Intro

Decarboxylation (or decarb for short) is a crucial step in preparing cannabis for consumption. Decarboxylation is just a fancy word for applying heat in order to activate the psychoactive cannabinoids found in cannabis. These cannabinoids are what make you feel “high”, so activating them with low and constant heat is important.

In this article, we will teach you how to decarboxylate cannabis at home with no, or very minimal, smell!

What is Decarboxylation?

When cannabis is decarbed, the compound THCA converts into THC, the cannabinoid responsible for the plant’s psychoactive effects (aka what gets you high). This transformation is essential for achieving the desired “high” when smoking, vaping, or consuming edibles; this is why you must heat up your pen before taking a hit and ignite the bud when taking a hit from the bong/joint. Fun fact: SnoopDogg was known to microwave blunts before smoking them, people speculate that this is to activate some of those cannabinoids before being combusted by the lighter. Decarbed cannabis is incredibly versatile. You can use it to create edibles, tinctures, and topicals. Understanding decarboxylation opens up a world of options for enjoying cannabis in various forms.

Decarbing the cannabis activates the psychoactive THC cannabinoids, allowing you to experience the ‘high.’ When you smoke a joint or light a bowl, the flame from the lighter essentially decarbs the weed you inhale—I hope that makes sense

What You Need

Ingredients

• high-quality cannabis flower

Tools

• grinder
• heat-proof jar (aka mason jar)
• oven thermometer
• aluminum foil
• canning lid

Decarboxylation is an essential step in cannabis preparation. Without it, the cannabinoids in the raw plant material are not in their active form. In this post, we’ll explore why this process is crucial for

Instructions

Preheat Your Oven

Prepare Your Cannabis

• For whole nugs: Grind up your weed using a herb grinder or scissors, and try to achieve even sizing of the bud. 
• For smalls or trim, I recommend using a grinder, this will ensure uniform sizing.
• For kief, hash, or concentrates like rosin or crumble, it’s best to avoid using a grinder. You won’t need to break up the cannabis too much further, just ensure the pieces are small and uniform in size before moving on to Step 2. 

Bake in Oven

• To decarboxylate your flower, place the bud into the oven at 220°F for about ~35 mins. Shake the mason jar every 15 minutes to help distribute the heat. ! 

Cool & Use

Tips & Tricks

• Using a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
• Investing in a decarboxylation device like an Ardent Nova.
• Stove-top methods (with warnings about precision).

FAQ

How do you use decarbed weed?

• You can use decarboxylated weed in numerous recipes. The easiest and most popular method is to infuse the decarbed bud with oil or alcohol to create an infusion.

How to store decarbed cannabis?

• Once the decarboxylation process is complete, remove the tray from the oven and let your cannabis cool. Store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to preserve its potency if not infusing right away.

What can I make with Decarbed Cannabis?

• Your decarboxylated cannabis is now ready to be used in a wide range of recipes. Whether you’re making cannabis-infused butter, and oils, or directly adding it to your culinary creations, you’ve unlocked the full potential of your cannabis.

Will this work with Cannabis Concentrates (aka wax)?

• Yes, the temperature and process are very similar. I have a separate guide for decarbing concentrates, such as rosin or wax.

Why is decarboxylation important when making edibles?

When to decarboxylate cannabis?

Alternative Methods to Decarb Cannabis

Summary/Conclusion