How do I decarboxylate cannabis properly?

Raw cannabis contains a lot of THCA, which is not psychoactive. When the weed is smoked, the THCA molecules lose their carboxyl chain (COOH) in the form of water vapour and carbon dioxide and thus become THC. The heat thus turns THCA into THC and gives it its psychoactive effects. This process of conversion is called decarboxylation.

When marijuana is smoked or vaped (vaporised), decarboxylation occurs through heating. If cannabis is taken orally and the full range of psychoactive effects is desired, the weed must first be decarboxylated before it is used for cooking.

At what temperature is decarboxylation carried out?

The lower the temperature, the longer the decarboxylation takes. However, this process should not be done quickly at too high a temperature, as less terpenes are lost at lower temperatures. Terpenes are essential oils that give cannabis the different aromas such as mint, lemon, pine or berry. Terpenes also have a medicinal effect (cf. The terpenes in cannabis and their medicinal effect), so it is best to keep them in large quantities.

How do I decarboxylate cannabis properly?

First, the cannabis should be lightly barked. This allows it to dry evenly. However, do not grind it to a fine dust!

Buds / plant material

• Preheat the oven (see table). It is best to check the temperature with a baking thermometer.
• Spread the ground cannabis in a baking dish or similar and cover the dish with aluminium foil, pressing down on the edges.
• Place the casserole dish in the oven (see table) and heat. Older, drier buds need a shorter time than fresh buds.
• After the required time, the mould is removed from the oven. Before removing the aluminium foil, the mould should be cooled down again, this way most of the terpenes and cannabinoids are preserved.

Hashish

• Preheat the oven (see table).
• Put the chopped hash into a baking dish or similar and cover the dish with aluminium foil, pressing down on the edges.
• Place the casserole dish in the oven (see table) and heat.
• After the required time, the mould is removed from the oven. Before removing the aluminium foil, the mould should be cooled down again, this way most of the terpenes and cannabinoids are preserved.

Cooking bag method

• Put the chopped cannabis/hash into a temperature-resistant boiling bag and place the bag in boiling water for 90 minutes.
• Remove the bag from the water and allow to cool slowly before opening.

Cannabis oil

• Place a heatproof container of cannabis oil in a rape seed oil heated to 120°C.
• Stir the cannabis oil so that bubbles rise
• Remove the cannabis oil from the oil bath when the bubbles diminish or continue heating for sedative effects until no more bubbles rise.