As cooler evenings approach, warm up with a soothing cup of cannabis tea!
Making tea may very well be a lost art form, but cannabis is bringing interest in how to steep the perfect cup back with a higher purpose (pun kind of intended).
Cannabis tea is one of the most versatile formats for consuming your natural medicine, and its effects can be complemented by adding other dry herbs to the mix. Iced herbal tea is refreshing on a hot day, and hot tea provides a sublime warmth when the weather begins to chill. You can even replace the water in your favorite recipes with cannabis tea for an extra hint of flavor, and an added kick of wellness.
If you are currently treating your condition or symptoms with medical marijuana, then this post on making your own cannabis tea is sure to hit the spot!
If you don’t yet have a Virginia marijuana card, you’ll need to get a medical marijuana evaluation by a healthcare practitioner in Virginia before you can dive into the world of brew. Once you have your card, you can shop at any of the dispensaries in the Commonwealth, and get the supplies you need for a soothing, healing cuppa.
A True Brew Requires Marijuana Flower - Which is Coming Soon to Virginia Dispensaries
You can use just about any ingestible form of marijuana to make your tea; but you need dry cannabis flower to make a steeped cannabis tea (also known as tisane). Fortunately, flower will be available soon at Virginia dispensaries, and there are a couple of other accessible formats currently available as well.
Using Tinctures to Make Cannabis Tea - A Convenient Method
Tinctures are by far the easiest product to use for cannabis tea. You simply make the tea of your choice, then add a dropperful (or the right amount for your perfect dose) to your cup!
Oil-Based Tinctures
The oil in an oil-based tincture will not stay mixed in with your water-based tea for very long, but this is not a problem from a dosing standpoint. It all just comes down to personal preference. You may not even notice it if you add a bit of full-fat milk to your tea before enjoying.
Alcohol-Based Tinctures
If you can get your hands on an alcohol-based tincture, then the product will definitely remain mixed in. Alcohol tinctures generally have a bitter taste when taken alone, but the heat in your tea will likely burn off most (if not all) of the alcohol. As of August 2021, there are no alcohol-based tinctures at Virginia cannabis dispensaries.
Using Edibles to Make Cannabis Tea
You can use edibles to make your tea as well, and most sugar-based gummies will simply dissolve when you place them in hot water. The one thing about using flavored gummies (and they all are) is that you are going to be infusing that flavor into your tea. So, make sure you pick something that is going to be compatible with your brew.
Dharma Pharmaceuticals makes a lemon-lime flavored gummy that is perfect for adding to a mint or chamomile tea; and GLeaf makes a wild cherry-flavored gummy that you may enjoy in your black, green, or lavender tea.
Using Cannabis Extracts Like Rosin and Hash to Make Cannabis Tea
Virginia dispensaries currently have extracts like rosin and hash, and you technically can use these formats to make cannabis tea. However, this is not a method we recommend using, because products are expensive ($70 - $90 per gram) and very high in THC (55% - 70% or more).
If you do decide to make yourself some super-potent expensive cannabis tea, then you will want to be careful to use only the tiniest amount. Just make your tea and stir in the rosin or hash until it dissolves. Then clear your calendar for the next 8 hours.
Making Cannabis Tea With Dry Marijuana Flower - The Part You’ve all Been Waiting For
Using marijuana flower may be a little time consuming to start, but it is also arguably the most rewarding way to go. There’s nothing like steeping your own buds to make a true medicinal tisane. Plus, if you’re a tea aficionado, then this is going to be your happy place.
To decarboxylate, Or Not to decarboxylate
Decarboxylation is what activates the THC in cannabis to produce intoxicating effects. This generally happens in a super concentrated and high-speed manner when you smoke or vape your buds. Until it gets heated up, THC is actually THC-a, or THC acid. It’s a cannabinoid with lots of healing properties, but it won’t likely get you high.
If you don’t care about getting a buzz from your tea, and you just want some of the medicinal properties of THC, then you don’t need to decarboxylate. However, if you were looking forward to something a little extra in your tea, then you’ll definitely want to take this extra step.
Decarboxylation is not as complicated as it sounds. Check out this article on Leafly for three different ways to decarboxylate your buds. We recommend using the oven method for people just getting started.
*A note for those who are using their own homegrown buds: You’ll want to also cure your buds before you decarboxylate, or else your house will end up smelling like burnt hay.
Now it’s Time to Make the Tea!
Making your cannabis tea is a bit like making any other kind of tea. Those who make a true healing elixir know that the longer you steep, the more of the good stuff makes it into the water. Grind your cured, decarboxylated buds into medium grain-sized pieces, then use about a teaspoon (or less if you are not used to edibles yet) per serving in your favorite teaball.
This author likes to let it sit on the stove, just before boiling, for about 20 minutes. And that’s it. Your tea is ready.
Favorite Mix-Ins
You don’t have to use just marijuana flower in your cannabis tea! You can add extra medicinal value to your tea by throwing in some lavender, chamomile, black or green tea, or any other dried herb that you like using.
Add a Little Fat for Better Absorbency
THC, CBD, and other terpenes and cannabinoids absorb better into your system when you have a little fat in the mix. Some people like to make cannabutter and add that to their tea. It adds a rich, mellow flavor.
Others like to simply add full-fat milk or a tiny bit of coconut oil as a carrier for the cannabinoids.
Don’t Forget, You Need a Virginia Marijuana Card to Get Started!
No matter which format you are most inclined to use for your cannabis tea, you’ll need a Virginia marijuana card in order to legally obtain your ingredients!
Our health professionals are here to help you get a recommendation, and our patient support experts are available to answer your questions six days a week. Give us a call at (888) 633-5808, or schedule an appointment online today!
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
At Virginia Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to MMJ. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (888) 633-5808, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Virginia Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in Virginia!