Cannabis edibles have been a popular method of consumption for centuries.

But nowadays, purchasing them off of dispensary shelves is most consumers' ideal way of experiencing the full-body relief. However, as the wide variety of cannabis infused-treats continues to expand, attempting to find the right edible for you can be tricky and time-consuming. Instead of searching through the dozens of products that your local dispensary provides, try making your own.

What Is Cannabutter?

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Cannabutter is simply cannabis-infused butter that is utilized as the base for most edibles. When making edible brownies, for example, the cannabis is typically going to be found in the butter itself, and not cooked in other ingredients. This is not only because butter is found in almost all recipes, but because cannabis reacts well with the texture and structure of butter when cooked down.

Making It at Home

If you're looking to make your own edibles, creating cannabutter is the best first step. To make this cannabis-infused butter, all you are going to need is:

• 1 cup of butter
• 1 cup of water
• A non-stick baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• A hand-grinder
• Cheesecloth or filter of some sort
• 7-10 grams of unground cannabis

To make your cannabis creation, you must first start by decarboxylating your flower. This decarboxylation process is what essentially activates the THC contained in marijuana. Without heat, the chemical compound of THC is actually THCA, which doesn't have psychoactive properties. When heated, however—like when you spark a joint—this compound converts into the THC we know and love.

Step 1:

Preheat your oven to 245 degrees. Take out your baking sheet and line it with a thin layer of parchment paper, and then place your buds evenly across the sheet. They should be small and gently broken down, but not ground. Bake your cannabis for 30-40 minutes, while intermittently shaking the tray to move buds around and heat them evenly. After this, your cannabis has been activated.

Step 2:

Combine your one cup of butter and one cup of water into a medium-sized saucepan. Let your mixture simmer on low as the butter melts down. While you're waiting, take your grinder and grind your newly decarboxylated weed.

Step 3:

Once the butter has melted, it's time to add your ground cannabis. Keep the temperature the same to maintain a low simmer consistently.

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Step 4:

Once you've added the weed to the mixture, let it continue to simmer for another two to three hours — don't forget about it, though. Make sure you're stirring occasionally, never letting the simmer turn to a boil.

Step 5:

Take the container you wish to store your butter in and line it with your cheesecloth. Pour your butter-cannabis mixture through, sifting out any particles that haven't been fully broken down. Finally, it's time to seal, properly label, and refrigerate your finished creation.

Whether you're adding a tablespoon of cannabutter to your mother's infamous brownie recipe or your homemade mac and cheese, the possibilities are endless.