Table of contents
- What is cannabis honey?
- Making cannabis honey yourself – the basic recipe
- Cannabis honey effects – what happens in the body?
- Cannabis Honey Dosage – how much is right?
- Cannabis Honey: which oil – coconut oil or MCT oil?
- Buy cannabis honey or make it yourself?
- Cannabis honey shelf life – how long does it last?
- Cannabis Honey and Other Cannabinoid Products Compared
Cannabis and honey – two of the oldest natural products in the world, combined into one of the most popular DIY creations in the cannabis kitchen. Cannabis honey is versatile, easy to make, and offers a discreet, flavorful alternative to other ways of taking it. If you've never made honey with cannabis yourself, you'll be surprised at how straightforward the basic recipe is.
In this guide, we'll walk you through how to make cannabis honey step by step, which oil is the best choice, what the effects are like – and what you should keep in mind regarding dosage and shelf life. We'll also look at which cannabinoid types are suitable for cannabis honey and how it compares to other products in our range.
Quick overview: Cannabis honey is made by combining cannabinoids (using a fat carrier like coconut oil or MCT oil) with honey. It's easy to make yourself, can be used in many ways – to eat, in tea, or as a topping – and offers a pleasant, natural way to enjoy it without smoking or vaping.
What is cannabis honey?
Cannabis honey isn't honey produced by bees from cannabis flowers – even though the term cannabis bee honey might suggest that. In practice, cannabis honey refers to a preparation where cannabinoids (from CBD flowers, CBD isolate, or other extracts) are blended into honey together with a fat-soluble carrier.
The reason for the fat carrier: cannabinoids are fat-soluble, not water-soluble. Honey alone wouldn't absorb the active compounds. Only by combining it with coconut oil, MCT oil, or butter do you get a homogeneous blend that distributes the cannabinoids evenly in the honey and makes them available to the body.
“Cannabis honey is one of the most pleasant oral ways to take it – it combines the natural antimicrobial properties of honey with the cannabinoids from the hemp plant. The key to quality is choosing the right fat carrier and gentle processing at low temperatures to ensure decarboxylation and preserve the active compounds.”
Making cannabis honey yourself – the basic recipe
The cannabis honey recipe is easier than most people think. You don't need any special equipment – just a bit of patience and the right temperature. Here's the tried-and-true basic recipe:
Ingredients (basic recipe for approx. 250 g cannabis honey)
Honey
200 g raw, liquid honey – acacia honey or wildflower honey work best, since they're mild in flavor and don't overpower the cannabis aromas.
↳ Liquid, raw, mild in flavor
BaseCoconut oil or MCT oil
2–3 tbsp coconut oil (solid at room temperature) or MCT oil (liquid). Both are excellent fat carriers for cannabinoids – MCT oil gives a more neutral consistency in the honey.
↳ Fat carrier for cannabinoids – essential
Fat carrierCBD flowers or CBD isolate
For a CBD-based cannabis honey recipe: 2–5 g CBD flowers (decarboxylated) or 0.5–1 g CBD isolate powder. CBD isolate is easier to dose and doesn't leave a plant taste.
↳ CBD isolate recommended for precise dosing
Active ingredientStep-by-step preparation
Decarboxylation (for flowers)
Heat CBD flowers in the oven at 110–120 °C for 30–40 minutes. This step activates the cannabinoids. You can skip this step if you're using CBD isolate.
↳ Only needed for raw flowers, not for isolate
Step 1Combine oil & cannabis
Melt or gently heat coconut oil or MCT oil at a low temperature (max. 60–70 °C). Stir in CBD isolate or finely ground, decarboxylated flowers and let it infuse for 20–30 minutes.
↳ Never over 80 °C – cannabinoids degrade
Step 2Strain oil (for flowers)
Strain the oil through a fine sieve or cheesecloth to remove plant material. You can skip this step with CBD isolate – the powder dissolves completely.
↳ Clean oil = clean cannabis honey
Step 3Mix honey & oil
Gently warm the honey (max. 40 °C) so it flows easily. Stir in the cannabis oil and mix well – best with an immersion blender or vigorous stirring for a smooth emulsion.
↳ Mix thoroughly for even dosing
Step 4Bottle & store
Pour the finished cannabis honey into a dark, airtight glass jar. Store in a cool, dark place – the fridge is ideal. This way, the cannabis honey shelf life is 3–6 months.
↳ Dark, cool, airtight = maximum shelf life
StorageTip: If you want a simpler recipe without flowers, just use CBD isolate as the base. The powder dissolves cleanly in warm oil, doesn't leave any plant taste, and can be dosed down to the milligram – perfect for anyone who wants to make cannabis honey without complicated prep work.
Cannabis honey effects – what happens in the body?
The cannabis honey effect depends directly on the cannabinoids used. With a CBD-based cannabis honey (from CBD flowers or CBD isolate), the effect is not psychoactive – d
Onset of Effects
CBD taken orally (via cannabis honey) has to pass through the digestive tract. Onset: 30–90 minutes after taking it – depending on your stomach and meal.
↳ Slower onset, but longer-lasting effects
All recipesDuration of Effects
The effects of orally consumed CBD last much longer than with vaporizing: 3–6 hours is typical, and even longer with higher doses.
↳ Ideal for lasting relaxation or nighttime rest
EveningsRelaxation & Balance
CBD-based cannabis honey provides balance, reduces stress, and relaxes – without any psychoactive effect. No “high,” no loss of control.
↳ Ideal for your evening routine or after a long day
CBD-basedSleep & Recovery
Many users report improved sleep quality when taking it in the evening – especially combined with a warm herbal tea and cannabis honey.
↳ 1–2 tsp in your evening tea, 30 min before bed
Evening routine“Most users’ cannabis honey experiences are positive – especially appreciating how easy it is to take: just in tea, on bread, or straight from the spoon. Compared to capsules or oil drops, many find the honey more pleasant in taste and easier to use daily. But it’s important to dose evenly – the honey should be stirred well before each use so the oil doesn’t separate.”
Cannabis Honey Dosage – how much is right?
The right cannabis honey dosage depends on the amount of cannabinoid used in the recipe and your individual sensitivity. If you make your own cannabis honey, you should calculate the CBD amount per serving in advance.
| Recipe Base | CBD per 100 g honey | CBD per tsp (approx. 7 g) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 g CBD isolate in 200 g honey | approx. 250 mg | approx. 17 mg |
| 1 g CBD isolate in 200 g honey | approx. 500 mg | approx. 35 mg |
| 2 g CBD isolate in 200 g honey | approx. 1,000 mg | approx. 70 mg |
| 5 g CBD flowers (10% CBD) in 200 g honey | approx. 250 mg (estimate) | approx. 17 mg (variable) |
Recommendation for beginners: Start with one teaspoon of cannabis honey (approx. 15–20 mg CBD) and wait at least 90 minutes for the effect before taking more. Since oral onset is much slower than vaporizing, it’s easy to take too much – patience is key here.
Cannabis Honey: which oil – coconut oil or MCT oil?
One of the most common questions when making cannabis honey yourself: Which oil for cannabis honey is better – coconut oil or MCT oil? Both work well as fat carriers, but have different properties.
| Feature | Cannabis honey with coconut oil | Cannabis honey with MCT oil |
|---|---|---|
| Consistency | Solid at cool temperatures, can become grainy in honey | Liquid, mixes more evenly |
| Taste | Slight coconut flavor | Neutral to tasteless |
| CBD bioavailability | Good | Very good (quick absorption in the body) |
| Storage | Can crystallize in the cold | Stays liquid, stable |
| Recommendation | For rustic recipes, spreads | For smooth, neutral cannabis honey |
Conclusion: For the classic cannabis honey recipe with the best consistency and neutral taste, we recommend MCT oil. If you like the natural coconut flavor and prefer more robust recipes, go for cannabis honey with coconut oil. Both versions work well – just make sure to stir thoroughly.
Buy cannabis honey or make it yourself?
If you want to buy cannabis honey, you’ll find a growing selection in stores – from CBD-enriched honey to ready-made products. Still, making it yourself has clear advantages: You know exactly what’s in it, can control the dosage, and use high-quality ingredients.
Buy ready-made product
Convenient, no effort. Look for a CoA certificate, THC content, hemp origin, and clearly stated CBD amount per serving. Many products don’t have reliable dosage info.
↳ Convenient, but quality check is important
Ready-madeMake it yourself
Full control over ingredients, dosage, and quality. Using CBD isolate as a base is easier than flowers – no straining, no plant residue, precise dosing.
↳ Recommended for anyone who wants to control quality themselves
DIYFor making it yourself, we recommend using high-quality CBD isolate as a base. Check out our detailed guide: CBD Isolate: What is it, how does it work, and what is it used for?
Cannabis honey shelf life – how long does it last?
Cannabis honey shelf life is very good if stored properly. Honey itself naturally keeps for a long time – thanks to its high sugar content and antimicrobial properties. When enriched with cannabinoids, it stays fresh with proper stor
shelf life 3–6 months with stable quality.“Cannabis honey should always be stored in a dark, cool, and airtight place—ideally in the fridge. Light and heat significantly speed up the breakdown of cannabinoids. At room temperature and with direct light, potency can noticeably decrease within just a few weeks. A dark glass jar with a screw cap is the best choice for storage.”
| Storage Condition | Shelf Life of Cannabis Honey | Quality of Cannabinoids |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge, dark, airtight | 4–6 months | Very well preserved |
| Room temperature, dark, airtight | 2–3 months | Good, slight breakdown possible |
| Room temperature, light | 4–6 weeks | Noticeable loss of active compounds |
| Heat / sunlight | 2–3 weeks | Strong degradation of cannabinoids |
Cannabis Honey and Other Cannabinoid Products Compared
Cannabis honey is just one of many ways to take in cannabinoids. If you're curious about what other options there are, you'll find a wide selection at Happy's Amsterdam:
TAC Vapes
For anyone looking for a fast onset of effects (2–5 min.), our TAC Vapes are the top choice. No cooking, no waiting—just vaporize.
↳ Fastest onset, precise dosing
VapesCBD Isolate Oil
If you want to use cannabis honey as a recipe base, you'll need high-quality CBD isolate. Check out our guide: CBD Isolate: What is it and how does it work?
↳ Ideal base for DIY cannabis honey
Base ProductHHZ Vapes
The new cannabinoid of 2026: clearer, more focused, legal. For anyone who wants to look beyond CBD—our HHZ Guide explains everything.
↳ Psychoactive, legal, clearer than HHC
VapesOur tip: Cannabis honey is perfect as a relaxing evening ritual—combine it with a warm herbal tea and one of our TAC Vapes for a quick start. Check out the full range: all products from Happy's Amsterdam.
