What Is Decarboxylation? How To Decarboxylate Cannabis?

Despite the medicinal benefits and increasing popularity, the public still has to understand and learn about cannabis.

This may include the

• Consumption dosage
• Consumption method

Which Method is Beneficial?

And most importantly, while thinking of cannabis consumption, why does it need to be decarboxylated or heated.

And many more!

Just like while making canna flour, we decarboxylated the cannabis; why it was required to be done?

But before that, let us get acquainted with the meanings and everything you need to know about it.

What is Decarboxylation?

The decarboxylation or Decarbing process is the heating process, making the weed potent for infusion.

This infusion can be done to anything like some food, oil, beverage, or so on.

Why Decarboxylate?

Decarbing is an essential step if you try to make potent cannabis edibles.

Once you decarboxylate the cannabis, you can easily try some fantastic marijuana recipes to enjoy the medicine in fruitful and delicious ways.

When is the Weed Decarbed?

Before cooking, infusing, or grinding the cannabis plant.

How does the Decarbing Process Work?

Decarbing works by heating the raw weed plant.
Decarbing process is carried out by heating the raw weed plant.

During this heating process, there happens a chemical reaction to the temperature at which the cannabis plant liberates a carboxyl group and becomes psychoactive.

Whenever you apply heat to the cannabis plant, it converts the THC-A component to THC; where
• THC-A is Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid that is referred to as an active component in raw marijuana.
• THC is the Tetrahydrocannabinol, leading to an elevated effect and making you feel high.

Well, now let us understand the logic for decarbing the cannabis plant!

What is the Science Behind Decarboxylating Cannabis?

Let us consider,

If you consume a bag filled with raw marijuana, the effects it produces will be minimal.

And Decarboxylation helps here!

It converts the primary phytocannabinoids in marijuana, namely CBD and THC, into active molecular forms, which can influence the body’s neurotransmitters.

Instead, it can be said that without the decarbing process, cannabis would acquire only a few of its medicinal and recreational properties.

Decarbing: A required Chemical Reaction

Whenever the cannabis is heated, it facilitates activating the compounds included within it.

For instance:

If you want to make cannabis edibles, the flower must be decarboxylated first.

However, if you fail to decarb the cannabis, you are just doing a little more than adding the raw plant’s matter.

Because raw cannabis is nutritious but does little in producing the therapeutic effects.

So, this clarifies the essentiality of decarbing cannabis.

But the information doesn’t end here.

Let us get to know more about it by understanding the difference.

Decarboxylated Cannabis Vs. Raw Cannabis

Raw marijuana is a plant matter which has not been cured, processed, or dried.
Decarboxylation refers to cured cannabis. Only a small amount of decarbing occurs during this curing process, while the rest occurs when the cannabis plant material is combusted or heated to a temperature above 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, cannabis still offers ample beneficial uses in its uncured and raw form.

Before processing the raw cannabis, CBD and THC, the two primary and most active compounds exist as an acid, namely CBD-A and THC-A. These acids acquire anti-inflammatory effects, which are similar to the minerals and vitamins found in other plant-based foods.

How To Decarb Cannabis?

Since you have learned the fact behind the decarbing process and how much it is essential to decarb the cannabis, the essential part that counts here is how to do that?

What steps are required to be followed in the entire decarbing process?

Let us dig into the step-by-step guide.

• Preheat the oven to 220 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Break your weed into smaller buds.
• It is essential to note that do not grind the cannabis; only break it into smaller chunks.
• Spread these chunks on a baking sheet
• Ensure to have no overlapped bud pieces
• Bake it roughly at 220 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 to 30 minutes.
• Ensure not to open the oven too often.
• After 20 minutes, check the cannabis colour
• The bud’s colour must be changed from green to medium or light brown and must be dry.
• If it is not of the required consistency, put it back in the oven for an additional 5 minutes.
• Once done, remove the weed from the baking sheet on something else
• Allow it to cool
• Use it once done, and remember, the cooked and dry cannabis bud can be very crumbly, so be cautious of all the mess.

Time to Use the Decarbed Cannabis!

Now is the time to use your decarbed cannabis.

Since your cannabis is now at a higher potency level, it can be easily used for the traditional consumption methods like edibles, oil, tinctures, butter, edibles, and many more.

Once your medicine is cooled down, you can grind it or store it in an airtight container.

Can I Eat Decarbed Weed?

Well, Yes!

You can eat raw decarboxylated weed. However, it is essential to be noted that you must infuse the decarbed cannabis with infused cannabutter, oil, or anything else.

This is because oils and butter dissolve the THC resulting in a more effective high than expected.

Bottom Line

Decarbing cannabis is the initial step of cannabis consumption that needs to be done right!
However, weed decarb requires essential measures that are already mentioned above to be taken care of.

Decarb it, use it in your drinks, smoothies, or other edibles, and consume your medicine the way you want to!