How do you make cannabis syrup?
Make cannabis syrup by decarboxylating cannabis flower, infusing it into a fat or high-proof alcohol, then blending that infusion into a sugar, glycerin, or honey base. The process takes two to three hours, and the finished syrup doses by volume, usually 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon per serving. This liquid format is one reason syrup has become a convenience-first cannabis product.
What you need before you start
- 7 to 10 grams of decarboxylated cannabis flower or trim
- 1 cup of food-grade glycerin, honey, or simple syrup
- 1/2 cup of high-proof alcohol, MCT oil, or coconut oil for the infusion
- Cheesecloth, a fine mesh strainer, and a dark glass bottle
- Preservative options: citric acid, potassium sorbate, or refrigeration
Step 1: Decarboxylate the cannabis
Raw cannabis holds THCA, which is not psychoactive, so heat converts it into THC through decarboxylation. Spread ground flower on a baking sheet and bake at 240 degrees F for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring once at the halfway point. Time and temperature control the final potency more than any other step.
Step 2: Infuse the cannabinoids into a carrier
THC binds to fat and alcohol, not to water, so a water-based syrup alone will not hold cannabinoids in suspension. Simmer the decarboxylated flower in coconut oil, MCT oil, or 190-proof alcohol for 1 to 2 hours at low heat, then strain through cheesecloth. Glycerin also works and keeps the syrup clear, though it extracts less than alcohol.
Step 3: Build the syrup base
Combine 1 cup sugar with 1 cup water and heat until the sugar dissolves, then let it cool to room temperature before adding the infusion. Adding cannabis oil to hot syrup can degrade THC and cause separation.
Step 4: Mix, dose, and store
Stir the infusion into the cooled syrup until the color is uniform, then bottle it in dark glass. Refrigerate for up to two weeks, or add citric acid or potassium sorbate to extend shelf life. Label the bottle with total milligrams of THC and the volume per dose, because dosing errors are the most common problem with homemade edibles.
How do you dose homemade cannabis syrup?
Estimate total THC by multiplying flower weight by its labeled potency, then divide by the final volume in milliliters. If 7 grams of 20 percent THC flower yields about 1,000 mg after decarboxylation losses, a 240 mL bottle delivers roughly 4 mg per mL. Start with 2.5 to 5 mg of THC and wait two hours before taking more.
Why does syrup fit the convenience trend?
Syrup mixes into coffee, tea, soda, or cocktails and can hit faster than a solid edible when held under the tongue or built on an emulsified, water-soluble base. That speed and mixability rank high with shoppers choosing among cannabis formats today. Convenience, not novelty, is driving the format's growth.
What are the safety and legal notes?
Homemade syrup is not lab tested, so potency and microbial safety vary from batch to batch. Check local laws before extracting with high-proof alcohol, and never use methanol or isopropyl alcohol. Keep finished syrup away from children and pets in a labeled, child-resistant container.