Crafting Your Own Medicinal Cannabis Oil

Medicinal cannabis oil has shown promise in alleviating various health issues including epilepsy, cancer, chronic pain, and PTSD. While scientific evidence for its efficacy in all these areas is still emerging, individuals in regions where cannabis is legal can produce their own cannabis oil. It's important to note that medicinal cannabis oil differs from CBD oil.

• Opt for a well-ventilated area—open windows and utilize fans to maintain airflow.
• Have a fire extinguisher on hand as both the solvent (alcohol) and oil are highly flammable.
• If using a stovetop, ensure access to a gas or electric range.
• If using a rice cooker, ensure access to electricity.

• Obtain 1 ounce of medical marijuana. Alternatively, 2 to 3 ounces of medical marijuana trim can be used if necessary.
• Purchase 1 gallon of high-proof alcohol, such as Everclear, to serve as the solvent. This alcohol will evaporate during the boiling process, leaving behind a highly pure and potent cannabis oil. Avoid using alcohol not intended for consumption, like rubbing alcohol.

• 1 medium-sized glass or ceramic mixing bowl (plastic should be avoided).
• 1 large wooden spoon
• A straining device, such as a muslin bag, cheese cloth, or coffee filter with a mesh strainer.
• 1 container for liquid collection, like a 2-quart mixing cup
• 1 silicone spatula
• 1 double boiler or rice cooker with a candle warmer
• Plastic oral syringes

• Respirator mask for paint or odor safety
• Non-latex gloves
• Oven mitts or hot pads
• Safety glasses

• If you're using a bag or cloth, squeeze it to extract all the liquid.
• The liquid consists of alcohol and extracted resin from the medical cannabis.

• Transfer the contents of your strainer to the medium-sized mixing bowl.
• Submerge the cannabis completely in the solvent.
• Stir and mash the alcohol-medical cannabis blend with the wooden spoon for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Position the strainer over the second container containing the dark green liquid from the first wash.
• Pour the contents of the mixing bowl slowly through the strainer, ensuring all the dark green liquid enters the container.
• No third wash is necessary.

• Fill the bottom section of your double boiler with water.
• Pour the dark green liquid into the top pan. If the entire liquid doesn't fit, add it gradually as the level decreases.
• Turn the stove to high heat and wait for the liquid in the top pan to boil.
• Once the liquid starts bubbling (indicating alcohol evaporation), immediately turn off the stove. The heat from the boiling water below will continue to evaporate the alcohol.
• Let the contents in the top pan bubble for 15 to 25 minutes. Periodically scrape the sides and bottom of the pan with the silicone spatula. If the bubbling stops but the contents are still runny, turn the stove to low heat. Once bubbling resumes, turn off the stove.
• Once the contents form a thick, dark green syrup, all the alcohol has evaporated, leaving only the medical cannabis oil. The process is complete.
• Remove the top pan from the bottom pan and let the medical marijuana oil cool. It will continue to thicken as it cools.

• Fill your rice cooker about ¾ full with the alcohol-oil mixture. Add more as needed while it cooks down.
• Set the rice cooker to “High” or the “White Rice” setting.
• Allow the solvent-oil blend to reduce.
• Once it thickens into a dark green liquid, wear oven mitts, remove the pan from the rice cooker, and gently swirl the mixture. (When the bubbles significantly decrease, it's time to remove the mixture).
• Pour the rice cooker's contents into a glass or metal dish.
• Place the dish on a candle warmer. Turn it on to allow any remaining CO2 to evaporate.
• When the bubbling stops, remove the dish from the warmer. The absence of bubbles indicates all the alcohol has evaporated from the cannabis oil, completing the process.

• You can mix the medical marijuana oil with olive or coconut oil to reduce potency, use in cooking, or apply topically.
• The oil is strictly for medical use.
• It can alleviate symptoms related to various conditions such as anxiety disorders, diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, and more.

• In the United States, federal law prohibits the possession or sale of raw or unprocessed marijuana. The FDA has not approved whole or raw marijuana, including marijuana oil or hemp oil, for any medical purposes.