decarboxylation question

[cjack77]

I've done a little bit of research for this. Time to share to wealth!

So THCA is an acid due to a carboxyl (-COOH) group stuck on the molecule that is found naturally in cannabis. THCA actually has no psychological effects on the mind. THC is the active compound in pot that actually causes the psychological effects and is what you want in your body. So we want to be rid of the Carboxyl group by decarboxylating the molecule (taking off the -COOH). This turns THCA into THC (woot!) There is very little natural THC in weed unless it is a special strain which is why we don't just eat weed, we smoke it. When pot is burned, we are effectively reaching the temperature at which the carboxyl group leaves but its inefficient because it causes much THC to boil away around the flame.

Here are some interesting temperature stats:

Decarboxylation: 105 C (220 F)
Boiling of Cannabinoids: 127-200 C (260-392 F)
Boiling of THC: 200 C (392 F)
Flame on lighter: 1300-1977 F

So basically the temperature range you want is 220-260 F (I recommend 230 F for around 20 mins in the oven). This converts most THCA into THC which any way it gets into your body will have psychological effects. This decarboxylation is usually used for cooking because it activates the pot (instead of eating pot straight without activation). Eating is also much more efficient than smoking although it appears that many people have had increased yields when smoking as well. Happy smoking imp:

[montroller]

^^^
Thank you for the info it was very useful.

I just experimented with this process myself and I was a little nervous.
I only had trim to work with so I extracted some hash using the dry sift method and planned to use the leftovers for a butane extraction.
After hearing about decarboxylation I wanted to try it so I cooked my trim for 5 minutes at 250 degrees in the oven. We ended up with about 5 grams of high quality oil:rastasmoke: and there definitely shouldnt have been that much considering I had already dry sifted it.
My conclusion is that this process is a necessity if you plan to make extracts or food.

[juevamann]

Tried this trick out myself.
2 grams of really fresh stuff, buds broken into bits and wrapped in foil.
Placed on preheated tray for 20 mins at 115C, took out and grabbed as much stem and seed as i could while it was hot and steamy as it turned crispy in my hands, then opened up the thicker bits that were still warm and chucked it back in for 5 minutes face up on the foil to truly dry it out.

Took it out the instant it went from a pleasant, light 'steamy green' odour to a stronger, slightly smokish 'vape/cooking' smell, or whatever you want to call it. Rested just a minute till warm and ground immediately to preserve as much stickiness as i could.

Grinding the finished product gives heavy, sticky green powder right on target. But it's easy to overpack as it ends up extremely compact. I turned a good three buds into something you could fit into a Coke lid. Should store fantastically, have to try this.

Tastes a little bunk but not bad enough to make me cough more than usual. Huge amounts of smoke, even with small amounts. A little sprinkled into a cigarette turned my wisp into a cloud, and my cone would have been visible from space.. You do have to trade discreetness for effect, I'd go as far as to call it night weed, especially with the strong eye effects. Drops didn't do much.

I liked the effect. Exquisitely strong straight after smoking.
Lasted longer than usual, felt like it unlocked a fair chunk of my 'stored' thc with it. Could feel it for days afterward..

Does seem to depress more than usual though. Have some funny shit to watch ready.

[shangeet]

I have found something different.
Marijuana produces THCA, an acid with the carboxylic group (COOH) attached. In its acid form, THC is not very active. It is only when the carboxyl group is removed that THC becomes psychoactive. When marijuana is smoked, the THC behind the hot spot is vaporized as the hot air from the burn is drawn through the joint or pipe bowl to the unburned material. The liquid THC and other cannabinoids have a boiling point of between 180-200 C (355-392 F). before they turn gaseous, at around 106 C (220 F), the carboxyl group is released from the molecule as carbon dioxide and water vapor.

You will be extracting the THC using low heat in the commercially made Coldfinger Extractor. (you can find more from research). The THC will not reach a temperature in which decarboxylation takes place. However, if you plan to vaporize or smoke the extract decarboxylation will take place as the oil is used.

However, it is easy to make sure all the THC is decarboxylated and is at full strength before it is extracted. Although decarboxylation takes place rapidly at 106 C, it proceeds at a more gradual pace by placing the cannabis in a room with low relative humidity and room temperature. As the temperature rises, the rate of decarboxylation increases.

Cannabis can also be placed in a food dehydrator to remove the carboxyl group. Although the heat in the food dehydrator doesn't rise to 106 C, the temperature is warm enough to promote drying and the release of the water and CO2. When the marijuana is crispy and brittle you can be assured that the carboxyl group has been removed from the cannabinoids and they are ready for extraction or removal from the plant material.


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:thumbsup:

[Missionpossible420]

I'm trying something simple - wrapped few buds in foil n set it in blazing sun