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Medical marijuana oil may provide relief to people suffering from certain medical issues, such as epilepsy, cancer, chronic joint pain, and PTSD. However, there is not yet strong evidence for its use for all these conditions yet. If you have medical marijuana but you would prefer oil, you can create medical marijuana oil yourself, as long as marijuana is legal in your area. Remember that medical marijuana oil is different than CBD oil .
Steps
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Select a workspace. When making your own medical marijuana oil, you need to work in a safe, open environment.- The space should be well ventilated—open all available windows and or use fans to promote air flow.
- The space should also be equipped with a fire extinguisher—the alcohol you will be using as a solvent is extremely flammable, as is the oil itself. [1] X Research source
- If you intend to use a stovetop, the space needs a gas or electric range.
- If you intend to use a rice cooker, the space needs electricity. [2] X Research source
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Retrieve the materials. To produce cannabis oil, you need medical marijuana and a solvent.- Procure 1 ounce of medical marijuana. If needed, you may substitute 2 to 3 ounces of medical marijuana trim. [3] X Research source
- Purchase 1 gallon of high proof alcohol, such as Everclear, to use as a solvent. The high proof alcohol will burn off in the boiling process, leaving you with a very pure and potent medical marijuana oil. Do not use alcohol that is not intended for human consumption, such as rubbing alcohol. [4] X Research source
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Gather your tools. Over the course of this process, you will need a variety of tools. These include:- 1 medium sized glass or ceramic mixing bowl. Do not use a plastic mixing bowl.
- 1 large wooden spoon
- A straining device. You may choose from the following: muslin bag, grain steeping bag, clean pair of stockings, cheese cloth, chai tea filter, or coffee filter paired with a mesh strainer.
- 1 container to catch the liquid, such as a 2-quart mixing cup
- 1 silicon spatula [5] X Research source
- 1 double boiler (for range) or rice cooker and candle warmer [6] X Research source
- Plastic oral syringes [7] X Research source
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Consider wearing protective gear. The process of making your own medical marijuana oil can be dangerous. Use caution and consider protecting your body with the following items:- Safety paint or odor respirator mask
- Non-latex gloves.
- Oven mitts or hot pads
- Safety glasses [8] X Research source
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Soak the medical cannabis buds in the solvent. Pour the medical marijuana buds into a medium sized glass or ceramic mixing bowl. Pour the high proof alcohol over the medical marijuana. Continue to pour the solvent until it rests 1 inch above the surface of the medical cannabis. -
Stir the mixture. Retrieve your wooden spoon. Mix and mash the solvent and medical cannabis together for 2 to 3 minutes. The constant stirring motion will aid the solvent in absorbing the THC from the medical marijuana. [9] X Research source -
Strain the solvent-medical cannabis mixture into another container. Retrieve your straining device and second container. Place your straining device within your second container. Carefully pour the mixture through the strainer and let the dark green liquid fill the container.- If you are use a bag or cloth, squeeze the contents of the cloth to get out all of the liquid.
- The liquid is a mixture of the alcohol and the extracted resin from the medical cannabis. [10] X Research source
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Soak, mix, and strain the mixture a second time. The first wash will remove approximately 70% to 80% of the resin from the medical cannabis. This second wash will remove the rest of the THC.- Empty the contents of your strainer into the medium sized mixing bowl.
- Pour the solvent over the cannabis so that it is fully submerged.
- Use the wooden spoon to mix and mash the alcohol-medical cannabis mixture for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Place your strainer over the second container, which already contains the dark green liquid from the first wash.
- Slowly pour the contents of the mixing bowl in your strainer. Allow all of the dark green liquid to run into the container.
- It is not necessary to do a third wash. [11] X Research source
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Boil off the solvent in a double boiler. When it is time to boil off the alcohol, you have one of two options. The first is to use a double boiler and a range. This is a very safe method.- Fill the bottom part of your double boiler with water.
- Pour the dark green liquid into the top pan. If you can not fit all of the liquid in the pan, gradually add it as the level drops.
- Turn the burner on high and wait for the liquid in the top pot to boil.
- Once the liquid in the top pot is bubbling (the alcohol is evaporating), turn off the burner immediately. The heat from the boiling water below will continue to burn off the alcohol.
- Allow the contents in the top pan to bubble for 15 to 25 minutes. Occasionally scrape the sides and bottom of the pan with your silicon spatula. If the contents stop bubbling, but still appear runny, turn on the burner to low. Once the contents resume bubbling, turn off the burner.
- When the contents become a thick dark green syrup, all of the alcohol has evaporated and all you are left with is the medical cannabis oil. The process is complete.
- Remove the top pan from the bottom pan and allow the medical marijuana oil to cool. As it cools, it will continue to thicken. [12] X Research source
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Boil off the solvent in a rice cooker. If you do not have access to a stove top, you may substitute a rice cooker for a double boiler.- Fill your rice cooker ¾ of the way full with your alcohol-oil mix. If you have more of the mixture, you can continue to add it to the rice cooker as the level drops.
- Turn the rice cooker on “High” or set it to the “White Rice” setting.
- Allow the solvent-oil mixture to boil down.
- When the solvent-oil mix is becomes a thick, dark green liquid, put on oven mitts, remove the pan from the rice cooker, and gently swirl the mixture. (When the amount of bubbles rising to the top decreases significantly, it is time to remove the mixture from the rice cooker).
- Pour the contents of the rice cooker into a glass or metal dish.
- Set the glass or metal dish on a candle warmer. Turn on the candle warmer and allow any remaining CO2 to evaporate from the mixture.
- When the contents are no longer bubbling, you may remove the glass or metal dish from the candle warmer. The lack of bubbles signifies that all of the alcohol has evaporated from the medical cannabis oil and the process is complete. [13] X Research source
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Fill syringes with the medical marijuana oil. For ease of use, store the medical marijuana oil in a plastic syringe. Slowly draw the medical cannabis oil into the plastic syringe by pulling on the plunger. If you have more oil than syringes, you may store any excess oil in a glass air-tight container. Keep your syringes and containers in a cool, dark cabinet. [14] X Research source
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan I use 75 proof vodka as solvent?Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.Yes, you can use 75 proof vodka as solvent. However, your yield will likely be much lower.
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QuestionI used Everclear as a solvent, and the oil did not turn as dark and thick as the demonstrations show. Can I put it back in the rice cooker?Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.You can, but it may lose some potency. The difference may simply be due to a different plant type.
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QuestionAbout how much oil can 1 ounce of marijuana make?Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.It varies, but after some experience, you should be able to get 2-6 grams of oil per ounce of marijuana.
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Tips
- You may mix the medical marijuana oil with olive oil or coconut oil to make it less potent, use it in cooking, or apply it to your skin. [15] X Research sourceThanks
- The oil is meant solely for medical purposes.Thanks
- The oil can be used to alleviate symptoms associated with anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, colitis, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, nausea, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, schizophrenia, depression, inflammation of the liver, cancer, neurological disorders and neurological pain reduction.Thanks
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Warning
- Possessing or selling crude or raw marijuana is illegal under federal law in the United States. Whole or crude marijuana (including marijuana oil or hemp oil) is not approved by the FDA for any medical use.
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References
- ↑ https://www.growweedeasy.com/cannabis-extract-hash-oil#how-to-make-2-4-grams-edible-hash-oil
- ↑ https://www.growweedeasy.com/cannabis-extract-hash-oil#how-to-make-2-4-grams-edible-hash-oil
- ↑ https://www.growweedeasy.com/cannabis-extract-hash-oil#how-to-make-2-4-grams-edible-hash-oil
- ↑ https://www.growweedeasy.com/cannabis-extract-hash-oil#how-to-make-2-4-grams-edible-hash-oil
- ↑ https://www.growweedeasy.com/cannabis-extract-hash-oil#how-to-make-2-4-grams-edible-hash-oil
- ↑ https://www.cureyourowncancer.org/make-the-oil.html
- ↑ https://www.growweedeasy.com/cannabis-extract-hash-oil#how-to-make-2-4-grams-edible-hash-oil
- ↑ https://www.cureyourowncancer.org/make-the-oil.html
- ↑ https://www.growweedeasy.com/cannabis-extract-hash-oil#how-to-make-2-4-grams-edible-hash-oil
- ↑ https://www.growweedeasy.com/cannabis-extract-hash-oil#how-to-make-2-4-grams-edible-hash-oil
- ↑ https://www.growweedeasy.com/cannabis-extract-hash-oil#how-to-make-2-4-grams-edible-hash-oil
- ↑ https://www.growweedeasy.com/cannabis-extract-hash-oil#how-to-make-2-4-grams-edible-hash-oil
- ↑ https://www.cureyourowncancer.org/make-the-oil.html
- ↑ https://www.growweedeasy.com/cannabis-extract-hash-oil#how-to-make-2-4-grams-edible-hash-oil
- ↑ https://www.growweedeasy.com/cannabis-extract-hash-oil#how-to-make-2-4-grams-edible-hash-oil
About This Article
Article Summary
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To make your own medical marijuana oil, pour a high-proof alcohol like Everclear over your medical marijuana buds. Stir and mash the cannabis and solvent together for 2-3 minutes, then strain the mixture into another container. Repeat the soaking, mixing, and straining process, then pour the mixture into a double boiler. Bring the marijuana mixture to a boil, then allow the mixture to continue simmering for 15-25 minutes. For tips on cooking your medical marijuana oil in a rice cooker, read on.
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Reader Success Stories
- "Pretty good. If you set that jar in the sun until the contents turn red, you have it all in the alcohol. I use an electric hot plate and a glass cake pan to evaporate alcohol. You have red oil. If you want pure clear honey oil, one more wash is required. One part alcohol, one part water and 1/4 petroleum in a tall glass cylinder or olive jar. Add red oil and shake well. The solids fall to the bottom, and the honey oil is floating between the either and alcohol. Extract with a eyedropper." ..." more
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"Pretty good. If you set that jar in the sun until the contents turn red, you have it all in the alcohol. I use an electric hot plate and a glass cake pan to evaporate alcohol. You have red oil. If you want pure clear honey oil, one more wash is required. One part alcohol, one part water and 1/4 petroleum in a tall glass cylinder or olive jar. Add red oil and shake well. The solids fall to the bottom, and the honey oil is floating between the either and alcohol. Extract with a eyedropper."
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"Guys, thanks a lot for the information on how to make oil. You couldn't have made it easier to understand. Plus, I didn't even know about that double bubble trick. I was tripping on having to buy a bunch of extra stuff but now, thanks to you, I don't."
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"Because I have been given the oil & have been taking a small amount everyday for lung problems & have found great relief, I looked at this article."
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"Very informative and other questions had detailed answers. I'd like an article, though, on best ways growing marijuana organically & outside."
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"It's the method I've used with a double boiler. Very easy and safe. The hardest part for me is sourcing good materials. Liberate cannabis!"
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