Legal cannabis sales across all product types have continued to surge year after year, but no segment of the market has seen more growth than cannabis concentrates, such as vape cartridges, tinctures, shatter, and wax. But there is one form of concentrate leading the way, and according to cannabis market research firm BDS Analytics, that concentrate is cannabis distillate. Not only is cannabis distillate a great product to dab, but it can also be used in at-home infusions to create tasty and effective DIY edibles.

What is Cannabis Distillate?

Many consumers enjoy distillate because of its potency. To make distillate, manufacturers utilize a process called short path distillation, which uses steam, heat, vacuum pressure, and certain boiling points (depending on the cannabinoid) to isolate and purify the desired cannabinoid. This distillation process isolates and increases the potency of both THC (in some cases as high as 99 percent) and CBD – but also leaves behind other compounds found in cannabis like terpenes, as well as any toxins and impurities.

Since the distillation process leaves behind terpenes and plant matter (the compounds that give cannabis its distinctive herby and earthy flavor) what’s left is an odorless, flavorless oil that is ideal making cannabis-infused edibles. Distillates also make it much easier to precisely dose your edibles, which can be tricky when making cannabis infused oil or butter with flower, for example. And, distillate is by default decarboxylated, an important heating process that activates THC’s intoxicating and euphoric kick.

Making Homemade Cannabis Edibles with Distillate

Cooking or baking at home with cannabis distillates is actually incredibly simple, though not quite as simple as putting a few drops from a dropper into a pre-made brownie mix. At the very least, you’ll have to do some stirring. Lucky for us, our very own PotGuide contributor Abby Hutmacher has spelled out a foolproof method to make DIY cannabis distillate infused edibles.

What You’ll Need:

• One gram cannabis distillate
• A bowl of hot water
• Oil or butter
• An oil or butter-based recipe

Instructions

1. With your distillate in its container, place in a bowl of hot water to warm the concentrate (not too hot! Cannabinoids like THC begin to degrade at 230 degrees Fahrenheit)
2. While the distillate warms, measure out the oil or butter (liquefied) to the recipe’s specifications
3. Drop the gram of distillate into the oil or butter and mix thoroughly to ensure homogenization, a process that breaks big particles into small ones, and provides a uniformity to the product
4. Place the combined distillate/oil or butter mixture into a microwave-safe dish and heat on medium power for up to two minutes to ensure all ingredients are combined
5. Your oil is ready to be infused into your recipe

As mentioned above, cannabis exposed to high temperatures does degrade, so if you’re baking something, be sure to keep the temperature at 325 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. But be assured that you won’t lose much of cannabis’ kick through baking if done properly. Remember, distillate is extremely potent!

About sap

At Arizona Organix we know the importance of quality concentrates to your daily routine. That’s why we created SAP to add to our menu. SAP is an award-winning concentrate that has earned a great reputation for its effectiveness and purity.

We are putting SAP in the spotlight so you can see why this concentrate has become an all-time favorite.

The goal for SAP was to create a pure distillate made from the highest-quality cannabis plants available. Unlike other concentrates, SAP is not diluted by flavorings, PEG or other chemicals that can alter its taste and effectiveness.

It is created using innovative technology that allows up to 95 percent THC in every single drop. There are few other cannabis concentrates that even come close to this level. It is highly effective as a stress reliever and anxiety reducer, leaving you euphoric and happy after even the tiniest dose.

1g = 1000mg
1g SAP(95%THC) = 950mg
1lb of Butter = 96tsp
1tsp of infused SAP butter = 9.89mg

Understanding Edibles

Cannabis edibles have humble beginnings to say the least. Generally, cured cannabis would be cooked down with butter/oil and strained before being baked into treats like cookies or brownies. Today however, cannabis edibles span a much wider variety of food items that range from sweet to savory and include items such as popcorn, hot sauce, juices, gummies and the list goes on. Honestly, anything under the sun can be infused with cannabis these ‘daze’, it just takes a little understanding.

Cooking and Infusing

Edibles are typically made using flower but are just as easily made using concentrates and/or distillate, like SAP. By combining the cannabis with a soluble fat such as butter, olive oil, coconut oil, etc., the infused fat can be supplemented into any recipe to create an infused final product that has a greater bioavailability than smoking or vaping. Once consumed, the body must digest the product, passing through the stomach, liver and blood-brain barrier, before the edible’s effects are felt. This can take anywhere between 45min-2hrs, so be patient. 

Understanding Digestion

As edibles are digested, the delta 9-THC is broken down by the stomach before it passes through the liver to be metabolized and is converted in to hydroxy-THC (psychoactive), and carboxy-THC (non-psychoactive). These converted forms of THC are passed to the brain through the bloodstream where they connect with CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors are associated with the psychoactive and non-psychoactive characteristics of cannabis. Studies show that a much high concentration of hydroxy-THC are generated when the cannabis is ingested before being assimilated by lipid (fat) and vascular (blood) tissues in the brain and body. This means that you need to ingest less milligrams of THC to feel its effects than if it were absorbed by the lungs. It also means that the body holds on to the converted THC in the body’s fatty tissues for a longer period of time resulting in a longer duration of effects. This is why edibles last longer and take longer to take effect, typically lasting 4-8 hours.

Effects

Although every human has an endocannabinoid system, THC can affect us differently. For some people, the onset will happen quickly, and for others it’s more gradual. Typically, the first sensation will be felt in the heart as the converted THC is distributed throughout the body, followed by the lungs and finally the brain. You may feel a slight pressure behind the eyes as the psychoactive effects take hold and alter your perception, delivering a buzz that vibrates through the body. The shift is followed by a full spectrum euphoria of bliss and relaxation that will make touch more exhilarating, colors more brilliant and thoughts more interesting…. and yeah, you might get a case of the giggles. The end result is generally the same however, a longer, more consistent and evenly distributed high.