How to Make Hemp Oil

Hemp is anything but an ordinary crop. Used decades ago to create fiber, this plant is growing in popularity once again among farmers for its seemingly never ending number of uses.  High in CBD, a cannabinoid known for having several medical properties, hemp is best known for its oil form.

Hemp oil or CBD oil is often used as a medical treatment for several conditions. Nowadays, a wide range of patients find in hemp oil a relief for inflammation, skin disorders, infections, and more. Furthermore, as CBD is not a psychoactive compound like its counterpart, THC, it can be used by people of all ages. This is the reason why so many users like to use CBD when they are medical marijuana patients.

Moreover, the best thing about this amazing product is that you can make it at home. With just a few items, you can learn how to make hemp oil to treat your ailments or simply add to your morning coffee. 

How to Make Hemp Oil at Home

Before getting started, it is important you understand the difference between hemp oil and hemp seed oil. Many people think these two are the same, but hemp seed oil refers to a carrier oil made from the seed, much like canola. While it is also a great element to add to your recipes, it is extremely difficult to make at home since it requires a special equipment. 

On the other hand, hemp CBD oil only needs a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil to infuse it with hemp. This is the reason why users can easily get access to the benefits of this product with just a couple of elements. Gather the following ingredients and follow some simple steps.

Ingredients:

For 470 ml

• 2 ounces (28 g) hemp buds.
• 2 cups (470 ml) carrier oil (coconut, olive, or any other plant-based oil)

Equipment

• Oven
• Food processor or herb grinder
• Slow cook or a double boiler
• Strainer and a muslin or cheesecloth
• Glass container

When choosing a hemp bud, make sure to choose one that has high CBD concentrations. For instance, you can find Suver Haze, Special Sauce, Charlotte’s Web, or Harlequin at several CBD dispensaries. The best thing about hemp is that it is legal all over the country, so you don’t have to worry about any legal repercussions. Moreover, you can always get some help from a budtender and tell them the purpose of your purchase, so that they can find the best hemp bud to make hemp oil at home.

Now that you have gathered your equipment, it is important to know how to decarb your hemp bud.  The cannabinoid compounds found in raw cannabis are not the same as those found in cannabis that has been heated, which you find when you smoke or cook cannabis. 

The process of heating and “activating” cannabis is called decarboxylation. This step is essential, as you won’t get any of the effects of CBD if you don’t decarboxylate it first. For this reason, you first need to heat your buds to then mix it with your carrier oil.

Follow these steps to decarboxylate hemp and make CBD oil:

• Step 1: Preheat the oven to 225 °F (107 °C).
• Step 2: Grind or process your herb. In this step, you will need a fine cannabis powder. In case you use the measures given in this recipe, we recommend you use a food processor, since you will be able to cut your herb faster than in a grinder.

If you don’t have a grinder or a food processor, use a sharp knife. Just make sure you mince the buds as fine as you can.

• Step 3: Take a banking sheet and place your grounded buds on it. Spread them out into a thin layer to make sure they are evenly heated. Leave them in the oven for an hour, checking them at the end. Your buds should feel crisp to the touch and look brown-ish.
• Step 4: Pour the oil in a slow cooker or a double boiler and place your decarboxylated cannabis as well. Stir the powder to ensure it is covered in oil. Then, turn the heat on low to slowly warm up the mixture. 

In case you use a double boiler, the water below the oil mixture should be simmering lightly.

• Step 5: Let the mixture in the slow cooker for 2-3 hours on low heat. Stir every 30 minutes, and check the color. If it turns greenish-brown, the oil is done. However. You can let it stew for up to 8, extracting more CBD this way.
• Step 6: Strain the powder out of the oil. Before handling it, let it cool for 40 minutes. Then, set a strainer with cheesecloth or muslin in it over a bowl. Pour the oil through it to filter out the powder.
• Step 7: Once you have your oil in a clean glass container, label it and store it in a cool place away from light. This should stay good for about 2 months, and if you want it to last longer, put it on the fridge. In this sense, it will last for 6 months up to a year.

You will know your homemade hemp oil has gone bad when it has an off smell and accumulates mold.

Now that you have your own hemp oil, you can add it to your recipes. Many users like to cook brownies or cookies with it, while others pour some drops of hemp oil into their coffee or tea. In addition, you can just try it on its own, placing it under your tongue for 30 seconds. This way, CBD will directly interact with your bloodstream, unfolding its effects after some minutes.

Once you investigate more about hemp oil, you will see its endless possibilities of use. However, keep in mind that hemp oil is not a substitute for any other medical treatment. If you want to make sure you can use your homemade CBD oil to target certain conditions, please refer to your healthcare provider.