How to Make Weed Butter (Cannabutter): The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

If you’re getting started with homemade edibles, learning how to make weed butter—also known as cannabutter—is the best place to begin.

At Daily Edibles, we believe that great edibles start with a solid foundation. Cannabutter is that foundation. It’s versatile, easy to make once you understand the process, and can be used in everything from brownies to pasta dishes.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn:

Exactly how to make weed butter step-by-step
Why decarboxylation matters (and how to do it right)
How to calculate dosage safely
Common mistakes to avoid
Storage tips to preserve potency

Let’s dive in.

What Is Weed Butter (Cannabutter)?

Weed butter is simply butter that has been infused with cannabinoids like THC or CBD from cannabis.

Because THC is fat-soluble, it binds to the fat in butter when heated properly. This makes cannabutter one of the most effective and widely used bases for homemade edibles.

Why Use Cannabutter?

Easy to make at home
Works in almost any recipe that uses butter
Long shelf life when stored properly
Allows precise dosing (once you understand potency)

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather everything you need.

Ingredients

1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter
1 cup water
7–10 grams cannabis (adjust for potency)

Tools

Baking tray
Parchment paper
Saucepan or slow cooker
Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
Glass container or jar
Thermometer (optional but recommended)

Step 1: Decarboxylate Your Cannabis (The Most Important Step)

Before you can infuse butter, you must activate the THC in your cannabis. This process is called decarboxylation.

Raw cannabis contains THCA, which is not psychoactive. Heat converts THCA into THC—the compound responsible for the “high.”

How to Decarboxylate Cannabis

Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C)
Break cannabis into small pieces (avoid grinding too fine)
Spread evenly on a parchment-lined baking tray
Bake for 30–40 minutes, stirring halfway through

Pro Tip

Your cannabis should turn slightly golden and dry—not burnt. Overheating will destroy cannabinoids and reduce potency.

Step 2: Infuse the Butter

Now that your cannabis is activated, it’s time to infuse it into butter.

Basic Method

Melt 1 cup butter with 1 cup water in a saucepan
Add your decarboxylated cannabis
Simmer on low heat (160–180°F / 70–80°C)
Let it cook for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally

Why Add Water?

Water helps regulate temperature and prevents the butter from burning.

Important:

Do NOT let the mixture boil
Keep heat low to preserve cannabinoids

Step 3: Strain the Cannabutter

Once infused, you’ll need to remove the plant material.

How to Strain

Place cheesecloth over a container
Slowly pour the mixture through
Let it drain naturally (don’t squeeze too hard—this can add bitterness)

Step 4: Cool and Store

After straining:

Let the mixture cool at room temperature
Place in the fridge for several hours
Butter will solidify on top of the water
Remove the butter layer and discard the water

How Strong Is Your Cannabutter? (Dosage Guide)

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is guessing dosage.

Let’s fix that.

Basic THC Calculation

Here’s a simple formula:

(grams of cannabis × THC %) × 1000 = total mg THC

Example:

7 grams cannabis
15% THC

7 × 0.15 × 1000 = 1050 mg THC total

If your butter yields 1 cup:

1 cup = 16 tablespoons
1050 ÷ 16 = ~65 mg THC per tablespoon

Safe Starting Dose

At Daily Edibles, we recommend:

Beginner: 2.5–5 mg THC
Intermediate: 5–10 mg THC
Experienced: 10–20 mg THC

⚠️ Always start low and wait at least 1–2 hours before consuming more.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Skipping Decarboxylation

This results in weak or non-psychoactive butter.

2. Overheating

High heat destroys THC and terpenes.

3. Using Too Much Cannabis

More isn’t always better—especially for beginners.

4. Not Straining Properly

This leads to gritty texture and bitter flavour.

5. Poor Dosage Estimation

This is the #1 reason people have bad edible experiences.

How to Store Weed Butter Properly

Proper storage preserves both potency and flavour.

Fridge

Lasts 2–3 weeks
Store in airtight container

Freezer

Lasts up to 6 months
Portion into small amounts for convenience

Signs It’s Gone Bad

Sour smell
Mould
Discolouration

Best Recipes to Use Cannabutter

Once your weed butter is ready, you can use it in almost anything.

Popular Options

Brownies and cookies
Pasta sauces
Mashed potatoes
Toast or baked goods

Cannabutter vs Cannabis Oil: What’s the Difference?

Feature	Cannabutter	Cannabis Oil
Base	Butter	Oil (coconut, olive)
Best for	Baking	Cooking & vegan recipes
Shelf life	Moderate	Longer
Flavour	Creamy	Neutral

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make weed butter?

About 3–4 hours total, including decarboxylation and infusion.

Can I make cannabutter without smell?

Not completely, but you can reduce odour using:

Slow cookers
Mason jar method

Can I reuse leftover cannabis?

It will have minimal potency left—not recommended.

How long do edibles take to kick in?

Typically 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on metabolism.

Safety and Legal Considerations

Cannabis laws vary depending on your location. Always ensure you are complying with local regulations.

Additionally:

Keep edibles away from children and pets
Label your cannabutter clearly
Never drive under the influence

Final Thoughts

Making weed butter at home is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to get started with Cannabis edibles.

With the right technique, proper dosing, and a bit of patience, you can create high-quality cannabutter that rivals anything store-bought.

At Daily Edibles, a trusted online store for high-quality cannabis edibles, our goal is to help you enjoy cannabis safely, confidently, and creatively. Whether you’re baking your first batch of brownies or experimenting with infused meals, mastering cannabutter is your first step.

References:

Davidson, K., MScFN, RD, CPT. Medically reviewed by Bjarnadottir, A., MS, RDN. (2026). Cannabutter: How to make it and use it. Available at:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cannabutter

Eastman, A., PhD, RN. Reviewed by Hovav, K., MD, FAAP. (2025). How much THC dosage? Available at:

https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/cannabis/how-much-thc-dosage

Gamut Packaging. (2023). How to store marijuana butter. Available at:

https://gamutpackaging.com/blogs/resources/how-to-store-marijuana-butter

Dr. Dan Roden, MD

Originally Published on May 17 2025