Quick Answer
Yes, it is possible to put wax THC in food. THC wax, also known as cannabis concentrates or dabs, are highly concentrated forms of THC that can be derived from marijuana plants. While they are typically vaporized or smoked, THC wax can also be infused into food items like butter, oils, or baked goods to make edibles. The key is to first decarboxylate the THC concentrate to activate the THC and make it orally available. Once decarboxylated, the wax can be mixed into fatty substances like butter or oil which can then be cooked into edibles. Consuming edibles with wax THC will produce long-lasting psychoactive effects when eaten.
What is THC Wax?
THC wax refers to highly concentrated cannabis extracts that contain high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana. These extracts go by many names including wax, oil, shatter, budder, crumble, honeycomb, sauce, and more.
THC wax is made by extracting THC and other cannabinoids from marijuana plants using solvents like CO2 or butane. The result is a thick, waxy, and very potent concentrate that can contain over 90% THC.
Compared to traditional marijuana flower which averages 15-25% THC, wax can have THC levels ranging from 60-90% or even higher. This makes wax much stronger and more potent than regular marijuana. The high THC purity allows only a small dab of wax to produce powerful effects.
Wax comes in various consistencies like sticky, oily residues (hence the name wax) as well as harder, glass-like textures when the extract has more plant fats and lipids. The color can also vary between transparent yellow, gold, or darker hues depending on strain and extraction method.
Regardless of texture and appearance, wax THC offers a very concentrated way to consume marijuana and get much higher much faster than smoking flower.
How is THC Wax Used?
THC wax is vaporized at low temperatures in special pipes called dab rigs or wax pens. A small piece or “dab” of wax concentrate is placed on a heated surface made of quartz, titanium, or ceramic called a nail and inhaled.
Vaporizing THC wax enables rapid absorption and quick onset of effects compared to traditional smoking methods. It also provides higher bioavailability of THC, meaning more THC enters the bloodstream for stronger, longer lasting effects compared to combustion smoking.
In addition to dabbing and vaping, THC wax can also be used to make infused cannabis edibles and topicals. When decarboxylated and dissolved into fatty oils or butter, the concentrated THC can deliver very potent, long lasting edibles.
THC concentrates like wax can also be added to lotions, balms, creams, massage oils, lubricants and other topicals for direct application to skin, muscles, and joints. This provides localized relief without any psychoactive effects.
Can You Cook with THC Wax?
Yes, THC wax can be used to make edible cannabis products like baked goods, candies, and more. However, in order to experience effects from eating cannabis wax, it is essential to first activate the THC through decarboxylation.
Raw cannabis contains THCA, an acidic form of THC that does not produce effects. Heating THCA causes decarboxylation which removes the acid group and converts THCA into psychoactive THC.
Decarboxylating wax activates the THC so that it can induce effects when consumed orally. If wax is simply added raw to recipes, the THC remains unactivated in the form of THCA and will have little to no effect when ingested.
How to Decarboxylate THC Wax
Decarboxylating THC wax properly before cooking with it is crucial. Here are some effective methods:
– Oven: Spread wax thinly on baking sheet and bake at 240°F for 40-50 minutes.
– Double Boiler: Melt wax in the top pan of a double boiler and heat over simmering water for 30-60 minutes.
– Slow Cooker: Add wax to slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally.
– Ardent Decarboxylator: Use an Ardent device designed specifically for decarbing cannabis at precise temps.
Test decarbed wax for completeness by eating a small dab of wax first. Effects should be felt within 30-90 mins when THC has been properly activated.
Best Fats for Binding THC
Once decarbed, the wax needs to be mixed with a fat for the THC to bind to. This allows the THC to evenly infuse into oils, butters, and other lipids for use in cooking. The best options include:
– Butter & Ghee: Excellent for spreading into baked goods and sweets. Use clarified butter or ghee to avoid burning milk proteins.
– Coconut Oil: Ideal for infusing THC as it contains high levels of saturated fats. Also imparts a tasty flavor.
– Olive Oil: Works well for dressing salads and in non-heated applications. Has a lower smoke point than other oils.
– MCT Oil: Derived from coconuts, MCT is odorless and flavorless, allowing the cannabis flavor to shine.
When infusing, heat fats on low temperatures and stir in small amounts of decarbed wax slowly until fully dissolved. The infused oils or butters can then be added to all kinds of edible recipes.
Calculating THC Dosages for Edibles
When cooking with cannabis wax, it’s important to calculate proper THC dosages, especially for beginners. Because wax is highly concentrated and decarboxylation makes almost all THC available, it’s easy to overdo it.
Here are some tips for estimating THC content:
– Get lab testing. Know the % of THC so you can calculate dosage accurately.
– Start low, go slow. Begin with 5-10mg THC until you find your tolerance.
– Calculate THC per serving. If a batch has 100mg THC total and makes 10 servings, each will have 10mg THC.
– Adjust recipe portions. Make a less potent batch by using lower THC wax amounts.
– Cut infused items into proper doses. Cut brownies, gummies, etc into 5-10mg THC portions.
Without lab testing, it can be difficult to determine exact dosages. But testing allows precise fine-tuning so edibles deliver a comfortable high.
Tips for Cooking with Wax
Here are some helpful tips when cooking edibles with THC wax:
– Always decarboxylate first – this activates the THC so it can cause effects when eaten
– Use fats like butter, oil or ghee to evenly bind the THC – this allows thorough mixing into foods
– Cook using low temperatures to preserve THC potency and avoid burning off compounds
– Consider making cannabutter or canna-oil to use in multiple recipes over time
– Store unused infused oils in a cool, dark place and use within 2 months for freshness
– Add wax slowly to recipes and test frequently until you find the right potency
– Shake or stir infusions often as THC tends to separate from fats during heating
– Buy testing kits to check your math and confirm THC content as expected
Following these tips will help you master cooking with wax THC to create delightfully potent edibles.
Effects and Dosage of Ingesting THC Wax
Eating cannabis edibles made with THC wax produces noticeably different effects compared to smoking or vaporizing it directly. When ingested orally, THC undergoes conversion in the liver into a more potent variant called 11-hydroxy-THC which induces stronger, longer lasting effects.
Edibles also take much longer to impact the body since the THC must pass through the digestive system first before being absorbed. Smoking hits almost instantly, while edible effects can take 30 minutes to over 2 hours to fully manifest.
This combination of more potent THC and delayed onset make it very easy to consume too strong of a dose from edibles if proper dosing guidelines aren’t followed.
Here are some dosing considerations when working with THC wax edibles:
– Start with 5-10mg THC or less until effects are known
– Wait at least 1-2 hours before redosing to allow full effects
– Increase dosage slowly in 5-10mg increments if desired
– Anything over 50mg THC can be too intense for most users
– Effects can last 8-12 hours compared to 1-3 hours from smoking
– THC sensitivity, metabolism, and tolerance vary widely between people
Using wax can make very strong edibles, so adhere to the mantra of start low and go slow. It’s much easier to take more than to undo taking too much. Be patient and find your minimal effective dose before overindulging.
Potential Adverse Effects
While most people tolerate THC wax edibles well when used responsibly, some may experience unpleasant effects if they consume too much. Possible adverse reactions can include:
– Anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks
– Dizziness, confusion, loss of coordination
– Rapid heartbeat, dry mouth
– Nausea, disorientation
– Drowsiness, impairment
– Psychotic symptoms in high doses
These effects are usually temporary and resolve within 6-8 hours as the THC is metabolized and excreted from the body. Staying hydrated and getting rest can help minimize discomfort.
If symptoms are severe or persist, seek medical help immediately. Consuming large unknown amounts of wax THC substantially increases risks of adverse events. Using regulated lab-tested products and measuring doses carefully can reduce possible negative outcomes.
Is it Legal to Make THC Wax Edibles?
The legality of cooking with cannabis wax depends on your state laws. While over 30 states have legalized marijuana either medically or recreationally, federal law still prohibits use and possession in most cases.
States with recreational cannabis allow purchase of THC wax products and their use for edibles in personal environments. However, it remains illegal federally to transport wax across state lines.
For medical use, always consult your doctor and acquire permitted products from licensed dispensaries to remain compliant with state laws. Home extraction of THC wax from plant matter remains prohibited in most jurisdictions without proper licensure.
It is advisable to research state and local laws before obtaining and using any type of cannabis product including THC wax. Laws are evolving quickly so staying up to date is important to avoid accidentally committing a violation. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put raw wax in brownies?
No, raw wax should always be decarboxylated first before using it in edibles. This activates the THC so it can induce effects when ingested. Skipping this step can lead to very weak or non-existent effects from the edibles.
Do you have to cook wax to activate THC?
Yes, heating is required to decarboxylate the THC in cannabis wax through a chemical reaction. This converts THCA to THC which is orally active. You can decarb by baking in the oven, using a slow cooker, double boiler method, or a dedicated decarboxylation device.
Can I use wax instead of oil to make edibles?
You can, but you still need an oil or fat to properly bind the THC. The wax needs to be dissolved into butter, coconut oil, olive oil, or other lipid bases for even distribution into edible recipes. Using straight decarbed wax may not blend effectively.
How long do edibles with wax last?
Edibles made with THC wax can produce effects lasting 8-12 hours or even longer. This extended duration is due to the body converting THC into a more potent form when processed through the digestive system and liver. Start with low doses and wait at least 2 hours before taking more.
Is it better to cook wax or smoke it?
This depends on personal preference. Smoking or vaporizing wax provides faster effects that last 1-3 hours, while edibles are slower to impact but produce longer lasting effects. Cooking with wax can provide a more controlled dosage as well. Both methods can be enjoyable.
Conclusion
THC wax can be used to make highly potent edibles when decarboxylated properly beforehand. This activates the concentrated THC so that it becomes orally bioavailable. Mixing activated wax into oils, butters or other fats allows thorough infusion into all kinds of recipes for consumption. However, since wax can be up to 90% THC or more, calculating dosages and starting low is crucial to avoid overconsumption. When working with such purified concentrates, it’s advisable to get lab testing if possible and verify potencies precisely. Although gumming a raw dab of wax won’t do much, taking the time to unlock its full potential through decarbing and dissolving into lipids makes cooking with cannabis wax an extremely flavorful and effective method for achieving long-lasting effects.
