Decarboxylation

Decarboxylation is the process of activating the chemical compounds of cannabis for them to produce a particular effect in the human body or mind. Cannabinoids like CBD or THC are found in raw cannabis in the form of THCA and CBDA (A standing for acid). THCA and CBDA are actually different cannabinoids that have therapeutic effects in humans that differ from the effects provided by THC and CBD. Most notably, THCA has no psychotropic effect, while THC does generate a mind-altering effect. Decarboxylation is achieved by simply heating the plant material (specifically, the cannabis flower buds), which is the reason dried cannabis is smoked or vaped. Cannabis also needs to be decarboxylated before the production of cannabis edibles and extracts.