If you’re wondering how to make cannabutter that’s potent, smooth, and consistent, this guide walks you through decarbing, infusing (stovetop/slow cooker/Instant Pot), straining, storage, and dosage — step by step.
At Canna Lala, we are all about helping California cannabis lovers get the most out of their experience. And making your own cannabis butter at home? That is one of the most rewarding ways to enjoy your favorite flower on a whole new level.
What Is Cannabutter and Why Does It Matter?
Cannabutter (also called canna butter, weed butter, or marijuana butter) is simply butter that has been infused with cannabis. It works because THC and other cannabinoids are fat-soluble, meaning they bind to the fats in butter during the cooking process. Once you have a batch of cannabis-infused butter, you can use it in virtually any recipe that calls for regular butter.
This is the base ingredient behind most homemade edibles. From THC brownies to infused mac and cheese, cannabutter gives you full control over your dosage, your strain selection, and your overall experience.
What You Need Before You Start
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 7 to 10 grams of cannabis flower (adjust based on desired potency)
- 1 cup water
Equipment:
- Baking sheet and parchment paper (for decarboxylation)
- Saucepan, slow cooker, or Instant Pot
- Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
- Glass jar or airtight container for storage
- Cooking thermometer (highly recommended)
Pro Tip: The quality of your flower matters. Premium strains from a trusted California dispensary will always produce better tasting, more consistent cannabutter than shake or trim alone.
Step 1: Decarboxylate Your Cannabis
This is the most important step and the one most beginners skip. Raw cannabis contains THCA, which is not psychoactive on its own. You need to apply heat to convert THCA into THC through a process called decarboxylation (or “decarbing”).
How to decarb weed:
- Preheat your oven to 240F (115C)
- Break your cannabis into small, even pieces (do not grind it into powder)
- Spread it evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring gently halfway through
- The cannabis should look lightly toasted and golden brown
Temperature matters. Going above 300F risks destroying THC and terpenes. Staying in the 220F to 245F range is the sweet spot for full decarboxylation without burning off the good stuff.
Step 2: Infuse Your Butter (3 Methods)
Method 1: Stovetop (Easiest and Most Popular)
This is the best method for beginners because you have full control over temperature.
- Melt 1 cup of butter with 1 cup of water in a saucepan on low heat
- Add your decarbed cannabis once the butter is fully melted
- Maintain a low simmer between 160F and 200F (never let it boil)
- Stir occasionally and let it cook for 2 to 3 hours
- The water prevents the butter from scorching
Method 2: Slow Cooker / Crockpot
Perfect if you want a hands-off approach.
- Add butter, water, and decarbed cannabis to your slow cooker
- Set it to LOW
- Let it cook for 4 to 6 hours, stirring every 30 minutes or so
- Keep the lid on to maintain consistent temperature
Method 3: Instant Pot
The fastest method with minimal smell.
- Add butter, water, and decarbed cannabis to the Instant Pot
- Seal the lid and set to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” on LOW for 40 minutes
- Allow natural pressure release
- This method also helps contain the cannabis aroma
Step 3: Strain and Store
Once your infusion is done:
- Place cheesecloth over a glass jar and secure it with a rubber band
- Slowly pour the mixture through the cheesecloth
- Squeeze gently to get all the liquid out (do not over-squeeze or it will taste grassy)
- Refrigerate the jar for at least 2 hours or overnight
- The butter will solidify on top and the water will separate to the bottom
- Lift the solid butter off, discard the water, and pat dry
Storage: Cannabutter lasts about 2 weeks in the fridge and up to 6 months in the freezer. Always store it in an airtight container and label it clearly.
How to Calculate Cannabutter Dosage
Getting the dosage right is key, especially if you are new to edibles. Here is a simple formula:
Total THC (mg) = Grams of flower x THC percentage x 1000 x 0.88
The 0.88 accounts for the decarboxylation conversion rate.
Example: 7 grams of flower at 20% THC
7 x 0.20 x 1000 x 0.88 = 1,232 mg total THC
If you use that cannabutter across 24 servings (like a batch of brownies), each serving would contain roughly 51 mg of THC. For beginners in California, starting with 5 to 10 mg per serving is the recommended approach.
Tips for Better Cannabutter Every Time
- Do not skip decarboxylation. It is the difference between potent cannabutter and a waste of good flower
- Keep temperatures low. High heat destroys cannabinoids and creates a bitter taste
- Use a thermometer. Guessing temperatures is the number one reason batches fail
- Add water. It regulates temperature and makes straining easier
- Choose quality cannabis. Better flower means better butter. Browse premium strains on Weedmaps for options
- Be patient. Longer, slower infusions produce smoother, more potent results
California Edibles: What You Should Know
If you are making cannabutter at home in California, here are a few things to keep in mind. Under California’s cannabis regulations, adults 21 and over can possess and use cannabis for personal consumption. Homemade edibles are legal for personal use, but you cannot sell them without proper licensing.
The California Department of Cannabis Control sets limits on commercially sold edibles at 100 mg THC per package. For homemade edibles, there is no legal limit, but responsible dosing is always the move. Start low, go slow, and give each dose at least 60 to 90 minutes to kick in before consuming more.
If you would rather skip the cooking and grab ready-made edibles, Canna Lala delivers gummies and edibles across multiple California cities including Los Angeles, Riverside, Santa Clarita, Upland, and the Antelope Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best and easiest way to make cannabutter?
The stovetop method is the easiest and most reliable. Melt butter with water on low heat, add your decarbed cannabis, and simmer for 2 to 3 hours between 160F and 200F. Strain through cheesecloth and refrigerate. It requires minimal equipment and gives you full control over temperature.
How long does it take to cook cannabutter?
It depends on your method. The stovetop takes about 2 to 3 hours. A slow cooker or crockpot takes 4 to 6 hours. An Instant Pot is the fastest at around 40 minutes of pressure cooking. Longer, slower infusions generally produce smoother results.
How do you make cannabutter for edibles and cooking recipes?
Follow the three-step process: decarboxylate your cannabis at 240F for 30 to 40 minutes, infuse it into melted butter on low heat for 2 to 3 hours, then strain and refrigerate. The finished cannabutter works as a 1:1 replacement for regular butter in any recipe, from brownies and cookies to pasta sauces and toast.
What is the difference between cannabutter and cannabis-infused shatter butter?
Cannabutter is made by infusing butter with decarbed cannabis flower. Shatter butter uses cannabis concentrates like shatter or wax instead of flower. Concentrate-based butter is more potent per gram and produces a cleaner taste, but flower-based cannabutter gives you a fuller spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes.
How should you store cannabutter and how long does it last?
Store cannabutter in an airtight glass container. It stays fresh for about 2 weeks in the refrigerator and for up to 6 months in the freezer. Always label it clearly, especially if other people have access to your kitchen.
Ready to Make Your Own Cannabutter? Start With the Good Stuff.
The secret to great cannabutter isn’t just the technique. It’s the flower you start with. Low quality bud means low quality butter, and nobody wants that after spending hours in the kitchen.
At Canna Lala, we carry a curated selection of premium flower strains perfect for infusing. Whether you want something relaxing for nighttime edibles or an uplifting sativa blend for weekend baking, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s why California locals trust Canna Lala:
- Hand-picked, lab-tested flower, concentrates, and edibles
- Fast, discreet delivery across Los Angeles, Riverside, Santa Clarita, Upland, and the Antelope Valley
- 1,297+ five-star reviews on Weedmaps
- Licensed, compliant, and locally owned
Not sure which strain works best for edibles? Hit us up. Our team can help you pick the right flower based on the flavor, potency, and experience you’re going for.
