you the step-by-step instructions for making your very own cannahoney at home. 

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What Is Cannabis-infused Honey?   

Cannabis-infused honey is essentially the most sought-after components of marijuana infused into the healthy sweetness of honey. When honey and marijuana are combined and slowly cooked over low heat, the best parts of the cannabis sativa plant – the terpenes and cannabinoids – separate from the plant material and remain in the honey. The resulting cannahoney can be stored for many weeks and is a great addition into baked goods or your favorite caffeine drinks. 

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What Are The Benefits Of Infusing Honey With Cannabis?   

People have been making infusions for thousands of years. Honey can be packed with antioxidants, and is known to help with conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and even helps skin wounds heal faster. 

Cannabis also has a range of medical benefits due to naturally-occurring chemical compounds found within the plant. Terpenes, which provide the tastes and aromas in weed and other plants, have properties thought to combat inflammation, and fungal infections among other ailments. Cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have been found to contain many healing properties, including pain relief, anti-convulsant, and studies suggest it may even help combat certain types of cancer.  

Combining honey with cannabis is therefore a great way to reap the benefits of these nutritional powerhouses. 

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How To Make Cannabis-infused Honey   

This recipe for cannabis-infused honey is fairly straightforward. That it requires minimal ingredients and effort, makes it great for beginners. 

The most important step in making cannabis-infused honey is the first one: decarboxylating your weed. Make sure you do not skip this step. Raw or dried cannabis is not psychoactive – meaning it will not get you high.  In weed that hasn’t been decarbed, only the precursor to THC, the cannabinoid THCA, is present. THCA is not psychoactive. Heating marijuana at low temperatures over a prolonged period of time will convert THCA into THC, which is the main  psychoactive component of marijuana. 

So if you want your cannahoney to get you high, make sure you properly decarboxylate.

    Materials

  • Non-stick oven tray
  • Parchment paper
  • Double boiler
  • Strainer – a plastic or metal sieve, or cheesecloth will work. 
  • Jar

    Ingredients

  • Dried cannabis buds. Note: do not grind the cannabis. Because cannabis-infused honey needs to be strained, you don’t want small pieces that can slip through the sieve and enter the final product. Instead, you can break buds into smaller pieces with your fingers. But be mindful of the size of the mesh of your strainer to ensure the pieces aren’t too small. 
  • 2 cups of honey.

Cannabis Honey Recipe

  1. Decarboxylate the cannabis. Preheat the oven to 245 degrees Fahrenheit.  Cover the tray with parchment paper and place dried cannabis buds on top. After placing the tray in the oven, set a timer for around 30 to 40 minutes. Every 10 minutes or so, gently mix the buds to ensure the surface areas are being exposed to heat as evenly as possible. 
  2. Place honey and decarbed cannabis into the double boiler. 
  3. Simmer the mixture on low heat for at least 40 minutes. The longer you let it simmer, the stronger it will be. Some recipes using slow-cookers call for an eight-hour cook. 
  4. Switch off the heat and allow the mixture to completely cool.
  5. To strain the honey mixture, place a cheesecloth or strainer over the top of your storage jar. Run the honey through, allowing the mixture to drain completely. 
  6. Honey can be stored for up to two months. Be sure to place the jar in a cool dark place. 

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Tips For Dosing Cannabis Infusions   

Dosing cannabis infusions is never an exact science. There are many factors to consider when attempting to discern dosage, including the potency of your marijuana to the length of time it was cooked. To test, abide by the “start low and go slow” philosophy: try a small amount and wait at least an hour to see how you feel. 

Homemade Cannabis Honey Vs. Honey From Stores   

Oftentimes, home-made products simply taste better than store-bought – and they may be healthier as well. Store-bought products often contain chemical preservatives needed to stabilize products that will be sold in stories. With store-bought brands, it’s hard to determine the potency of the product for your exact preferences. However, the convenience of simply buying cannabis honey from a dispensary may override these concerns. 

With homemade cannabis honey, you know exactly what’s in your product – no preservatives added. You’re also able to source the best honey possible – organic and local is always advisable for maximum health benefits. You’re also able to control the potency a bit more, by the amount of cannabis you infuse to the amount of time you cook. 

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Will Cannabis-Infused Honey Get You High?   

As long as you properly decarboxylate your weed, then yes: cannabis-infused honey will get you high. The amount of time the cannabis-infusion is cooked will also determine how potent your cannahoney is – the longer it cooks for, the stronger it will be, and the higher you will get. 

Will Cannabis Honey Work With Tea?   

Cannabis honey works very well as a replacement for regular honey in tea – in fact, this might be its most popular use. Stir a teaspoon or two into black, green, or chai teas for the ultimate cuppa relaxation. You can also pair cannahoney with cannabis tea, although be aware that this combo will be potent. 

Will Cooking Cannabis Honey Smell?   

One of the “smelliest” aspects of cooking cannabis-infused honey is the decarbing process. However, as long as the windows are closed, the smell should stay inside your home. To reduce the smell, you can increase the cooking temperature which enables you to decrease the cooking time. 

The most discrete way to conduct the infusion is within a recipe calling for a crock pot, such as this one

Which Is Better – Cannabutter, Canna Oil Or Cannahoney?   

When comparing cannabutter, canna oil or cannahoney, it really all comes down to personal preference, and what you intend to use the infusions for. Cannabutter and canna oil tend to be a bit more versatile, meaning they can be added to more dishes when cooking. Cannahoney can generally only act as a sweetener, but can be incorporated into a variety of dishes including baked goods and peanut butter sandwiches. 

But if you’re after a little sweetener to your morning tea or coffee, there’s really nothing better.

Conclusion   

Cannabis-infused honey can be nutritious, delicious and a fun way to pass an afternoon. With a slow cooking process that combines all the goodness of cannabis with the golden sweetness of honey, this is one infusion you’ll not want to miss.