Subscriptions - Maximum Yield Cannabis USA November/December 2020 | Page 80

BENEFITS
Even before adding cannabis, coconut
oil is one of the healthiest oils on the
planet. It is full of healthy saturated fats
that provide a quick source of energy,
boost fat burning, and increase the good
HDL cholesterol in the blood, which
reduces your risk of heart disease. A
2009 study showed that simply adding
two tablespoons of coconut oil to your
diet per day promotes a reduction in
abdominal obesity.
It also has amazing benefits for your
skin, hair, and nails. It is antifungal,
antibacterial, full of antioxidants, and
will block about 20 percent of the UV
rays from the sun. It works miracles on
dry skin and eczema, tames frizzy hair,
and can even be used in homemade
deodorant recipes that actually work. Is
there anything coconut oil can’t do?
Adding cannabis to coconut oil is a
no-brainer. The high fat content gives
it the ability to absorb more THC,
cannabinoids, and terpenes than any
other oil. Coconut oil and cannabis are
a perfect match.
If you ask 10 different cannabis chefs
and connoisseurs, you’re likely to get
10 different recipes for infusing your
coconut oil, each varying slightly in
time and temperature. Some chefs
decarboxylate their cannabis first,
while others don’t. At the end of the day,
you may need to experiment with what
you like best, but this tried and true
recipe is sure to do the trick.
DECARBOXYLATION
First things first, always decarboxylate
your cannabis. Decarboxylation is a
chemical reaction that uses heat to
convert THCA into THC, the psychoactive
component of cannabis. When you
light up a bowl, decarboxylation occurs
instantly, making THC available for
absorption through inhalation. It occurs
to some extent when you heat the buds
in coconut oil, but your oil will be so
much more potent if it’s decarbed first.
The difference is dramatic.
The process is as simple as heating
the cannabis in your oven. Now, there
aren’t many scientific, peer-reviewed
studies out there when it comes to
decarboxylation, but there are a few
solid experiments that have been
backed up with lab testing. One of these
experiments comes from Marijuana
Growers Headquarters. They lab-tested
kief and trim they had on hand before
decarbing after 30 minutes in the oven
and after 60 minutes in the oven.
Their research indicated the vapor point
for many of the cannabinoids, terpenes,
and flavonoids was between 246.2°F and
435.2°F. Because of this, they stressed
the importance of keeping the oven
temperature at 240°F or below so as not
to lose any of the medicinal benefits.
The THCA content of the kief was
24.5 percent before decarbing, 2.6 percent
after 30 minutes, and 0.1 percent after
60 minutes. The THC content of the kief
was 3.8 percent before decarbing,
25.4 percent after 30 minutes, and
25.5 percent after 60 minutes.
The THCA content of the trim was
6.5 percent before decarbing, 2.9 percent
after 30 minutes, and 0.2 percent after
60 minutes. The THC content of the
trim was 0.6 percent before decarbing,
4.8 percent after 30 minutes, and
6.9 percent after 60 minutes.
Their lab results indicate the THCA
fully converts to THC after 30 minutes in
a 240°F oven for kief, and after 60 minutes
(at 240°F) for trim. This data is the basis
for the following recipe and you’re sure
to be happy with the results.
“ T he high fat content
GIVES IT THE ABILITY TO ABSORB MORE THC, CANNA
“Even before adding cannabis,
COCONUT OIL IS ONE OF THE HEALTHIEST OILS ON THE PLANET.”
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