Buzz
If you're passionate about cannabis, you might have pondered the possibility of concocting your own THC-infused vape juice. The answer is affirmative—and there exist various methods to achieve this. Crafting your own e-liquid grants you control over ingredients and potency levels. This article outlines some primary techniques for crafting cannabis oil for vape pens, ranging from quick methods to more intricate, time-intensive processes.
Procedure Overview
Utilizing the Rosin Extraction Technique
Place a cannabis nugget between two parchment paper sheets. Alternatively, fold a single sheet in half with the nugget inside. Gently press the nugget to flatten it as much as possible.
- Ensure the use of parchment paper, as it is heat resistant and won't burn or contaminate the nugget with melted wax.
Preheat a hair straightener to 230–300 °F (110–149 °C). Ensure your hair straightener can reach this temperature range. If not, consider purchasing an adjustable one. Alternatively, use an infrared thermometer to check the temperature. Avoid overheating to preserve terpenes and THC quality.
Firmly press the nugget inside the hair straightener. Apply significant pressure for 3-5 seconds. Check for brownish, sticky liquid on the wax paper. Listen for a sizzling sound indicating rosin extraction. Avoid excessive pressure or prolonged heating to prevent burning.
Utilize a dabber tool to gather the rosin from the paper. Use the scoop end to scrape or roll the rosin into a ball on the dabber's head.
Transfer the rosin to fresh parchment paper. Wipe collected rosin onto the new paper, press flat, and refrigerate to solidify. This facilitates easier transfer to a mixing container.
Harvest between .4 and 1 gram (0.014 and 0.035 oz) of rosin. Aim for at least .4–.5 grams (0.014–0.018 oz) to fill 1 cartridge. Use a kitchen scale subtracting the container weight to determine rosin quantity. Excessive extraction isn't necessary for vape pen filling.
Position the rosin into a blending vessel, such as a glass vial. Opt for a heat-resistant container like a borosilicate glass vial or flask. Transfer the cooled rosin from the parchment paper into the blending container.
Include 8 drops of terpenes per .5 grams (0.018 oz) of rosin. Terpenes, aromatic compounds found in various plants, serve as a popular liquidizer for vape juice. Begin with 8 drops and adjust as needed for desired consistency and flavor. Experimentation with terpene quantities is key to achieving optimal results.
Apply heat to the container with a flame for 3-4 seconds. A regular lighter suffices for this step. Heat the container base until the mixture bubbles, then immediately cease heating and stir the solution with a toothpick or dabber until thoroughly blended.
Transfer the mixture into your cartridge using a sterile syringe. After allowing the vape juice to cool, draw it into a clean syringe with a blunt needle. Ensure the syringe is sanitary to avoid contaminating the liquid or altering its flavor.
Using Vegetable Glycerin (Rapid Technique)
Rip apart some cannabis buds into small bits. Place the bits into a small, heat-resistant glass cooking container, jar, or beaker. The amount of cannabis you use depends on how much vape juice you aim to create. Starting with around 10 grams (0.35 oz) of buds is a good baseline.
Soak the cannabis bits with vegetable glycerin. Pour in enough glycerin to barely cover the cannabis. For a potent juice, aim for a thick, gooey mixture rather than a runny one.
Pour vegetable oil into a glass baking dish.
Add sufficient oil to cover the bottom inch (2.5 cm) of the dish. This oil will form a hot 'bath' for the vape juice. Regular canola or vegetable oil from the baking aisle works well.
Heat the oil bath on a hot plate to 220 °F (104 °C). Use a food thermometer to monitor the temperature closely. Turn on the hot plate at a low setting and wait for the oil to reach 220 °F (104 °C). Adjust the heat as needed until the temperature stabilizes.
Submerge the container of cannabis and glycerin in the hot oil bath. Ensure the bottom of the smaller container is underwater, but avoid excessive depth to prevent floating. Work cautiously to avoid burns or oil splatters.
Heat the VG and cannabis blend to approximately 180 °F (82 °C). Place a second thermometer into the smaller container to monitor the temperature closely. The goal is to reach 180 °F (82 °C) to release THC from the flower into the vegetable glycerin.
Frequently stir the blend for about 45 minutes. Utilize a dabber or stirring rod to mix the cannabis and vegetable glycerin while simmering. This ensures an even temperature and THC distribution into the VG.
Filter the infused VG into a separate vessel. Once simmering is complete, let the mixture cool briefly. Position a fine-mesh strainer over a clean glass jar and strain the mixture into it. Use a silicone spatula to extract as much VG from the bud as possible.
Repeat the process with fresh VG twice more. To maximize cannabis oil extraction, perform two additional runs. After straining, return the buds to the heatproof container and saturate them with fresh vegetable glycerin. Repeat the heating and straining process twice more, totaling 3 runs.
Simmer the final solution in the oil bath at 220 °F (104 °C) for 30 minutes. This final step decarboxylates the cannabis, activating THC and enhancing oil potency. Transfer the infused VG to a clean, heat-proof glass container and return it to the oil bath. Allow it to cook for another 30 minutes.
Filter the oil using 3 layers of cheesecloth. Let the cannabis oil cool briefly. Place 3 layers of cheesecloth over a fine-mesh strainer or rice press. Pour the oil through the cheesecloth into a clean jar. Squeeze the cloth to extract the remaining oil.
Fill a vape cartridge with the solution. Using a clean syringe with a blunt needle, draw some cannabis oil from the jar and inject it into an empty vape cartridge. Store the remaining oil in a sealed jar in a cool, dark place until ready to use.
Vegetable Glycerin (Extended Method)
Alcohol Extraction Technique
Useful Tips
- When purchasing ingredients for vape juice, like terpenes or commercial liquidizers, ensure the product includes a Certificate of Analysis (COA) to confirm its ingredients. This helps avoid harmful additives or contaminants that may cause illness.
Cautionary Notes
- Work in a well-ventilated area when heating alcohol. Consider wearing a respirator mask if the fumes irritate your respiratory system.
- Handle hot oil or alcohol with extreme care as both are flammable and can cause burns. Wear protective gear such as safety goggles, heat-resistant gloves, and long sleeves to prevent skin exposure.
- Avoid adding vitamin E or oils (e.g., essential oils, cooking oil, mineral oil) to vape juice. Vitamin E in vape liquids has been associated with severe lung injuries according to the CDC. Many oils can also harm your lungs when vaped.
- Vaping risks are not fully understood, and many medical professionals advise against it. Even with all-natural ingredients like terpenes or vegetable glycerin, there's a potential for adverse effects such as breathing difficulties or allergic reactions. Proceed with these recipes at your own risk and consult a doctor if you have health concerns.
Essential Supplies
Rosin Extraction Technique
- 1-2 high-quality cannabis nuggets
- Parchment paper
- Adjustable hair straightener
- Dabber
- Kitchen scale
- Heat-proof glass vial
- Terpenes
- Lighter
- Blunt-needle syringe
- Empty vape cartridge
Quick Vegetable Glycerin Method
- About 10 grams (0.35 oz) of marijuana flower
- Food-grade vegetable glycerin
- Vegetable oil
- Heat-proof glass beaker
- Glass jars
- Glass baking dish
- Hot plate
- 2 cooking thermometers
- Dabber or stirring rod
- Silicone spatula
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Cheesecloth
- Safety goggles
- Heatproof gloves
- Blunt-needle syringe
- Empty vape cartridge
Extended Vegetable Glycerin Method
- Raw marijuana buds
- Baking sheet
- Aluminum foil
- Sealable glass jar
- Dabber or stirring rod
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Spatula or spoon
- Cheesecloth
- Heatproof glass jar or beaker
- Hotplate
- Blunt-needle syringe
- Empty vape cartridge
Alcohol Extraction Technique
- Raw cannabis buds
- Baking sheet
- Aluminum foil
- Heatproof glass jar or beaker
- 180-proof drinkable alcohol
- Magnetic stirrer
- Fine-mesh sieve
- Coffee filters
- Rice cooker or air still
- Hot plate
- Liquidizer options like terpenes, vegetable glycerin, or propylene glycol
- Blunt-needle syringe
- Empty vape cartridge
