In general, decarboxylation is a simple process. After all, when you take your lighter to some ground herb, you can count on a psychoactive experience. When it comes to vaporization and the culinary arts, however, there are some nuances to decarbing to keep in mind. Decarboxylating your cannabis well requires steady heat, a controlled temperature, and time. If you heat your herb too little, the process will not take place. With too much heat, you may accidentally evaporate away the oils, flavors, and THC in the plant material.

The boiling points of the major cannabinoids, aroma molecules, and flavor compounds in cannabis range from 246.2° to 435.2° Fahrenheit. However, boiling points do not always equate to decarboxylation. The ideal temperature for decarboxylating marijuana in an oven is just below the standard boiling points, at 240°F. To properly decarboxylate, it’s useful to decarb at low temperatures for a long period of time.

If you’re using an oven to decarb, you may run into a few complications. It is important to note that most ovens heat in a cycle, so a varying internal temperature can occur. This is especially true in gas ovens and older models with inaccurate thermostats. Fortunately, there are a couple of tricks you can use to ensure that your precious herb is described correctly.

The best way to stay as accurate as possible when decarbing in an oven is to use a digital thermostat and a baking stone. To maintain a more consistent temperature, you can use a baking stone under your baking tray to promote consistency while avoiding opening the oven unless necessary. You can also decarboxylate at lower temperatures to safeguard your herb, as long as you increase your baking time accordingly.