So you are going to try your hand at making edibles with cannabis. Cannabis edibles are yummy and will get you high. However, if you don’t convert the THCA into THC through decarboxylation first, then you aren’t going to feel the effects of cannabis. I bet you are asking yourself; How Do I Decarboxylate Marijuana?
When I was younger, like before the internet long ago, I tried to eat a half quarter of bud (3.5 grams) let me tell you that the taste was gross and bitter. After about an hour when I thought that it would kick in, It didn’t. I was disappointed as I just ate about 7 joints worth of weed… SMH! At that time in my life, I didn’t know any better (as I wasn’t experienced with Cannabis). Once I had learned that I need to decarboxylate the weed first to get high off of it, that is when I started to cook with it to make yummy candies and other baked goods with it.
What is decarboxylation
Decarboxylation; pronounced (DE-CARB-BOX-IL-ATION), is a process of adding heat to the compound THCA and converting it into THC. You need to do this if you are going to make edibles. It is best that the material that your use is as dry as possible. Depending on who you ask the process will be similar but the temperature and times vary quite a bit. You need to be able to cook the weed at a low enough temp that you don’t destroy the THC, but long enough that you convert the THCA into THC.
How To Decarboxylate Marijuana
First, weigh out how much cannabis you are going to need. In my example, I use 10 grams of dried cannabis. You can use however much, or as little as you want as the process is still the same.
Next, you will want to preheat your oven (bake) to 240 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a high enough temperature that you can convert the THCA to THC but low enough that it won’t evaporate the THC (315 Deg. f.), or the CBD compound (320-360 degree Fahrenheit
Next, you will chop the cannabis into smaller pieces like you would want for a joint.
Then, take a cookie sheet or oven-safe container and place a sheet of parchment paper on the bottom of said container (do not use wax paper, it could compromise the bud). Place the chopped cannabis on the cookies sheet and spread out in a thin layer. Some would say to cover the weed with foil or other means, however, I think that covering the weed while it is cooking may raise the inside temperature above what you need it to be.
When the oven has finished preheating, you are going to put the cookie sheet into the oven on the middle rack, then set the timer for 30 mins to 45 mins (depending on how wet the material is.) The material that I am using in this example has been dried and cured for about 2 months. The material is super dry so I do not need to bake it for a long time
When the time is up, remove the cookie sheet from the oven and notice that the weed is now brownish. Decarboxylation is done. I have done it this way many times and it has worked every time.
Ways To Use Your Decarboxylated Cannabis
Now that your cannabis is decarboxylated and ready to consume, You can now use the decarboxylated ground up herb for cooking with or using it as a condiment ie. sprinkle it on pizza or put it on pasta or a salad. If you would rather bake with it I would suggest infusing it into butter, oil, or a tincture for cooking with it later.
You can infuse THC into any recipe that you desire. If the recipe calls for butter to be used, use infused butter. If the recipe calls for oil, then infuse the bud in oil. (coconut oil, sunflower, vegetable, olive, etc.) If you want to make candy with the THC, you would need to make a tincture. With this tincture, you can infuse sugar to make potent candy ( I like to make cotton candy with this method). A tincture is made by infusing the decarboxylated bud with very high proof alcohol. The best type is grain alcohol in the range of 90% – 100%. Strain the bud out after a set amount of time to extract a liquid that is infused with the THC.
Infusing Like A Pro
The Magical Butter Machine, let me tell you about the importance of this nifty device. This simple machine can decarboxylate and infuse your Cannabis easily, and effortlessly. It will save you time, money, and headaches. It makes the decarboxylating and infusing process a breeze. If you have more money than time, I would highly suggest using this machine as it is preprogrammed to do all the “heavy lifting” for you. Plus it will safely make tinctures and honey oil so you don’t have to risk blowing yourself up. I will do a fully detailed review for you soon and link you to it.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to decarboxylate marijuana, you are one step closer to feeling the effects of this glorious plant for hours on end.
Whichever method you choose, just remember that ingesting cannabis will get you high, so I suggest to start low and go slow. Consuming too much THC could get you extremely high! If you are too high, you might feel some adverse reactions such as; panic attacks, anxiety, nausea, paranoia, and possibly some overwhelming feelings of impending death.
For a piece of mind, no one has died from consuming too much cannabis. So if you do overdose, try to keep calm and maybe try to go to sleep. This will help you relax, and feel better.
If you have any questions or comments about this post or anything else Cannabis-related please feel free to leave it down below.
Until next time
happy growing!
Mr.Weedcroft
Thank you for this info, very helpful.