Decarboxylation (decarbing) is the process of heating cannabis to activate its psychoactive THC. Raw cannabis won’t get you high if ingested, so this crucial first step transforms the non-psychoactive THCA into activated THC. Skipping it in full will lead to very weak or even ineffective edibles always decarb first by heating gently between 220-235°F for 30-60 minutes.
Poorly infusing the cannabis
To infuse your butter, oil, or other ingredients with cannabis, you’ll need sustained, low heat over time. It allows the THC to bind to the fats. High heat burns off cannabinoids, so keep your infusion at 200°F or lower for best extraction. Infuse for at least 1-2 hours, stirring periodically. Quick “fast food” style infusions don’t maximize potency.
Using too little cannabis
It is tempting to minimize waste and expense by using as little cannabis as possible. But too small an amount will lead to very mild effects. As a general rule, use 1 ounce or more of cannabis per 4 sticks of butter or 1-2 cups of oil. This amount will provide potency while avoiding waste from using excess. Modify the ratio depending on your tolerance and desired strength.
Serving sizes too large
When calculating serving sizes, it’s easy to inaccurate estimate thc edibles levels, especially for beginners. Consuming excessive THC triggers some very unpleasant effects. Carefully measure your butter or oil dose per serving, and limit it to no more than 10 mg THC per serving for mild effects. Cut test servings even smaller (2.5-5 mg) until you gauge potency.
Adding weed before fat when cooking
When cooking cannabis-infused butter or oil into recipes, you must first melt the fat before mixing in the plant material. THC bonds best to fat molecules when heated together. If you add raw cannabis before butter, the THC won’t infuse efficiently. Always melt butter or canna-oil first for the most potent edibles.
Overheating During Cooking
THC binds well to fat molecules; it easily burns off or degrades when overheated. The longer the exposure to heat, the more THC you’ll potentially lose. Cook your edibles at reasonable temps and avoid prolonged heating to preserve THC potency. Like most consumables, cannabis edibles need proper storage to prevent spoilage and maintain freshness. Keep infused butter and oils refrigerated in sealed containers. Baked goods and other edibles should also be sealed and refrigerated or frozen. Exposure to light, air, heat, and moisture all degrade THC, so take measures to prevent this.
Eating on an empty stomach
Always make sure to eat a full meal before consuming cannabis edibles for the best effects. THC binds more efficiently to fatty acids from food in your digestive tract rather than absorbing directly into the bloodstream. This helps mitigate side effects and intensified highs. At minimum eat a tablespoon of peanut butter or other fat source with your edibles.
Redosing too soon
Edibles and ingestibles take much longer to kick in than smoking, sometimes 60-90 minutes or even more. Consuming more before the first dose takes effect leads to over-intoxication once the THC stacks up. Exercise patience when waiting for edibles to activate. D