How To Easily Decarb Your Weed

Pot brownies, weed cookies, gourmet ganja infused meals, and cannabis coffee are amazing edibles made from cannabis.

However, before you can use marijuana to make it into an edible form, it needs to go through a bit of a refining process.

This is mainly because consuming it in the raw form will not get you high.

Cannabinoids in the natural state will not give you the effect that cannabis is known and loved for.

Irrespective of whether you are eating or smoking your marijuana, THC, and CBD must be triggered into releasing those mind-blowing effects.

So how exactly do you decarb weed?

Well, the truth is there are several ways in which you can do it. Some people choose the natural decarb method, while others prefer the baking sheets or oven bags method.

And there’s still the Mason jar method that lots of marijuana consumers stand by.

Irrespective of which method you choose, the process is absolutely necessary in order to get the full effect of your marijuana.

So in the following article, we’ll take a look at how you can go about decarbing your weed.

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What Is Decarboxylation?

Illustration Of Decarboxylation

Decarboxylation is basically a chemical reaction that is used to make cannabis edibles.

Ultimately this fancy word describes the process of turning THCA into THC. THC is not psychoactive, while THC is one of the ingredients that we know and love.

Cannabis in its raw form contains THCA instead of THC. However, in order for THC to be activated, it needs to be heated or smoked.

Therefore decarbing is an essential step that is acquired prior to processing cannabis for eating.

Even the regular cooking process is not enough to decarb your cannabis, and unfortunately, this process will not occur naturally inside your stomach.

So irrespective of which edible cannabis recipe you are attempting, it is crucial that you understand that decarbing is the very first step that you should take before even beginning with the recipe.

Decarbing may sound like a very complex process; however, it’s really very simple.

All it simply means is that you should subject your weed to high temperatures of 250°F or over for a period of time before you can add it to any of your recipes.

Ultimately, the smoke or vapor causes the heat of the fire to activate the process. The heat in turns THCA into THC, so when you smoke it, you feel its effects.

Ultimately the same transformation happens when you cook it.

So all the good stuff on the buds ultimately ends up in your food. Decarbing is not only done through heat.

The process can occur naturally and regular temperatures, even if you don’t apply any artificial heat. So old cannabis is most probably already decarbed.

Why Is Decarbing Important?

If you have never heard of decarbing before, you’re probably asking why it is so important?

Ultimately, the answer is that it’s important because it’s what makes edibles work.

The process of decarbing could be seen as possibly the most important in making edibles since it is the process that makes you feel the effects when you eat it.

In most cases, it may seem counterintuitive to heat weed up. Some people believe that it could burn off all the good stuff and make it less potent — however, the opposite is true.

You are heating up your marijuana, so the THC will not reduce the potency as long as you follow proper instructions.

If you do not decarb weed before eating them, you won’t get any of the psychoactive effects of the weed.

So basically, it will be the same as eating any other dry herb and will not give you the high that THC does.

How To Decarb Your Weed?

There are many ways that you can go about decarbing weed.

Ultimately, something else that you need to know is that it turns to THCA into THC. So weed that is sitting for a long period of time will ultimately decarb on its own.

However, this process takes a long, long, long time. So, in all honesty, it is time-consuming and can be inconsistent.

So when you want to enjoy your weed in the present or current day, the natural decarbing method may seem like the last resort.

So this is not the fastest way or type of method that you can use to decarb your weed.

And the only step to it is to wait a long time, probably more than 12 months for the decarbing to be complete.

Baking Sheet

The next best method is to use a baking sheet.

This is probably one of the most convenient methods because most people already have the ingredients needed to decarb via this method.

However, you should know that this is also the smelliest way of decarbing your weed.

So if you intend on using this method, your home is going to wreak of weed.

What you can do to tackle this is turn on a fan that has a carbon filter attached to it. This should get rid of most of the funky odor.

However, this will still not get into that you get to the order.

So what you need for this process is an oven, baking sheet, parchment paper, and of course, weed.

Start with the following steps:

  • Preheat oven to 200°F
  • Line your baking tray with foil or parchment paper
  • Throw your ground cannabis on the baking sheet
  • Bake for 30 minutes
  • You should see your cannabis turning a brownish color

Once it is brown, you know that it has been decarbed.

Oven Bags

Weed In Oven Bag

The oven bag method is also another very convenient way of decarbing weed.

It works in much the same way as the baking sheet option but requires less effort.

You don’t need to line your baking sheet, and also collecting the finished or decarbed weed is also easier.

The bag won’t heat up too much, so you will still be able to touch. However, oven bags or turkey bags are probably not something everyone has inside the home.

So you may have to make a trip to the grocery store to pick up a pack if you intend on using this method.

So you will need the following supplies to proceed with this option. You need your baking sheet, oven bags, and, of course, weed.

Take the following steps:

  • Preheat oven to 250°F
  • Place ground cannabis inside the oven bag
  • Knot the oven bag to ensure that the weed and the odors are kept inside the bag
  • Place the bag on a baking sheet only
  • Bake for 30 minutes
  • Watch to ensure that your cannabis is turning to a brownish color

Once it is brown, you know that it is ready.

Mason Jars

Mason jars often used for curing cannabis. What’s great about them is that they can be vacuum-sealed.

However, surprisingly, they are also quite a fantastic tool for decarbing your weed as well.

You most probably will be able to find at least one in your home if you grow cannabis for your own consumption.

So what you need for this process is as always an oven, a Mason jar, and of course, weed.

Then follow these steps:

  • Preheat your oven to 250° F
  • Place your broken cannabis inside the Mason jar with the top screwed on really tight
  • Place the Mason jar on the rack and it should not be touching the heating element or sides of the oven
  • Bake for 30 minutes
  • Watch that cannabis is turning to a brownish color

Okay, this is something that everyone should know, but not everyone does, so it’s worth mentioning.

Your Mason jar will probably be extremely hot when coming out of the oven.

So ensure that you have oven mitts on before you touch the jar or give it some time to cool off before attempting to open it.

Eating Or Smoking Weed

Weed In Hands

Have you ever wondered why you need to smoke a joint instead of sprinkling your weed over your salad or popping into your mouth like a grape?

Ultimately the short answer is weed needs to be heated in order for you to get high.

When you heat weed up, the decarbing process is instant. The THCA is immediately converted to THC.

However, the same principle applies when creating edible cannabis.

The cannabis that goes into your recipes also needs to go through the decarbing process in order for anyone consuming them to enjoy the euphoric effects of THC.

When creating edibles, you can’t just toss weed in its raw form into this piece.

You’ve got to have it decarbed by following a process that ultimately activates the THC and CBD in your marijuana.

However, you should also note that decarbing can easily be done inside the oven.

However, care should be taken to preserve the terpenes as this is what gives your weed its flavor and effects.

It’s also what works with the cannabinoids to create the recreational and medicinal benefits that people get from consuming weed.

Typically, terpenes start to break down at approximately 310 degrees. This is why it is recommended that when you decarb weed, you do it at approximately 225 to 250°.

By learning how to decarb, you’ll be able to create even more mouth-watering cannabis recipes.

Related Questions

How Long Does Weed Take To Decarb Naturally?

It takes approximately 12 months or more.

Can You Consume Weed In Its Raw Form?

Yes, you can, however, you will not experience the effects of THC unless you decarb it first.

Do You Have To Smoke Weed To Get The Full Effects Of THC?

No, as long as your weed has gone through the decarbing process, you can use it in various recipes and still get the benefits of THC.

Originally posted 2019-12-23 06:56:31.

James Alexander James Alexander
Hey, I'm James! The founder and head writer here at GreenBudGuru.com. I started this site to share my passion and knowledge of all things cannabis. I used to work as a budtender in central Amsterdam, and have over 7 years of growing experience.

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