Most everyone loves a sweet gummy treat, and when it’s filled up with THC goodness it’s even harder to turn down. These delicious bits of cannabis candy can be a pricey purchase at the local dispensary, so why not try making your own at home? There are a lot of recipes online that say they show you how to make cannabis gummy bears in the home kitchen but results can often be disappointing – Soft, jelly-like edibles that end up turning runny at room temperature or even melting out-right.

So what if you want to make cannabis gummies that have real store-bought quality? Turns out there’s a secret ingredient used by the pros in their weed gummy recipes that makes the difference between a snappy, chewy gummy and a soggy, weepy mess. It’s time to break out your chefs hat and arm yourself with your favorite whisk – We’re going to talk about the science of how to make cannabis infused gummies in your very own home.

Is CBD legal? 

Hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC are legal federally but still illegal under some state laws. Cannabis-derived CBD products, on the other hand, are illegal federally but legal under some state laws. Check local legislation, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not approved nonprescription CBD products, which may be inaccurately labeled.

CBD types

CBD is one of several cannabinoids in the cannabis plant.

It is important to note that there are three main variations of CBD that various gummies use. They are:

• Full-spectrum CBD: This CBD contains all the phytochemicals that occur naturally in the cannabis plant, such as various other cannabinoids, terpenes, and oils. It also contains some trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive compound in marijuana that produces the “high” effect.
• Broad-spectrum CBD: This CBD contains all the phytochemicals that are in the cannabis plant but no THC.
• CBD isolate: CBD isolate is the pure form of CBD.

Due to a lack of regulation, companies and consumers sometimes confuse these terms — particularly broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate — and use them incorrectly.

What are weed gummies?

On the surface weed gummies look a lot like regular, non-THC gummy snacks, and the temptation can be to look up a regular gummy candy recipe and follow that, simply adding in a bit of concentrate as you go. To understand why that won’t work let’s discuss candy making for a moment.

Candy making is, at it’s most basic level, the act of taking sugar and cooking it until it melts; add nothing (or a bit of water) and the sugar turns into a brittle hard candy when it cools. Add gelatin and the sugar will set into a gelatinous or spongy form, resulting in gummies or marshmallows. Add an oil or fat, such as butter, and you get a chewy, soft caramel. And it’s right there where the problem comes in.

THC concentrate of any fashion is always an oil; even THCA diamonds and shatter, both of which are set and hardened, turn into an oil on applying heat. Once you add enough oil to your candy it will not set properly – Oil does not want to combine with the hard, crystalline candy structure, a process referred to as “emulsification”. Without proper emulsification you’ll get candy that’s runny, tacky to the touch, or weeps liquid.

CBD gummies for pain

CBD may reduceTrusted Source pain sensations in the body, including neuropathic pain. It may also limit inflammationTrusted Source. CBD gummies that may help those seeking pain relief include:

Charlotte’s Web Recovery CBD Gummies

These gummies feature a blend of more than 80 naturally occurring phytocannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. For added recovery, they also include ginger and turmeric, two natural ways to reduce exercise-induced inflammation.

Each serving contains 10 mg of full-spectrum CBD.

CBDfx Turmeric and Spirulina Gummies

These gummies each contain 5 milligrams (mg) of organically farmed, broad-spectrum (according to them) CBD. This means that they also provide several other compounds from the cannabis plant, excluding THC.

Research indicates that when it comes to relieving pain and swelling, broad-spectrum CBD and full-spectrum CBD are more effective than CBD isolate.

However, the COA for this product states that it actually contains no terpenes or THC, making it a product containing CBD isolate. The lack of regulation of CBD product claims illustrates why people need to be careful with them.

These gummies also contain turmeric, which has anti-inflammatory properties and aids in the managementTrusted Source of several anti-inflammatory conditions. Spirulina, another ingredient in these gummies, may haveTrusted Source antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

CBDfx’s gummies are vegan and free from artificial sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup. The company claim that they contain less than 0.3% THC, which is the maximum legally allowed dose. However, the COA states that this product contains 0% THC.

Different types of gummies, now and in the future

There are several different types of gummies and many production methods behind those types. Some are made with pectin, some with gelatin; some are made with distillate, some with live resin; some have additives like melatonin, and some have natural plant terpenes. It’s all a reflection of the modern state of cannabis: figuring out exact formulas and recipes to deliver specific effects on a consistent basis.

In the near future, we are sure to see an expansion of cannabinoids, terpenes, and production methods of gummies. “I think we’re going to start seeing THCV gummies; Delta-8 gummies are a big one too. And I think you will see in the future, CBN and CBG. Right now the costs are so high on those that it’s hard to add to the gummies, said Chef Kulczycki.

“Our number one product at Kiva is our sleep gummy. It’s made with 5mg of THC, one milligram of CBN, plus chamomile and lavender, and some other indica-like terpenes,” said Grablick.

Coming soon, Grablick told me he just launched a strain-specific live resin confection called Lost Farm, and in Q1 Kiva is rolling out a fruit chew similar to Starburst and Mamba. “It’ll be interesting to see if that form does just as well as a gummy,” he said. “We believe it will.”