Cannabis-infused honey is basically a power couple in the holistic health world. Both ingredients boast centuries of successful Ayurvedic use and countless mainstream medical studies that back old-world claims. Both are anti-inflammatory antibiotics that offer a natural alternative to common treatments. If you’re looking to alleviate ailments like stress, arthritis and cold symptoms, or just get stoned off something that tastes sugary-delicious — we have a treat for you. Read on for the perfect cannabis honey recipe, as well as all the best practices for doing it right.
Weed honey combines all the health benefits of both parties while offering a creative way to swap out sugar for added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients with a canna-twist. Amp up your edibles with addition of this tasty ingredient that is easy to make and stays good for longer than infused fats and oils.
Best type of honey for cannabis honey
There are tons of different types of honey, based on texture and source, and quality varies depending on the level of processing. Raw honey typically offers the most benefits, because it’s honey in the purest, unprocessed form. Most honey found at the grocery store is pasteurized, meaning the honey is bottled or jarred after it’s heated and treated to remove bacteria and other contaminants.
Honey is categorized based on the nectar source from which the bees drink. Unifloral honey is made by bees that drink nectar from only one species of flower, while multifloral honey comes from bees who pollinate multiple species of flowers.
Just like how quality cannabutter is made with quality cannabis, it’s best to spend a few extra dollars on raw, unfiltered honey before you dive into this recipe.
What type of weed should I use for my cannabis infused honey?
This answer lies in the eye of the….stoner. If you’re trying to get baked, use a strain with 10-15% THC. If you don’t want a body or head high, but are looking for pain relief and medicinal benefits, reach for a strain that is CBD-dominant. If you want to astral project off your couch any strain over 15% THC should do the trick.
Weed honey health benefits
When you think ‘edible’, does junk food come to mind? Snacks and treats are definitely among the most popular types of infused options out there. But, weed honey is a go-to for health-conscious stoners or anyone looking to level-up. Similar to marijuana, honey’s medicinal properties have been touted for nearly 5,000 years. Practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine utilize honey in the treatment of various ailments including cough and cold symptoms, asthma, stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, jaundice, acid reflux, and vomiting and diarrhea, among others. Oh, and numerous medical studies back these claims.
- Antioxidants
Antioxidants are molecules that are produced naturally in your body and in certain foods that help fight free radicals and prevent damage of cells in the body. Antioxidants found in honey have been studied and are known to lower blood pressure, support heart health and improve cholesterol levels. - Minerals
Potassium, sulfur, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium, iron and copper are some of the minerals commonly found in different types of honey. Most Americans are magnesium-deficient, and keeping up on this mineral improves energy and supports muscle and nerve function. Iron supports vital bodily functions including immune system response. - Vitamins
Honey contains B vitamins and vitamin C. Everyone’s familiar with vitamin C’s benefits: boosts the immune system, increases collagen production, etc. And all the B-complex vitamins directly influence energy levels, brain function and cell health. - Antibacterial
Honey’s natural antibacterial properties come from the antiseptic hydrogen peroxide that is produced in the hive when nectar is dehydrated and converted. Back in the day, honey was the original antibiotic. Even today, it is recognized due to its scientifically-backed ability to treat different types of infections that include salmonella and E. coli.
Keep in mind, if you buy the super-processed cheap supermarket honey, chances are slim that it will come with any health benefits. Supermarket or major chain brand honey is often water-downed with high fructose corn syrup and is basically a sugar liquid that is honey-flavored. Get raw unfiltered honey from a health food store like Whole Foods or Sprouts, or even better, a local beekeeper!
Don’t overheat the honey
Before we bust out the crockpot let’s discuss the sensitive nature of our two ingredients. Just like the terpenes and cannabinoids found in cannabis, honey’s medicinal properties are sensitive to heat. Temperatures over 200℉ destroy enzymes and decrease the level of inhibin, and honey that is cooked too high or too long will eventually become bitter. Like most edible recipes, the name of this game is low and slow. Keep your temperatures low and get ready for a slow cook.
How to make cannabis honey
Below we’ve included 2 methods for how to make cannabis honey, so you can choose the one most convenient for you.
Cannabis Honey Recipe: Crock Pot Method
The easiest, most low-maintenance weed honey recipe.
Supplies:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- 8-14 grams of cannabis
- A slow cooker like a Crock-Pot or Instant Pot
- 2 cups of quality honey
- Cheesecloth
- String
- Quart-sized glass mason jar with an airtight lid
Directions:
- Decarboxylate your cannabis. Are you sick of this step? Too bad. Gotta do it. Preheat your oven between 220 – 240℉. Sprinkle your cannabis buds evenly over a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour, giving the sheet a shake halfway through. Remove and let the cannabis cool.
- Put your decarbed weed in a cheesecloth and wrap it up. Secure it with a piece of string.
- Drop the cheesecloth bundle in the glass jar.
- Pour 2 cups of honey into the jar.
- Put the jar in the slow cooker.
- Pour water into the slow cooker until the honey in the jar is surrounded.
- Put the lid on the slow cooker and seal accordingly.
- Set the slow cooker to low and timer for 6 hours. Release the pressure periodically by opening the slow cooker’s lid.
- When the cook time is complete, release the slow cooker lid and allow the honey jar to cool. Remove the cheesecloth, squeeze any left-over goodness out and into the jar, and seal the jar with an airtight lid.
- Store away from heat and harsh light. Honey keeps much longer than butter and other oils due to its natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. If you store it in a cool, dark place it will stay good for years.
The Lecithin Method
The quickest method for making weed honey at home.
Supplies:
- 1 cup honey
- 2 Tbsp. coconut oil
- 1 Tbsp. sunflower lecithin
- 7 grams decarbed cannabis
Directions
- Grind your decarbed cannabis to a fine, fine, fine powder. There is no cheesecloth or straining in this recipe, so really get your grind on.
- Warm the coconut oil and sunflower lecithin on low heat. Remove from heat. Mix in finely-ground cannabis powder until there are no lumps.
- Add honey and stir until smooth.
- Jar it up and store it in the fridge. Use within 2 months.
How to incorporate your cannabis infused-honey
- Stir it into a cup of tea.
- Glaze some meat.
- Smear it on a slice of toast.
- Honey and peanut butter sandwich. You’re welcome.
- Mix it into yogurt or oatmeal.
- Swap it for sugar in baked-good recipes.
- Add a few drops to your favorite salad dressing.
- Make your own honey mustard dipping sauce.
There are so many different ways to get high and healthy with our weed honey. It’s the best of both worlds, really. We hope you enjoyed this educational exploration of bee puke (JK, it’s really not. We’re not sure why people think that). Now you can add honey-expert to your list of random stoner knowledge. If our tidbits don’t impress, at least your jar of fire honey will.
—
Tell us what you think in the comments section! Which method did you try, and why? Where did you find the best raw unfiltered honey?
I love you methods but wanted to mention that even using the slow cooker on low the honey will no longer going to be raw. Pretty mush anything above 115° will kill of the living stuff. I’m trying an experiment now where using the yogurt setting on the IP Duo and letting it sit at 110° for a few days to see it it will infuse at the low of a temperature.
Interesting! Keep us updated on your findings, we’d love to hear what works best for you : )