Making Cannabis Tea for Medicinal Use

Cannabis tea offers a gentle alternative way to enjoy marijuana's calming properties, making sipping tea a therapeutic experience to help manage pain, anxiety, and insomnia.

Whether you prefer CBD, THC, or an infusion of both, cannabis tea provides a soothing way to relax and heal.

Let's dig into a few ways you can brew cannabis-infused tea, explore how to get your desired strength, and see how each method helps with different health issues.

What Is Cannabis Tea?

Cannabis tea, also known as weed tea, pot tea, or marijuana tea, is a hot beverage that is infused with active cannabis compounds like THC or CBD.

According to the NIH, cannabinoids like THC and CBD might help with chronic pain, anxiety, and sleep problems. Cannabis tea may therefore help with several AZ qualifying conditions, including chronic pain and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Drinking a cannabis-infused beverage lets medical marijuana patients enjoy the health benefits without actually smoking marijuana. That’s great for those who are looking for alternative consumption methods. 

Method 1: Simple Cannabis Tea With Loose Leaves

Making cannabis tea with loose leaves is simple, easy, and fast.

This approach uses decarboxylated cannabis mixed with coconut oil in hot tea, which makes it stronger and helps it work better.

Ingredients:

• 1 gram decarboxylated cannabis

• 1 cup hot water

• 1 tea bag, whatever kind you like best

• 1 tbsp coconut oil or butter

Instructions:

1. Boil water and steep your tea bag for 3-5 minutes.

2. Place the decarboxylated cannabis in a small pot with the coconut oil/butter. Simmer it on low for 10 minutes. This process activates the cannabinoids.

3. Pour the cannabis mix into your tea.

4. Stir well and enjoy!

Best For: Medical marijuana patients wanting a simple option for managing pain or relaxing. The fat from coconut oil or unsalted butter helps your body absorb the cannabis better. Try this recipe with the best weed strains for pain relief for more pronounced soothing effects.

Method 2: Cannabis and Herbal Tea Blend

This method mixes cannabis with different herbal teas for extra benefits and a better taste.

You could try cannabis with chamomile to relax more or ginger tea to help your stomach, enhancing the natural flavors and making it a stronger medicinal drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 gram decarboxylated cannabis

• 1 cup of whatever herbal tea you prefer

• 1 tbsp butter or coconut oil

• 1 tbsp honey (optional if you've got a sweet tooth)

Instructions:

1. Boil water and steep the herbal tea of your choice for 3-5 minutes.

2. Heat the oil or butter in a small pot and add your cannabis. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes.

3. Pour the cannabis oil into your tea, add honey, and stir.

4. Drink while it's still warm.

Best For: This works well if you're looking for specific effects, such as chamomile for anxiety or fresh ginger for nausea, making it a comforting ritual. Combining cannabis with the right herbs makes the tea even more effective.

Method 3: Using a Cannabis Tincture

Cannabis tincture consists of cannabis soaked in alcohol. You can add it straight to your tea for quick results.

Ingredients:

• Cannabis tincture (1-2 droppers, depending on how strong you want it)

• 1 cup hot water

• Tea bag or loose tea, whatever you prefer

Instructions:

1. Make your tea like normal.

2. Drop 1-2 squirts of cannabis tincture right into your cup.

3. Stir and drink up.

Best For: Great for people who want a quick, exact dose. It also works well if you're dealing with chronic pain or can't sleep.

Method 4: Cannabis-Infused Milk Tea

Making cannabis tea with milk gives you a rich, comforting, and soothing drink, which can also be a way to create more potent tea if “soothing” is what you’re going for.

The fat in milk helps your body absorb the cannabis better, making it potent but still gentle enough to become your go-to bedtime drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 gram decarboxylated cannabis

• 1 cup milk or non-dairy alternative (such as almond milk or oat milk)

• Tea bag (black tea works great)

• 1 tbsp butter or coconut oil

• 1 tbsp honey or sugar

Instructions:

1. Heat milk in a small pot on low.

2. Toss in the cannabis and butter or coconut oil. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently.

3. Boil ½ cup of water and steep your tea bag for 3-5 minutes.

4. Mix the cannabis milk with the tea and add sweetener. Stir well and enjoy!

Best For: Cannabis-infused milk tea is best when you want something relaxing, especially if you have trouble sleeping or get muscle spasms. The fat-and-cannabis combination in milk helps your body absorb the cannabis better so that you feel the desired effects more quickly.

FAQs About Making Cannabis Tea

How long does it take for cannabis tea to kick in?

Weed tea usually has an onset time of about an hour to start working, since your body has to digest it and process it through your liver before it hits your bloodstream.

Can I use any kind of cannabis strain?

Any strain works for making cannabis tea, but the effects will vary depending on the strain’s THC/CBD content. High-THC strains will get you more "high," while CBD strains give more subtle benefits without much psychoactive effect.

Pro Tip: Save 16% on your cannabis purchases in Arizona by showing your valid AZ MMJ card at dispensaries.

How much cannabis should I use in my tea?

Most people use about a gram of decarboxylated cannabis plant per cup. If you're new to this, start with less (like half a gram) to see how it affects you.

Can I use cannabutter for my tea?

Absolutely! Cannabutter works great for binding with the active compounds, making it perfect for cannabis tea.

Can I use cannabis tea for insomnia?

Marijuana tea could soon become your favorite tea for sleep issues, especially if you use a strain with lots of myrcene, which tends to make you sleepy.

What are the main benefits of cannabis tea?

Drinking cannabis tea is an easy way to get cannabis flower into your wellness routine. It helps with pain, anxiety, and sleep. It’s a tasty alternative to other methods of consuming cannabis.

Healing Potential of Cannabis Tea

Cannabis tea works well for medical marijuana patients who want the benefits without smoking.

It is gentle on the digestive system and provides health benefits including pain relief, better sleep, or help with calming down after a stressful day. Cannabis tea can be tailored to fit your needs and is easily incorporated into most lifestyle and health routines.

There are various ways to make cannabis tea. Basic infused tea is simple enough. Tinctures let you control the dose better. Some people juice raw cannabis instead; it gives you different effects because the plant is raw rather than decarboxylated. 

You'll need to try a few methods to see what works. Start with one and see how you feel. Take note of what’s most helpful to your routine and listen to your body. Experiment with different approaches until you find one that gives you the best results and helps you meet your health goals.