Cannabis can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. People can smoke it or use it topically, but one of many people’s favorite ways to enjoy weed is to eat it. When marijuana is ingested, it can take longer for its effects to become noticeable. The effects often come in waves and can last as long as 10 hours depending on how much you ate, what strain you used, and how potent the product happened to be. 

Many people just go to a dispensary to pick up marijuana edibles. At Altitude, we have a variety of different edibles for customers to enjoy. This is probably the best way to ensure you have a consistent product. But if you want to make some of your products, here is our guide to cooking with cannabis.

The Importance of Decarboxylation

One of the biggest mistakes made by amateurs who are new to the world of cooking with cannabis is to just throw the bud directly into their brownie or another baking mix, and then follow the instructions as usual. But they are missing an essential step: decarboxylation. This essential process involves heating the plant to the point where the non-psychoactive THCA becomes the psychoactive TCH that people enjoy. If you’ve ever made a batch of edibles that didn’t seem to cause any effects, this step was likely skipped or not done properly.

The process isn’t difficult:

• Preheat oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Grind up your buds.
• Spread them evenly along the bottom of a baking dish, then cover the dish with aluminum foil.
• Bake for at least 20 minutes and up to 60 minutes.

The longer you leave the marijuana in the oven, the more potent your final product will be.

Open Up Your Options By Infusing Butter and Oil

Cannabutter and canna-oil are both great options to cook with and are easy to make. It will take you about two hours to get them ready—and this is before you prepare whatever dish you will be using them for. One of the best things about using cannabutter or canna-oil is that you won’t get any rough, ground bud your edible. The texture of your baked good will probably be the same as it would if you didn’t use it. Your baked good might have a slightly earthy flavor, however. 

You Are Only Limited By Your Creativity

Pot brownies are a go-to item for many when it comes to cooking with cannabis. But if you create cannabutter and canna-oil, you have an endless number of possibilities for making some fun treats. Any foods you would normally make can now be infused with cannabis to enhance the flavor—as well as your experience. It can be a bit time-consuming to prepare the cannabutter or canna-oil, but if you plan and make enough of it, you can store the leftovers for the next time you want an extra special cannabis treat. 

Come to a Denver Weed Dispensary

Whether you are seeking an edible or if you need weed to make your creations, Altitude has what you need. We have three locations in the Denver metro area. Stop by one of them today!

Now that more states are legalizing recreational and medical marijuana, people who may not have imbibed before are interested in doing so now. Lots of these people have questions—and your Denver weed shop Altitude is here to answer them.

Answers to Common Questions About Cannabis

How can marijuana be used?

There are plenty of ways to use marijuana. You can smoke it, cook with it, or brew it as a tea. A popular form of using weed is called “dabbing,” which is a concentrated amount of cannabis extract that you smoke.

Does CBD oil make you high?

This is probably one of the most common questions we hear regarding cannabis, and the answer is a simple one: no, it does not make you high. This question often comes up because people sometimes confuse CBD with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the component of marijuana that does cause a high. The biggest difference between THC and CBD is that the latter doesn’t produce a high. 

Cannabinoid (CBD) is the natural compound found in cannabis that is used to treat a multitude of conditions, including anxiety, pain, and other symptoms. CBD actually helps to reduce any adverse psychoactive effects that people might experience from the THC in pot.

What does it feel like to be “high”?

Most people experience different highs, and different types of marijuana can cause different types of highs. You might feel alert, relaxed, energetic, happy, confused—and even paranoid in some cases. If you are seeking a specific type of high, it’s best to talk to the budtenders at your weed shop of choice. Different strains will make you feel different.

Why does using marijuana make you hungry?

The term “munchies” is often associated with marijuana use—especially smoking—and it refers to the hunger some people feel after imbibing. Not everyone experiences the munchies, which are caused by the THC and CB1 receptors in the brain. This interaction heightens all of the senses, and people often taste and smell things more intensely as a result of smoking pot. It’s normal—and the only danger is to your waistline.

What is the difference between indica versus sativa?

Most pot users will tell you that indica strains have a sedative quality to them, making them ideal for relaxing with a move or using as a “nightcap” before bedtime. Sativa strains tend to have a more energizing effect, pairing well with physical activity, being social, and working on creative projects. Although there is some accuracy to this, it’s not really as cut-and-dried as some might think. The two terms have their origin in the botany of the plants rather than the plants’ effects.

Visit Your Denver Weed Shop

Get answers to any other questions you might have by visiting on of our three locations throughout the Denver metro area. Our budtenders are knowledgeable and friendly, and they are eager to share what they know about weed. We also offer all the products you need to make your cannabis experience enjoyable. Stop by Altitude the dispensary today and check out our current specials. 

CBD is one of the most popular items on the market right now. It provides many benefits and can be used safely without forcing you to worry about getting high. While you can take it topically or enjoy a CBD-infused edible, it’s also easy to vape! But before you pick up your first CBD vape cartridge from your Denver weed shop, make sure you know what to expect. Here are a few must-know tidbits.

You’ll Still Have to Choose the Right Type

CBD cartridges are available in the same varieties as the tinctures you have access to at your dispensary. This means you’ll need to choose between full-spectrum, isolate, and broad-spectrum CBD. The type you choose is largely personal preference. However, most people prefer full-spectrum options. These cartridges have more of the beneficial cannabinoids that help your body get the most out of CBD. Keep in mind that isolate and broad-spectrum will still be effective.

It’s Best to Avoid Cartridges Purchased Outside the Dispensary

You’ve likely heard about the vaping lung disease going around. Though the exact cause of the disease has yet to be determined, most cases have one thing in common: the cartridges were purchased on the street or online from unverified sources. These cartridges aren’t certified to have the ingredients mentioned on the packaging and if you’re not sure what you’re inhaling, you’re putting your health at risk. 

Cartridges purchased at local dispensaries have been carefully selected for their quality manufacturing and pure ingredients. Best of all, the manufacturers behind the products are licensed and monitored by local governments to make sure they’re in full compliance with the production line. 

Understand the Potency

CBD products, like both medical and recreational marijuana products, are labeled for potency. The higher the number on the label, the more CBD you’ll get in each dose. But remember, the number on the package isn’t the amount of CBD you’ll get in every dose—it’s the amount contained in the entire product. That said, the highest potency products may not be the ones you enjoy using most. Experiment with different types of CBD vapes and start using the ones you respond best to. There’s no right or wrong answer here. 

Vapes Are the Easiest Way to Get Potent CBD

Vaping CBD isn’t the only way to get the beneficial cannabinoids you’re looking for. But it is one of the best ways to do it. Since you’re inhaling the concentrate, your body gets more out of each dose. You’re not losing CBD to your digestive tract or accidentally cooking off its potency by adding tincture to hot tea. That said, it can cause some throat and lung irritation if you have pre-existing upper respiratory conditions like asthma or allergies. If you’re interested in trying it, start with the smallest dose possible and make sure you feel good after using it.

Stop by Altitude and browse our selection of high-quality, lab-tested CBD products today. And be sure to sign up for our loyalty rewards program!

In the old days, weed usually came in a plastic Ziploc bag from a friend of a friend of your neighbor’s brother—or something to that effect. You took whatever you could get without being privy to information on the strain, potency, or potential contamination of your marijuana purchase. Now that weed is legal in Colorado, you can choose from thousands of strains based on their effects as well as aromas and flavors. When you make a thoughtful purchase from a Denver weed shop, you want to do what you can to protect your investment so it lasts as long as possible.

What this means is that you have to keep your stash fresh—especially when you splurge on a strain that you expect to last you for a month or two. The last thing you want is to find the weed degrades over time. One of the ways to avoid this is to manage the humidity when storing your weed. In a dry state like Colorado, humidity is an important factor.

Here’s what you need to know to keep your cannabis as fresh as possible for as long as possible.

Why Humidity Matters

While plenty of cannabis consumers know that humidity has an impact on their stash of weed, they don’t understand the science behind it. Here’s a simple explanation: Relative humidity represents the percentage of moisture in the air relative to the amount of moisture the air can physically hold at a specific temperature. This is crucial to maintaining the quality of the week, from how smooth it is to smoke to how effective it is in treating a medical condition.

The Impact of Humidity on Cannabis

It's the fragrant essential oils in cannabis that give it signature tastes and scents. If your humidity levels are too low, the oils will break down—and this will take away not only the richness of your strain but it can negatively impact the medical benefits patients experience.

The Impact of Too Much Humidity on Cannabis

While an overly dry environment such as Colorado can lead to the degradation of the active ingredients of marijuana, an overly damp environment can damage your stash as well. Too much moisture can lead to mold and bacteria developing. This kind of contamination produces bad odors and flavors for the average cannabis user, which can detract from the experience, but for individuals using medical marijuana, this can be downright dangerous. Many people who use medical marijuana are already immune-compromised, and bacteria or mold in their cannabis can lead to lung conditions such as aspergillosis. HIV and cancer patients are especially vulnerable to this potentially fatal lung disease.

Talk to Your Denver Weed Shop Budtender About Relative Humidity

When you are choosing your next cannabis product, talk to your friendly budtender about how to store your cannabis to keep it from losing weight, potency, and precious cannabinoids while protecting against bacteria. At Altitude the Dispensary, we have a variety of products and we can go over ideal humidity conditions depending on the strain you choose. Come to one of our Denver locations today!

The holidays are right around the corner, and with the world in the midst of a pandemic, this might be a great year to add a bit of fun to your holiday treats. Butter made with cannabis—also known as cannabutter—is an enjoyable, inconspicuous way to enjoy weed. And you don’t need to be a master chef to make it.

Your first step is to visit a Denver Marijuana dispensary. Certain strains of marijuana are better suited to edibles, and if you are not sure which, be sure to ask your friendly budtender. Now you are ready to start cooking.

Step 1: The Decarboxylation Process

This process, also known as “decarbing,” ensures you feel the desired cannabis effects when you eat the finished product. This process is essentially baking your marijuana, allowing the THC and CBD to activate.
You’ll need a few supplies:

• A half-ounce of weed
• A scissors or hand grinder
• A glass baking dish
• An oven, preheated to 220 degrees Fahrenheit

Break apart the weed using scissors or a hand grinder until it’s a consistency that is fine but not so fine that it will slip through cheesecloth. Place the weed in the baking dish, spaced evenly apart. Bake for 20 to 45 minutes; longer bake times will be appropriate for cured, high-quality weed. For weed that has been recently harvested, you should bake for an hour or more.

Check frequently during the baking process, mixing it gently every 10 minutes or so. When your weed is a dark, brownish-green, you can consider it decarbed.

Step 2: Stovetop

Bring about one-and-one-half cups of water to boil, and add 8 ounces of butter for every ounce of weed. Once the butter has melted, add the decarboxylated cannabis. Simmer for about four hours, stirring every half-hour. Strain the butter with cheesecloth into a container. Let the mixture cool to room temperature. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to six months. A Mason jar with a screw-on lid works well.

Ways to Use Cannabutter

Cannabis-infused butter is incredibly versatile, and you can use the cannabutter in place of some of the butter in most recipes. It can be tricky to figure out how much to use, so be sure to test the cannabutter beforehand.

1. Start with a taste test. Measure out a teaspoon of your batch and wait to see the effect it has on you. Give it about 45 minutes; edible marijuana enters the bloodstream slower than smoking it.
2. If you are unhappy with the effects of that dosage, wait a few hours and try a teaspoon and a half of the mixture. Again, gauge the effect it has on you.

Keep increasing the amount of butter you ingest until it gives you the desired result. For instance, if you like the effects of just 1 teaspoon and you are making a pan of brownies that yields 12 services, use 12 teaspoons of butter in the recipe.

If you plan to give baked treats to friends and loved ones this holiday season, just be sure to let them know that you’ve use cannabutter. 

For more information on edibles and other cannabis-infused products, contact Altitude Dispensary, one of the best marijuana dispensaries in Denver.