Decarboxylation
Raw cannabis contains THCA, not THC. Heat converts it — a process called decarboxylation. Skip this and your infusion will be mostly inactive, regardless of how much cannabis you use.
104–115°C · use an oven thermometer
Coarser grind takes longer than fine
Used in the potency calculator
Critical rules
- Too cool → incomplete conversion, weak potency
- Too hot → THC degrades into CBN, more sedative effect
- Stay within 220–240°F — use an oven thermometer
Equipment
- Oven
- Oven thermometer (essential)
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Aluminum foil
- Grinder or scissors
Step by step
- 1
Preheat your oven to 225°F
Verify with an oven thermometer — most ovens run 15–25°F off. If you don't have a thermometer, set to 240°F and check early.
- 2
Grind your cannabis coarsely
Pieces should be roughly the size of a grain of rice. Too fine burns before the inside converts. Whole buds heat unevenly. Aim for medium-coarse.
- 3
Spread in a single, even layer on parchment
Use a rimmed baking sheet. Don't pile it or crowd it — overlapping material will have uneven potency.
- 4
Cover tightly: parchment on top, then foil
Sealing in the material traps the aroma (your house will thank you) and prevents the surface from drying out and over-converting before the inside finishes.
- 5
Bake for 35–45 minutes — check at 30
At 30 minutes the material should be a deep golden green. Light brown is fine. Dark brown means your oven runs hot — pull early next time. Black means it burned.
- 6
Cool completely on the pan before using
Give it 15 minutes. Properly decarboxylated cannabis crumbles easily between your fingers and smells earthy and slightly toasted. It's ready to infuse immediately or store in an airtight container.
What good decarb looks like
Deep golden green color · crumbles easily · smells earthy and slightly toasted — not sharp or burnt. If it smells scorched or looks dark brown, your oven ran hot. The infusion will still work but potency will be lower than calculated.
Helpful tools
CDN ProAccurate Oven Thermometer
Essential — most ovens run 15–25°F off
View on Amazon →Nordic Ware Half Sheet Pan
Even heat distribution, rimmed edges
View on Amazon →Santa Cruz Shredder
Medium-coarse grind in seconds
View on Amazon →Reynolds Parchment Paper
Non-stick, oven-safe to 425°F
View on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, The Canna Codex earns from qualifying purchases.
Step 2 — Infuse
Your decarbed cannabis is ready. Now bind those cannabinoids to a fat — butter, coconut oil, MCT, or glycerin.
Choose your infusion method →