How to Make Cannabis Coffee

According to the Coffee Association of Canada, coffee is the most popular beverage among Canadians over the age of 16. That means there are a lot of people who start their day off with a classic cup of joe or who enjoy the caffeine hit coffee offers throughout the day.

Now, picture this: Combining coffee (your favourite beverage) with marijuana.

It’s becoming more popular. Though many companies sell their own cannabis coffee, you can also make your own at home, allowing you to tailor your brew to meet your needs and tastes. Not only is weed coffee easy to make, but it’s also a great way to start your day.

What is Cannabis Coffee?

Before you can make cannabis coffee, you’ll want to know exactly what it is. No, it’s not just a cup of coffee with some marijuana buds tossed in – but it is a drink that combines coffee and marijuana.

People have been brewing marijuana with beverages for a long time; tea has long been a popular choice. Naturally, it was only a matter of time before cannabis coffee, which involves marijuana-infused coffee, became a thing. 

Cannabis Coffee Offers Many Benefits

There are many reasons Canadians are turning to marijuana coffee to start their day off right. Though coffee and marijuana offer different effects (coffee typically helps people wake up and be more alert while marijuana can be more calming), when combined, they can actually complement each other to provide a unique experience.

The caffeine in coffee will help boost your physical energy, giving you the vigour you need to get up out of bed and start your day. The marijuana you use will help reduce the jitters too much caffeine can cause. Plus, you’ll also get the benefits your chosen marijuana strain offer, whether that be increased creativity or an improved mood.

The Importance of the Strain and Decarboxylation 

Before we share how you can make your very own cannabis coffee at home, there are two important things you need to think about:

1. The marijuana strain you use to make your cannabis coffee
2. The decarboxylation process

First, let’s look at the importance of strain choice. Each marijuana strain offers unique effects, flavours, and aromas. When choosing which strain you’ll use to make cannabis coffee, it is essential that you choose a one that will complement the coffee’s flavour and give you your desired effects.

For example, if you are drinking your cannabis coffee in the morning, you’ll likely want to use a Sativa strain. This strain is known for boosting energy and creativity, making it popular for daytime use. But, if you want those effects while also needing some help relaxing for the day, a well-balanced hybrid strain may be the better option.

Once you determine the type of marijuana flower you plan to use, explore the flavours and aromas each offers. Make sure it will work well with the coffee you will use as your base. As you grow more comfortable, you can experiment with different buds and coffees to find the best combination for you.

Now, let us look at decarboxylation. Marijuana in its raw form will not get users high; that’s because it hasn’t gone through a process a called decarboxylation. This process involves heating the plant so that THCA and CBDA (which are THC and CBD in their ineffective form) convert to the THC and CBD we know.

In the recipe below, the leaves are heated as part of the boiling process. It is crucial to getting the effects of both your marijuana and your coffee that you do not skip this step and take care to heat your leaves as recommended.

A Cannabis Coffee Recipe

Ready to make your own marijuana coffee? Let’s get started. First, you will need to gather:

• 3 cups of water
• Coffee (your favourite roast and/or blend)
• 2 tablespoons of cannabutter, butter, or coconut oil (your choice—but remember, using cannabutter will make your coffee even more potent)
• ½ gram of cannabis (the strain of your choice)
• Strainer or sieve
• Pot
• Coffee-maker
• Cannabis grinder (optional)
• Blender (optional)

To make your cannabis coffee:

1. Use your cannabis grinder to break down your weed into small pieces.
2. Heat your water on your stove over medium heat and bring it to a gentle boil.
3. Add in your butter, cannabutter, or oil and let it melt.
4. Sprinkle your marijuana into the mixture and let it simmer at a boil for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Pour your mixture into a strain or sieve; filtering ensures there are no leaves or large particles in your coffee.
6. Mix your coffee with your mixture. You can use a blender if desired to ensure it is mixed thoroughly.
7. Enjoy your coffee!

Tips for Making and Using Cannabis Coffee

How potent your coffee is depends on the strain you use, whether you use cannabutter, and how many servings you make. To ensure you don’t end up with a stronger high than intended, make sure you are aware of how much cannabis you’ll have per serving of coffee.

You should also remember that cannabis coffee, just like other marijuana edibles, takes time to take effect. Because your body requires time to digest before you’ll experience effects, don’t drink multiple servings of cannabis coffee, thinking it’s not working. Allow your cup of coffee 30 to 45 minutes to take effect.

Finally, remember everyone’s experience will be different. The effects you experience will depend not only on the strain of marijuana you use but also on your tolerance, how you usually react to coffee, and how many cups you drink.

For most people, cannabis coffee is a great way to start the morning. Combining coffee’s energy-boosting aspects with marijuana’s more relaxing and inspiring effects can be a truly unique way to start your day.