Last reviewed October 18, 2026
To make THC tea, steep decarbed cannabis in hot water with a source of fat, such as milk, butter or coconut oil, for 15 to 30 minutes, then strain. THC dissolves in fat, not water, so plain cannabis in hot water makes a weak tea. The easiest route is stirring a measured tincture or cannabutter into a regular cup of tea.
Before you start: cannabis tea is an edible. It can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to begin and up to 4 hours to peak, according to Health Canada. Start with 2.5 mg of THC or less.
Three ways to make it
| Method | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Tincture or syrup | Stir a measured amount into any tea | Accurate doses, no prep |
| Cannabutter or cannabis oil | Melt a measured amount into hot tea and stir | A rich, creamy cup |
| From flower | Steep decarbed flower in water with milk or fat, then strain | Making it from scratch |
From flower, step by step
- Decarb a small amount of flower (see How to decarb weed).
- Heat 1 cup of water with a tablespoon of butter or coconut oil, or use half water, half milk.
- Add the flower and a tea bag if you like, and keep it just below a simmer for 15 to 30 minutes, stirring now and then.
- Strain through a fine strainer or cheesecloth.
- Add honey or sugar to taste, stir well, and drink slowly.
Dosing tea made from flower is guesswork, which is why a measured tincture or cannabutter is the more predictable choice.
Tips
- Stir right before drinking, as the fat and cannabinoids can rise to the top.
- Chai, black tea and peppermint hide the cannabis flavour well.
- Don’t add alcohol.
Common questions
Does cannabis tea work without fat?
Poorly. THC barely dissolves in water, so most of it stays in the plant material.
How long does THC tea take to kick in?
Like an edible: 30 minutes to 2 hours, with full effects at up to 4 hours.
Do I have to decarb for tea?
Yes, if you use flower. A short steep isn’t enough to convert THCA to THC.
Can I use a tea bag with weed in it?
Store-bought “hemp tea” usually contains little or no THC.
Source: Health Canada, Cannabis: lower your risks.
