How It Works

Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction that removes a carboxyl group and releases carbon dioxide (CO2). Usually, decarboxylation refers to a reaction of carboxylic acids, removing a carbon atom from a carbon chain.

Examples would be converting THCA to THC, CBDA to CBD, CBGA to CBG. some of the are more suited for certain conditions than other conditions.

You can see from test results that a properly decarboxylated extract contains very little THCA, CBDA, CBGA or shows a result below the minimum measurement threshold of the test.

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Equipment Needed

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Materials

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Purging Solvents

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Method

In this method we are going to assume there may be residual solvents in your extract, there may be no solvents if the extract if it has been properly extracted and evaporated using the correct method and solvents.

Choose an appropriate sized beaker for your extract.

Put on your gloves and protective glasses.

If your extract is not already in a suitably sized beaker put your extract into one that is suitable beaker.

Setup hot plate with a stand holding temperature probe above the beaker. Set temperature to zero and the stirring speed to zero.

Place magnetic stir bar into beaker containing the extract and place the beaker with the extract onto the hot plate.

Lower the temperature probe into your extract in the beaker. The temperature probe must be in the extract or your hot plate will go over the set temperature. Make sure the temperature probe will not obstruct the movement of the stir bar. Set temperature 56C and slowly increase the stirring speed to around 500 rpm.

Once the extract is around 56c you will notice small bubbles, these can be remaining acetone. If you see any bubbles keep the temperature at its current setting until all the bubbles have gone. Once the bubbles are no longer there increase the temperature another 4c and look for more bubbles, if you get a mass of bubbles, slightly lower the temperature so the beaker does not overflow. Continue doing this until you are sure the is no acetone left in your extract.

Once you are sure you have removed all the acetone, bit by bit increase the temperature to around 78-80c, this around the boiling point of ethanol. Use the same method as above, checking for bubbles, increasing (or decreasing) the temperature slowly, so the beaker does not overflow. Continue doing this until you are sure the is no ethanol left in your extract.

Once you are sure you have removed all the ethanol, bit by bit increase the temperature to around 100-108c, this around the boiling point of water. Use the same method as above, checking for bubbles, increasing (or decreasing) the temperature slowly, so the beaker does not overflow. Continue doing this until you are sure the is no water left in your extract. This stage can produce quite a few bubbles so keep a close eye on it.

At this point you will have an extract that is free of solvents (water is also a solvent).

The next steps we will go through the decarboxylation stages.

Decarboxylation in Cannabis

(pronounced: DEE-CARB-OX-OH-LAY-SHUN).

Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction that converts acidic cannabinoids in cannabis into their active forms. This process involves the loss of a carbon dioxide molecule, resulting in the transformation of THCA into THC. The reaction is typically initiated by applying heat to the cannabis material.

Here’s a brief overview of the decarboxylation process:

Initial State: THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is present in cannabis.
Heat Application: Heat is applied to the cannabis material, typically between 220-250°F (104-121°C).
Decarboxylation: The heat causes the THCA molecule to lose a carbon dioxide molecule, resulting in the formation of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
Final State: THC is now present in the cannabis material, ready for consumption.

Decarboxylation Times

The decarboxylation process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the temperature and equipment used. A general guideline is:

The preferred method once you have a quality extraction free from all solvents then the decarboxylation process can begin.

Placing your extract in a suitable sized vessel slowly bring up the temperature up until you start to see a reaction taking place on the surface, this visible reaction will be tiny bubbles appearing these are CO2 bubbles being given off as the THCA converts to THC, as you can see on the chart there are several temperatures that have been used however 122 degrees and 144 degrees centigrade would be the preferred.

Please note at 145 degrees centigrade you will have burnt off a few of the terpenes which you may need to replaced, this would no longer identify as cannabis via its smell alone, you will also see the buddle’s at 106 degrees starting to Show on the surface as it reaches the first plateau and then again at 122 degrees again you will see another bloom of bubbles and again at the final stage of 145 degrees centigrade you will see more bubbles giving off, you could keep your could keep the temperature lower for a longer.

However in our testing we always find THCA remaining even if in small quantities decarboxylation on a magnetic hot plate at 145 degrees centigrade would give 100 percent decarboxylation removing all the acid and leaving your extraction ready for consumption.

You should hold the temperature on your hot plate at 145 degrees centigrade until all the small bubbles have stopped forming, this will be the last plateau and there would be no more THCA to turn into THC and therefore there will be no more CO2 being given off and forming as bubbles on the surface, at this point allowing your extract two cool and use appropriately.