To create the desired psychoactive effect when baking with cannabis, it is recommended to infuse the marijuana into butter or oil before adding it to the brownie mix. This process is known as making cannabis-infused butter or cannabis-infused oil, often referred to as "cannabutter" or "canna-oil."
The reason for infusing the marijuana into a fat-based ingredient like butter or oil is that THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, binds to fat molecules. This allows for better extraction and absorption of THC into the body when consumed.
Simply adding raw marijuana to the brownie mix without infusing it into butter or oil will not yield the same effect because the THC won't be properly activated or absorbed. The heat of baking alone is not enough to activate the THC and make it bioavailable.
To make cannabis-infused butter, you can follow these general steps:
Decarboxylation: Preheat your oven to around 240°F (115°C). Grind your cannabis into smaller pieces and spread it evenly on a baking sheet. Place it in the oven for about 40-60 minutes to activate the THC by converting THCA (non-psychoactive) into THC.
Infusion: Melt the butter on low heat in a saucepan, and once melted, add the decarboxylated cannabis. Simmer the mixture on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Be cautious not to let it boil or overheat, as it may degrade the cannabinoids.
Straining: After the infusion period, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer to remove the plant material, ensuring you retain the infused butter.
Once you have your cannabis-infused butter, you can use it in your brownie recipe as a substitute for regular butter. Follow your brownie recipe as usual, but replace the regular butter with an equal amount of your infused butter. This will ensure that the THC is evenly distributed throughout the brownie mix, resulting in a consistent potency.
Remember that consuming cannabis-infused edibles can have strong effects, so it's crucial to start with a low dose and wait a sufficient amount of time before consuming more. Also, be mindful of keeping any infused edibles securely stored and out of reach of children or pets.