Gummies are a tasty and popular cannabis-infused treat that can be found on dispensary shelves nationwide, but have you ever tried making your own? We’ll show you how to make weed gummies at home with this naturally-flavored and customizable recipe.

How to make weed gummies

What you’ll need

• Fine mesh sieve
• Saucepan
• Whisk
• Dropper
• Silicone gummy molds (you can also use a parchment-lined baking tray and cut into servings)

Ingredients

• 1 cup fruit juice or fruit puree, thoroughly strained
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons(or to taste) maple syrup, agave, or sugar 
• 1 tablespoon agar-agar powder
• Desired amount of cannabis tincture*

*This recipe yields roughly 50 gummy bear-sized servings. It’s up to you to decide how potent you want your gummies to be. A good serving size to start with is around 5 to 10 milligrams of THC. However, these gummies are so delicious that you may not want to stop at just one. It may be a good idea to add less THC per gummy, so that you can enjoy a few at a time! Cannabis tinctures purchased at your local dispensary will usually label the amount of THC per milliliter of product. If you have a tincture that contains 30mg of THC per milliliter and you add 5mL, each of the 50 gummies would contain 3mg THC (30×5÷50=3). If you’re using fewer, larger gummy molds, adjust your serving accordingly.

Weed gummy recipe

1. Place your empty molds in the freezer so they are already cool when it’s time to use them.
2. If you are making your own fruit puree, blend your fruit and strain through a fine mesh sieve so that you are left with a juicy consistency.
3. Add the fruit juice or puree to a saucepan. Heat on the stovetop on medium low. Whisk in the lemon juice, sweetener, and agar-agar powder. 
4. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly.
5. Continue to simmer for 3 minutes, whisking the entire time in order to prevent lumps from forming.
6. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before stirring in your desired amount of cannabis tincture. Mix thoroughly to distribute the tincture evenly.
7. Use a dropper to fill your individual molds. If using a parchment-lined baking tray, carefully pour in the liquid mixture so that it forms an even layer on the tray. 
8. Place in the fridge and allow to set for 30 minutes up to one hour.

Weed gummy cooking tips

Our recipe calls for cannabis tincture, but you can use other infused cannabis products as well. For additional sweetness, consider using THC syrup instead. For highly-concentrated gummies with a less weed-like flavor, you may want to opt for THC distillate. Distillates can be up to 99% pure THC and are almost completely odorless and flavorless, making them an excellent neutral cannabis additive.  If you’re looking for a yummy serving of cannabinoids without the intoxicating effects, you can use a CBD tincture to create CBD gummies instead. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, and while it won’t get you high, it could help you maintain a more relaxed demeanor during the day and get better sleep at night. It’s important not to overheat whichever cannabis product you choose, as it can degrade at higher temperatures and lose potency. Cannabinoids like THC and CBD need to be activated by heat or pressure to work effectively within the human body, but if you’re using any of the aforementioned cannabis products, the cannabinoids within the formula have already been activated through the process of decarboxylation.

What is agar-agar powder? Why should I use it in my weed gummies?

Never heard of agar-agar powder? Don’t worry! We’ll break it down.  Most weed gummy recipes call for the use of gelatin to bind the ingredients and create a springy texture. While gelatin is cheap and widely available, it has serious drawbacks for some. Gelatin is not vegan. In fact, it’s not even vegetarian. It’s made from the boiled skin, tendons, ligaments and bones of slaughtered animals, usually cows or pigs. The presence of pork products means that most gelatin is also not Kosher or halal. Inclusivity is the name of the game, so our weed gummy recipe is gelatin-free. On the other hand, agar-agar is so nice they named it twice. Agar-agar is derived from seaweed, and makes a great plant-based alternative to gelatin. It’s often used as a thickening agent in custards, sauces, and vegetarian marshmallows. This product is dried and sold in flake or powdered form in many Asian and health food stores. It’s also available at Whole Foods and online.  The texture of weed gummies made with agar-agar differs slightly from traditional gelatin gummies. Rather than the harder, chewier texture of regular gummy bears, the texture of these is more similar to your favorite childhood fruit fruit snacks(like Mott’s Fruit Flavored Snacks).

Weed Gummy Flavor Options

One of the best parts about this recipe is that it’s completely customizable! You can use just about any kind of fruit juice or fruit puree that you like. Apple juice is a common fan favorite because it’s cheap, easy, and delicious. Other fruity options include:

• Orange juice
• Cherry juice
• Raspberry puree
• Watermelon puree
• And many more!

You can combine more than one flavor as well! Consider blending apple juice with blueberries or strawberries for natural color and flavor. For a more tropical vibe, you can mix orange juice with pineapple juice or guava. Remember, if you’re using whole fruits instead of pre-made fruit juice, strain the mixture using a fine-mesh sieve to remove any fibrous material before using in your recipe. Fruits aren’t the only way to add flavor to your weed gummies. For those who partake, you can substitute some of the fruit juice with sparkling wine, such as champagne or prosecco. Choose a dry or brut bubbly for less-sweet gummies, or a rosé version to add a touch of pink! Consider which flavors will complement the weed strain used in your cannabis product. A strain’s terpene profile offers a variety of tasting notes that can range from citrusy to herbaceous. You may want to cover up the cannabis flavor with other strong flavors, like pineapple and cherry, or accentuate it with complementary pairings.