Decarboxylation. What is it and how to do it

If you want to get into the edibles game and make your own, you need to know about decarboxylation.  This is a crucial step in making your edibles more effective.

What is Decarboxylation?

To achieve decarboxylation, all you have to do is apply some heat and the effects produced are fascinating. As you know, the main psychoactive compound in weed is THC, but there is little of it in raw herb. Instead, you’ll find a lot of THCA, which is non-intoxicating. When you add heat to your marijuana however, you transform THCA into THC. This happens because the decarb process removes the COOH group from the THCA molecule by releasing water and carbon dioxide, turning it into THC.

This is really good if you want to cook with your weed or crystals.  If you are just smoking or vaping your weed, the act of burning or vaping is already converting all the THCA to THC, so no further work needed.

How to Decarboxylate

There are decarb machine out there like the Nova Lift,which is available at Shell Shock or you can do it in you oven.  The oven is the most common and easy way, however due to oven heating and types of oven it might not be the most effective. There is also some people who believe you lose 20-30% of you effectiveness by doing it this way. It will get the job done, but if you are the picky type maybe the Nova Lift is for you

so let's get to the oven method first

you will need 

• an oven set to 220 F/105 C

• a baking sheet

• parchment paper

• sugar leaf trim, ground bud, or kief   

So set you oven temp at 220 F.  Put the parchment paper over the baking sheet and place the marijuana on the parchment.  Spread out the buds evenly and break up any big pieces, so that the marijuana can dry evenly.  Place baking sheet in the oven and wait 20-30 min

Check the marijuana, if it looks nice and dry, usually looks a bit brown it will be time to take it out of the oven.  Place on counter and let cool.  Once cool you are able to grind it up and add it to your favorite edible recipe.  Simple

Nova Lift Decarb Machine

For the people who are serious about their edibles, the Nova Lift does a half oz of marijuana in each batch.  All you have to do is put the marijuana in, seal it, hit the button and walk away.  2 hours later your perfectly decarbed bud will be ready for use.  Here are the pictures and explanations

.Prepare 1/2 oz of Cannabis 

 Add Cannabis to Nova Lift

 Hit button, it will turn red

Walk away and when the button turns green again your Cannabis is ready

When it is done it will look a little more brown, but the Nova Lift has used its technology to perfectly decarb your weed.

That is decarboxylation folks.  By following this little advice you will make some really great, and powerful edibles for your enjoyment.  If you are still on the fence about the Nova, Shell Shock will be renting them out in the future.  So check with your local Shell Shock for availability.