Hemp flower is a fun and exciting product with a variety of uses. With CBD products coming in so many different forms, maybe you’ve tried out some tasty hemp treats before. But did you know that you can make CBD edibles at home? Baking and cooking with hemp flower is an easy and fun way to make your own CBD edibles.

Why Bake with Hemp?

Baking and cooking with hemp flower is not for everyone. Some people find the process too laborious and would rather buy ready-made products that they can enjoy on the spot. But for DIY enthusiasts, making your own CBD edibles can be fun. 

Adding hemp flower into a recipe only requires a couple of extra steps and ingredients, so it might be worthwhile if you are already an enthusiastic cook. Making your own CBD edibles can also give you a chance to know exactly what ingredients go into the CBD products you are consuming, which is a bonus for anyone who values healthy living. 

CBD vs. THC Edibles

It is important to note that though they share a few similarities, CBD edibles are NOT the same as marijuana edibles that contain THC. Rather, CBD comes from the hemp plant, not marijuana. While they are both closely related forms of cannabis, hemp has extremely low levels of THC. 

The chemical THC is the main component of marijuana that causes psychoactivity and the feeling of being “high”. Because CBD edibles derived from hemp do not contain high amounts of THC, you can enjoy CBD edibles with full mental clarity. 

CBD Extraction

If you are ready to start cooking and baking with hemp, it’s time to go through the first step in making CBD edibles. This entails extracting the CBD from the hemp flower. 

Decarboxylation

Prior to combining your hemp flower with the oil of your choice, your hemp needs to go through a process known as decarboxylation. Decarboxylation, or decarbing is a heating process that removes a carboxyl group from cannabis and activates cannabinoids including CBD. 

Check the packaging on your hemp flower to determine whether or not it has already undergone decarbing. If your product is marked as “raw”, it has not been cured or heated, and thus still needs to go through a decarbing process.

To decarb hemp, follow the steps below:

• Break up or grind your hemp flower until it is separated, but not too finely ground
• Spread it evenly on a metal baking tray 
• Bake on low heat (200 for 75 minutes or 225 for 50 minutes)

Oil Extraction

After your hemp is decarbed, it’s time to extract CBD from the plant. 

There are a few different ways in which you can extract CBD, including CO2 extraction, solvent extraction, and oil extraction. Traditionally, the third option marks the easiest way to extract CBD at home. While CO2 and solvent extraction require special expertise and equipment, oil extraction simply utilizes a carrier oil such as coconut or olive oil and simple kitchen supplies.  

Because cannabinoids like CBD are fat-soluble, combining hemp flower with an oil facilitates its interactions with your body when ingested. 

To successfully extract CBD with a carrier oil at home, follow the steps below:

• Pick your carrier oil (olive, avocado and coconut are all popular options; coconut oil is often considered best for baking)
• Place the ground and decarbed hemp plant in a mason jar along with your carrier oil, using a ratio of 0.5oz hemp to 1 cup oil
• Place the jar in a bath of hot water, bringing the water to just under a boil
• Shake the jar about every 30 minutes to combine the hemp and oil 
• Continue this process for 3 hours, then leaving the jar to rest overnight
• Repeat the heating process as many times as you like; this will increase the potency of the oil over time
• When you are finished, strain the solid hemp debris out with a strainer or cheesecloth
• Refrigerate oil until you are ready to use

Obviously, this extraction process sounds rather long despite being simple. You can easily speed up the process utilizing a slow cooker or pressure cooker. This might cut the time down drastically, if not decrease the amount of attention you have to pay to the oil as it heats. 

Pick Your Recipe

Once you have successfully extracted CBD oil from your dried hemp flower, it is time to pick your recipe.

The options for cooking with CBD oil are nearly endless. Easily substitute your oil mixture for oil or butter in traditional baking recipes, such as cookies or brownies. If you want to mix it up, you can always try adding a touch of CBD oil to savory foods to make your meals go the extra mile. 

If you are worried about determining the correct dosing for your concoction, using a recipe that already incorporates CBD oil can help give you a good indication of how much CBD you can expect in a serving. Regardless of what approach you take to baking with CBD, the magnificent cannabinoid produces few side effects and will leave you feeling glowy and relaxed!