“I can’t believe it’s pot butter!”

That’s what you’ll say after trying this recipe, brought to you by the kind and extremely knowledgeable people at Elementary Wellness Centerthe medical marijuana joint in San Jose, which has been named the best dispensary in Silicon Valley by readers of Metro — the weekly newspaper that serves the area — every year since 2011.

Side note: In addition to offering experience and a plethora of pot-related products at 985 Timothy Drive in San Jose, Elemental recently became the first collective in the city to gain approval for a medical marijuana delivery service.

Cannabis butter is a staple – an essential ingredient for cooking with cannabis. And as it turns out, it’s not hard to do. You’ll use things you may already have around the house – these include butter, scissors, cheesecloth and high-quality herbs.

But before you put this stuff on your bread, popcorn, and the like, a word of caution: Use cup butter in small amounts and let time pass before taking an extra serving. Cannabis can affect everyone differently, so it’s important to be gradual (especially if it’s your first time using edibles) – although the biggest threat to your body may be the calorie count.

Finally, of course, don’t use heavy machinery after consumption.

This is it not Land O Lakes, after all.

Cannabis butter

Makes 1/4 cup

2 cups water, plus more as needed

2 grams of cannabis flowers (20% THC)

1 stick of unsalted organic butter

1. To clarify the butter, melt it over medium heat until a frothy white layer forms and hear a crack. Using a spoon, remove the foamy top layer. The butter should be clear yellow at this time.
2. Meanwhile, cut the cannabis flowers using scissors in a paper cup (can use herb chopper or pestle and mortar). Remove any remaining stems.
3. Reduce heat to low. Place ground cannabis in clarified butter. Infuse over low heat for 2 to 4 hours.
4. Strain the butter mixture through 4 to 5 cheesecloths into a small bowl. Squeeze cheese to remove all the butter. Refrigerate the butter for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until firm.

Store canape butter for up to three months or freeze for up to a year.

Warning: Consume very small amounts of cup butter over time. Use and consume in edibles recipes as directed. To spread canapé butter on toast, pancakes, mashed potatoes and more, use no more than 1 teaspoon every 2 hours.

— Recipe courtesy of Chris Johnson, Elemental Wellness Center, San Jose