Tired of the usual methods? Looking for a smoke-free way to enjoy cannabis that’s both comforting and discreet? Making your own cannabis tea is the perfect solution. At its core, the process is simple: you infuse activated cannabis into a hot drink using a fat, like coconut oil or butter. This might sound a bit odd, but cannabinoids like THC don’t dissolve in water. To unlock their full potential, you must first gently heat your cannabis—a crucial step called decarboxylation—and then bind it to a fat. Master this combination, and you’ll craft a delicious, effective tea every single time.
Your Guide to Crafting the Perfect Cannabis Tea
Step into the comforting world of homemade cannabis tea. A well-brewed cup is so much more than a warm drink; it offers a unique, long-lasting experience that’s both soothing and easy to enjoy. Unlike smoking, drinking your cannabis means it’s processed through your digestive system. The result? The effects come on gently and deliver a prolonged, body-focused sensation that many people prefer.
This guide is designed to demystify how to make cannabis tea, turning what might seem complex into a simple kitchen ritual. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know, skipping the jargon and focusing on clear, actionable steps to ensure your success.
What You Will Learn in This Guide
Whether you’re curious about your first brew or looking to perfect your technique, this walkthrough is for you. We’ll dive into the essential areas to guarantee you get it right, every time.
- The Science of Activation: Discover why decarboxylation is the one step you absolutely can’t skip if you want to unlock the full potential of your cannabis.
- Effective Infusion: Learn why a fat source is your best friend in this process and compare popular choices like butter and coconut oil.
- Simple Brewing Methods: Get straightforward, tested recipes you can easily adapt to your own taste and desired potency.
- Responsible Dosing: Master the “start low and go slow” approach to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and predictable experience.
The goal isn’t just to follow a recipe; it’s to understand the principles behind a great infusion. Mastering these fundamentals empowers you to experiment with confidence, creating a personalized brew that perfectly suits your needs.
For example, imagine you want mild relaxation before bed. You could use a calming chamomile tea bag with a tiny dose of a CBD-heavy flower. Conversely, someone managing chronic pain might prefer a stronger, THC-dominant infusion mixed into a bold black tea to kickstart their day. This guide gives you the foundation to do both.
Ultimately, brewing cannabis tea is an art rooted in simple science. Once you get the hang of activation, infusion, and dosing, you can avoid common mistakes—like making a weak, ineffective tea—and consistently create a beverage that delivers the comforting effects you’re looking for. Let’s get started.
Why Decarboxylation Is the Most Important Step
Before you even think about boiling water, there’s one step that is absolutely non-negotiable: decarboxylation. This scientific-sounding term is the secret to making cannabis tea that actually works.
If you skip this, you’re just making hot, grassy-tasting water. I can’t stress this enough.
Here’s a simple breakdown: raw cannabis flower is packed with a compound called Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, or THCA. On its own, THCA is non-psychoactive. It needs a little heat to transform into the THC we’re all familiar with. For a full breakdown of the science, check out our guide on the key differences between THCA and THC.
Jumping straight to boiling water is the number one mistake people make. They end up with a weak, disappointing tea and wonder what went wrong. You have to “activate” your cannabis first to unlock its magic.
Activating Your Cannabis in the Oven
The most reliable way to decarb your cannabis is in your kitchen oven. It offers precise temperature control, so you can activate the good stuff without burning it. It’s incredibly simple.
Here’s my go-to method for a perfect decarb every time:
- Set the Oven: Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C). Pro tip: use a separate oven thermometer if you have one. Oven dials can be notoriously inaccurate, and precision here is key.
- Prep the Flower: Gently break up your cannabis into smaller, roughly pea-sized bits. Avoid grinding it into a fine powder; you just want to create more surface area for the heat to work evenly.
- Time to Bake: Spread your cannabis on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single, even layer. Pop it in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes.
- Cool It Down: You’ll know it’s ready when it looks lightly toasted, has a golden-brown color, and your kitchen smells wonderfully earthy. Let it cool completely before moving to the next step.
Many people assume tossing raw cannabis into boiling water is enough. While boiling water is hot—212°F (100°C)—it doesn’t get hot enough for long enough to fully convert THCA into THC. The oven method ensures a potent and reliable result.
This is a great visual of what’s happening on a chemical level.
As you can see, controlled heat works wonders, transforming non-psychoactive THCA into active THC—exactly what we want for our tea.
Now that your cannabis is properly activated, you’re ready for the fun part: the infusion.
The Secret to a Potent Brew: Infusion Methods
Alright, your cannabis is activated and ready. Now for the infusion—the part where many first-timers trip up. The biggest mistake is thinking you can just toss your decarbed flower into hot water like a regular tea bag.
It simply doesn’t work that way.
The key thing to understand is that cannabinoids like THC are lipophilic. In plain English, they dissolve in fat, not water. To get those valuable compounds out of the plant and into your mug, you need to give them a fatty substance to cling to. Without that fat, you’re just making hot, plant-flavored water with almost no effect.
Choosing Your Infusion Fat
The fat you choose will shape your tea’s flavor, potency, and texture. The goal is to pick something that works with your taste preferences and dietary needs. The good news? You probably have several great options in your kitchen right now.
Before you grab the first thing you see, it helps to know what you’re working with. Each fat has its own personality, and picking the right one elevates your final brew from good to great.
Comparing Common Infusion Fats
| Fat Source | Best For | Flavor Profile | Vegan Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coconut Oil | High potency & versatility | Mild, slightly sweet, tropical | Yes |
| Unsalted Butter | Classic, rich flavor & creamy texture | Buttery, rich, savory | No |
| Full-Fat Milk | Quick, all-in-one infusions | Creamy, familiar dairy flavor | No |
| Heavy Cream | Extra decadent & rich brews | Very rich, smooth, luxurious | No |
Choosing the right partner for your cannabis is half the fun. For most people starting out, coconut oil or classic unsalted butter are foolproof choices.
Here’s a little more on the most popular options:
- Coconut Oil: This is my personal favorite for a strong, versatile batch. It’s packed with saturated fat, making it a highly efficient carrier for cannabinoids. Want to make a larger batch? Check out our complete guide on making versatile cannabis coconut oil you can use for tea, cooking, and more.
- Butter (Unsalted): The classic “cannabutter” is a staple for a reason. It gives your tea a wonderfully rich, creamy feel that pairs beautifully with black teas or a spicy chai.
- Full-Fat Milk or Cream: This is a fantastic shortcut. The fat molecules in whole milk or heavy cream do the work for you, creating a simple, infused base for a latte-style drink.
Here’s a pro-tip backed by science: consuming cannabis with fat doesn’t just work—it works really well. Some studies show that fats can increase THC absorption by up to 2.5 times compared to having it without any fat. That little pat of butter isn’t just for taste; it’s making your tea more effective.
How to Make a Simple Infused Oil on Your Stovetop
Making your own infused oil or butter is far easier than it sounds. It feels more like a relaxed kitchen project than a complicated science experiment.
The number one rule here is low and slow. If your oil gets too hot, you risk destroying the very cannabinoids and terpenes you just activated. You’re aiming for a gentle, lazy simmer, not a boil.
Here’s the basic game plan:
- Get Your Ingredients Ready: In a small saucepan, combine one cup of your fat (coconut oil is great) with your ground, decarbed cannabis. A good starting point for potency is about 7-10 grams of cannabis per cup of oil, but you can adjust this based on your needs.
- Heat It Up (Gently!): Place the pan on the lowest possible heat setting on your stove. You want to see the faintest of bubbles, if any. A double boiler is even better, as it provides indirect heat and prevents scorching.
- Let It Mingle: Let this mixture steep for at least 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. This long, slow infusion is what pulls all the beneficial compounds out of the plant material. Patience is key.
- Strain and Cool: Pour the infused oil through a cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer into a clean jar. Gently press the plant material to get every last drop of oil, but don’t squeeze too hard—this can push unwanted chlorophyll through, which can make it taste grassy.
And that’s it! You now have a potent, infused oil ready to be stirred into your favorite tea, coffee, or even hot chocolate for an easy, effective dose.
Simple Cannabis Tea Recipes to Try Today
You’ve done the prep work and have your activated cannabis and infused fat ready. Now for the rewarding part: making the tea.
Think of these recipes as your starting point. They’re simple, reliable, and completely customizable. Once you master the basics, you can tweak them to create your perfect cup. Here are two of my favorite methods—one for speed and one for starting from scratch.
The Classic Stir-In Method
This is, by far, the quickest way to a cup of cannabis tea. If you’ve already prepared cannabutter or canna-oil, you’re just moments away from a relaxing brew. It’s my go-to for a single serving without the cleanup.
The beauty of this method is its simplicity. You just add your finished infusion straight into hot tea. It works with literally any beverage—a strong English breakfast, a delicate green tea, or a calming chamomile.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 cup of boiling water
- Your favorite tea bag (black, green, herbal—anything works)
- 1 teaspoon of your pre-made cannabis-infused coconut oil or butter
- Honey, lemon, ginger, or milk to taste (optional but highly recommended!)
Actionable Steps:
- Brew your tea as you normally would, steeping it for 3-5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bag and stir in your teaspoon of infused oil.
- Continue stirring until it’s fully melted and emulsified. That’s it—you’re done!
The All-In-One Simmer Method
Don’t have any canna-oil on hand? No problem. This method combines infusion and brewing into one easy step on your stovetop. It’s perfect when you’re starting with just your decarbed flower.
I love this approach because it fills the kitchen with a wonderfully earthy aroma, and you feel like a true artisan. It creates a rich, potent tea from the ground up.
Actionable Steps:
- In a small saucepan, combine 2 cups of water, 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or butter, and about 1 gram of your ground, decarbed cannabis.
- Gently bring everything to a simmer over low heat. The key here is gentle. You never want a rolling boil, as high heat can destroy the cannabinoids you worked so hard to activate.
- Let it barely bubble for at least 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This is when the magic happens, as the cannabinoids bind to the fat molecules.
- Carefully pour the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a mug to catch all the plant material. Add a tea bag, let it steep for a few more minutes, and it’s ready to enjoy.
A Note on Flavor: Let’s be honest, the taste of cannabis can be a bit… herbal. If that’s not your thing, don’t be shy with additions. A thick slice of ginger, a big spoonful of honey, a generous squeeze of lemon, or a cinnamon stick can work wonders to balance out the flavor and make it truly delicious.
Making your own brew at home is part of a massive trend. The cannabis beverage market was valued at $1.3 billion in 2024 and is on track to more than double by 2030. You can discover more insights about the booming cannabis beverage industry and see where things are headed.
Dosing Your Tea for a Safe Experience
Getting the dose right is everything. This isn’t like smoking, where the effects hit you almost instantly. When you drink cannabis, it takes a much longer journey through your digestive system and liver.
Your liver converts THC into a far more powerful compound, which is why edibles can feel so intense and last for hours. Let’s talk about how to get it right.
Start Low and Go Slow
The golden rule, especially if you’re new to this, is “start low and go slow.” You can always have more later, but you can’t undo having too much.
For your first time, aim for a dose between 2.5 and 5 milligrams of THC. This is a great starting point to feel a gentle, pleasant effect without getting overwhelmed.
Let’s break that down with a practical example. Say you used one gram of flower with 20% THC. That gram contains 200mg of THC. If you infused that into one cup of coconut oil (which is about 48 teaspoons), each teaspoon of your finished oil will have roughly 4mg of THC.
Adding just one teaspoon of that infused oil to your mug is the perfect way to test the waters. It’s the smartest way to guarantee a good experience.
The biggest mistake people make is impatience. Cannabis tea can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two full hours to kick in. Whatever you do, do not drink another cup after 30 minutes because you “don’t feel anything.” Give your body at least two hours to respond to the first dose.
If you want to get more precise with your measurements and understand the math, our complete guide on how to dose edibles correctly is a fantastic resource.
Factors That Influence Your Experience
Your personal experience will be completely your own. The same brew can affect you and a friend in different ways. Here’s what can influence the outcome:
- Your Metabolism: A fast metabolism may mean you feel effects sooner.
- Your Tolerance: Regular cannabis users will naturally have a higher tolerance than newcomers.
- Body Weight: Your overall body mass can affect how cannabinoids are processed.
- What You’ve Eaten: An empty stomach often leads to a quicker, more intense onset. Having your tea after a meal (especially one with healthy fats) can sometimes help with absorption and provide a smoother experience.
By understanding your body and respecting the dosing process, you’re setting yourself up for a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable experience.
Got Questions? Let’s Talk Cannabis Tea
It’s normal to have questions when you’re first learning how to make cannabis tea at home. A little extra know-how can make a huge difference in your final brew and give you the confidence to get it just right. Let’s tackle some of the most common queries.
Getting these details sorted is the final piece of the puzzle to making a great cup of cannabis tea.
How Long Does a Cup of Cannabis Tea Last?
This is where patience is a virtue. Edibles, including tea, are a different ballgame compared to smoking. The effects of a well-made cup of cannabis tea can last anywhere from 4 to 8 hours—much longer than you might expect.
Why the long ride? It all comes down to digestion. When you drink tea, THC travels through your digestive system to your liver, where it’s converted into a more potent and longer-lasting compound. The trade-off is that it takes a lot longer to feel the effects, typically between 30 minutes and 2 hours.
My best piece of advice: always wait at least two full hours after your first cup before even considering another. The slow onset is the number one reason people accidentally overdo it.
Do I Really Need to Use Fat? Can I Skip It?
I get this question all the time. Technically, you could steep your decarbed flower in hot water, but you’d be wasting your cannabis. The resulting tea would be incredibly weak.
Here’s the simple science: Cannabinoids like THC are lipophilic, a fancy way of saying they dissolve in fat, not water. Without a fatty carrier like coconut oil, butter, or even full-fat milk, the THC has nothing to bind to. It won’t infuse into your tea, and you won’t get the desired effects. A fat source isn’t optional; it’s essential for success.
What Kind of Tea Should I Use?
This is the fun part—the best tea is whichever one you already love to drink! The earthy, herbal notes of cannabis are surprisingly versatile and pair well with all sorts of flavors.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Bold Black Teas: An Earl Grey or English Breakfast has a strong flavor profile that stands up to the cannabis for a balanced taste.
- Herbal Infusions: For something calming and caffeine-free, chamomile, peppermint, or ginger teas are fantastic options.
- Spiced Blends: A rich, aromatic chai is my personal favorite. The warm spices mask the cannabis flavor beautifully and create a cozy, delicious beverage.
What’s the Best Way to Store My Infused Oil or Tea?
Proper storage is critical for keeping your infusion fresh and, most importantly, safe. Any leftover cannabis butter or oil should go into an airtight, clearly labeled container. It will keep in the fridge for about two weeks or in the freezer for several months.
As the United States Food and Drug Administration points out, clear labeling and safe storage are crucial to prevent anyone, especially children or pets, from accidental consumption. As for leftover brewed tea, it’s best enjoyed fresh, but it will keep in the fridge for a day or two if needed.
Ready to find the perfect flower for your next brew? At Wallflower Cannabis House, our knowledgeable team can help you select a strain that delivers the experience you’re after. Visit our shops in Las Vegas and Henderson, or browse our menu online.