“Decarboxylation” is a term that sounds more complicated than the action it corresponds to, and you have probably already experienced it: it happens when you light a joint or use a vaporizer. It's a simple yet essential process, and involves heating the cannabis to get the best out of it.

It is also a necessary process in the preparation of cannabis foods, since otherwise the cannabinoids will not be activated, and the products will remain ineffective. When cooking it, the process naturally occurs at a certain temperature, but if you are not cooking, it would be a good idea to decarboxylate the cannabis before using it in your preparations.

DECARBOXYLATION: WHAT IS IT?

Decarboxylation is a heat-activated chemical reaction that removes a carboxylic acid group from the composition of the plant, making it more potent, as it would otherwise act as a blocker of the plant's psychoactive properties.

Burning the carboxyl group produces chemical changes that transform THCA, an ineffective substance, into THC, an effective substance: for this reason Cannabis must be heated before being smoked, vaporized or cooked.

HOW TO DECARBOXYLATE YOUR CANNABIS

The most effective way to decarboxylate cannabis when cooking is to grind it finely, arrange it evenly on baking paper and place it on a baking tray, then place it in a pre-heated oven at 110°C for an hour.

If you want, you can choose to increase the temperature to decrease the time needed, but cooking at a lower temperature for a longer period of time is generally considered the best way to increase the potency of marijuana - while also avoiding burning it. .

WHY EDIBLE PRODUCTS HAVE DIFFERENT EFFECTS THAN SMOKING

Compared to smoking, when consumed through edibles , THC, CBD and all cannabinoids are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract rather than the lungs, and is then metabolized by the liver which converts it into 11-hydroxy-THC, a stronger chemical which is able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier more easily.

When smoking Cannabis, the effect comes on faster because the THC reaches the smoker's brain sooner, but it is usually less intense than when consuming Cannabis. With edible products the effect can last up to 4-6 hours , depending on the dose taken.

Given the new experiments in the field of cooking with Cannabis, when we talk about edible products we are no longer referring only to biscuits, but also to cakes, other desserts, coffee or tea with herb infusions.

While the beverages may seem like a new culinary use for cannabis, the use of marijuana tea actually dates back thousands of years. In fact, the Indian population used to mix cannabis butter in their tea during ceremonies or as a homeopathic remedy. Prolonged use over the centuries could already constitute an excellent reference.