The term “decarbing” refers to the chemical process of decarboxylation, which is brought on by heating raw cannabis. The cannabis plant’s medicinal cannabinoids, specifically THC and CBD, must be activated. Because it is a chemical process that extracts carbon dioxide (CO2) from cannabinoid carbon chains, it is also known as “decarbing” or “decarboxylation.”
Cannabis has been shown by researchers to have a number of therapeutic advantages that may be used to treat a variety of illnesses. Obtaining a medical cannabis recommendation is essential if you want to use marijuana to treat any health conditions. It only takes a recommendation to legalize marijuana use, possession, and sales in your state.
You are decarbing weed each time you light up a joint or puff on a bowl. However, the procedure varies slightly when creating homemade tinctures, topicals, or edibles. There’s a little more to decarbing cannabis for these uses than just using a lighter and bong.
What Is Decarboxylation?
Heating your marijuana to activate key cannabinoids like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), which are found in other forms in raw cannabis, is known as decarboxylation.
Many medicinal benefits of CBD are reported to exist, including pain and anxiety relief. Together with its intoxicating properties, THC is a major component of what makes cannabis a “pharmacy in a plant,” possibly assisting in the treatment of cancer and other grave illnesses. Because THC may also increase the effectiveness of other cannabinoids, even trace amounts of THC can, through the “entourage effect,” increase the therapeutic value of CBD.
The acid forms of CBD and THC before decarboxylation are cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA).
A decarboxylation reaction takes place when cannabis is heated to different temperatures, resulting in the acidic cannabinoids CBDA and THCA losing their carboxyl groups and becoming neutral CBD and THC.
However, decarboxylating cannabis is not limited to heating the plant. When cannabis is improperly stored, it will eventually naturally decarb, which will activate the cannabinoids before you’re ready to consume the weed and reduce its potency. This is why it’s so important to keep your cannabis stored in an airtight container at the proper temperature and light level.
Why is Decarboxylation Essential?
To put it simply, decarboxylate cannabis in order to benefit from its potential. Cannabis that hasn’t been decarboxylated lacks the same medicinal qualities as decarbed cannabis and can’t get you high.
Making cannabis edibles, tinctures, and homemade topicals requires decarbing the plant. When cannabis is decarboxylated, the cannabinoids in edibles and topicals are more easily absorbed by your body and digestive system.
The heating process of decarbing cannabis also lowers the bacterial content, which is another advantage. Cannabis that has been heated, cured, and dried has less moisture, which prevents the growth of bacteria and other impurities.
Ways to Decarb Cannabis
Cannabis can be decarboxylated in a variety of ways, some of which we do not advise. The mason jar method, for instance, works well for decarbing cannabis but can be risky because it involves heating glass over an open flame. Here are a few safer yet just as efficient methods for cannabis decarbing in your kitchen.
- Stovetop
When making a straightforward recipe, such as cannabis tea, the boiling stovetop method works well. After adding decarboxylated cannabis to an empty tea bag, seal it. On the stovetop, place the tea bag in a pot of simmering water, preferably at a high heat of about 210 degrees F. The result will be a strong cup of cannabis tea with a hint of bitterness. To make your marijuana tea taste better, add some honey and fresh lemon juice.
- Double-Boiler or Sous Vide
Unlike other decarboxylation methods, the sous-vide method is discrete and won’t produce the same strong marijuana odors. Pour water into a pot, cover it with a vacuum-sealed bag, and place it on the stovetop. After placing your sous vide precision cooker inside the water pot, set the temperature to approximately 230 degrees Fahrenheit. Decarb your cannabis at the same temperature for approximately 90 minutes.
- Crockpot
Crockpot or slow cooker recipes allow you to make staple edibles like hemp oil. You will also need dried cannabis plant material and a carrier oil, such as coconut or olive, in addition to a slow cooker. After one hour of slow cooking on high, reduce the heat to low and continue cooking for three more hours.
- Oven
Probably the most common method for decarbing cannabis at home is the oven method. A few common ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen and about 40 minutes of heating time are all that are needed for this method.
How to Decarb Cannabis Using the Oven Method
One of the most popular and simplest methods for decarboxylating cannabis at home is the oven method. Before you use the oven to decarb cannabis, gather these kitchen tools:
- Baking tray
- Parchment paper
- Spice or coffee grinder
- Raw cannabis flower
After gathering these necessary items, decarb your cannabis by following these simple instructions:
Step 1: Set the oven temperature to 240 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2: Use parchment paper to line the baking tray.
Step 3: Grind the cannabis into small pieces on the parchment paper using a coffee or spice grinder. (Verify that they aren’t minuscule fragments.)
Step 4: Once the baking tray is in the oven, keep the temperature there for forty minutes at 240 degrees Fahrenheit (115 degrees Celsius).
Note that the oven method gives off strong marijuana smells, so it’s not the best option if you want to keep things discreet. When adding the finished product to recipes for edibles, allow it to cool completely.
Final Thoughts!
A straightforward but essential step in making a variety of cannabis products at home is decarboxylation. It won’t take long, and we will guarantee that your products have the desired intoxicating effects. The most common method is to use an oven, but there are other good options as well, such as using a stovetop, slow cooker, or sous vide.
We can assist you with the cannabis-related items on your shopping list, regardless of the approach you select. To begin purchasing products from authorized cannabis dispensaries in your state, apply for a medical marijuana card. To get started, get in touch with our MMJ card doctor right now.
