When did I start cooking with cannabis?

I started making edibles in the Bay Area when a friend introduced me to a cultivator from Humboldt. She gifted me a bag of cold-water hash which became my catalyst into cooking with cannabis. In 2010 I launched Marigold Sweets and earned a reputation for precisely dosed, expertly crafted edibles. My hash-infused chocolates brought me to the set of Bong Appetit on Vice Munchies which eventually lead to writing a cannabis cookbook with Simon Element, How to Eat Weed and Have a Good Time.

How can I learn how to cook with cannabis at home?

Start with my cookbook. I break down everything from decarboxylation methods (with graphs showing time) to ethical dosing (including a formula for your home recipes) in a way that’s easy to follow and fun to read. Whether you’re a newbie or looking to level up, I’ll walk you through how to cook with weed safely and confidently.

For a more communal lesson on cooking with cannabis, join my Patreon The Edibles Club. We are a community of edibles enthusiasts with a growing Discord where we share stories, tips, and of course, edibles.

Every Saturday I host a Kitchen Sesh on YouTube Live. Come hang out with me and say hi in the comments.

What’s the safest way to dose edibles for beginners?

I always recommend starting low and going slow. Dosing depends on the yield of the recipe, serving size, and the potency of the flower or concentrate. Beginners should start with a low dose of 2 milligrams then waiting several hours for the effects until they find what works best for their bodies. A gram of flower has on average 200 milligrams of THC after decarboxylation. That’s 20 beginner doses in 1 gram of flower. My cannabis cookbook includes a guide to calculating THC dosage so you’re never guessing. Precision and patience (and a good milligram scale) are crucial to having a good time.

Can I make edibles that don’t get me high?

Yes! You can cook with CBD for anti-anxiety benefits. THCA (the raw form of cannabis) wont get you high, but decarboxylation (aka activation) happens at room temperature so some small amounts of THC may be present in flower and raw concentrates even when they’re not heated. When applied topically, THC helps with pain-relief without the high. I have a recipe for Savior Salve and Love Thyself Lavender Bath Salts in my cookbook.

What’s the best oil or fat to infuse with cannabis?

Cannabutter is a legend for a reason. My lab testing showed that butter infuses faster at a lower temperature than other oils. My cookbook will show you how long and at what temperature to infuse any fat, so you can use whatever fat suits your body.

What’s the difference between smoking and eating weed?

Edibles take longer to kick in and last longer than smoking cannabis. That’s due to our liver metabolizing cannabinoids before they enter our bloodstream. The process takes time and changes THC into 11-hydroxy THC for a completely different experience. I explain in more detail how cannabis is processed in our bodies depending on how you consume it in my cookbook.

How do I make cannabis edibles taste good?

It starts with precise technique and good ingredients. I use flavor pairings, thoughtful textures, and quick infusions to make edibles that taste incredible, not grassy or bitter. You can watch me infuse recipes live on YouTube every Saturday at 1:20pm PT for the Kitchen Sesh.

What are your favorite cannabis-infused recipes?

I love the Pot Pesto, Treehugger Granola, and Herbaceous Meatballs from my cookbook. I also test new recipes live on YouTube and in The Edibles Club, my community for curious and creative edible lovers. Practically any recipe can be infused, so the sky is the limit.

What’s The Edibles Club and how do I join?

The Edibles Club is a space I created for people who want to learn, cook, and connect. We do live cooking sessions every Saturday and Club Sesh hangouts on Wednesday on YouTube. The club has an exclusive Discord chat where we share photos, stories, movie recommendations, and of course edibles. You can join here.

How should I store my edibles at home?

Always label your edibles loudly and clearly. Store them in childproof containers, preferably in the fridge or freezer depending on the recipe.