Weed decarboxylation, all you need to know

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Imagen representando la transformación del THCA en THC por el proceso de descarboxylación
Image representing the transformation from THCA to THC by the decarboxylation process.

 

We hear more and more about the decarboxylation of weed, especially since medical marijuana started to spread, and we think why is cannabis decarboxylation so important? Let’s go by parts, first you have to know this process to know its importance.👉 But before let me remind you that in our online grow shop  we have Magical Butter Decarb, the tool you need to do this process in the simplest way

 

 

🚀 What is decarboxylation?

 

 

 

Raw cannabis is not Psychoactive, this is because THC in this case is in its acid form, and to activate and earn psychoactivity needs heat once it has dried. It can be said that decarboxylation is the reaction that happens in cannabis when their cannabinoids activate by applying heat. So what exactly happens in the decarboxylation reaction?

The decarboxylated THCA becomes THC, the compound responsible for the stimulating and brain effect of marijuana. When we smoke or vaporize cannabis is decarbolized automatically with the same heat of the combustion of the joint, or the one that produces the vaporizer. So, why decarboxylate weed?🤔

Well, because we don’t always consume it smoked or vaporized, right? For example when we eat it in a cannabis Brownie or any other cannabis recipe, in those cases it is always necessary to decarboxylate marijuana before cooking it, so that our edibles have the desired psychoactive power.

 

Infographics representing the transformation of THCA into THC by heat*
Infographics representing the transformation of THCA into THC by heat*

 

 

🧐 How to decarboxylate Cannabis?

 

 

The first thing that we have to do is to grind the marijuana in small pieces with help of a grinder or similar. This is to ensure that the heat is distributed in a uniform way and affects every part equally.

Decarboxylation requires temperature and time, in other words, a certain amount of heat for a certain period of time. There is not only one recipe to decarboxylate, but we always recommend using the minimum temperature to keep the maximum number of terpenes and cannabinoids. How long does it take to decarboxylate?🤨

 

 

 
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🔥 Weed decarboxylation in oven

 

 

In our opinion, the best way to decarboxylate weed is in the oven, for 45 or 50 minutes at a temperature of 105ºC, but it can also be done faster, in just 30 minutes, raising its temperature to a maximum of 120ºC. Over this temperature some terpenes begin to volatilize, so it is not recommended to go over 120ºC. I’ll explain you how we do it in 6 simple steps:

  1. We take a tray and place a sheet of baking paper on it
  2. Over it we spread the crushed weed so that there is a thin layer and as uniform as possible
  3. Pre-heat the oven to 105ºC
  4. When it has reached that temperature we put the tray that we have previously prepared with the chopped cannabis
  5. We wait 45 to 50 minutes
  6. We take out our activated weed

 

Pasos de cómo descarboxylar la marihuana en el horno
Image with the steps of how to decarbox the marijuana in the oven*

 

You will see that cannabis has changed from a bright green to an opaque brown, it is normal, that is one of the visual changes that happen with the process of cannabic decarboxylation, but the big changes are not visible to the naked eye, as you can imagine.

 

 

➕ Other decarboxylating methods

 

 

There are people who prefer other ways to activate cannabis, perhaps for convenience, speed, or because they do not have an oven. Do you want to know how? We will show you other decarboxylation methods.

 

Microwave decarboxylation

 

For some users this is the best method, probably because of its speed, although many people think that microwaves degrade terpenes and cannabinoids. It is possible that we lose some of these compounds, but it is clear that after decarboxylating in the microwave it still keeps a part of these valued molecules, because you can smell and feel it.

But not everything is bad with this method, since there is less chance of burning the weed than with the oven, and it is much faster, let’s see how it is done.

  1. Grind the marijuana
  2. Place it spread out on a dish
  3. Put the dish with the chopped cannabis in the microwave
  4. Heat it for 3 minutes at half power
  5. Take out your active cannabis.

 

Imagen donde se ve un microondas con cogollos de cannabis*
Image where you can see a microwave with cannabis buds*

 

 

Decarboxylation in bain-marie

 

This method is less used, but there are people who use it. To decarboxylate the weed in bain-marie we need to vacuum-pack it and ” boil” it for an hour. I’ll explain it best in 5 steps:

  1. Break the marijuana without grinding, in this case it has to be in bigger pieces than with previous methods
  2. Introduce the cannabis in a bag and leave it sealed with the help of a vacuum packer
  3. Put water to boil in a saucepan
  4. When it begins to boil we lower a bit the fire so that it is to 95ºC approximately (To the maximum temperature without boiling). Put the bag into the saucepan
  5. Wait an hour and you will have your weed activated.

 

Imagen donde se muestran los pasos para descarboxilar el cannabis al baño maria*
Image showing the steps to decarboxylate cannabis in the bain-marie*

 

Decarbox by Magical Butter

 

Magical Butter launched a device to optimize the decarboxylation process. It is a container similar to a tapperware, which contains a thermometer to check the exact temperature concentrated inside this container.

Introduce the grinded cannabis in its interior, close well and once preheated the oven put it in the central tray. The thermometer has a cable to place it outside the oven, so you do not need to open it to check the temperature.

With Decarbox from Magical Butter the temperature remains more stable, once the time necessary for the reaction is over, we take out the Decarbox and wait for it to completely cool down before opening it.

 

Magical Butter Decarbox Catalogue Photo*
Magical Butter Decarbox Catalogue Photo*

 

 

⭐ Decarboxylation after extraction

 

 

More and more people are using extractions to “dress” their weed recipes, but some people don’t decarboxylate their hash or BHO before cooking, sometimes not getting the results they expect.

 

How to decarboxylate Kief, Hash or other concentrates?

 

Some customers have called us with this question, do you have to decarbox hash or kief to make edibles? The answer is yes, as long as you want to get high, psychoactivity is obtained with decarboxylation.

It is done in the same way as weed, but to decarboxylate cannabis extractions we recommend doing it in the oven at 110 º C for 45 minutes.

If you are going to decarboxylate BHO to make edibles take into account that with the heat it will be liquid and sticky, use non-stick materials to avoid problems.

 

 

✅ CBD decarboxylation

 

 

CBDA needs more time at the same temperature as THCA to become CBD, just as it degrades at a higher temperature. In this case, if we want to decarboxylate with the minimum temperature, about 105ºC, we will have to maintain the heat for one hour.

If we want to speed up the process, we can raise the temperature up to 120ºC and in 45 or 50 minutes it will be ready.

 

Eating decarboxylated weed

 

I’m sure there are people who, while reading this article, think…How many times have I eaten edibles without decarboxing then? Yes, it has happened to us all, before we thought it was enough to add a little marijuana or hashish to our recipe for our edibles to be psychoactive, but it turns out that to eat is not the same as when we are going to smoke or vaporize, in this case to get the high effect you always have to do the decarboxylation process.

But not everyone cooks with cannabis to get high, many people need cannabinoids to treat diseases or ailments, and in that case the THCA, the CBDA, and the rest of components in their acid state, also have many medicinal properties, so they will not need to decarboxylate.

 

 

 

 

🎯 Decarboxylation Tips

 

 

If you want to avoid losing a part of the terpenes that volatilize during this process, there is a trick that works very well, especially with extractions. It’s about wrapping the marijuana in aluminum foil, as in a sealed envelope but in this kind of material, and put it in the oven for the estimated time. Once this time has expired we take out the package, but we don’t open it until it has cooled down. So the vapours are reabsorbed in the weed again. It is better to put the concentrates in a pyrex container or a glass that can withstand the temperature, and wrap this container with aluminum foil.

If we are going to cook recipes that already have a great taste as a cake, brownie or similar, we do not have to worry much about maintaining the maximum terpenes, because the flavor here is the base. In these cases keeping the maximum of cannabinoids is enough.

Do you know tricks or other ways to decarboxylate cannabis? If so please let us know, and if you liked this article do not miss the opportunity to share it so it reaches more people.

You can make this recipe with Zkittlez strain and  Birthday Cake Strain

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Fran Quesada Moya
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  1. Avatar for Denise Dorazio

    Hi. This is really interesting to me. I’m 61,and just recently started smoking and eating brownies. My question is,if I’m using a box cake mix that’s 515 grams,how much marijuana should I use in the mix?

    • Avatar for Juanma de PEVGrow.com

      Hi Denise,
      Approximately 4 grams.
      Greetings!

  2. Avatar for Dan C

    Yoooo 🙂

    I have some super soft iceolator or bubble hash as it’s known. I want to make some hash chocolate with it but it’s too soft to grate – what’s my best method here for decarbing?? Looking everywhere for this but can’t find the answer

    Is it possible to freeze it then grate it or do I just roll it out thin then chop it up ? although it always gets sticky after its been in the oven

    Thx

    • Avatar for Juanma de PEVGrow.com

      Hi Dan,
      I would decarboxylate in a vacuum sealed plastic bag and boiling water in a bain-marie.

      Regards

  3. Avatar for Deborah

    How long does the weed last once the process has been done please, if kept in a sealed container

  4. Avatar for Polca

    What else can I use if I don’t have any baking paper?

    • Avatar for Juanma de PEVGrow.com

      Hi Polca,
      You can put it directly on the baking tray or on foil.

      Regards

  5. Avatar for David Davis

    Can I decarboxylate in a air fryer?

    • Avatar for Juanma de PEVGrow.com

      Hi David,
      Yes, of course, after all, it’s all about giving it temperature.

      Greetings

  6. Avatar for Mike Simpson

    I put some ground weed on a plate in a slow cooker for four hours, and it decarboxylated just fine.
    Once you decarb the weed, you don’t have to cook it again, so you can mix it with cold ingredients.
    I mixed some with apple sauce, and it worked.
    It takes some trial to figure out how much to consume, so have fun.

  7. Avatar for Nick420

    What’s the smell like in your home when you do this in the oven or microwave? Can this possibly be done in a crockpot?

    • Avatar for Juanma de PEVGrow.com

      Hello Nick,
      It has a rather strong smell.
      Yes you can do it with crock pot.

      Regards.

  8. Avatar for Jonathan Baratz

    I would like to add cannabis with thc to my coffee grounds to brew. Is this possible as I hear it is not water soluble. Thank you!! JB

  9. Avatar for Cherelle Hanrahan

    How do I make butter

  10. Avatar for V. Simpson

    I want to confirm that I can add ground, decarboxylated weed with high THC directly into my store bought brownie mix.

    • Avatar for Juanma de PEVGrow.com

      Hello Violet,
      Yes, yo can do it but,
      but you have to take into account the amount of marijuana that you put in your brownies.

      Regards.

  11. Avatar for Bonnie

    can I just use a store bought cake mix, after I decarboxylate the marijuana? How much do I use for each cupcake?

    • Avatar for Juanma de PEVGrow.com

      Hi Bonnie,
      Yes you can use any mix from the supermarket.
      Fill the cupcakes half full or 3/4 full.

      Best regards

  12. Avatar for Roz

    Hello! I attempted to decarb about 7grams while it was immersed in coconut oil(about 4oz). I placed it in a mason jar, submerged in water bath in the o em at 220-230 degrees F. For 7 hours. Did I ruin it?

    • Avatar for Juanma de PEVGrow.com

      Hello,
      The only thing is that you should not have decarboxylated it in the coconut oil.
      But don’t worry, you haven’t ruined the oil, you can use it and it will have effects.

  13. Avatar for Lele

    Once you decarboxylate.then I can mix it in my brownie mix and back right

    • Avatar for Juanma de PEVGrow.com

      Hello!
      Yes, of course!
      If you follow the steps you will get a perfect brownie

  14. Avatar for Eri

    When you cook with marijuana, doesn’t that decarb it? It feels like decarbing cooks it twice

    • Avatar for Juanma de PEVGrow.com

      Hi Eri,
      Usually it is always necessary to decarboxylate before preparing any recipe.

      Greetings

    • Avatar for Julie

      Hello, you mentioned people used edibles for other problems,like pain I don’t want to get high just relive pain should I still do the decarboxylation process?

      • Avatar for Juanma de PEVGrow.com

        Hello!
        If you only want it as a medical measure, there is no need to decarboxylate.

        Greetings

  15. Avatar for Geez

    Will I still get a body high if I don’t decar the weed?

    • Avatar for Juanma de PEVGrow.com

      Hello,
      If you do not decarboxylate marijuana you will not get the psychoactive effect.

      Greetings

  16. Avatar for Christy Bejar

    If you use the weed for pain and sleeping purposes and not wanting the high do you still do the decarboxylate technique? How much do I add to a box of brownie mix.

    • Avatar for Juanma de PEVGrow.com

      Hi Christy,
      If you want to look for that sensation you must use varieties with CBD, I leave you here a link so that you read an article on the CBD and its properties.
      https://pevgrow.com/blog/en/what-is-the-cbd/

      On the other hand, the amount that is thrown to the brownie is 0.5 grams per person

  17. Avatar for Sonya Renee Mason

    If I have a 3 to 1 tincture 3 being thc 1 being CBd and it is coconut oil based. Do I decarb this or can I even? If so how? I tried to make hard candy and the oil seperated.

    • Avatar for Juanma de PEVGrow.com

      Hi Sonya,
      If it is an oil, add it to the butter to make the candies; however, it is better to stop it because it has a different fat content.
      Here is the recipe for the candies:
      https://pevgrow.com/blog/en/how-to-make-cannabis-candy/

      Regards

      • Avatar for EL HALLAK Salim

        There’s an error.
        The structure of the tetrahydrocannabinolic acid showed here is not the real structure of the molecule.

        • Avatar for Juanma de PEVGrow.com

          Hello,
          What is it? We would be delighted if you could show it to us

          Greetings

  18. Avatar for Malinda Cassidy

    Does one decarboxylate fesh or dried Weed?

    • Avatar for Alan Martinez

      Hello Malinda, you can decarboxylate cannabis either way, it doesn’t matter.

  19. Avatar for Dennis Tobin

    If you have to grind it to de-carb the cannabis do you have to grind it again before you add it to your recipe also How much olive oil or butter do I use to get the resin out of the grinder thanks Dennis

  20. Avatar for Maryhelen

    Hi I wasn’t going to use green I was going to use my THC scuff in bottom off my grinder to make cupcakes would that’s b OK????

    • Avatar for Alan Martinez

      hi, you can use it too, although the resin is probably more concentrated than the flower.
      Greetings.

  21. Avatar for Crystal

    If I get a stain with both THC & CBD do you always decarb the CBD route no matter the THC or/to CBD percentages out ratio? Will being on that extra 15 minutes for the CBD hurt the THC at all?

  22. Avatar for Jim Anderson

    Does the weed in brownie recipe need to be decarboxylized prior to baking or does that happen in baking process?

    • Avatar for Alan Martinez

      Hello Jim,

      you have to decarboxylate the marijuana first, making the recipe the weed is not long enough to convert the THCA into THC.

      • Avatar for Thanos

        So, if I’m making butter, do I need to decarb the weed 1st?

        • Avatar for Juanma de PEVGrow.com

          Hi Thanos,
          Yes, we always advise to decarboxylate first.

          Best regards