The internet is abuzz with intriguing (and often misleading) information about "cannabis honey" or "marijuana honey."
Images of honeycombs infused with green hues and claims of psychoactive effects fuel the fantasy, like the AI generated pictures in this article.
While the idea of bees producing honey laced with THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana, is captivating, it's firmly rooted in misconception. The reality is that bees cannot produce cannabis / marijuana honey, and the reasons are grounded in both bee biology and the fundamental differences between pollen and resin.
Let's look at the science and debunk the myths surrounding this popular misconception.
Bees Collect Pollen, Not Resin
Bees are meticulous foragers, primarily focusing on collecting two essential substances: nectar and pollen.
Nectar, a sugary liquid produced by flowers, is the raw material for honey. Pollen, the powdery substance produced by the male parts of flowers, is the main protein source for the bee colony.
Cannabis plants, unlike many flowering plants, are primarily wind-pollinated. They produce massive amounts of pollen, but they don't produce nectar in the same way that flowering plants do.
Instead of using sweet nectar to attract pollinators, cannabis relies on the wind to carry its pollen. While bees may occasionally collect cannabis pollen—we even observed this firsthand in our own backyard during an experiment we conducted in 2024—it’s not a primary or preferred food source. Unlike nectar-producing flowers, cannabis doesn’t naturally draw bees in.
Crucially, cannabis plants produce resin, not nectar. This resin contains the cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, that are responsible for marijuana's psychoactive effects.
Bees have no biological mechanism to collect resin. Their bodies are adapted for gathering pollen and nectar, not sticky, viscous substances like resin. Even if they did attempt to collect it, the resin would likely gum up their legs and wings, hindering their ability to fly and forage effectively.
I Will Need to Mention Propolis Here
In addition, bees do not use cannabis resin for propolis either. While they do collect resins from various trees and plants, cannabis resin is not a typical source.
Propolis is usually made from the resins of trees like poplars, pines, and willows—plants that produce the sticky, antimicrobial substances bees need to seal their hives.
Cannabis resin, on the other hand, is much thicker and more viscous, which would likely make it difficult for bees to work with. Plus, there’s no evidence that they actively seek it out.
THC Doesn't Transfer to Honey
Even if bees were somehow able to collect cannabis resin, the process of honey production would prevent THC from making its way into the final product.
Honey production is a complex process involving multiple steps within the beehive. Bees collect nectar and store it in their honey stomachs. Back in the hive, they regurgitate the nectar and pass it along to other worker bees. These bees add enzymes to the nectar, which break down complex sugars into simpler ones.
This process also reduces the water content of the nectar, eventually transforming it into honey.
THC is not water-soluble; it's fat-soluble. This means it wouldn't dissolve in the nectar that bees collect. Even if small amounts of resin were accidentally brought into the hive, the enzymes involved in honey production wouldn't process or incorporate the THC into the honey. The chemical properties of THC simply aren't compatible with the honey-making process.
Bees Aren't Affected by Cannabinoids
The idea that bees could become "high" from cannabis pollen or resin is also a misconception. Bees possess a different nervous system than mammals and don't have the same cannabinoid receptors that interact with THC.
These receptors are what allow humans (and other mammals) to experience the psychoactive effects of marijuana. Bees lack these receptors, meaning they wouldn't be affected by cannabinoids even if they were exposed to them.
"Cannabis Honey" is a Human Creation
The "cannabis honey" products you might encounter are not made by bees. They are created by people through various methods. One common approach involves infusing honey with cannabis extracts or oils. This is done after the honey has been produced by bees, and it's a completely separate process.
Another method involves feeding bees sugar syrup infused with cannabis extracts, though this is controversial and potentially harmful to the bees. In either case, the bees themselves are not producing honey with THC. People are manipulating the final product.
The Importance of Accurate Information
The misconception surrounding marijuana honey highlights the importance of separating scientific fact from online fiction.
While the idea is intriguing, it's important to understand the biological limitations of bees and the chemical processes involved in honey production. Spreading misinformation about such topics can lead to confusion and misinterpretations about bees and the honey making process.
Let's Sum it Up
Bees cannot make marijuana honey. They are specialized for collecting nectar and pollen, not resin.
THC is not water-soluble and wouldn't transfer to honey even if bees collected cannabis resin. Furthermore, bees lack the cannabinoid receptors that would allow them to be affected by THC.
"Cannabis honey" is a human creation, achieved through infusing existing honey with cannabis extracts or oils. Understanding the science behind bee behavior and honey production is the truthful way to debunking these myths and tall tales about cannabis honey.
Next time you see ‘cannabis honey’ being hyped up, you’ll know the buzz is just a myth.
Betsy and Pete
Las Vegas, Nevada
About Us: The Authors
We're Betsy and Pete, passionate Las Vegas beekeepers trained by a master in the field. With hundreds of successful bee and bee swarm removals under our belts, we're not just experts; we're enthusiasts committed to the well-being of these incredible pollinators.
We manage dozens of beehives, both natural and honey-bearing at our Joshua Tree Preserve.
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