You should already know that marijuana in its natural form is not at all psychoactive, which means that if you eat a bag of fresh weed it is very unlikely that you will start enjoying a nice high with flying elephants and all.
This is why decarboxylation your weed is very important to get the most out of it! At first glance, it may seem a difficult and complicated process, but it is actually simpler than it seems.
In fact, if you are a regular cannabis user, you are most likely aware that you can decarb weed at home. The main problem is the lack of information about it, so it is normal to ask yourself questions like: can I decarb weed in the microwave?
With how easy it is to create content and post it on the internet nowadays, it’s very easy to be tricked with ideas that invite you to try all sorts of things at home. That’s why we’ve created this ultimate guide with everything you need to know about weed decarboxylation!
What is weed decarboxylation?
Decarboxylation is nothing more than a process that consists of heating marijuana to trigger a chemical reaction that will result in the activation of all the plant’s psychotropic properties.
Raw cannabis buds contain THCA and CBDA molecules that alone will not make you feel a high, but once exposed to the right temperatures, they will be transformed into THC and CBD, finally acquiring those magical effects that we stoners love!
There are those who think that applying heat to cannabis can be much more difficult to control and even somewhat detrimental to the final quality of the weed, so they make a partial decarboxylation by the following processes:
Weed Drying
Since both excessive light and heat can severely damage the potency of cannabis, this process seeks to keep the plant in cool, dark places.
Normally, the branches are cut and hung upside down in a room without direct light or fresh air. This process usually lasts between one to two weeks, when the branches should already be at the right point.
Weed Curing
For some cannabis connoisseurs, the cannabis cure can be the difference between good weed and truly magical buds!
The curing method is much more common than the one mentioned above, and basically consists of storing the cannabis buds in glass jars (leaving part of the jar empty so that it has air) and hiding them in a dark, dry place.
The really negative aspect of this process is undoubtedly the duration of the process, which should last at least two weeks, but the more time spent there, the better your weed will be!
Why decarb your weed before consuming?
By now you should know that it is necessary to decarbonize weed in order to enjoy the pleasure and all the great psychoactive characteristics of marijuana.
However, these are not the only advantages of doing so, in fact, decarbonizing your cannabis at home can help you save money, avoiding you having to go to the stores to buy essential oils and other components that you can now make at home.
Not to mention that thanks to this, you will now need to use less herb to get as high as you like!
What temperature is needed to decarb weed?
It may be complicated to answer exactly, what is certain is that it is best to decarboxylate cannabis at low temperatures and very slowly.
Some experts indicate that the ideal temperature is approximately 230-250°F, arguing that in that temperature range THCA and CBDA are transformed and retain many beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes.
This naturally leads us to the next question…
Can you decarb weed in the microwave?
When you don’t have 45 minutes to do it in the oven, of course the microwave is a good option (but not the best).
Decarboxylate weed in the microwave is the most “dangerous” way to do it because the microwave produces a faster and more concentrated heat making it quite difficult to control, but it is certainly also the most practical way.
Either way, if you have an old microwave at home, you can always use it to decarboxylate your cannabis by following these simple steps:
- Grind the cannabis to the desired consistency.
- Place the herb in a microwave-safe container.
- Heat them in short bursts of 20 seconds at maximum power.
- Stir your buds and let out the heat.
Pay special attention the first time you use the microwave, some are very powerful and could end up burning the ground buds. So it is advisable to try first with a small amount.
Do you get higher decarbing weed in the microwave?
The answer varies depending on who you ask the question to, however, science tells us that one form of decarb your weed will not do a better job than another at getting you much higher.
The process itself is the same, it’s all about releasing the special characteristics of the weed through heat. If you make use of the old microwave in your house or in your grandmother’s oven you should get the same result!
Now, if you’ve been around the stoner culture for any length of time you may have noticed that rap star “Snoop Dog” always heats up his buds in the microwave before smoking them and he’s certainly no newcomer when it comes to weed.
So, if he says it helps trap flavor, then it probably does (or at least that’s what many smokers believe).
Others easy ways to decarb cannabis
With each passing day, we stoners invent new and better ways to decarb our weed. However, there are two that never go out of fashion and these are the ones that we will explain in this guide.
Bain-marie decarboxylation:
Even though it is the slowest way to decarboxylate marijuana, it is still quite popular thanks to the fact that it doesn’t give off odors all over the house (at least until you open the bag) and it is much harder to damage your weed.
To decarboxylate weed in a bain-marie you only need:
- Break the herb into large pieces or grind it.
- Put it in an airtight bag.
- Heat water in a saucepan until it begins to boil.
- Place the bag in a smaller container and leave it in the water for one hour.
Oven decarboxylation:
The best way to decarboxylate your buds at home (if you have some time for it) is without a doubt with a normal oven. The process is straightforward, you only need to:
- Grind the weed to dry it evenly.
- Place a tray with parchment paper.
- Spread a thin layer of cannabis on top.
- When the oven is hot, place the tray inside and bake for 45 minutes.
Thc decarb chart for dummies
| Method | Time | Temperature |
| Bain-marie | 60 Minutes | 203 °F |
| Microwave | 3 Minutes | High Temperatue |
| Oven | 60 Minutes | 250 °F |
Conclusion
If you want to enjoy the full aroma and THC potency of your weed, it is best not to heat it in the microwave. However, when you are short on time and have no weed to smoke during the day, microwaving can certainly be a life saver.
Remember that the decarboxylation of cannabis is especially necessary to enjoy its best qualities, skipping this process will cause the cannabinoids to remain inactive and you will not notice their effects.
You can surely find many other methods to decarboxylate your cannabis, just choose the one that suits your needs and enjoy your weed.