Ready to take your edibles game to the next level? Cannabis concentrates are your golden ticket to creating potent, flavorful homemade treats.

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just getting your feet wet in the kitchen, using concentrates like shatter, wax, or live resin can simplify the process and give you more consistent results.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the ins and outs of making edibles with cannabis concentrates—from decarboxylation to infusion—and share some tips and tricks to make sure your creations are both delicious and effective.

So grab your apron, and let’s get cooking!

Cannabis concentrates are highly potent extracts of cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant. Common concentrate types include THC oils, CBD oils, Rick Simpson oil (RSO), distillate, honey oil, kief, hash, rosin, and more. Concentrates are created through extraction processes like solvent extraction or pressing that remove cannabis compounds from the plant material. 

This results in an oily or waxy substance with high concentrations of THC, CBD, or other compounds. For example, a THC oil or distillate syringe may contain 80-90% THC compared to 15-35% in dried flowers.

The higher potency means you need only small amounts of concentrate to infuse edibles with an appreciable dosage. Concentrates also come pre-decarboxylated, so you don’t need to activate THC through heating before use.

When choosing a concentrate for edibles, consider the cannabinoid profile, your desired effects, and the concentrate’s properties.

Full-spectrum oils retain more diverse cannabinoids and terpenes for an entourage effect, while distillates isolate individual compounds like THC or CBD. Consistency also matters – thinner oils integrate into recipes more easily than waxier concentrates.

It’s recommended to start with a full- or broad-spectrum THC oil for its versatility across sweet and savory recipes.

Before using concentrates to infuse recipes, gently warm the concentrate container in a water bath to slightly loosen the thick oil or wax.

This makes it easier to measure and combine with other ingredients without messy clumping. Use small doses at first – you can always add more concentrate later but cannot remove excess THC once baked into edibles. Always work in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves to avoid direct skin contact with concentrates.

Can you make edibles with resin? Absolutely.

Taking your gooey-ooey resin and turning it into a delicious treat isn’t too far-fetched.

Decarboxylate the Resin: Start by activating the THC in your resin. Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C). Place your resin on a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet and bake for about 25-30 minutes. This process converts THCA to THC, making it psychoactive.

Infuse with Fat: Cannabis resin needs to be infused with a fat to be used in edibles. You can use butter, coconut oil, or any cooking oil of your choice.

• Melt the Butter/Oil: In a saucepan, melt your butter or oil on low heat.
• Add the Resin: Once melted, add your decarboxylated resin to the saucepan.
• Simmer: Let the mixture simmer on low heat for about 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally. Make sure it doesn’t boil, as high temperatures can degrade the THC

Strain the Mixture: After simmering, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer to remove any leftover plant material. This leaves you with a smooth, infused oil or butter.

Use in Recipes: Your cannabis-infused butter or oil is now ready to be used in any recipe that calls for butter or oil. Substitute it in your favorite brownie, cookie, or savory dish recipes.

Storage: Store any leftover infused butter or oil in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a few weeks or in the freezer for longer storage.

The process of making edibles with wax is the exact same as resin (see above).

However, resin’s stickier nature may require more stirring to ensure it’s fully dissolved into the fat.

To calculate dosage, consider not only the overall THC in the batch but how many individual portions it makes. For example, 1g of 80% THC distillate contains 800mg of THC.

In 12 cookies, each cookie portion would contain approximately 66.67mg of THC (800mg total THC divided by 12 portions). Mark servings clearly to avoid accidental overconsumption by naive users.

Always err on the side of lower doses when infusing to ensure a pleasant experience. Potency may vary between edible types – candies tend to hit harder than baked goods. Start low and go slow.

• Use concentrates within 1-2 months of opening for maximum freshness. Store upright in a cool, dark place. 
• Consider pairing strains with recipes – sativas for breakfast pastries, indicas for desserts. Terpene flavors also shine through. 
• Bake at slightly lower temperatures if possible to prevent THC from being over-activated and lost through vaporization. 
• Experiment with different fat types like coconut oil or ghee to alter effects. Fats aid THC absorption in the body. 
• It’s easy to make large batches and portions into individual servings for consistent dosing over time. Freeze or refrigerate extras. 
• Clean all surfaces and utensils thoroughly that come in contact with concentrates to avoid accidental dosing later. 
• Have CBD-infused snacks on hand if nausea occurs due to excess THC – CBD counteracts these side effects. Go slow!

Mastering homemade cannabis edibles with concentrates takes some slight adjustments compared to traditional methods but results in a cleaner, more precise infusion process. Start low and be mindful of potency as you experiment with infusing your favorite recipes. With some practice, you’ll be safely producing consistent and tasty medicated treats in no time.