Making cannabis edibles can be a fun and rewarding way to consume weed. However, in order to get the full effects from edibles, it’s important to understand the process of decarboxylation, or decarbing. Decarbing weed activates the THC and other cannabinoids, allowing you to experience their full effects when eaten. But does going through this extra step really make that much of a difference? Below we’ll explore what decarbing is, why it’s important for edibles, and whether it really makes them stronger.
What is decarbing weed?
Decarboxylation refers to heating cannabis to a specific temperature over a set period of time. This process activates the THC and other cannabinoids in the plant by removing the carboxyl group from the molecules.
THC in its raw form is tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA). Through decarboxylation, the THCA loses a carbon dioxide molecule and becomes the psychoactive THC that provides the high associated with cannabis. The same process applies to turning CBDa into CBD.
So in summary:
- Decarbing converts THCA into THC through heat over time.
- This activates the compounds responsible for effects and high.
- Raw cannabis won’t provide the same effects until it’s decarbed.
Why is decarbing important for edibles?
When you smoke or vaporize cannabis, decarboxylation happens almost instantly. The heat from the flame or vaporizer converts the THCA present in raw cannabis into active THC as you inhale it.
However, the story is different when making infused butter or oils for edibles. The compounds need to be decarbed first to get the desired effects.
Without decarbing, your body won’t be able to absorb the THC efficiently when digesting edibles. You’ll end up with weaker effects, or sometimes no effects at all.
Some key reasons decarbing is vital for infusions:
- Allows THC to be absorbed effectively when ingested
- Activates other cannabinoids like CBD and CBG
- Provides the intensity most expect from good edibles
- Makes dosing edibles more predictable and accurate
In short, decarbing unlocks the full potential of the plant’s compounds when preparing butter or oil. It’s a crucial first step for proper absorption and enjoyable edibles.
Does decarbing make edibles stronger?
Now that we understand why decarbing is necessary, does it actually make edibles stronger compared to using raw weed?
The short answer is yes – decarbing weed before infusing it will make your edibles noticeably stronger.
Without decarbing, a significant portion of the THCA and CBDA present won’t get converted to the forms required for full effects and potency.
One study found that decarbing plant material for 30-45 minutes increased THC levels by 24%. And the longer it’s decarbed, the more THCA gets converted.
So decarbing maximizes the cannabinoid levels that ultimately make it into your butter or oil. Getting more out of your weed makes the end product more potent and effective.
Users report much stronger effects from edibles when using decarbed versus raw cannabis in their infusion:
- More intense and longer lasting high
- Increased psychoactive and pain relieving effects
- Much more bang for your buck from the weed
Without decarbing, a 500mg THC chocolate bar may only provide 100-200mg of effects. With decarbing, you can get closer to the full 500mg.
How much stronger are decarbed edibles?
Most estimate decarbing increases potency of edibles by at least 50% compared to using raw cannabis. But some believe it can make edibles twice as strong.
Part of this depends on:
- How long the weed is decarbed – longer = more THCA converted
- The method of decarbing – oven vs sous vide precision
- Strain of cannabis used – higher THCA strains see bigger gains
On average, a properly decarbed infusion likely provides around 50-100% stronger effects.
So if a non-decarbed edible has 50mg THC, expect a decarbed one to provide 75-100mg potency.
Drawbacks of excessive decarbing
While decarbing clearly boosts potency of edibles, overdoing it can be counterproductive.
Heating cannabis for too long or at very high temperatures can:
- Degrade terpenes that influence flavor/effects
- Convert too much THC into CBN, which lacks psychedelic effects
- Potentially form benzene, a known carcinogen when overheated
That’s why minimal, precision decarbing aims to maximize cannabinoid activation while preserving terpenes. Low and slow is key.
Best practices for decarbing weed
Now that you know why decarbing improves edible strength, let’s look at some best practices for the process:
Oven decarbing
Oven decarbing is a simple and effective technique when done properly:
- Preheat oven to 240°F (115°C)
- Break cannabis into small pieces spread thinly on a baking tray
- Decarb for 30-60 minutes
- Target light to golden brown color of material
- Avoid burning or over-drying the cannabis
This slower, lower temperature helps optimize THC conversion before compounds degrade.
Sous vide decarbing
For precision control, many prefer sous vide decarbing:
- Seal cannabis in a vacuum bag and remove air
- Cook at 203°F (95°C) for 1-2 hours in a sous vide circulator
- THC conversion occurs slowly and evenly without overheating
The ability to hold at an exact temp makes sous vide ideal for decarbing.
Instant pot decarbing
Another option is decarbing in an Instant Pot:
- Add cannabis to an oven-safe dish in the pot
- Add 2 cups of water to pot insert
- Pressure cook on high for 40 minutes
- Then let natural release for 20 minutes
The pressurized environment speeds up decarbing without overheating.
Other tips
Some other best practices for decarbing:
- Always decarb away from light and oxygen to prevent THC loss
- Grinding cannabis increases surface area for faster, more even decarb
- Precisely control temperature and time for best results
- Use a thermometer – don’t rely solely on appliance dials
- Stirring can help distribute heat evenly
Taking these steps helps maximize potency gains through careful decarboxylation.
Decarbing different cannabis products
So far we’ve focused on decarbing dried cannabis flower or buds for infusing into edibles. But are other cannabis products decarbed?
Here’s a quick rundown of decarbing for different weed starting materials:
Concentrates like wax, shatter, live resin
- No decarbing required – already activated during extraction
- Contains THC rather than THCA due to processing methods
Kief
- Should be decarbed like dried buds for full activation
- Contains high levels of THCA when raw
- Easier to decarb than whole buds due to larger surface area
Hash
- Potency varies – check if THC vs THCA dominant
- Err on the side of decarbing to maximize effects
- May require slightly longer time than flower to fully activate
Hemp flower high in CBD
- Decarbing recommended to convert CBDa to CBD
- Provides stronger medicinal effects from CBD
- Follow usual decarb temps and times for cannabis
So in summary, always decarb plant material like buds, kief or hash. But concentrates come activated and ready for infusing.
Decarbing weed before cooking
Beyond just infusing oils and butter for edibles, decarbing raw flower can also maximize effects if cooking it directly into foods.
Simply decarb dried buds, then sprinkle them into:
- Pizza, pasta, or lasagna
- Loaves, muffins, or scones
- Stews, soups, or curries
- Stir fries, frittatas, omelets
This adds stronger cannabis flavor and potency to any dish than using raw bud. Just keep total cook times short after adding decarbed weed to prevent degradation.
How to tell if weed is decarbed
Wondering if your cannabis is fully decarboxylated? Here are a few ways to tell:
Color
Raw cannabis is bright green. When decarbed properly, it transitions to:
- Light golden brown
- Toasted tan or lighter green
- Should never get dark brown or burnt looking
Dry/crisp texture
Decarbing dries out and crisps up the plant material. Raw weed will still feel sticky or moist.
Odor
Decarbed cannabis gives off a stronger, more aromatic smell. Raw weed has a more muted, herbal scent.
Time & temperature
If following validated decarb times and temperatures, you can trust the weed is activated.
Testing
You can send samples to labs to test if THCA has converted into THC after decarbing.
Decarbing weed myths
There’s some misinformation out there about decarbing. Here are a few myths debunked:
Myth: Cooking converts THCA, no decarb needed
Some assume just cooking weed during infusion decarbs it sufficiently. This likely leaves a lot of THCA unconverted.
Myth: Light and air degrade THC
Light and oxygen impact color, smell, and flavor but not potency. Avoid them for best quality.
Myth: Grinding makes pot weaker
Grinding doesn’t negatively affect potency. It actually helps decarb faster and more evenly.
Myth: Decarbing too long is fine
Over-decarbing degrades terpenes and converts THC into less-potent CBN. Optimize time.
Frequently asked questions
Let’s review some common questions about decarbing weed:
Does decarbing concentrate work?
No, concentrates like wax and shatter are already decarbed during extraction. Skip this step.
Can you eat weed raw?
You can, but it won’t have significant effects. Decarbing is required to activate THCA into psychoactive THC.
Do you lose potency decarbing weed?
When done correctly, decarbing increases potency. But overheating can degrade some cannabinoids.
Can you decarb weed in a slow cooker?
Yes, a slow cooker on low for 1-2 hours can decarb effectively. Keep temperature around 200°F.
Should weed bubble when decarbing?
A little bubbling is normal but excessive bubbling indicates you’re losing terpenes and potency.
Conclusion
Decarbing weed is an essential step before infusing butter or oil to make edibles. Heating cannabis activates compounds like THC and CBD, allowing for full effects when ingested.
Oven and sous vide decarbing optimize the process. When done correctly, decarbing makes edibles noticeably stronger – upwards of 50-100% more potent according to most user reports.
Understanding proper techniques ensures you get the most from your weed when cooking. While an extra step, decarbing unlocks the full potential of your cannabis for making infused oils, butter, and edibles.
