How We Breed the Best Weed Seed to Perfection
May 17, 2023
By:
AMS Editorial Team
Whether you’re looking for natural relief or a versatile way to enjoy cannabis, learning how to make cannabis oil is a game-changer. Cannabis oil is used for everything from edibles to tinctures and topicals—and making it yourself means full control over quality, potency, and ingredients.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process, from choosing the right strain to storing your finished oil. It’s easier than you think, and with a little care, you’ll have a potent, high-quality extract you can trust.
Making your own cannabis oil may sound complicated, but it’s easier than you think. Here’s a simple, step-by-step breakdown of how to make cannabis oil at home—even if you’re just getting started.
The first thing you’ll need is quality cannabis. The strain you choose will affect the final oil’s potency, aroma, and effects. High-THC strains are common for recreational or stronger therapeutic use, while CBD-rich strains are ideal for those seeking non-psychoactive benefits.
Tip: If you’re growing your own, make sure the buds are fully cured and free from mold.
Before making your oil, you’ll need to activate the cannabinoids through a process called decarboxylation. This involves heating the cannabis to convert THCA into THC and CBDA into CBD.
After this step, your cannabis is ready to infuse.
To actually make your oil, you need a carrier. The most popular options are:
Choose based on your needs and how you plan to use the oil.
👉 If you’re interested in using coconut oil specifically, this guide from Healthline explains how to make CBD oil with coconut oil—the method is very similar and beginner-friendly.
Now comes the fun part of how to make cannabis oil: the infusion. You’ll combine the decarbed cannabis with your chosen oil and heat it slowly to extract the cannabinoids.
Method A – Double Boiler:
Method B – Slow Cooker:
Both methods will result in a fragrant, golden-green oil rich in cannabinoids.
Once the infusion is complete, let it cool a little. Then:
Your cannabis oil is now ready to use!
Now that you know how to make cannabis oil, let’s explore some of the most common ways to use it. Homemade cannabis oil is super versatile, and it all depends on the strain, the oil you used, and your personal goals.
You can use cannabis oil to make cookies, brownies, gummies, salad dressings… you name it. Just replace part of the oil or butter in your favorite recipe with your infused oil.
Important: Start with small doses. Edibles hit differently and take longer (30–90 minutes) to kick in.
Place a few drops under the tongue for fast absorption and a more controlled dose. This method is ideal if you’re using cannabis for relaxation, sleep, or mild pain relief.
Use a dropper bottle for easier dosing and start with 0.25–0.5ml until you know your tolerance.
Mix your cannabis oil into creams, balms, or massage oils for localized relief. Great for inflammation, sore muscles, or skincare.
You can also pour your oil into gelatin capsules for DIY cannabis pills. They’re discreet, easy to store, and good for consistent dosing—especially for medical users.
Dosing homemade oil isn’t an exact science unless you lab-test it—but here’s a simple tip:
Tip: Keep a journal! Write down what strain you used, how much cannabis, how much oil, and how you felt afterward.
Learning how to make cannabis oil is one of the most rewarding skills for any cannabis enthusiast. It gives you full control over the strength, flavor, and ingredients—plus, it’s surprisingly simple once you get the hang of it.
Whether you use it in edibles, tinctures, or topical, cannabis oil can easily become your go-to DIY extract. Just remember: start low, go slow, and always label your batches.
Ready to take your homemade cannabis oil to the next level? Make sure you’re using the right strain—check out our full seed catalog for the best oil-producing varieties.
When stored properly in a dark, airtight container, cannabis oil can last up to 2–3 months at room temperature or even longer if refrigerated.
Yes. If you skip decarboxylation, your oil will have little to no psychoactive effect because the THC and CBD won’t be activated. This step is essential in how to make cannabis oil properly.
Coconut oil is a favorite because of its high fat content, which helps absorb more cannabinoids. Olive oil and MCT oil are also great choices depending on your use case (cooking, drops, capsules).
Absolutely. You can use simple tools like a baking tray, saucepan, mason jar, and cheesecloth. A double boiler setup helps regulate temperature more easily, but it’s not mandatory.
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More than 200 terpenes, along with hundreds of other chemical compounds. Surely you are well acquainted with THC and CBD, however, these are just two compounds among many others that work together to produce specific effects. When the compounds in marijuana work together to produce a synergistic effect it is known as the entourage effect.
After all, she’s a professional. I’m talking about outdoor growing; natural sun rays providing your crop with the most excellent source of energy. There are many green thumbed growers and smokers that say that the best marijuana they ever got their hands on was grown outdoors.
