Most edible guides stop at "make cannabutter and add it to brownies." That works, but it treats cannabis cooking as a recipe instead of a process. If your edibles are inconsistent — one batch puts you on the moon, the next does nothing — the problem isn't the recipe. It's imprecise decarboxylation, uncontrolled infusion, or missing dosing math.
This guide covers the science behind each step so you can produce edibles with predictable, consistent potency every time.
Decarboxylation: the conversion that makes edibles work
Why you have to decarb
Raw cannabis contains THCA, not THC. THCA is non-psychoactive — eating raw flower does nothing. Heat removes a carboxyl group (CO₂) from THCA, converting it to THC. This is decarboxylation.
When you smoke or vaporize cannabis, decarb happens instantly from the flame or vaporizer temperature. In cooking, you need to deliberately apply heat to the raw material before or during infusion.
The decarb curve
Decarboxylation is a time-temperature reaction. Too little heat or time leaves THCA unconverted. Too much heat degrades THC into CBN (sedating but less psychoactive) or destroys it entirely.
| Temperature | Time | THCA → THC conversion | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200°F (93°C) | 90 min | ~70% | Gentle; preserves terpenes; slower |
| 220°F (105°C) | 45 min | ~85–90% | Most recommended home method |
| 240°F (116°C) | 30 min | ~90–95% | Faster but more terpene loss |
| 250°F (121°C) | 25 min | ~90–95% | Near the degradation threshold |
| 280°F+ (138°C+) | Any | Degradation begins | THC converts to CBN; avoid |
The sweet spot: 220°F for 40–45 minutes is the most forgiving home method. It converts 85–90% of THCA to THC with minimal degradation. If you want to preserve terpenes for flavor, go lower and longer (200°F for 90 minutes).
Decarb technique
- Break cannabis into pea-sized pieces — don't grind to powder (it'll burn on the edges). Rough-broken pieces heat evenly
- Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer
- Cover tightly with foil — this traps volatile terpenes and prevents them from venting into your oven (and your house)
- Bake at 220°F for 40–45 minutes
- Check: the cannabis should be dry, crumbly, and light golden brown. If it's green, it's undercooked. If it's dark brown, it's overcooked
Mason jar method (lower smell):
- Place broken cannabis in a mason jar, seal finger-tight (not fully — the jar needs to vent CO₂)
- Place the jar on its side on a baking sheet
- Bake at 220°F for 45 minutes
- Remove, cool, then open — the terpenes are trapped in the jar