What is THC syrup?

THC syrup, sometimes called “THC lean,” is a type of cannabis edible that looks similar to cough syrup. It usually contains a high concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which can create powerful intoxicating effects.

THC syrup may be useful for those seeking cannabis’s health benefits. Read on to learn about its potential benefits, risks, and how to make it at home.

What is THC syrup, aka “THC lean”?

THC syrup is an edible syrup that usually consists of vegetable glycerin, sweetener, and cannabis extract. Sometimes, it also contains flavoring ingredients.

THC syrup is sometimes called THC lean, which is a reference to a dangerous recreational beverage made of prescription-strength codeine cough syrup, soda, and sometimes alcohol.

Despite this reference, THC syrup is not considered dangerous when consumed responsibly and in moderation.

Benefits

THC syrup contains cannabis extract, which is high in the plant’s cannabinoids and terpenes. These compounds may help with certain health conditions, including:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Inflammation
• Pain

The high THC levels in THC syrup may be helpful for individuals seeking particularly strong medicinal effects.

Some people report that THC syrup is stronger and faster-acting than solid edibles, such as gummies. This may be because liquids are digested and absorbed into your body more quickly than solid foods.

According to anecdotal reports, THC syrup can take effect in as little as 30 minutes, while solid edibles can take 1 hour or more.

Risks and side effects

Like with all cannabis products, consuming THC syrup can put you at risk of some side effects, including:

• Dry mouth
• Dry eyes
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Headache
• Anxiety
• Paranoia

Because THC syrup’s effects can be particularly strong, the risk of these side effects may be higher.

Cannabis interacts with several medications. If you’re taking any medications, speak with your doctor before using THC syrup.

THC syrup can contain a high amount of sweetener. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor if it’s safe to consume THC syrup on a regular basis.

How to make THC syrup

Some dispensaries carry THC syrup. But making it at home offers some advantages, including control over its:

• Potency
• Flavor
• Amount of sweetener

Making it at home may also be less expensive than buying it from a dispensary.

What you’ll need

• Baking tray
• Parchment paper
• Small saucepan
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Mesh strainer or cheesecloth
• Empty jar or bottle

Ingredients

• 2 grams cannabis flower
• 2 cup water
• 2 cup sugar
• Flavoring ingredients to taste, like fruit juice or fruit extract (optional)
• 4 tbsp vegetable glycerin

Instructions

Before making the syrup, you’ll need to decarboxylate your cannabis flower. This is a process of heating the cannabis to convert raw cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) into active cannabinoids like THC.

Follow these steps to decarboxylate your cannabis flower:

1. Preheat your oven to 240°F to 248°F (115°C to 120°C). Break up the cannabis flower buds into smaller pieces.
2. Layer the cannabis flower bud pieces evenly onto a rimmed baking tray lined with parchment paper.
3. Place the baking tray into the center of your oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Stir every 10 minutes.
4. Remove the tray and allow the buds to cool. They should be yellow or light brown in color rather than bright green.

Next, follow these steps to make THC syrup:

1. Combine the water and sugar in a saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring regularly, until the sugar has dissolved.
2. Add the decarboxylated cannabis flower and simmer on low for 30 minutes. If you’re using any flavoring ingredients, add them to the saucepan.
3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vegetable glycerin, one tablespoon at a time.
4. Allow the syrup to cool for 10 minutes before straining it into your jar or bottle. Be sure to use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to separate out all of the bits of cannabis flower from your syrup.  This will prevent mold growth and improve the taste of your final product.

The shelf life of THC syrup depends on whether or not you used flavoring ingredients. If you’ve used fresh fruit juice as a flavoring ingredient, the syrup should be stored in the refrigerator, where it can stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. If you’ve used a flavoring extract, it can last longer.

If you haven’t used any flavoring agents, you can store your syrup in a dark, dry, and cool place, rather than a refrigerator, for up to 6 months.

How to use and dose THC syrup

There are several ways to use THC syrup. Choose a method according to your personal preferences and needs:

• Consume a spoonful: Some people prefer to take a spoonful of THC syrup by itself.
• Add it to a beverage: THC syrup blends well with fruit juices, smoothies, and other types of beverages.
• Place it under the tongue: You can also use THC syrup as a tincture. To do this, place a small amount of syrup under your tongue and hold it there for 60 seconds before swallowing.

When choosing a dose amount, consider your tolerance to the effects of THC as well as your personal goals and needs.

To determine the amount of THC in your syrup, first note that the final product typically retains about 60% of the flower’s THC content due to the heating process.

Leafwell’s recipe calls for 2 grams (g) of cannabis flower, or 2,000 milligrams (mg). Check the cannabis flower’s product label to identify the percentage of THC in the product.

Assuming a fairly common THC level of 20%,  you can multiply the total number of milligrams of cannabis flower (2,000 mg) by the percentage of THC (20% or .20). This would mean the original 2 g of cannabis contained 400 mg of THC.

To find the amount of THC in the full syrup recipe, you would multiply that amount by 60%. Using the same example, this would mean 240 mg THC per batch of syrup.

When deciding on how much THC syrup to take, it’s important to start low and go slow. This means taking a low dose — around 5 to 10 mg — and slowly increasing it until you achieve the desired results.

The bottom line: THC syrup is a potent product that’s easy to make at home

THC syrup can produce stronger effects than other types of edibles. This may be helpful if you have a high THC tolerance or prefer higher doses to help manage a health condition.

While some dispensaries sell THC syrup, it’s relatively easy to make at home, giving you more control over the final product’s potency and flavor.

For personalized guidance on dosing THC syrup, schedule an appointment with a Leafwell pharmacist to discuss your cannabis-related needs and goals.

Resources

• A review on the food digestion in the digestive tract and the used in vitro models. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8134715/

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