Does the idea of chocolate laced with cannabis intrigue you? Do you suffer from nagging medical conditions that cause pain and discomfort? Have you ever thought of trying a CBD chocolate bar for relief?
Chocolate and cannabis is a match made in Heaven. Both have been used for centuries for medicine, ceremonies, and sheer pleasure. Cannabis chocolate is not only delicious but has medicinal properties, which make it a double win. And it is easy to make at home. Please continue reading to discover how to make cannabis chocolate and get the maximum enjoyment from it.
You will need:
- 3-5g of bud, high-quality
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper for decarboxylation (see below)
- Dark chocolate, 100g, which is at least 70% cocoa, broken into small pieces
- A glass bowl
- A saucepan
- A chocolate mold or ice cube tray, or something similar
First Step: Decarboxylate Your Cannabis
This process converts the CBDA and THCA found in marijuana in its raw form into their more active CBD and THC forms. This part of the process is worth doing. Using natural weed will produce an inferior product, and you will be disappointed with the result.
The simplest way to decarb weed is to grind it finely, then put it on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Place the ground bud in an oven preheated to 240 degrees F/115 degrees C. Bake for approximately 30 minutes. Check the weed and heat an additional 5-10 minutes if needed. It will be dried out and slightly toasted in color but not burned when ready. Set aside when complete.
Second Step: Melt the Chocolate
In a double boiler, pour enough hot water into the pan to cover the bottom. It should not reach the bottom of the top pan. Put broken chocolate pieces into the top and set them over the bottom pan. Use medium heat, so the water is simmering, but not boiling. This type of cooking ensures that the chocolate will melt without burning or sticking. Stir frequently until the chocolate melts into a thick, velvety liquid. Make sure it has no lumps, then remove it from the heat.
Third Step: Mix in Ground Cannabis
Add the ground cannabis to the chocolate and stir well. Make sure the chocolate is evenly distributed. It will work better if the cannabis is ground very fine.
Fourth Step: Pour into Molds
You can use an ice cube tray or purchase chocolate molds. Avoid overfilling so they do not spill. You could also make one large chocolate block and cut it or break it into squares later. But this will be more difficult once it sets, as it will be hard.
Fifth Step: Remove Air Bubbles
Gently drop filled molds onto the kitchen counter to release air bubbles that may be trapped in the chocolate mix.
Sixth Step: Refrigerate
Place in the refrigerator to set. This could take as little as 10-15 minutes but could take longer depending on the type of chocolate used and the molds’ depth.
Seventh Step: Responsibly Enjoy Your Creation!
When the chocolate is set, please remove it from the molds and enjoy it. If you are new to cannabis edibles, be cautious, as they pack a punch. Edibles can take up to two hours to kick in, so don’t think they are not working and continue eating. You will regret it!
Here are some additional tips to make your cannabis chocolate even better.
Use the best chocolate you can afford
If you use high-quality chocolate, your edibles will be taken to the next level with a minimal amount of work. The best chocolate will contain only a few ingredients: cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, or lecithin. It is also best to use the highest cocoa percentage you can find to maximize the chocolate’s benefits.
You may find dark chocolate a little bitter. If so, use milk chocolate or white chocolate instead. However, these are less satisfying options and far less healthy than dark chocolate.
Temper your chocolate to produce a professional finish
While not necessary, it does improve the texture of the finished product. It also reduces the likelihood of the chocolate “blooming,” which means that it sets with a matt finish and produces white patches.
Tempering the chocolate requires a food thermometer. Melt about 2/3 of the chocolate, then remove it from the heat. Add the remaining chocolate and return to the heat with the food thermometer. When the temperature reaches 88-90 degrees F/31-32 degrees C, and the second batch of chocolate has melted, it is then tempered and ready to use.
Tempering works best with large amounts of chocolate. One kg or 2.2 lbs. minimum is recommended. Any leftover tempered chocolate can be stored in the refrigerator for future use.
Try these variations when making cannabis chocolate
You can add extras, such as nuts, orange zest, raisins, candy, or a pinch of chili powder. Experiment with different flavors and textures you enjoy finding the perfect mix for the individual taste of yourself and others who may also be enjoying this treat.
This is a delicious yet healthful recipe, but proceed with caution! Do not overindulge, as you will feel the effects. Please enjoy this recipe responsibly.
If you are not proficient in the kitchen, try Lulu’s chocolate bar.
As marijuana becomes legalized across the country, it is apparent that millions of users choose to drink, eat, or sip their cannabis rather than smoke it.
The marijuana edibles market has boomed in recent years. Known for gummies, brownies, CBD chocolate bars, and cookies, it is estimated that the market was worth $1 billion in the United States and Canada in 2017. It is projected that by 2022, it will be over $4 billion.
Effects of chocolate on THC levels
Researchers say there is an ingredient in chocolate that decreases the signal for THC. The more chocolate in an edible, the less THC there is. The opposite is also true. The less chocolate there is, the more THC. Studies are being conducted to understand the relationship between chocolate and THC. They use white chocolate, Baker’s chocolate, cocoa powder, and chocolate bars to discover what exact ingredient is causing this issue. So far, they suspect it may be fat, as THC is fat-soluble.
The law and marijuana
Regulating cannabis has been a complex and complicated matter. It is still illegal on the federal level, meaning that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate most cannabis products. It is up to each state to determine how marijuana will be regulated. Most states have yet to test the safety and quality of cannabis products. Because of the federal illegality of marijuana, it becomes a “buyer beware” situation.
Some states have departments that control all things related to cannabis. They have put into place restrictions on the products that can be sold commercially, in addition to what requires testing prior to marketing. When a product undergoes compliance testing, it certifies that it is clean and ready for sale. It must test within + or – 10 percent of the claim stated on the label.
For example, a chocolate bar infused with pot has 100 mg of THC. It must be either above 90mg or below 110mg to pass inspection. If the product does not test within the required range, it must be relabeled or destroyed. Both of which can be very expensive. New research has found that chocolate can interfere with THC’s amount found in edibles during potency testing.
Be cautious when purchasing and eating your edibles
As stated previously, you need to be smart about how you ingest edibles. Experiencing the side effects of consuming too much, such as extreme sedation or paranoia, is not fun.
Always purchase your treats from a reputable source. There is a risk that you could under- or overdose due to a labeling error. A state-licensed medical cannabis dispensary is a good source from which to buy your edibles.
Start small and work up to see how your body responds to the edible. It can take up to two hours for an edible to reach its full potential, so be patient and careful. Eat an edible slowly at first, as it is the best way to see how your body reacts.
Some interesting facts about marijuana
- Heavy pot users are at risk for some of the same diseases as cigarette smokers.
- They buried Bob Marley with his guitar, his Bible, and a bud of marijuana.
- Researchers have discovered that compounds containing marijuana can freeze and stop the spread of some of the more aggressive types of cancer.
- George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp on their land, and the British government ordered the colonists to grow the plant.
- During college, Barack Obama was a member of a gang that played basketball and smoked pot.
- The marijuana industry has become the fastest growing industry since 2015. When and if marijuana becomes legal in all 50 states, the industry will become larger than the organic food market.
- Marijuana is the main ingredient in an Indian milkshake called “Bhang.”
- The first item sold over the Internet 40 years ago was a bag of marijuana. Students at Stanford used an early form of the Internet to buy weed from their counterparts at MIT.
- The United Nations state that 158.8 million people around the world use marijuana. That is over 3.8% of the world’s population.
- Studies indicate that both smoking and alcohol are more harmful than marijuana, which is also much less dangerous than hard drugs, such as heroin and cocaine.
- The first recorded use of marijuana as a medicinal drug was in 2737 B.C. by Shen Nung, the Chinese emperor. He documented that the drug was effective in treating his pain caused by gout and rheumatism.
- During the 1890s temperance movement, marijuana was recommended as a substitute for alcohol. The reason being that marijuana did not lead to domestic violence, but alcohol abuse did.
- Paraguay is thought to be the world’s largest grower of marijuana.
- Canada became the first country in the world, in 2003, to allow medical marijuana to patients suffering from pain.
- In 1996, California became the first of the United States to legally permit medical marijuana for those patients suffering from pain, provided they have a valid doctor’s recommendation.
- There is a difference between pot and hemp. Hemp plants are the same species as marijuana plants, but they do not produce the psychoactive (THC) ingredient in pot.
- Tupac Shakur’s ashes were mixed with marijuana and smoked by members of his music group.
- Marijuana increases the heart rate, which could have an adverse effect on those with heart disease.
- An individual would have to smoke over 1500 pounds of marijuana within 15 minutes to die of a lethal overdose. Therefore, dying from a marijuana overdose is practically impossible.
- Researchers have discovered that chocolate produces some of the same reactions as marijuana in the brain.
- Since the legalization of marijuana in Colorado, highway fatalities are at a historic low.
- Seattle, Washington, provides vending machines that dispense marijuana. Called ZaZZ, these machines will only take coins or cash, as the federal government will not allow people to purchase marijuana with debit or credit cards.
Conditions that Medical Marijuana Can Help Relieve
- Alzheimer’s
- Loss of Appetite
- Cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Diseases that affect the immune system such as HIV or multiple sclerosis
- Eating disorders like anorexia
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Mental health issues such as PTSD or schizophrenia
- Muscle spasms
- Pain
- Seizures
- Wasting syndrome
- Nausea
For those suffering from any of the above conditions, prescription medications were the only way sufferers could find relief. Now you have another option. Cannabis chocolate, when purchased from a reputable source, can help provide pain relief and comfort that sufferers desire. If you love chocolate and enjoy cannabis, put the two together and experience the sense of wellbeing and health we all deserve.