How to Make a Raw Cannabis Smoothie

We live in an era of convenience and fast food. Perhaps it is no surprise that the practice of eating fresh fruit and vegetables has taken a hit. According to the CDC, approximately 90% of American adults don’t meet federal fruit and vegetable consumption recommendations.

Seven of the top 10 leading causes of death in America stem from ‘chronic diseases.’ Unsurprisingly, those who eat a diet rich in fruit and vegetables can reduce their risk of succumbing to one of these illnesses. A primary barrier to a healthier fruit and vegetable intake level is a perceived lack of time.

However, eating healthy doesn’t have to take a lot of time and effort! In this guide, we provide you with delicious raw cannabis smoothies recipes you will love.

What Is Raw Cannabis?

Proponents of marijuana suggest it has an array of medicinal benefits. Much of the research into the plant focuses on the cannabinoids and terpenes it contains. However, raw cannabis is not decarboxylated.

As a result, cannabinoids such as THC and CBD are not activated. When you heat marijuana (the decarbing process), you turn the THCA and CBDA in the raw plant into THC and CBD. Therefore, raw marijuana doesn’t provide the intoxicating high that so many users enjoy.

To clarify, it is only ‘raw’ cannabis when the leaves and buds remain fresh and aren’t tampered with. The plant matter must not be smoked, vaped, steamed, or cooked. Also, it should not be allowed to become too dry as this process degrades the cannabinoids and terpenes.

Why Would I Want to Use Raw Cannabis if I Don’t Get High?

There is a growing body of research into THCA and CBDA, and it makes for exciting reading. The suggestion is that CBDA has anti-inflammatory properties like CBD. As for THCA, it potentially can protect us against neurodegenerative diseases, reduce pain, and help people sleep better.

Arguably the most fascinating property of THCA is its potential to help patients with epilepsy. CBD has garnered lots of publicity for its apparent ability to reduce seizures. However, there is research that suggests THCA can do the same thing.

An Australian study by Suraev et al., published in Scientific Reports in July 2018, looked at the use of cannabis extracts for childhood epilepsy. A significant 75% of carers who used MMJ to help kids with epilepsy said the extracts were ‘effective.’ Research determined that THC and THCA were present in most of the extracts studied. Incidentally, the quantity wasn’t enough to induce an intoxicating high.

Growing interest in both THCA and CBDA has led to many people consuming cannabis in its raw form.

More than half of the extracts led to a seizure reduction of between 75% and 100%. Furthermore, 65% of the extracts resulted in other positive effects, such as improved language skills and better cognition.

A Spanish study on mice, published in the British Journal of Pharmacology in 2017, also made an exciting discovery. The researchers found that THCA showed potent neuroprotective activity. They suggested it was worth considering as a possible treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington’s. Indeed, THCA’s impact on the brains of the mice was greater than THC.

What Are the Other Benefits of Raw Cannabis?

If you smoke marijuana, the combustion of the plant matter burns away a lot of potentially useful cannabinoids and terpenes. The terpenes you find in cannabis don’t just help improve the flavor and aroma. They may also have medicinal benefits such as antifungal and antibacterial properties. When you eat raw cannabis, you keep these compounds in their natural state.

If that isn’t enough, check out this list of amazing things you can find in a raw cannabis smoothie:

• Folates: Vital for DNA repair throughout the body.
• Iron: Much like other dark leafy greens, cannabis in its raw state is full of iron, which helps move oxygen through the blood.
• Calcium: Great for strong bones.
• Vitamin C: Aids healthy immune function.
• Vitamin K: Helps with blood clotting and calcium absorption.
• Flavonoids: Provide potential health benefits such as cleaning arteries and supporting the heart.

Ultimately, cannabis is as healthy as any fruit or vegetable you’ll find at your local supermarket.

So, Which Is Better, Raw Cannabis, or “Heated” Cannabis?

Whether you choose to go raw or prefer the more traditional approach to consuming marijuana, there is no right or wrong answer. You can find many things in raw cannabis that you won’t find in its decarboxylated counterpart and vice versa.

If you are on the hunt for a healthy and “high-free” method of consumption, going raw has many potential upsides. Not only will you create something delicious, but you also get some of your essential nutrients and vitamins!

Now, it’s time to provide you with four awesome recipes, but only after offering some handy tips on creating a raw marijuana smoothie.

How to Make a Raw Cannabis Smoothie

Creating a raw cannabis smoothie is much easier than you think. Once you have the necessary ingredients, the process is straightforward and quick. Now you have no excuse not to get your daily dose of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Here are a few top tips to get you started:

• Please blend the mixture rather than juicing it. The latter process loses a lot of the cannabinoids that are commonly stored in the plant’s fiber.
• Fresh is best. When making a ‘regular smoothie,’ wouldn’t you pick the freshest ingredients if you could? Therefore, it makes sense to use the freshest cannabis leaf for your raw cannabis smoothie. If you’re using dried and decarboxylated bud, the non-intoxicating THCA has probably degraded into THC!
• Adding a second vegetable juice will cut the bitterness of the raw cannabis for an extra-tasty smoothie!
• In terms of ingredients, we recommend always going organic.
• Always wash all produce before making your smoothie.

4 Raw Cannabis Smoothie Recipes That You Have to Try

There are plenty of recipes available for the perfect raw cannabis smoothie. However, we have four that we think you will love. There is something for health-conscious readers and those hoping to drink something tasty. We have also included an ancient recipe that is still incredibly popular today.

1 – Simply Green

The Simply Green raw cannabis smoothie is packed full of amazing, fresh ingredients. It provides you with a nutrient-dense and delicious smoothie you will love! Here’s how to throw it together.

Ingredients

• 5 handfuls of spinach
• ½ cucumber
• 3 kale leaves
• 1 Fuji apple
• 7 large cannabis fan leaves
• ½ lemon

Put these ingredients into your blender and blitz them together to create your delicious and healthy smoothie!

As you can see, this recipe calls for marijuana fan leaves. They are full of vitamins and minerals but contain minimal THCA and CBDA. If you want more of these cannabinoids, replace the leaves with raw cannabis buds.

2 – Banana Dream

If you have a sweet tooth but want to watch what you’re eating, then you will love this smoothie recipe. It’s a lovely mixture that combines a host of great and natural ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 large banana, peeled & sliced
• 2 ½ cups of almond milk
• 4 tablespoons cocoa
• ½ cup peanut butter
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cannabis

Make sure you use a low setting at the start. Then you can switch to a higher setting to deliver a smooth and delicious smoothie. Believe us, the banana adds an extra “tropical” element that sets this recipe apart from all the others.

3 – Cannabis Strawberry Banana Smoothie

If you want to add even more fruit, this is the recipe for you! The addition of strawberries, coconut, and banana to the raw cannabis ensures you healthily begin your day.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons of raw cannabis
• 1 frozen banana
• ½ cup frozen strawberries
• 3 tablespoons of shredded coconut
• ½ cup thin vanilla yogurt
• ¼ cup coconut or dairy milk
• A few ice cubes

Melt the cannabutter in a small saucepan on very low heat. Once the butter is liquid, set it aside. Place everything barring the ice cubes into a blender and pour the melted cannabutter on top. Blend the mixture until it is smooth, add the ice cubes, and blend again until you’re happy with the consistency.

4 – Bhang

In case you weren’t aware, bhang is an edible cannabis drink that retains enormous popularity in rural India, its place of origin. It is a drink with many variations, and as you’ll see, it requires a little more preparation than the other recipes. However, it is absolutely worth it!

Ingredients

• Up to ½ ounce of raw cannabis
• 3 cups of warm milk
• 2 cups of water
• ½ cup sugar or honey
• ½ tsp ground cardamom
• ½ tsp ground anise
• ½ tsp rosewater
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp ground fennel
• ¼ tsp garam masala
• Pistachios, mint leaves, rose petals, or chopped almonds to garnish

How to Make Bhang

1. Heat the water until it boils, remove from heat, and add the raw cannabis. Steep the marijuana for around seven minutes.
2. Strain the plant matter using a cheesecloth or muslin. Squeeze the plant material until you remove all the liquid. Collect the water and leave it aside for now.
3. Grind the plant matter using a mortar and pestle along with two teaspoons of milk. Slowly add more milk and keep squeezing the flowers until you have used around half a cup of the milk. Set aside this liquid.
4. Add any garnishes you have and grind them with more milk.  Keep grinding until you form a fine paste. Collect this extract and remove any remaining fibers or residue.
5. Combine the liquids with the rest of the ingredients. Mix everything thoroughly, and leave to chill.

If you want to make bhang lassi, add a tablespoon of coconut milk and ½ a teaspoon of grenadine. An authentic lassi also includes curds, whey, or yogurt.

Final Thoughts on Raw Cannabis Smoothies

The argument for raw cannabis smoothies is undoubtedly a compelling one. We all know the health benefits of vegetables and raw fruit. We are also aware that fruit & vegetable smoothies have been on the market for years. Therefore, it makes sense that cannabis should join the party. After all, it has many potential benefits and is a leafy green!

We hope you enjoy the recipes we’ve provided above. Please let us know if you have any other great raw cannabis smoothie ideas in the comments section. Additionally, if cannabis drinks aren’t your forte, why not try our classic brownie recipe below.