August 8, 2016

How to Decarboxylate Cannabis

August 8, 2016
decarboxylate cannabis

Cooking with cannabis has certainly evolved since the old school days of dumping schwag weed directly into a brownie mix to bake in Mom’s kitchen. Regardless of your preferred consumption method, you want to get the most out of your weed. Learn here how to decarboxylate weed to maximize your THC.  

How do you Decarboxylate Flower?

To decarb bud you will need: dry marijuana, oven, timer, baking sheet, and parchment paper. After gathering these materials, follow these easy steps:

  • Grind the cannabis using a standard grinder, but avoid breaking it down into a fine powder
  • Line the baking sheet with parchment paper
  • Lay the ground cannabis evenly on cooking sheet
  • Preheat the oven to 225°F
  • Put the cannabis in the oven in the middle of the rack for 40-60 minutes
  • Remove the cannabis. It should be a darker green/light brown color

It is important to note that decarboxylation is not limited to buds, you can also (decarb trim and stems) despite their low levels of THC. 

Is Decarboxylation Necessary for Edibles?

Yes, decarboxylation is necessary for edibles. If you were to eat raw marijuana plant material without decarboxylation, you would only be left with a vague, vegetative aftertaste. Edibles become fully effective after THC-A is converted to THC through the decarb process in the infused cannabis. Unfortunately, you won’t get high from masticating marijuana, despite the multitude of stoner pop culture references claiming otherwise. 

You can also create cannabis butter or oil using weed decarboxylation. The most efficient method to cook with cannabis is to decarb it before making butter / oil, then use the butter for cooking. Utilizing cannabis butter instead of dropping decarb weed directly into your recipe will prevent tiny pieces of plant material from tainting your perfect dish. 

What Does Decarb Mean?

Weed decarboxylation is the chemical process that converts THC-A into THC. Both THC-A and THC are cannabinoids found in marijuana, but only THC is psychoactive, which means it creates the feeling of being high. However, the consumer won’t feel high unless the THC is activated by applying heat- this is why smoking pot is more of a conventional consumption method than edibles, topicals, and tinctures.  

Why is Decarboxylation Important?

Decarboxylation is important because it maximizes the THC in your favorite cannabis strain. If you want to feel the total intoxicating effects of your edibles, you must decarb weed. Fortunately with the increase of legal medical and recreational cannabis markets, the latest information and resources regarding weed decarboxylation are available through online publications, such as The Weed Blog. Step out of Mom’s kitchen and into 21st century cannabis consumption. 

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