Marijuana tea (also known as "weed tea" or "pot tea") is an infusion of cannabis--usually the leaves of the plant, in hot water. This method of ingesting cannabis yields low psychoactive effects, as tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive agent in cannabis, is not a water-soluble compound. Dissolving the active ingredient THC in lipids i.e. fats (for example, butter) or alcohol (as in Green Dragon) is more effective for psychoactive purposes. While water based tea is generally not very efficient, using milk, which has a higher fat content, proves to be more effective. This technique has been used for thousands of years in India, and is referred to as bhang, which is tea mixed with cannabis. Because of its smokeless form of ingestion, it is preferred by some as a method of using the plant for medicinal purposes. A notable example of this is the cricketer Viv Richards, one of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Century, who describes the use of it to control his eye problems.

Recipe

---

Since THC is fat-soluble, the green leaf water infusion does not induce a high, in contrast to its smoked form. There are reports of the effects of the drug being conducive to improving eyesight, though this has not been medically proven. To experience the cannabis tea's mild to potent psychoactivity, take a few grams of the cannabis buds and boil them in a small quantity of milk. Even low fat milk contains enough lipids to activate THC for absorption by the body. Using about 50 ml of low fat milk and 100-150 ml of water, add cannabis as desired. In most cases, this is approximately equal to the quantity used in a joint, i.e. 0.5 g to 1 g; excessive amounts may be undesirable to some users. Boil for between 10 and 15 minutes until the milk becomes an off-tint, brown, khaki colour. In many cases, the taste can be sharp and abrasive. Additionally, the flavinoids will cause a burning sensation in the throat and on the tongue.

This recipe makes enough cannabis tea for the equivalent of one shot, which may be consumed in one or two sessions.

• ^* Video clip of creating Pot Tea & Green Dragon.

References

---

• Excerpt from Viv Richards' autobiography in which he describes using an infusion of marijuana leaves to control his eye problems.

Cannabis