The notion of making your own THC oil that can then be used in a number of different ways is appealing, especially for some seniors (older stoners) who may have more time on their hands than they are used to and are looking to dig deeper into the possibilities with THC. From brownies to hard candies to tinctures and more, the culinary delights to be created are endless once you learn the basics of the decarbing process.
Decarboxylators, more commonly known as decarb machines, heat cannabis (flower) to a temperature that activates the THC within it. When cannabis is consumed raw, the THC is not psychoactive.
When you heat cannabis (either by smoking, vaping, or baking), you are decarboxylating it. Decarb machines precisely control the temperature which is vital for the process to work properly. The goal is to heat the cannabis to approximately 220-245 degrees Fahrenheit for around 30-45 minutes
Once the cannabis is decarboxylated, the next step is extraction. This involves turning cannabis into a liquid by infusing it into a “carrier” oil. It’s often done with coconut or olive oil. Some folks are also using avocado oil. Mix your decarboxylated cannabis with your oil and heat it on a low temperature for a few hours. This is when the THC will be extracted into the oil.
Are we ready to consume the decarbed cannabis yet? No…Here is the task that remains…
Strain the mixture to get rid of the solid flower leftovers. From there, you will be left with a beautiful cannabis-infused oil that can be infused into all sorts of products..
In future posts, we’ll explore ideas of edibles, drinks, etc. to create.