How to unbox cannabis?

What is decarboxylation?

Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction in which a CO₂ molecule (carbon dioxide) is removed by heating an organic molecule bearing a carboxyle cluster. To decarboxylate cannabis, it must be heated.

Why do you have to decarboxylate your cannabis?

The cannabis plant during its growth produces many cannabinoids including cannabidolilic acid (CBDA) and tetrahydrocannabinoic acid (THCA). Although these acids have some properties, the molecules whose effects are known are the molecules of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). To convert CBDA and THCA into CBD and THC, cannabis must be decarboxyled, i.e. heated to remove the carboxyle group: acids.

When you smoke cannabis, decarboxylation occurs at the time of combustion, so you feel the effects of cannabis. When you eat cannabis, however, it will be necessary to decarboxylate it at some point to feel the effects. You can decarboxylate the vegetable material before turning it into oil or butter.

How to decatboxylate cannabis?

At what temperature do cannabis decarboxylate?

There is a lot of debate between cannabis users, but also scientific studies on the issue without anyone agreeing.

We know the boiling points of cannabinoids, unfortunately these temperatures are particularly useful when using a vaporizer and wanting to heat our cannabis to a specific temperature.

Source:  naturalhealthservices.ca

When youwant to decarboxyalte cannabis, the process is a little less scientific. First, not all ovens heat at the same temperature or evenly. There may be about ten degrees of difference between the actual temperature and the temperature displayed. Second, the heating time allows the gradual release of cannabinoids. So at different temperatures the end result may be more or less similar depending on the heating time. Finally, when we spray we also took advantage of the effects of cannabinoids that would have been evaporated by the temperature exceeding their boiling point. While our oven does not take advantage of terpenes that can be burned in the oven. It takes donation(c) heat the cannabis to a temperature below its boiling point so that the molecules gradually transform without burning. 

In the graph below, we can compare the effects of different temperatures and duration on cbD decarboxylation. You will find that several methods are possible.

Source: Decarboxylation Study of Acidic Cannabinoids

We recommend using a temperature between 100 and 120 degrees depending on the power of your oven. The most important thing will be to stay close so as not to burn your cannabis. The grass should gradually change colour by being toasted. If you feel the smell or color changes too quickly, lower your oven. It is more risky to have too high a temperature than less. Don’t forget the boiling point of cannabinoids: if your grass exceeds 180 degrees, all your CBD will be burned.

How to decarboxylate cannabis

1. Preheat your oven to 110 degrees.
2. Coarsely chop your cannabis flowers. You can use leaves as well, but they contain very few cannabinoids.
3. Spread your vegetable material on a baking sheet with parchment paper and bake it for about 45 minutes.
4. Monitor your cannabis regularly and stir the plant matter a few times during decarboxylation. If you have overheated the cannabis, reduce the duration.