Modified on: 20/09/2022
Everything you want to know about this fundamental process
Cannabis decarboxylation. On the surface, this may seem like an unknown and complicated process, but it is not. If you are not a marijuana neophyte, I do not doubt that you have already experienced it, probably without knowing it.
So what is decarboxylation? Why is it essential? How can it be implemented? Read on, and I will try to dispel any doubts you may have!
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What is decarboxylation?
Simply put, decarboxylating cannabis involves subjecting it to high temperatures for a certain amount of time. But for what purpose? Through the process of decarboxylation, it is possible to transform the cannabinoids present in acid forms, such as THCA and CBDA, into the well-known THC and CBD, activating their psychotropic and therapeutic elements. How this process can be carried out without damaging the properties of your buds by exposing them to a temperature of approximately 110° C for about thirty to forty minutes. 
Following these instructions is essential if you don’t want to risk wasting your buds and ruining them beyond repair. Under these conditions, it will be possible to activate the active ingredients without compromising the terpenes which give cannabis its characteristic aroma. Please note that both cannabinoids and terpenes begin to deteriorate at temperatures above 150° C. Before we move on to the most common methods of successfully carrying out decarboxylation, I want to explain why and in which cases it is an essential preventive operation.
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Why is decarboxylation important?
If you are not new to the world of cannabis, you may already know that decarboxylating marijuana is not always necessary. If it is smoked or vaporised, decarboxylation does not need to be carried out at any stage before consumption, as it will take place automatically during combustion. So under what circumstances is decarboxylation an essential step? If you are thinking of trying to cook with cannabis or prepare extracts, such as certain oils, you must ensure that you do not skip this step to obtain an effective end product and enjoy the full effects of its active ingredients. 
But how to do this properly? What methods can be used? You will find the answers below!
How to decarboxylate cannabis correctly?
First of all, let’s specify that the parts of marijuana involved in this process are the inflorescences. So make sure you have enough of them and proceed. You can choose between several ways. The following are the most popular ones, but you should know that they are not the only ones. The primary method of decarboxylation of cannabis is undoubtedly the oven method. This technique is the favourite of those who wish to prepare edible marijuana products. The necessary steps are as follows.
- The buds are chopped until a homogeneous powder is obtained;
- A baking tray is lined with baking paper;
- The powder is placed on the baking tray and distributed as evenly as possible;
- The oven is preheated to 110° C;
- The powder is baked for about 40 minutes and stirred halfway through.
It is advisable to remember not to lose sight of the marijuana or change the duration or temperature in such cases. The risk would be to burn everything and throw it away, which I imagine is not exactly what you want in these situations! This method is the most popular but not the only one possible for decarboxylating cannabis. An excellent alternative technique is to use a vacuum. By choosing this system, you eliminate any danger of overcooking your flowers. Let’s see why. Vacuum decarboxylation involves cooking your flowers in a bain-marie but using a special bag for sous-vide cooking. As I said, the risk of burning everything, in this case, does not exist, as the water cannot reach temperatures above 100° C. Here are the necessary steps
- grind the tops until a powder of medium consistency is obtained, which must be placed in a vacuum cooking bag, adequately sealed;
- fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil;
- once the temperature has been reached, lower the heat slightly;
- Once the temperature has been reached, lower the heat slightly, dip the vacuum bag into the boiling water and cook for about 60 minutes.
Of course, it is a slightly longer technique than using the oven, but as I said, it frees you from the risk of cooking mistakes. Finally, let’s see what the natural method of decarboxylation of cannabis involves. You may not have known that decarboxylation is a process that occurs spontaneously and naturally over time. However, the time required for this transformation is exceptionally long. The action of atmospheric agents can complete the process, but it needs very long and unpredictable timescales. This is why this technique is one of the least used. Now that you understand how cannabis buds are decarboxylated to release their psychotropic effects, you can experiment again if your location allows it!
In summary, why is decarboxylating cannabis important?
Perhaps not everyone knows that the decarboxylation of cannabis is an essential process if you want to enjoy its effects without necessarily suffering the consequences of combustion. If you’ve recently had the idea of experimenting, perhaps by baking cannabis-based treats, you can’t help but know how this process works and why it’s so important to get it right.
To release the psychoactive and therapeutic power of THC and CBD, they need to be subjected to high temperatures for a limited amount of time. Beyond this limit, the properties of marijuana will begin to deteriorate, making the experience relatively poor. Now that you know the most important information about cannabis decarboxylation, you will surely understand why this process is essential for those who want to prepare homemade edibles.
Before we say goodbye, we hope you enjoyed this article and that it has satisfied your curiosity on the subject. Finally, we invite you to visit our Sensoryseeds online shop.
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