The MagicalButter machine - Review of a herbal butter making device

While Canada has legalized marijuana, edibles containing marijuana are still prohibited and are not legally available for sale. For those unwilling to wait until the government revisits the issue of edibles in 2019, there is a fast and easy way to make your own edibles so you can ingest marijuana without having to smoke it. The MagicalButter machine is specifically designed for "infusing the essence" of your cannabis (or any other medicinal herb) into butter and oil, among other things, all while being small enough to fit on your kitchen counter. Made of stainless steel and fully automatic, it "...grinds, heats, stirs, and steeps..." the weed into a consistent infusion every time you use it and the recipes that come with the device. It also makes tinctures, is great for infusing alcohols with flavours for faster Limoncellos, and can be used to make skin care products, such as lotions and face creams. I know a guy who knows a gal who sleeps with a guy who has one, and he swears by the thing, saying it's as simple as putting the ingredients in, setting the temperature and time, and letting the machine do its thing. Whatever magical morsels you make is up to you, but please be aware of the health effects of cannabis - start out small, then wait at least 60-90 minutes to see if you're feeling the way you want to feel.

NOTE: I have not been paid by the makes of MagicalButter to produce this blog entry, but if MB World Headquarters wants to send something my way because of this, I won't object.

Cooking at 4:20

People have been eating marijuana for almost as long as they have been smoking the stuff. With the news that Canada will legalize marijuana by July 1, 2018, the countdown has begun on when the public can legally get their hands on the wide variety of products containing THC, the chemical compound that makes cannabis so enticing to people. If eaten as is, weed isn't very effective, as the digestive system is unable to digest THC. However, THC is fat soluble, which is why people cook their pot with a fat; when cooked and heated, this releases the THC from the cannabis and into the fat. One of the more popular ways to put marijuana in food is using cannabutter. In honour of 4:20, here's a recipe for making this popular pothead spread:

Ingredients

454 g butter
240 mL water
40 g marijuana, grounded up 

(NOTE: Until the law is officially changed, possession of marijuana is still illegal. Don't blame me if you get arrested.)

1. Put the water and the butter in a saucepan, and begin simmering everything at a low heat to let the butter melt (adding water helps to regulate the temperature, and prevents the butter from burning).
2. Add the cannabis, and let the mixture simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Be sure to never let the mixture come to a full boil.
3. Once the simmering is complete, pour the mixture into a glass, refrigerator-safe container - use either cheesecloth or a fine strainer to strain out all the plant material. Get as much liquid out of the plant material, then throw it out. Cover and refrigerate what's in the glass container overnight, or until the butter has hardened and separates from the water, which should also be thrown out.
4. Use as you would regular butter. To test for potency, start with one portion of a serving, then wait an hour or two. You'll know if you require more or not, so don't drive or use heavy machinery while under the influence.