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Cannabutter (Cannabis Infused Butter) | Cooking with Cannabis

The Bluntness, Inc.

How to Make Cannabutter (Cannabis Infused Butter) | Cannabis Recipes (MADE EASY)

By Bluntness EditorialMay 27, 2021

Bluntness Editorial

The Bluntness Editorial Staff is dedicated to bring you the many stories of cannabis culture - stories that speak to the enthusiast and expert in an unfiltered but factual manner. Everyday, our writers brings you deeply insightful and honest perspectives from all corners of the cannabis world, including some you may not expect.

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Today, we are making Cannabutter, which is butter that is infused with decarboxylated cannabis. To decarboxylate cannabis, low heat is applied to convert the non-intoxicating THCA to THC, the cannabinoid that gives the plant its special properties.

Cannabutter can be used in many cannabis infused recipes from appetizers to five-star entrees to decadent desserts. Without decarboxylation, the effects of your cannabis infused meals or edibles may be weak or lackluster.

In this exclusive video join Chef Sebastian Carosi, the short order cannabis revolutionary, as he guides you in making this versatile cannabis infusion ingredient. Quick, simple and most importantly, EASY!

How to Make Cannabutter

1. Decarboxylate the cannabis at 245 degrees for 45 minutes in the decarb box (you can find it from Magical Butter)

2. Using a straining tool and a bowl to catch the melted butter, pour and filter through to get rid of any solids.

3. Using a straining tool and a bowl to catch the melted butter, pour and filter through to get rid of any solids.

4. Place into a small mold and refrigerate. Use as needed.

And be sure to check out The Bluntness You Tube channel for more exciting videos, including our exclusive cannabis recipes made easy.

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Massachusetts' Happy Valley Expands Globally with Cannabis Genetics Designed for Modern Cannabis Growers

Massachusetts' Happy Valley Expands Globally with Cannabis Genetics Designed for Modern Cannabis Growers

Massachusetts' Happy Valley Expands Globally with Cannabis Genetics Designed for Modern Cannabis Growers

Happy Valley Goes Global with Cannabis Genetics

After five years of cultivating at scale, Happy Valley Genetics has entered the seed industry with its initial release of feminized photo and auto-flower packs backed by transparency that growers can count on.

As cannabis legalization continues to spread globally, the industry remains fragmented, with local and regional regulations creating a patchwork of markets and obstacles. Additionally, despite seeds being more accessible than ever, seed buyers often struggle with trust issues, uncertain payment methods, and a lack of information about the seeds they purchase.

This uncertainty makes it difficult for both home and commercial growers to confidently acquire new seeds that will produce the high-quality cannabis desired by modern consumers. Aiming to bring a new level of transparency and reliability to the cannabis seed industry, Happy Valley Genetics, a subsidiary of Massachusetts-based Happy Valley, has tossed its hat in the ring.

Happy Valley Genetics, a new venture by the award-winning cannabis operator Happy Valley, is a collaboration with breeders such as Colorado's renowned ETHOS Genetics. Happy Valley worked with ETHOS to launch its new lines of feminized photoperiod and autoflower seeds. This collaboration seeks to address the existing challenges in the cannabis seed market by offering seeds backed by extensive testing and transparency.

"The next phase of Happy Valley is Happy Valley Genetics; it's the future of the company as we seek to become a leader in the global cannabis seed industry," said Michael Reardon, CEO of Happy Valley.

"In the United States, we are completely fragmented from one state to the next. As a single-state operator, seeds provide us an avenue to expand across state lines and country borders."

Founded in Massachusetts, Happy Valley is a vertically integrated cannabis company with a stellar reputation for transparency and premium quality products, Happy Valley has built a strong foundation of loyal customers.

Their new venture, Happy Valley Genetics, leverages this expertise in cultivation to offer seeds that promise reliability and performance, backed by Certificates of Analysis (COAs), including detailed pictures documenting the entire process from seed-making and pheno-hunting, to bringing the final end products like dry flower and solventless concentrates to market.

Happy Valley has consistently demonstrated its dedication to excellence through its award-winning flower and concentrate products. Collaborating with ETHOS Genetics, known for its high-quality, commercially viable cannabis seeds, led to the development of unique cannabis varieties like Baller’s Game, Another Level, Everglades OG, and Easy Button, each with distinct cannabinoid and terpene profiles. These new lines of feminized photoperiod and autoflower seeds are designed to thrive in both home and commercial environments.

"Propagating and putting new genetics into production is one of the most expensive parts of the business. It's very difficult to continually have up to 25 genetics on our menu when it takes at a minimum 8 to 12 months to pheno hunt and put a single genetic into production," Reardon explains.

Everglades OG - Happy Valley GeneticsHappy Valley Genetics

Feminized seeds eliminate the need to care for male plants that will eventually be culled. For commercial operators, growing from seed offers greater efficiency with canopy space, reduced overhead with propagation, and the potential for multiple outdoor harvests per year.

Recognizing the need for transparency in the genetics industry, Happy Valley Genetics is uniquely positioned to bring high-quality seeds to the global market at accessible price points without sacrificing quality. "The end game goal we're working towards at Happy Valley Genetics is to have a stable of commercially viable genetics that allow ourselves and other commercial cultivators to be able to grow entirely from seed, eliminating the expense of maintaining mother plants and cutting clones," Reardon added.

Happy Valley Genetics is built on the same foundation of trust and integrity that has made Happy Valley a respected name in the Massachusetts cannabis industry. Designed with the modern cannabis grower in mind, their seeds are backed by an unparalleled level of transparency.

"Happy Valley Genetics’ goal is to be the most transparent and data-driven breeder in the global cannabis industry," Reardon emphasized.

To check out Baller's Game and the rest of the new Happy Valley Genetics seed packs, head over to HappyValleyGenetics.com.

Everglades OG Strain - Happy Valley Genetics

Everglades OG - Happy Valley Genetics

Happy Valley Genetics

After five years of cultivating at scale, Happy Valley Genetics has entered the seed industry with its initial release of feminized photo and autoflower packs backed by transparency that growers can count on.

Time to End Workplace Discrimination Against Cannabis Consumers

Time to End Workplace Discrimination Against Cannabis Consumers

Discriminatory Workplace Policies Lagging Behind Cannabis Laws

Adults who consume opioids, prescription medication and/or alcohol legally and responsibly outside of work aren’t penalized by employers. It should be no different for marijuana.

By Guest Author: Paul Armentano.

Armentano is the Deputy Director for NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.This op-ed was distributed by OtherWords.org.

Voters and politicians are reshaping America’s marijuana laws for the better. The possession and use of cannabis is now legal for medical purposes in 38 states and legal for adult recreational use in 23 of those.

Unfortunately, antiquated and discriminatory drug testing policies often haven’t kept up with these changes.

It’s reasonable for employers to expect sobriety on the job. But requiring would-be hires and employees to undergo urine screens for legal and past cannabis exposure are invasive and ineffective. They neither identify workers who may be under the influence nor contribute to a safe work environment.

That’s because conventional urine tests only identify the presence of non-psychoactive “metabolites” — by-products that linger in the body’s blood and urine well after a substance’s mood-altering effects have ended.

Even the U.S. Department of Justice acknowledges: “A positive test result, even when confirmed, only indicates that a particular substance is present in the test subject’s body tissue. It does not indicate abuse or addiction; recency, frequency, or amount of use; or impairment.”

Carboxy THC, marijuana’s primary metabolite, is fat-soluble and can remain detectable in urine for days, weeks, or even months after a person has stopped using cannabis. It doesn’t provide any definitive information about how often an employee uses cannabis, when they last consumed it, or whether they were under the influence when they took the test.

Aside from these practical limitations, there are larger philosophical questions raised by random workplace cannabis testing — especially in jurisdictions where the possession and use of marijuana is now legal under state law.

Studies indicate that employees who consume cannabis during their off hours are little different from their peers. Their workplace performance seldom differs from their co-workers, many of whom consume alcohol, and they don’t pose any increased safety risk.

According to an exhaustive review by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, “There is no evidence to support a statistical association between cannabis use and occupational accidents or injuries.”

This begs the question: Why are we okay with policies that single marijuana users out and discriminate against them?

Fortunately, in a growing number of jurisdictions, lawmakers are doing away these outdated and discriminatory policies.

The District of Columbia plus California, Connecticut, Montana, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island — as well as major corporations like Amazon — have amended their rules so that many employees are no longer terminated from their jobs solely because of a positive drug test for THC metabolites.

The states of , Nevada, and Washington — along with local governments in Atlanta, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and elsewhere — have also enacted laws prohibiting certain employers from taking action against new hires because of a failed drug test for marijuana.

Lawmakers in other states and localities should follow suit and amend workplace cannabis testing regulations in accordance with the plant’s rapidly changing cultural and legal status.

Those who consume alcohol legally and responsibly while away from their jobs aren’t punished by their employers unless their work performance is adversely impacted. Those who legally consume cannabis should be held to a similar standard.

Cannabis Cultivation for Big Brands with Posibl | The Edge presented by The Bluntness

Bluntness Media

The Edge: Jesus Burrola on the Intensity of Cannabis Success

The Edge is a special video series presented by The Bluntness, featuring thought-provoking conversations with leaders and innovators throughout the cannabis industry.

In this episode, we were joined by Jesus Burrola, longtime cannabis advocate and CEO of POSIBL. With 15 years of experience in publicly traded building materials distribution, Burrola worked his way up from trainee to VP, and now he’s maneuvered his way into cannabis.

Known as the “cannabis farm of the future,” POSIBL leverages a state-of-the-art system that uses less to do more, bringing the best greenhouse technology and expertise from traditional agriculture into cannabis, and pairing it with the best possible genetics to produce perfect flower every time.

The Bluntness and Burrola discussed sustainable practices, cannabis-infused beverages,and the most surprising challenges of the industry.

The Bluntness Sits Down With POSIBL CEO Jesus Burrola

Burrola first came to POSIBL with a wealth of experience in distribution, and a major fascination with the cannabis industry.

“[Cannabis] is an industry I was fascinated with. I obviously saw the tremendous growth and opportunity in the industry, and it was something I could leave my mark on,” Burrola said.

Just as he worked his way up from trainee to VP in the distribution world, Burrola quickly went from cannabis industry novice to CEO, where he and his team grow for 13 major cannabis brands throughout California.

“We also have a large construction project that is underway. We’re in the process of expanding another 100,000 square feet, along with new processing capabilities and getting into the extraction world,” Burrola said.

His role is to oversee every aspect of the business, while also recognizing these continued opportunities for growth and ensuring his team is happy, comfortable, and equipped with the tools they need to expand.

When asked about the company culture at POSIBL, the word “intense” came quickly to Burrola’s mind.

“It’s one of a lot of hard work and dedication. I do think that we’ve put together a fantastic team: very different backgrounds, from Wall Street banking, to guys that have spent 30 years in agricultural production, to compliance experts,” Burrola said.

“Everybody comes to this industry with very diverse backgrounds, but everyone has a very defined area of focus. I think we work very well together, and a lot of decisions are made as a team.”

Burrola on Cann Beverages, THC During Work Hours, and Jumping Through Industry Hoops

POSIBL’s focus is on pure, sustainable flower, which is arguably the building block of any cannabis product on the market. His team’s incredible work results in a variety of outcomes, from eighths to edibles and everything in between.

The cannabis industry has so many different types of consumers, and POSIBL provides the foundation to keep everyone happy with their consumption method of choice.

One of Burrola’s favorite cannabis products ever? Infused beverages.

“I love Cann. I drink them almost daily. I think they’re social, they’re fun, they’re healthy,” Burrola said.

Although consuming cannabis is a daily ritual for Burrola – and many others in the industry – that daily tradition doesn’t come until after work hours for the CEO, especially when super high levels of THC are involved.

“For me, it’s post work hours. I like to be sharp in making decisions, and for me, I enjoy it when I know that I don’t have very pressing and important decisions to analyze,” Burrola said.

Perhaps Burrola’s answer would change in regards to another industry, but one of the most surprising things he discovered when he first began working in cannabis is how incredibly challenging it actually is.

He isn’t the first industry expert to admit this. Just as cannabis consumers have long been followed by the tired old “lazy stoner” stigma, the industry itself is plagued with this false preconception that no one actually does any work in weed.

This couldn’t be further from the truth.

“Obviously [the industry] is gaining more and more acceptance, but with regulations changing day in and day out and the inconsistencies in how to handle that,” Burrola said.

“I was surprised at how difficult simple things like writing a check or making a deposit can be. You’ve got to be prepared to go through a lot of headaches.”

The Importance of Proper Dosage, Staying Curious in Cannabis, and His First Experience With Weed

Burrola is right to say the industry (and the plant itself) is gaining more acceptance as the years go by, but many non-consumers are still wary of cannabis due to the decades of anti-weed propaganda that’s been consistently force-fed to society.

To those who remain hesitant, Burrola asks that the importance of proper dosage not be underestimated.

“Dose is important. I think if I tried to drink a bottle of vodka the first time I drank, I probably wouldn’t have had a very good experience, and I probably wouldn’t have wanted to drink much after that,” Burrola said.

“You’ve got to really get comfortable with your dosing to have a good experience. Less is more, initially.”

It takes a lot of time and dedication to truly become familiarized with the ins and outs of cannabis, from terpene profiles to cannabinoid makeup to indica versus sativa versus hybrid. And for as much as there is to learn as a consumer, there’s even more to learn as an industry operator.

When asked who his cannabis hero is from past or present – someone who really helped Burrola understand the industry – greenhouse consultant and expert Eric Brandstad immediately came to mind.

“[He] came and did some consulting with us, and I learned a lot about the plant through him,” Burrola said.

“I did not come from a cultivation background myself, so really getting those layman’s terms, in a simplified way, of how to understand the plant was really important.”

Although Burrola had a long way to go with cultivation knowledge when he got his start in the industry, he was already quite familiar with the basics of consuming cannabis.

He recalled his first time smoking weed – at age 19 in Colorado, out of a pipe.

“I grew up in Mexico, and it’s very stigmatized there because it’s tied to the cartel. It was very scary and taboo,” Burrola said.

“So, it was in the States through a friend’s dad, which I thought was the strangest thing that could have happened. I thought I was being pranked on camera or something.”

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Cannabis Sustainability with Julia Jacobson

Bluntness Media

WATCH: Cannabis Sustainability with Julia Jacobson

The Edge is a special video series presented by The Bluntness, featuring thought-provoking conversations with leaders and innovators throughout the cannabis industry.

In this episode, we were joined by Julia Jacobson, co-founder and CEO of sustainable cannabis brand Aster Farms.

Based in Northern California, Aster Farms was born from three generations of cannabis knowledge and dedication to transparency, intentionality, and totally organic practices.

With a wealth of experience in tech, retail, and supply chain economics, Jacobson brings an unmatched expertise to the brand, guiding Aster Farms to national recognition and raising funds in a capital constrained industry.

We talked about generational living soil techniques founded in the legacy market, the latest marketing fads in cannabis, and bringing your unique skills to the industry.

Building a Dream Brand in Cannabis

Jacobson founded Aster Farms in 2018, alongside her then-boyfriend, now-husband Sam Campodonico-Ludwig.

Although Jacobson had experienced cannabis recreationally, she never realized the extent of the plant’s medicinal capacity until she began suffering from unbearable migraines.

Following the advice of her doctor, Jacobson ditched the prescription pills and turned to cannabis to soothe her pain. She was amazed by the difference it made in her quality of life, and quickly became passionate about spreading the word.

“[My husband and I] are both conscious consumers. We care about what we put in our body. We care about the companies we spend our money on, and we really wanted to see that translated into the cannabis industry,” Jacobson said.

As they explored the industry and took a look at other brands on the market, Jacobson and Campodonico-Ludwig realized the brand they wanted to spend their money with didn’t yet exist.

“When we were understanding how the legal cannabis market was developing and the types of brands that were emerging, we didn’t see that brand that appealed to us,” Jacobson said.

“The kind of brand you’d see at Whole Foods with very modern branding, but at the same time, very wholesome ingredients from generations of knowledge and proper agricultural practices. So, we wanted to put that out in the market.”

Although cannabis as medicine was a somewhat novel concept to Jacobson, Campodonico-Ludwig’s family has decades of roots in the plant. With over 50 years of experience growing cannabis via living soil, the family legacy is one of pure, organic, sustainably-grown flower, every time.

Embracing Values, Healthy Collaborations, and Smart Marketing

Campodonico-Ludwig’s journey to cannabis was an unorthodox one for his family. While the generations before him were proud growers, both he and Jacobson were the first to begin their careers outside of the plant.

Although they were a bit slow to the game, the husband-and-wife team had a generational foundation to learn from and to apply to Aster Farms every step of the way. They’ve been able to meld that legacy knowledge with what they know best: good, pure ingredients and practices for healthy, well-rounded cultivation.

This attention to detail is apparent in their collaborations with brands like Rose Los Angeles, Potli, and Artet.

“We choose other brands and operators who care about craft and artisanal ingredients – who care about the actual flower that’s going into their product,” Jacobson said.

Jacobson and team care about the process in place behind Aster Farms products, but her experience in retail and supply chain distribution informs how the brand should be marketed in the industry.

This step is vital for getting the word out about the TLC behind the flower itself, and to help a brand stand out among others in an oversaturated market.

For Jacobson, the most exciting new trend in cannabis marketing is the concept of a custom installation, a display or “shop in shop” that really allows a brand to shine through in a large retail setting.

“That’s now [starting] to really be a thing in the cannabis industry, and I think that’s where a lot of our marketing attention is going to be focused, because we’re very limited when it comes to our digital capacities,” Jacobson said.

The Key to Cannabis Industry Success: Don’t Reinvent Yourself

When asked for the best advice to give to a cannabis industry novice, Jacobson was quick to highlight how important it is to stay true to who you are as a consumer, advocate, brand, or employee.

“Don’t try to reinvent yourself. There are already unbelievable cultivators in this space,” Jacobson said.

“What the industry needs, for example, are marketing professionals. We need people in financial planning and accounting. We need people in areas where expertise already exists in traditional industries, and just needs to be applied to cannabis.”

Many people have this idea that in order to get started in the industry, they have to ditch their corporate suits to become a budtender. And while you’ll certainly gain a wealth of plant knowledge from taking on a position like that, it’s not universally necessary for every industry operator to experience.

“Taking the skills that you already have today and applying them rather than reinventing yourself, is the right way to enter this industry,” Jacobson said.

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Cannabis Education with Brooke Burgstahler, Budding Mind | Flow State Friday

Bluntness Media

The Flow State: A Revealing Conversation with Cannabis Edutainer Brooke Burgstahler

The Flow State is a special video series presented by The Bluntness, featuring thought-provoking conversations with leaders and innovators throughout the cannabis industry.

In this episode, we were joined by Brooke Burgstahler, a cannabis writer, producer, actress, founder of the Budding Mind blog and host of cannabis news network World of Weed.

A specialist in high-quality educational and entertaining content she’s coined “edutainment,” Burgstahler is an in-demand cannabis creator who covers everything from pop culture to politics, history, hot new brands, celebrity interviews, and the latest progress in social justice reform.

We discussed everything from her initial foray into cannabis journalism to her love of cannabis-infused lubricants, finding your passion at work, and the States Reform Act.

The Bluntness Sits Down With Cannabis “Edutainer” Brooke Burgstahler

Like many of us in today’s industry, Burgstahler’s interest in cannabis started at a young age, when she was first introduced to the plant by a group of friends (shoutout to Joey with the whale tail tongue).

“I began my cannabis career as a consumer,” Burgstahler said. “It really opened my eyes to living life with a bit more emphasis on pleasure.”

Burgstahler initially moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, but once she arrived, she decided to find a way to merge her two passions – cannabis and entertainment – into one.

After a quick stint as a cannabis delivery driver, Burgstahler got her start at Merry Jane as a journalist, which opened her mind to new possibilities within the industry.

“That was a really exciting step in a new direction for me, especially at that time. Creating cannabis content legitimately and getting paid for it didn’t seem like something I would ever be able to do, and once I was doing it, I never wanted to stop,” Burgstahler said.

Burgstahler’s Thoughts on the States Reform Act and The Power of Not Being an Expert

Thankfully, Burgstahler has stayed true to her word, developing Budding Mind and World of Weed to do what she does best: talk about the ins and outs of the cannabis industry in an all-encompassing, “edutaining” way.

“I want to talk about politics and legislation. I also want to talk about celebrity brands and terpenes, and scientific information that doesn’t even make sense to me,” Burgstahler told The Bluntness.

“With as many people that consume cannabis today, there are so many different directions you can go with information about the plant itself, so I dabble in a lot of different areas.”

Right now, Burgstahler is most intrigued by the States Reform Act and the effect it may or may not have on legal cannabis in the U.S.

“This particular bill – we’re a bipartisan nation, and no one can ever agree on anything in Congress. I’m stoked that the conversation is being introduced, or at least pondered, from both sides of the spectrum,” Burgstahler said.

“But I think it’s also important to note that I don’t consider myself an expert in a lot of ways. I am a voice for the plant, and I find great joy in taking nuggets of information from the farmers and the distributors and the brands…taking that information and distilling it into layman’s terms, because that’s what I am.”

As simple as this admission may seem, it’s crucial for cannabis advocates to stay honest about what they do and don’t know. In fact, the CannaBS Detector Podcast did an entire segment on this concept, and how if the industry doesn’t approach cannabis education honestly, we’re no better than Big Tobacco.

Cannabis and Sex, Following Your Moral Compass, and Being Honest About The Cannabis Stigma

For this reason, Burgstahler has committed her platform to honest, well-rounded cannabis journalism that really speaks to the truths of the industry: good and bad.

This doesn’t just look like talking about legislation or the decades-long stigma against cannabis. Even within the industry, taboos remain that need to be broken – like openly discussing the intersection between cannabis and sex.

“I’m a huge fan of cannabis-infused lubricants. Of all of the CBD products, topicals, ointments, and tinctures I’ve ever taken, using Foria for sexy time has given me some of the most profound results from cannabis…anything,” Burgstahler said when asked to discuss her favorite cannabis product. “Try it out, people.”

Another seemingly-simple admission, but cannabis and sex have both been stigmatized for far too long, despite the fact that almost every adult has experience with one or the other. Breaking down the walls that prevent us from having honest and necessary conversations like these is healthy, for both industries and for society as a whole.

While this level of fearless candor is certainly Burgstahler’s passion and niche, she urges everyone in the cannabis space to find what they’re truly passionate about and follow it to the end.

“Find your North Star, take hold of your moral compass, and try not to perpetuate the greenwashing of cannabis. Not every product is pristine and perfect and deserves to be put on a pedestal. Do your homework, do your research, and make sure you’re an advocate for this plant before you really get involved in this space,” Burgstahler said.

On the consumer side of things, Burgstahler urges people to do the same – especially those who’ve been anti-cannabis for a long time.

“Are you afraid of it, or has society made you afraid of it? If it is genuinely you that has the fear of the unknown, of an experience you can’t control, know that you don’t ever have to smoke weed,” Burgstahler said.

Cannabis has long held the unfair reputation of being the “gateway drug,” and today’s cannabis advocates are eager to spread the word that, despite what “Reefer Madness” has told you, we literally don’t have an agenda – other than a much-needed shifted perspective.

“It’s just as powerful to pass as it is to puff. Not everyone can have penicillin. Not every medicine is for everyone, and that’s perfectly okay.”

As for those who decide to puff rather than pass?

“I’d say go low and go slow. I’d recommend smoking first, because you can really control your dosage, versus an edible where it’s like, there’s no take backs, baby,” Burgstahler said.

“Try something that is high in CBD, or at least a balanced THC-to-CBD ratio, and find a great product that really excites you. Sungrown, organic, a brand with a story behind it that resonates with you…it will amplify the enjoyment of your experience.”

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