Cannabis-infused coconut oil: why is it so powerful?

Medical patients who do not want to smoke their cannabis generally consume it orally, either in liquid form (infused in olive oil, for example) or in solid form (the good old space cake). Americans, on the other hand, are increasingly using coconut oil to infuse their weed. Why this resurgence in popularity?

Cannabis and Fat

The active ingredients in cannabis, the cannabinoids, are lipophilic, meaning they are fat-soluble. Simply put, this means that in order to be absorbed and utilized, cannabinoids can be extracted when brought into contact with a fat like butter or oil.

Coconut oil has one of the highest concentrations of fatty acids. Compared to olive oil, which contains only 20% of saturated fat, coconut oil contains 80% and is therefore able to retain more active ingredients during extraction, making the final product more effective for therapeutic purposes.

Coconut oil also contains other fatty acids that may be beneficial to health. Lauric acid, for example, acts as an anti-infective agent when ingested. These fatty acids, found in abundance in coconut oil, make it a healthier alternative to butter or canola oil.

Another benefit of coconut oil is that, when used to extract cannabinoids, the product remains stable at room temperature, which is a major advantage for people who use it as a balm to apply to sore limbs or stiff joints. It can also be encapsulated, a method of absorption that is also gaining popularity across the Atlantic.

Infused coconut oil can then be used in a variety of ways: added to hot chocolate, or turned into body lotion or a spray.

It can be used for 2 months, or a little longer if stored in the refrigerator.