How to Make Edibles at Home: Step-by-Step

Edibles are one of the most popular ways to enjoy cannabis. They’re discreet, easy to consume, and provide long-lasting effects. But have you ever wondered how to make edibles at home? Whether you’re interested in making your own weed brownies, infused oils, or pot gummies, this guide will walk you through each step in simple, easy-to-follow language.

In this blog post, we’ll break down the basics of how to make edibles, what ingredients you’ll need, and how to dose them properly. By the end, you’ll feel confident in making your own cannabis-infused treats right at home.

What Are Edibles?

Edibles are food or drink items that contain cannabis. Instead of smoking or vaping, you eat or drink them to feel the effects. Common types include:

Brownies
Cookies
Weed Gummies
Cannabis Chocolates
THC Teas and Beverages
Butters and Oils used for cooking

The effects of edibles tend to be stronger and last longer than other methods. That’s because the body digests THC differently when it’s eaten rather than inhaled. According to the CDC, it can take 30 minutes to 2 hours for effects to kick in and last up to 12 hours or more.

How Do Edibles Work?

When you eat an edible, the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) gets processed by your liver. It’s turned into 11-hydroxy-THC, a stronger form of THC that causes a more intense and longer-lasting high than smoking weed.

That’s why dosing matters—and why homemade edibles can be tricky if you don’t follow a proper method. Before diving in, let’s go over the supplies you need to get started.

What You’ll Need for Making Edibles

Before you learn how to make weed edibles, gather the following supplies:

Basic Ingredients

Cannabis flower or concentrate
Butter or oil (coconut oil, olive oil, or unsalted butter)
Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
Baking sheet
Saucepan or slow cooker
Airtight storage containers

For Pot Gummies

Unflavored gelatin (or vegan alternatives)
Flavored gelatin or fruit juice
Lecithin (helps bind oil and water)
Cannabis-infused oil or tincture
Gummy molds

Make sure everything is clean and ready before starting. Next up: decarboxylation.

Step 1: Decarboxylate Your Cannabis

This is the most important step in making edibles.

Raw cannabis won’t get you high unless it’s heated. That’s because THC in its natural form exists as THCA, a non-psychoactive compound. You must heat it to activate the THC.

How to Decarboxylate Cannabis

Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C).
Break cannabis buds into small pieces.
Spread the pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 30–40 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Let it cool before use.

Now your cannabis is active and ready for infusion.

Step 2: Make Cannabis-Infused Oil or Butter

Once your cannabis is decarbed, you can infuse it into a fat like oil or butter. This is the base for almost all weed edibles.

How to Make Cannabutter or Cannabis Oil

Stovetop Method:

Add 1 cup of butter or oil and 1 cup of water to a saucepan.
Add 7–10 grams of decarbed cannabis.
Simmer on low heat for 2–3 hours. Stir occasionally. Keep the temperature below 200°F (93°C).
Strain using cheesecloth into a clean jar.
Let it cool, then store in the fridge.

Slow Cooker Method:

Combine ingredients in the slow cooker.
Set on low for 4–6 hours.
Stir every hour.
Strain and store as above.

Use this infused fat in any recipe that calls for oil or butter.

Step 3: Choose Your Edible Recipe

You can now use your cannabis butter or oil in a variety of recipes. Some popular options include:

Brownies
Cookies
Rice crispy treats
Pasta or sauces
Tea and coffee

Stick to simple recipes when you’re starting out. For example, replace the regular butter in a brownie recipe with your cannabutter.

Want to try something a bit more advanced? Let’s learn how to make pot gummies next.

How to Make Pot Gummies at Home

Cannabis gummies are a favorite among edible lovers. They’re portable, tasty, and easy to dose—when made right.

Ingredients:

½ cup fruit juice or flavored gelatin
½ cup water
2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
2 teaspoons lecithin (sunflower or soy)
2–3 teaspoons cannabis-infused oil or tincture

Instructions:

Pour juice and water into a saucepan on low heat.
Whisk in the lecithin and cannabis oil until blended.
Slowly sprinkle in unflavored gelatin while stirring.
Stir until fully dissolved (5–10 minutes). Do not boil.
Pour into silicone gummy molds.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before removing.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

That’s it—your homemade pot gummies are ready to enjoy.

How to Dose Your Edibles Properly

Dosing is the trickiest part of making edibles. Too little and you feel nothing. Too much and you’re on the couch for hours.

Here’s a simple way to estimate THC content:

Formula:
Amount of cannabis (mg of THC per gram) × grams used × extraction efficiency (usually ~80%)

Example:
If you use 1 gram of weed at 20% THC:

1g = 1,000mg × 0.20 = 200mg THC
200mg × 0.80 = 160mg in the batch

If you cut that batch into 16 servings, that’s about 10mg per serving.

Pro Tip: Start with 5mg or less per serving, especially if you’re new. Wait at least 2 hours before taking more.

Edible Safety Tips

Here are some helpful tips when making edibles:

Label your edibles. Keep them away from kids and pets.
Store them properly. Use airtight containers in the fridge or freezer.
Don’t eat more too soon. Wait at least 2 hours between doses.
Know your tolerance. Start low and go slow.
Avoid combining with alcohol. It can intensify the effects.

How Long Do Homemade Edibles Last?

Homemade edibles can last:

In the fridge: Up to 2 weeks
In the freezer: Up to 3 months

Gummies and baked goods can last longer when frozen. Always label with the date you made them.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Making edibles is fun, but it’s easy to mess up if you’re not careful. Avoid these common mistakes:

Skipping decarboxylation
Overheating the oil or butter
Poor straining, leading to plant material in the oil
Not testing potency with a small dose first
Uneven mixing of cannabis oil in recipes

Take your time and follow each step closely for the best results.

Can You Make Edibles with Concentrates?

Yes, you can use cannabis concentrates like:

Distillate
RSO (Rick Simpson Oil)
Hash oil
Kief

These are often easier to dose and don’t require decarboxylation. Just mix into warm butter or oil.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to make edibles at home gives you more control over ingredients, flavor, and potency. From brownies to pot gummies, there are countless ways to enjoy cannabis in edible form. Start with small batches, go slow, and always label your creations.

Want to skip the cooking and buy ready-to-enjoy edibles? Visit Dank Mart to shop our wide selection of high-quality cannabis edibles, oils, and more.

REFERENCES:

Wikipedia. (2025, 13 May). Cannabis edible. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_edible

Step-By-Step: How To Make Edible Gummies. (nd). Available at: https://www.verilife.com/learn/how-to-make-edible-gummies

Dr. Louisa Degenhardt, Ph.D, AO, FAA, FASSA, FAHMS