Coconut oil has a high concentration of fatty acids (saturated fats). The surplus of these fatty acids in coconut oil create a strong binding agent for cannabinoids.
Compared to olive oil, which contains a saturated fat content of less than 20%, coconut oil contains over 80% saturated fats and thus has the ability to retain far more cannabinoids during infusions, making it far more efficient. Coconut oil is a near-perfect medium for cannabis-infused oils.
Coconut oil uses and health benefits
Coconut oil also contains other sets of beneficial acids that have been known to have a list of potential health benefits. Lauric acid is a great example—when digested, lauric acid creates a monoglyceride that acts as an antimicrobial.
These fatty acids are found in abundance in coconut oil, making it a top contender for those looking for a healthier oil base than butter or canola oil.
Another fantastic benefit of using coconut oil is it will remain solid at room temperature. This makes it a great medium for using as a topical agent. Furthermore, its solid state allows the oil to be easily stored via gelatin capsules, a widely popular and highly effective method of consuming cannabis.
Gelatin oil capsules are so simple and easy to make at home—the ingredients can be purchased from just about any pharmacy or online, making for a fun and simple DIY project.
How to make cannabis-infused coconut oil
Aside from the fact that you can purchase coconut oil relatively inexpensively from just about anywhere, the process of decarboxylating and infusing cannabis into coconut oil requires only a few simple ingredients and can be done at home with minimal effort.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of ground cannabis flower (7-10 grams)
- 1 cup of coconut oil
Materials:
- Strainer or cheesecloth
- Grinder (a simple hand grinder works best; appliances like blenders and coffee grinder pulverize the cannabis, resulting in edibles with bad tasting plant material)
- Double-boiler, slow cooker, saucepan, etc.
Directions:
- Grind your cannabis. You can include the entire plant, just the flower, a little bit of both—this is all a matter of preference. Just keep in mind that anything small enough to fit through the strainer will end up in your finished product, so again, do not grind your cannabis to a fine powder.
- Combine oil and cannabis in your double-boiler, slow cooker, or saucepan and heat the two together on low or warm for a few hours. This allows for decarboxylation (activation of THC) without scorching (which destroys the active ingredients). Cooking can be done a variety of ways: in a slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally; in a double-boiler on low for at least 6 hours (8 is better), stirring occasionally; or in a simple saucepan on low for at least 2-3 hours, stirring frequently (a saucepan is most susceptible to scorching). In all cases, a small amount of water can be added to the mixture to help avoid burning. Note: whatever method you choose, temperature of the oil should not exceed 245°F.
- Strain and store the oil. Do not squeeze the cheesecloth; this will simply add more chlorophyll to your oil. All remaining plant material can be discarded or used in other dishes if you have the wherewithal. The oil’s shelf life is at least two months, and can be extended with refrigeration.
Virgin, Refined, Hydrogenated or MCT?
Coconut oil comes in a variety of different types, and which one you choose can have a significant impact on how your edibles turn out.
Virgin Coconut Oil
Typically the result of an expelling process, virgin coconut oil is the natural, otherwise unaltered oil of the coconut – Again, expect it’s mild coconut scent and taste to carry over to your end product.
This oil has a rather low smoke point (only 350°F) meaning it can be good for lower-heat applications like sauteing or in baked goods but is unsuitable for high-heat tasks like basting or deep frying. If kept in a dark, cool location you can expect virgin coconut oil to have a shelf life of two to three years.
Refined Coconut Oil
After expelling the oil from the coconut meat it is then sent through a refinement process that can take several steps. Typically the oil is heated for deodorizing purposes and then filtered to remove impurities and strip away bacteria – This gives it a much higher smoke point (near 425°F) and no overt flavor. Expect refined coconut oil to have a shelf life of around six months.
Hydrogenated Coconut Oil
This is coconut oil that has been partially hydrogenated to help increase it’s solidity and shelf life in warmer environments. Unfortunately the hydrogenation process also creates trans fats, which as nearly any medical professional will tell you are terribly unhealthy. Staying away from hydrogenated oils of any type is usually a smart decision.
MCT Coconut Oil
Part of the fad “keto diet” wave, the “MCT” in “MCT Coconut Oil” stands for “medium-chain triglycerides”. MCTs are saturated fats that contain a shortened chain of carbon atoms, enabling them to be processed more quickly (and thus release energy faster) than fats with a long chain of carbon atoms – Health benefits to this are somewhat outside the scope of our article/website, but when combined with a diet that forces the body into ketosis these medium-chain triglycerides can be beneficial.
Simple Cannabis Infused Coconut Oil Recipe
Learning how to make cannabis infusions starts off with proper decarboxylation of your marijuana. Without being decarbed first your cannabis will not be activated and ready for making edibles, ultimately wasting your weed.
We talk about this at length in our “Three Best Ways to Decarb Your Weed” article so if you’re unfamiliar with the term or just need a refresher, head there first before moving on to the next step.
Note: You shouldn’t try to decarb your cannabis coconut oil once it has been infused – After it steeps it’s steeped, and there’s no going back, so make sure you decarb your weed before infusing. If using concentrates or other forms of processed THC your concentrate may already be decarbed – check your packaging to make sure.
To begin the infusion you’ll need the following:
- A double boiler; a heavy Pyrex bowl set on top of a water-filled pot is a perfectly functional substitute. A measuring cup hanging into a pot by the handle is another great option (photo below).
- Cheese cloth & butcher’s twine. This is to make either a small sachet of ground cannabis, or to strain it out after.
- Your cannabis; 1 cup ground cannabis, if using plant material, 4 grams if using kief or 2 grams if using concentrates (see notes below).
- 1 cup coconut oil
Hi! Thanks for this, very informative! I have been using unrefined, virgin cold pressed coconut oil for the last 3 years as my body lotion and I love it! However the scent can be a bit overpowering (or so my parents say). I tried dropping in some peppermint oil whenever I whip up my semi-solid coconut oil to use and it worked a bit but not really. I don’t want to stop using it as it has done wonders for my skin, lightening any scars I have, I have no rashes on my chest or back, etc. However the strong smell is the issue. What essential oil can I add to it to make the smell less potent? Or should I use something entirely different that smells good but won’t make me react/keep my body acne away? Please help. Thanks!