Marijuana Candy Making 101
Marijuana candy, from weed lollipops to weed Jolly Ranchers, is not only stuff stoners like it’s easy to make at home. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to make marijuana candy or THC lollipops but were too intimidated to try your hand at making hard candy, don’t trip. You can do it, dude. If you already know how to make hard candy making marijuana candy and weed lollipops is a snap. If you don’t know how to make hard candy then you should give this recipe a test run or two. Maybe even cut this marijuana candy recipe in half and definitely omit the hash to save money and practice it a couple times. Making hard candy, just like making marijuana candy, is as simple as heating sugar, corn syrup and water on the stove top. You can even do that while hella stoned.
Marijuana candy recipe
When it comes to making cannabis candy, or any hard candy for that matter, the most important piece of equipment is a candy thermometer. You’ll need one to tell you when you’ve reached 300ºF or what’s known as the “hard crack stage.” Once you get there successfully, making tasty thc candy is all down hill from there.
Cannabis candy equipment
Here’s a list of the equipment you’ll need to make cannabis candy or pot lollipops:
- candy thermometer
- damp brush
- Pyrex dishes
- baking sheet
- lollipop sticks if making weed lollipops. If you’re looking to skip the marijuana suckers and just make weed jolly ranchers style candy you can omit the sticks.
- candy molds could also be used if you’ve got ‘em.
Marijuana candy ingredients
- decarboxylated hash oil, kief or dry powdered hash (to decarboxylate the kief, hash or hash oil just bake it at 275 at five minutes) Start with 5 grams per batch add more if you want a stronger stone.
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1 cup water
- 3/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon desired flavoring oil (peppermint, root beer, orange, etc.)
- 1 drop food coloring (two drops of green is perfect)
- 1/8 cup powdered sugar
How to make weed candy
Grease your pans and get a pot of water simmering to use to keep your candy malleable. You’ll need to move quickly once shit begins. Next drop the sugar, water and corn syrup in a heavy 2 quart saucepan and cook on high heat stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved.
Once the sugar is all dissolved drop the heat to medium and continue to cook the mixture without stirring. The bubbles will start to slow down as you get near the 300ºF hard crack stage. This could take as long as 15 minutes or more so now’s the time to smoke a joint and relax. If sugar crystals form on the sides of pan just gently wipe them off with a damp brush.
When you hit the 300ºF hard crack stage remove your cannabis candy from the heat. Now it’s time to add your flavoring, food coloring and of course marijuana. Stir or swirl the pan only to mix.
Pour your liquid thc candy into those greased 9 inch pans. Pro-Tip—use cannabutter if you’ve got it to add some extra pot power. Set one pan of candy over that sauce pan with the boiling water. This’ll keep the cannabis candy malleable while you work with the other batch of cannabis candy.
As soon as the edible weed candy is cool enough to handle start cutting it with scissors into 1-inch strips. Then snip the strips into smaller strips about the size of a Jolly Rancher. Work quickly because if the cannabis candy gets too cold it will shatter and be difficult to cut. Pro Tip—if the marijuana candy cools too quickly set it over that saucepan with the simmering water, but if it gets sticky, return at once to the work counter.
Drop the pieces onto a buttered baking sheet. Use weed butter if you’ve got it. Next toss the cannabis candy in some powdered sugar to keep it from sticking together. If you’ve got sticks now’s your chance to make weed suckers. Grab a piece of parchment paper, grab a stick and insert the stick gently—once the candy cools you’ll have yourself some cannabis lollipops. Repeat with the other batch of cannabis candy.
That’s how to make marijuana candy and weed lollipops. Pretty easy, right? Now make with them pots and pans, dude!
Have any experience making weed lollipops or some form of hard cannabis candy? Let us know about it in the comments below…
Leave a Reply
44 Responses to “How To Make Marijuana Candy”
Sarah
Question: I have a thc vape cartridge. 700mg at 65.92% thc. I would like to open it up to make some hard candies. How much of this liquid would I use for this recipe?? Thanks for any advice! 🙂
Robert Smith
Had some great success with this recipe. Made 64 candies with 5 mg each!!! Basically made then for about 30 cents a piece. Shows how much the dispensaries make on edibles. I will say at 300 degrees they camelized and had a burnt smell–ruined. Went to 280 next time. They are taffy like but with powered super and wrapped in parchment paper store well in the frig!!! Froze a bunch too in a mold.
Anonymous
did you just grind your bud up an throw it in there or did you use oil and if so how did you apply it?
R.Smith.....what did you use?...Kif...oil...ets..?
R.Smith…..what did you use?…Kif…oil…ets..?
Kcawr
You don’t keep the mixture at 300 degrees for an extended period of time or it will burn. Once it reaches 300 remove from heat or simmer the candy mix. I make regular hard candy and that what I found works best. My question is how do you make a higher THC candy? How much more hash/oil/butter do I use?
Phil
Hi, I made some candy the other day, for my second time, but I did not get the temp to 300 for the hard crack stage. So my candy is in the freezer, as it gets soft at room temp. Can I put this is a double boiler to reheat it ?
Thank you
Phil
Charlene Ashmore
Re cook your candy on hi add a 3/4 cup of water cook for about 15minutes on high
Robert Smith
Sorry for the delay. I used cannaoil–cannabis butter with canola oil rather than butter. I used 3/4 oz of about 17% thc cannabis in 2 cups of oil. Used 2 tablespoons for the recipe. Made 164 pieces. Used a candy tray from Michaels and sprayed with Pam before I put candy in. I did not go to 300 degrees . Tried one batch at that temp and burned it. Got to about 280 on the next batch which made like a taffy–sticky but fine if kept in frig. I separated themand put in powered sugar and wrapped individually in parchment paper and keep them in the frig. I actually frozen half in the candy tray and just got them out now for Christmas.
tonyt503
i have made several batches of candy with this receipt hitting the temp of 300 stop there timingKkk is very important notice watch how fast it is rising and time it right you will never get a burnt taste if your getting to 300 and pulling it then its really getting to 305 to 310 so burnt taste is acquired .
also as far as THC quenties ive played with this and added double and triple the suggested amount and only added more flavoring and have had awesome success friends and family say i’ve got Mr rancher (jolly rancher) beat PLAY AND DO YOUR OWN THINGS THAT’S HOW RECIPES ARE INVENTED DUH JUST DON’T BE AFRAID
Anonymous
If i were to completely grind some bud, as in use a coffee grinder and then a finishing grinder, wold it work in place of the chief or hash? Im in an area where getting large amounts of chief or hash isn’t necisssarily easy to obtain, but i can put my hands on a good bit of bud.
Andrew
If i were to completely grind some bud, as in use a coffee grinder and then a finishing grinder, wold it work in place of the chief or hash? Im in an area where getting large amounts of chief or hash isn’t necisssarily easy to obtain, but i can put my hands on a good bit of bud.
Anonymous
I have found that if I cook medium low heat for 8 minutes then real high for 4 min to fix the casual stir except last 2/3 min Candie with harden
Robert
I used cannabis oil. Works great. Plenty of recipes. 3/4 oz herb to 2 cups canola oil. Really only need 4 tablespoons of cannabis oil for the recipe. I like 5 mg candies which are strong enough. I aim for under the optimal amount rather than too much. Makes 128 candies in molds from craft store. Spray mold with Pam/vegetable oil before pouring in molds. Just take 2 or 3 if 1 is not enough. I can make hundreds of candies with 2 cups of cannabis oil.
Anonymous
I can’t seem to get the oil to mix into the candy mixture. It separates on top.
Robert
You only add the oil after the candy has started to set/get sticky at 280 degrees and pulled turned off the heat. Stir it in good and by then it’s sticky so it should not separate. Then it goes right in the molds ( make sure you spray the molds with vegetable spray so you can get them out of the mold). Put the molds in the frig til cool. When you pull them out and break the squares into pieces you have to put alot of powered sugar on each and wrap in parchment paper then back in the frig til you want to eat them. I’m making them again tomorrow since I’ll see.
Robert
Anonoymous, do you live in the South in an area of heat and high humidity? Another site, Daily Kos said iF you have high humidity the butter can separate–heat/humidity are not good conditions for making any candy. Suggested adding 1 or 2 tablespoons of very hot water when you pull it off heat and stir it again.
Anonymous
Thanks Robert! I am in beautiful hot and humid Florida…lol. I got it though. I added the oil at around 250 degrees, then had to be patient as I gently mixed. Once the candy cooled down enough to just begin thickening, it blended, and then I poured into molds. The powder sugar coating was helpful for the sticky surface. Initially, I think I was giving up too soon thinking it wasn’t going to mix.
Robert
Good for you! You could tell I was worried haha. Ive worked in kitchens but no bakery stuff or candy. Still learning this but just made a batch that came out great. I was buzzed (as usual) before I use 4 tablespoons of oil to make about 150 candies–5 mg each. My dispensary in Mass sells them for $3 each, I figure I make them for 17 cents. Gave them away to friends by the handful to take home at Xmas and got rave reviews. Seems ppl don’t tally like high potency edibles–except one relative who ate about 50 mg in cornbread. He said Christ was coming thru the window. I said he should lie down. How much oil did you use? You will be ahead when dispensaries come to Florida–one hopes!
Anonymous
I appreciate your help and effort! I struggled for hours until I figured it out. The info is limited! I started with 2 tablespoons oil, made 120 candies. I’m new at this. Making for my brother, so figured I’d start low and tweak from there.
Robert
Nice you are helping your brother. One thing I’ve learned is that edibles require some fat to work best. Have your brother eat cheese or peanut butter cracker, french fries just before using. Cannabis is fat soluble and needs the fat to be absorbed. If it wears off some he can eat more fat after 2 hrs to keep it going. That’s why the original recipe was never going to work anyway. No fat to bind the Kief. Now that you have oil you can make cornbread, cookies anything. I froze left over oil in ice cube trays–2 tablespoons each. Should last up to a year.
Tiffany
Robert, I am new to making candy. I would LOVE to get some tips from you. My state just passed medical marijuana but we don’t have any dispensaries set up yet.
Mel
I’ve been using a similar recipe with decarbed kief…. My concern is how to ensure consistency since it seems kind of hard to thouroughly mix the kief in with everything else. Do you notice any consistency issues with this recipe using kief? (like one candy works, the next doesn’t?) Would it make more sense to use oil, or should the kief work just fine?
Robert
Tiffany good luck with the dispensaries. Better off on black market. I kinda gave all the tips I had.
Mel,
I’m thinking you’d have to ad the Kief with the temp about 220 before it gets sticky. Cannaoil works perfect. I’ve been able to produce 3 sold batches with all 150 candies all the same dose. I’d save the Kief to sprinkle on a joint or a bowl.
will
I live in mass and am trying it today I just don’t understand do you sub some water out for the canaoil? or just add that as well?
Robert
You don’t need to take any water out. Just add the 4 tablespoons of cannaoil. Add it at about 265 degrees as it starts to get sticky. Let it set for a minute first before adding then mix good. Works better if you use molds and spray with Pam. Overfill the molds too then put in frig for 30 min or as long as you want. I still have a full mold frozen.
Zman
Can I use tincture? that’s all I have right now. Also, I am having trouble getting even close to the 300 degrees.(electric 220 stove.)
Thanks a bunch!
Robert
You can use tinture to cook. Not sure how much you would use though. Are you using a candy thermometer? A 220 electric stove should get you to 270. You don’t want to go to 300 cause it will burn the sugar mix.
Tiphanie
Can you use rick simpson oil for these candies? We have made plenty of batches of rock candy just need a recipe for use of rick simpson oil.
daytripper23
I made candy for the first time..I used 3 grams 87% THC Oil out of Oregon. Made 160 little candies like Jolly Rogers..Nice Heady Head..I can’t figure out how many mg that would be? I think I must be going it wrong???
daytripper23
I made candy for the first time..I used 3 grams 87% THC Oil out of Oregon. Made 160 little candies like Jolly Rogers..Nice Heady Head..I can’t figure out how many mg that would be? I think I must be going it wrong???
My calculations say they are 23gm per candy..They are delish and really canna, but they don’t seem That strong to me..but, I do FECO so it takes alot for me..
daytripper23
My calculations say they are 23mg per candy..They are delish and really canna, but they don’t seem That strong to me..but, I do FECO so it takes alot for me..Sorry, not gm.
sue
I found that chocolate and butter pecan are very good but stay away from orange!
Carpal Tunnel
Also new to making candy! (also in Mass!) Have question for you: how effective can corn syrup be when making hard candy recipe? It has no fat. Everywhere I read THC needs fat. Had some wonderful chocolate (fat!) but didn’t get a buzz from the lollipops
Robert
Carpel,
If you make cannaoil/cannabutter there is you fat. You can look at my postings above to see how I modified the recipe to use cannaoil instead of Kief.
Robert
Where do you lollipops. I only see lozenges at mass dispensaries?
Gregory Andrews
daytripper23, there’s 1000 mg in a gram, so if used 3 grams, it’d be 3000 mg total. But it’s 87% thc, so you’d figure 87% of 3000, which is 2610. And you made 160 candies so you’d decide 2610 by 160 to get the mg of pure thc per candy, assuming it was mixed evenly. That would make each candy about 16.3mg of pure thc. Although, edibles are 5× more psychoactive than just smoking it, as it’s processed by your liver rather than your lungs.
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Candace Point
Can i use liquid sugar and infused coconut oil for hard candy?
Robert
Coconut oil works fine and actually has a different but really good taste. All the candy recipes I see call for granular sugar and liquid sugar. There must be a reason.
kcroberts
I have been making lollipops using cannaoil made with coconut oil for a while now.
A couple tips I suggest from someone who has made tons of mistakes and lost a lot of money in the process.
1. Do a trial run using normal butter instead of cannaoil. Humidity does affect the mix big time. You are better off screwing up some butter and sugar then the good stuff.
2. Buy yourself a digital thermometer with the dot, a lot of times the candy thermometers can be off or there is not enough product in the pot to get a good measurement. I know my thermometer was routinely 3 degrees off which is night and day in candy making.
3. In my personal opinion 250 is cutting it close with the mixture hardening I tend to drop my oil and flavoring around the 270 mark. Gives ample time to get a good mix and get the candy into the molds. People debate all the time about temp killing cannabinoids what I can say is at this temp my pops are still strong. I actually have a buddy who uses Martha Stewart’s recipe which calls to add butter in the beginning and his pops are as strong as can be.
4. The one thing I see all the time is people complaining about the oil breaking from the mix. I had this issue until I did 3 things. 1. Stayed away from making candy on rainy or humid days and when I had to do it I used a dehumidifier. 2. This is what I believe was the main key. I used a canning jar and did a double boiler so I could get my oil close to the temp of the candy mix. If you drop room temperature oil into your candy mix that is sitting around 250 degrees it is a recipe for your mix to break. 3. I upped the Lecithin in my cannaoil mix. I read this can help but I am not 100% sure what I do know is it did get my feeling good quicker.
One other note I am a big fan of sweet and sour combo get some citric acid put a little in your mix and then coat the outside of your pops with a sugar citric acid mix I find that it drowns out the planty taste of the pops.
Robert
Doing a practice batch is a great idea. I’ve also moved to warming up the oil and not adding it at room temperature. When I add it at room temp it bubbles up viciously and takes a while for bubbles to go away.
Gale
Thank you for all ideas and basic recipe instructions.
Blanche Deveroux
Hi all! So I’ve been making Cana pops and hard candy for years and in the beginning.. there was much trial and error but I’ve had flawless results for years now with this personally adjusted recipe. I have many versions depending on what the request, people live and breathe my candies medicinally and recreationally. Hope it’s as successful for as it is me.
Basic fail proof small batch, about 20 pops or 40 butterscotch’s, of Dab Candy
5.35 oz white sugar
2oz white corn syrup
3 oz water
(Mix these thoroughly in small saucepan over med-med hi heat and insert candy thermometer)
Let it do it thing keeping an eye on therm.
At 260 degrees add few drops gel food or icing color. Don’t stir.. it stirs itself. PRO TIP.. I always add a few drops of white, sounds silly and candy is pretty much pastels, but the white seems to eliminate the tack every time. It’s actually pretty amazing.
At 300 remove from heat and stir in 1-1.5 grams wax or oil ( I prefer sativa dominat strains ) and 1/2 dram of flavoring oil.. stir gently and pour into pre greased pre lollipop sticked silicone mold, quickly as it hardens fast. And boom.
Nickie
We used to make this candy in Girl Scouts – Only minus the weed. 😉 But we’d just put the mixture on greased cookie sheets, let them cool and then crack the pieces, put them in baggies with powdered sugar and shake them to coat the candy. But I can see now you’d definitely not get an even dosing from that….pieces aren’t all same size.
I was thinking maybe a sour apple flavor would take some of that taste away, and doing it like Sour Patch Kids with the citric acid in the sugar would be excellent!