Not too long ago, smoking cannabis was one of the only ways to access its many benefits, including that unforgettable and euphoric high. But a lot has changed in the last few years, and various methods of consumption have cropped up, from ingesting delicious edibles to dabbing strong concentrates.
One popular way to consume cannabis is through tea. As the leaves change, the days get more cloudy, and the temperatures begin to drop; what better way to feel cozy than with a hot mug of tea? Doubly so when that tea is infused with a relaxing strain of cannabis. Preparing cannabis tea isn’t difficult—we’ll share our foolproof cannabis tea recipe, with variations depending on whether or not you’d like a psychoactive experience or to simply absorb the other effects of cannabis. Along the way, you’ll learn:
- What is cannabis tea?
- How to prepare cannabis tea
- How long it takes for cannabis tea to start working
- And more!
Ready? Grab your favorite mug, and let’s get started.
What Is Cannabis Tea?
If you’re into cannabis culture, you probably know that the history of medical cannabis use dates back many thousands of years. But while sources suggest that cannabis tea was actually one of the very first medical cannabis products, the brew hasn’t gotten much press. That’s a shame, given how easy it is to make and enjoy.
Cannabis-infused tea is an infusion of fresh cannabis flower in hot water or some other liquid. Since the cannabinoids THC and CBD—the primary “active ingredients” in cannabis—aren’t readily water-soluble, a cannabis tea recipe will vary depending on what effect you’re going for.
Is it possible to get beneficial effects from cannabis that don’t involve a high? Absolutely! The chemical precursor to THC—a cannabinoid known as THCA—may be a powerful anti-inflammatory agent and offer neuroprotectant benefits against disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s, and until THCA is decarboxylated—or converted by heat to THC—it’s not intoxicating.
How To Prepare Cannabis Tea: 2 Different Recipes
When choosing a cannabis tea recipe, the big question is: Do you want to feel its euphoric effects? If you don’t, don’t worry! We have two great recipes that can fit your needs and preferences.
THCA Cannabis Tea
Don’t want to get buzzed but still want to enjoy the benefits of THCA? We’ve got you.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons fresh cannabis flower
- Dried aromatics of your choice: Cinnamon stick, cloves, nutmeg, rose petals
- 2 cups boiling water
- Optional: Honey, lemon, sugar, or other sweetener of choice
- Optional: Milk or creamer of choice
Steps
- Using a tea strainer, combine the fresh cannabis flower with boiling water and your chosen flavorings. Allow them to steep for ten minutes.
- Remove the solids with a coffee filter or strainer, sweeten to your taste and finish with milk or lemon.
Voila! You’ve got a tasty cannabis-infused tea that will deliver the benefits of THCA with no psychoactivity.
Can you make a psychoactive cannabis tea using this method? Sort of. If you know how to decarboxylate your cannabis flower beforehand—typically in an oven at low temperature for 45 minutes or so—the THCA in the raw flower should be converted to THC. However, THC isn’t water-soluble, so if you make weed tea using the above recipe and decarbed bud, it will still likely be very mildly intoxicating, at best. Of course, depending on your intended outcome, that might be exactly what you’re looking for.
THC Cannabis Tea
To make a cannabis-infused tea that will impart euphoric effects, you’ll need to use some sort of oil or fat for the cannabinoids to bind to. Rich, potent, and shelf-stable, cannabutter is a great option for tea. If you have a recipe you like, it’s easy to make cannabutter at home, or go the convenient route and find quality cannabutter at your favorite dispensary.
While there are several approaches to making psychoactive cannabis tea, here is the most straightforward and reliable.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp – 1 tbsp cannabis oil or butter
- Dried aromatics of your choice: Cinnamon stick, cloves, nutmeg, rose petals
- 2 cups boiling water
- Optional: Honey, lemon, sugar, or other sweetener of choice
- Optional: Milk or creamer of choice
Steps
- Make a standard herbal tea, like the infusion recipe we shared above, but omit the fresh cannabis flower.
- Stir in anywhere from a teaspoon to a tablespoon of cannabis-infused oil, sometimes known as “cannabutter” or “cannaoil.
Alternatively, you can add a dropperful of cannabis-infused tincture to your already-prepared tea—it’s a slightly different approach but will deliver the same effects.
Cannabis Tea: Onset Time and Duration
If you’ve ever tried cannabis edibles before, you know that they take longer to start working—and last longer once they do—than smoked or vaped cannabis. Edibles have to go through the digestive tract, and the process that goes into metabolizing THC can result in what feels like a more potent high.
Though dependent on your individual physiology, you can usually expect the effects of a cannabis-infused beverage to start roughly 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion, but it might even take up to two hours, so we recommend you not take another dose for at least that long. Once those effects take hold, they’ll last, so expect them to take 2 to 6 hours to run their full course.
Brew Cozy Cannabis Teas with Mankind
If you’re looking for a new way to access the benefits of cannabis in a long-lasting, smokeless format, try making a simple cannabis tea. Cozy and relaxing, your brew can be psychoactive or not, giving you the freedom to explore and experience this unique form of cannabis edible.
Looking to restock? Just think Mankind! Our menu is always changing, but you can often find a vast selection of pre-made teas in bottles or cans, or even packs of infused tea bags. For even more quality bud, search our extensive menu and score some fresh, California-grown flower, premium tinctures, concentrates, and any other style of cannabis product you could imagine!
Can’t make it into our San Diego dispensary? Our cannabis delivery service makes it easier than ever to get you the products you’re looking for conveniently and hassle-free.
Have other questions on how to prepare cannabis tea or any other weed-related topics? Stop by our shop and ask any of our friendly budtenders—we’re here to help!
