Cannabis Honey

Prep: 10 minutes | Infusion: 4–8 hours (slow cooker) | Yield: ~1 cup

Cannabis honey is one of the most versatile infusions — stir it into tea, drizzle on toast, use it in recipes, or eat it by the spoonful. Honey is a natural preservative, so infused honey lasts a very long time when stored properly.

Honey isn't a fat, so THC doesn't bind to it as efficiently as it does with coconut oil. Adding a small amount of coconut oil or lecithin significantly improves cannabinoid absorption.

Requires decarboxylated cannabis as a starting ingredient.

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw honey (local, unfiltered preferred — avoid ultra-processed honey)
• 3.5–7g (⅛–¼ oz) decarboxylated cannabis, loosely ground or broken up
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil (helps cannabinoid binding — highly recommended)
• Optional: 1 teaspoon sunflower lecithin (improves absorption and keeps oil blended)

Equipment

• Slow cooker (crock pot) or double-boiler
• Mason jar with lid
• Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
• Probe thermometer (recommended)

Instructions

Method 1: Slow Cooker (Easiest)

1. Combine honey, decarbed cannabis, and coconut oil in a mason jar. Stir well. Add lecithin if using.
2. Place the jar (lid on loosely — not sealed tight) in a slow cooker filled with water. Water level should reach about ¾ up the side of the jar.
3. Set the slow cooker to low (ideally 150–170°F — use a thermometer to verify). Too hot and you'll destroy cannabinoids; too cool and they won't infuse.
4. Let infuse for 4–8 hours, stirring every hour or so. Longer = stronger flavor but also more "green" taste.
5. Remove the jar carefully (it's hot). Strain through cheesecloth into a clean jar, squeezing gently to get all the honey out. Discard the plant material.
6. Let cool. The honey will thicken as it cools.

Method 2: Double-Boiler

1. Combine honey, decarbed cannabis, and coconut oil in the top of a double-boiler.
2. Heat over low heat, maintaining 150–170°F. Stir frequently.
3. Keep at temperature for 40–60 minutes minimum (up to 4 hours for a stronger infusion).
4. Strain through cheesecloth into a clean jar.

Method 3: Infusion Machine

If you have an infusion machine, combine honey, cannabis, and coconut oil in the reservoir. Set to 160°F for 2 hours with stirring on. Strain and store. This is the most hands-off method.

How to Use

• Tea or coffee: Stir 1 teaspoon into a hot drink (not boiling — let it cool to drinkable temp first)
• Toast or biscuits: Spread like regular honey
• Smoothies: Blend in as a sweetener
• Yogurt or oatmeal: Drizzle on top
• Salad dressing: Use in vinaigrettes (honey + olive oil + vinegar)
• Baking: Substitute for regular honey in recipes — keep oven temp below 340°F
• Direct: Eat a measured spoonful
• Sore throat: Combine the soothing properties of honey with CBD's anti-inflammatory effects

Dosing

Follow the same math as infused oil:

• If you used 3.5g at 20% THC → ~700mg total → ~60–80% extraction → ~420–560mg in 1 cup (16 tbsp)
• That's roughly 26–35mg per tablespoon
• A teaspoon would be ~9–12mg — close to a standard dispensary dose

Storage

• Store in a sealed glass jar at room temperature, away from direct sunlight
• Shelf life: 6+ months (honey is a natural preservative — it doesn't spoil)
• If honey crystallizes, gently warm the jar in warm water. Don't microwave — uneven heating can create hot spots that destroy cannabinoids
• Potency decreases gradually over time as THC converts to CBN

Tips

• Raw, unfiltered honey has more enzymes and health benefits than processed honey. It's worth the extra cost for an infusion you'll use for months.
• Don't skip the coconut oil. THC is fat-soluble. Honey is mostly sugar and water. Without a fat carrier, you'll get a weaker infusion with poor bioavailability.
• Grind coarsely, not fine. Fine grind makes straining difficult and leaves sediment in the honey.
• Dark honey varieties (buckwheat, manuka) have stronger flavors that mask the cannabis taste better than clover or wildflower.
• Label it clearly. Infused honey looks and smells almost identical to regular honey.