How to Decarb Cannabis for Edibles

The Most Important Step for Homemade Edibles

Have you ever tried making homemade edibles only to find they had little to no effect? The most common reason is skipping a crucial step: decarboxylation. Raw cannabis contains THCA, a non-psychoactive acid. To feel the effects, you need to convert THCA into psychoactive THC. This process, called decarboxylation (or "decarbing"), is achieved with heat.

Why You Can't Just Throw Raw Weed in Brownie Mix

When you smoke or vaporize cannabis, the heat from the flame or vaporizer instantly decarboxylates the flower. However, the baking time and temperature for most recipes are not sufficient to fully decarb the cannabis mixed into the batter. To ensure your edibles are potent, you must decarb your flower before infusing it into butter or oil.

The Simple Oven Method

This is the most reliable and common method for decarbing cannabis at home.

What You'll Need:

• An oven
• A baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Your choice of cannabis flower
• A grinder

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 240°F (115°C). This temperature is hot enough to decarb but low enough to avoid burning off valuable cannabinoids and terpenes.
2. Break Up Your Cannabis: Gently break apart your buds with your hands or a coarse grinder. You want small, pea-sized pieces, not a fine powder.
3. Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread your ground cannabis evenly across the sheet in a single layer.
4. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes. The cannabis should look lightly toasted and golden brown, and your kitchen will be very aromatic.
5. Cool Down: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cannabis cool completely. It will be more crumbly and dry to the touch.

What's Next?

Your decarboxylated cannabis is now activated and ready to be infused! You can now use it to make cannabutter, cannabis-infused oil, or tinctures for all your homemade edible creations. By taking the time to decarb properly, you guarantee that your edibles will be effective and potent.