Magic butter decarb is a process used to activate the cannabinoids in cannabis flower before infusing them into butter or oil. Decarboxylation is a necessary step in making edibles, as raw cannabis contains primarily THCA and CBDA, which do not have the same psychoactive effects as THC and CBD. By heating the cannabis at a specific temperature and time, THCA and CBDA are converted into THC and CBD, making the final product more potent and effective. To decarb cannabis using the Magic Butter machine, it is important to first grind the flower into a fine consistency. This allows for even exposure to heat and increases the surface area, aiding in the decarboxylation process. Once the cannabis is ground, it can be placed into the decarboxylation chamber of the Magic Butter machine.

How to Make Cannabutter, Step-by-Step

Learn how to make weed butter—plus how to bake with and enjoy it—with this recipe and tips from cannabis expert Mennlay Golokeh Aggrey.

This guide to making cannabutter is adapted from ‘The Art of Weed Butter’ by Mennlay Golokeh Aggrey, with further reporting by Zoe Denenberg. It’s part of our Guide to Cooking With, Eating, and Truly Enjoying Weed.

Cannabutter can transform brownie batter, cookie dough, or just about any recipe into a batch of homemade edibles—and you don’t have to be a master chef or cannabis connoisseur to make it. All you need to make weed into butter is patience, organization, a reliable recipe, and some understanding of dosing. Following the same method, you can also make infused chili crisp to drizzle on noodles or elevated coconut oil to coat kettle corn.

The following weed butter recipe loosely translates into 30 mg of THC per tablespoon of oil or butter. Your perfect dose will vary, but 10 mg is standard. Start by testing ¼ tsp. of the weed butter you make and wait for about an hour. (If this is your first time experimenting with edibles, note that the effects take longer to set in than when inhaling.) Take note of how you feel and let your body tell you whether this is a good amount, or if you need more or less. Erring on the side of caution will ensure that you have a positive experience.

Once the cannabis is ground, it can be placed into the decarboxylation chamber of the Magic Butter machine. The machine is set to a specific temperature and time, typically around 240°F for 45 minutes. This temperature and duration are thought to be optimal for activating the cannabinoids without degrading them.

Step 1: Decarboxylation:

When making weed butter, the first step is to decarboxylate your cannabis. Also known as “decarbing,” baking the cannabis flower transforms the inactive cannabinoids (THCA and CBDA) into their active counterparts (THC and CBD). This unlocks their psychoactive effects and also allows the lipids in butter and oil to easily bind to your weed for the best cannabis infusion.

Whether you prefer indica or sativa, it’s best to use whole cannabis flowers, broken up into large nuggets, not ground cannabis—unless you want a flurry of weed snowflakes flying around inside your oven (spoiler alert: you don’t). You’ll break up the decarbed flower with a hand grinder (check out this Oreo-shaped one!) after baking.

• ½ oz cannabis flower
• Parchment paper
• Glass baking dish or sheet pan
• Hand grinder or scissors

1. Preheat the oven to 220°F.
2. Gently break the buds into large pieces and evenly spread the plant material onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Slide it onto the center rack of the oven and bake for 20 minutes if using old or lower-quality weed; 45 minutes for cured, high-grade weed; or 1 hour or more for anything that has been recently harvested and is still wet.
3. Check on the weed frequently while it’s in the oven, gently mixing it every 10 minutes so as to not burn it. You will notice that the color of your herb will change from bright green to a deep brownish-green. That’s when you know it has decarboxylated.
4. Remove the weed from the oven and allow it to cool on the baking sheet. Once it has cooled, break up the decarbed weed using a hand grinder, scissors, or with hands until it’s the perfect consistency for rolling a joint—fine, but not too fine. Anything too fine will slip through cheesecloth (or a joint, for that matter), murking up your butter. You want your cannabutter to be as clean and clear as possible.

It is important to note that different strains of cannabis may require slight adjustments to temperature and time for optimal decarboxylation. During the decarboxylation process, the heat applied to the cannabis causes a chemical reaction that removes a carboxyl group from THCA and CBDA, converting them into THC and CBD. This conversion is what allows for the psychoactive and medicinal effects of cannabis to be experienced when consuming edibles. The Magic Butter machine simplifies the decarboxylation process by providing an all-in-one device that controls temperature and time. This eliminates the need for constant monitoring and manual adjustments, making it easier and more convenient for home cooks and cannabis enthusiasts to create their own infused butter or oil. Once the cannabis has been decarboxylated using the Magic Butter machine, it can be used to infuse butter or oil by adding it to the machine's infusion chamber along with the desired fat. The machine then heats and mixes the ingredients to create a potent and consistent infusion. This infused butter or oil can be used in a variety of recipes, allowing for the creation of homemade edibles with precise dosage control. Overall, the Magic Butter decarb process is a simple and effective way to activate the cannabinoids in cannabis flower before infusing them into butter or oil. By accurately controlling temperature and time, this method ensures a potent and reliable infusion, making it a popular choice among cannabis enthusiasts and home cooks..

Reviews for "Demystifying the Magic Butter Decarb Method: Step-by-Step Guide"

1. Samantha - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to try the Magic Butter Decarb, but I was disappointed with the results. The machine was quite difficult to operate, and the instructions were not very clear. The decarb process took much longer than expected, and the end product did not turn out as potent as I had hoped. I think there are other more user-friendly and effective options available on the market.

2. John - 3/5 stars - The Magic Butter Decarb seemed promising, but I found it to be a bit overpriced for what it offers. The machine is quite bulky and takes up a lot of counter space. Additionally, the decarb process took longer than anticipated, and the final product was not as potent as I had expected. I think there are better alternatives out there that are more affordable and produce better results.

3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - The Magic Butter Decarb did not meet my expectations. The machine is quite expensive and complicated to use. I also found it to be quite noisy during operation, which was bothersome. The decarb process took a lot of time, and the end product did not have the desired potency. Overall, I was not satisfied with my purchase and would not recommend it to others.

4. Michael - 1/5 stars - I had a terrible experience with the Magic Butter Decarb. The machine stopped working after only a few uses, and I had to go through the hassle of returning and replacing it. Even when it was working, the decarb process took much longer than advertised, and the final product was not as potent as claimed. It was a waste of money and time, and I would not recommend this product to anyone.

From Flower to Edible: How Magic Butter Decarb Maximizes THC Activation