How to decarboxylate hash (decarboxlyation of hash)

The Magical Butter Machine is the easiest way to decarb kief and make infused butter or oil.
The Magical Butter Machine is the easiest way to decarb kief and make infused butter or oil.

Knowing how to decarboxylate hash will activate the THC so you can make hash edibles that pack a punch.  Decarboxylation of hash is done by gently heating it to cause a chemical reaction where the THC acid (THCA) gets converted into psychoactive THC.

Here are the steps to decarboxylate hash:

How to decarb hash

  1. Break the hash into tiny pieces for even heating. Place the hash on parchment paper if available for easy removal.
  2. Decarb hash in a 250℉ oven for 25-30 minutes.
  3. After your hash has baked for 25-30 minutes, take it out of the oven. Your hash is now decarboxylated and ready to be enjoyed in edibles recipes.
  4. If you’re planning to dissolve your hash in oil for your edibles recipe make sure to break the decarboxylated bubble hash into tiny pieces that will dissolve easily.

What forms of hash will this method decarb?

How to decarb scissor hashThis method for decarbing hash will work with all forms of hashish and kief, including dry sift hash, bubble hash, dry ice hash, finger hash, scissor hash, etc.  Regardless of extraction method, make sure your hash is dry and crumbly so you can get it in a thin layer for the decarboxylation process.

If you decarb wet bubble hash in the oven will take a bit longer to fully decarb since it will take longer for the material to reach the proper temperature needed for the decarb process to begin. Make sure to fully dry your bubble hash when you make it – that will ensure it doesn’t get moldy.

How can you tell if your hash is fully decarboxylated?

In order to turn THCA into psychoavtive THC you'll first need to decarb scissor hash in an oven at low temperatures.
In order to turn THCA into psychoactive THC you’ll first need to decarb your hash in an oven at low temperatures.

There are a few variables that affect decarboxylation. Hash should be broken up into fine powder to ensure there aren’t clumps where the inside doesn’t fully get decarbed. Some forms of hash such dry ice or dry sift are essentially just loose kief, so they can break up easily in your fingers. Other forms of hash such as bubble hash, scissor or finger hash, or old-school heat-pressed hash won’t be so easy to powderize, and that may require additional cooking time.

Make sure to fully preheat your oven for at least 20 minutes. If you place your parchment paper on a baking sheet that will impact heat time. Thicker “air-bake” sheets don’t transfer heat as quickly as thin metal baking sheets, so they’ll take slightly longer for the hash to reach the temperature needed for decarboxylation.

If you under-decarb, your full potency won’t be reached. If you over-decarb, then the THCa will convert into THC but then it will begin to degrade into CBN.  CBN is a cannabinoid that will make you feel sleepy and sedated, so if you overdo how long you decarb hash in the oven your edibles will not have a lively, uplifting effect. High CBN edibles do have a place though −for example, if you’re looking to take them at night to help with sleep. But if you’re looking for a daytime edible, make sure to avoid overdoing it.

The easiest way to decarb hash is to use a Magical Butter Machine. Their decarb kit accessory comes with a digital thermometer and helps ensure you get a consistent decarb every time.

This cannabis tincture is made with decarboxylated hash and grain alcohol
This cannabis tincture is made with decarboxylated hash and grain alcohol.

Why decarboxylate hash before using in edibles?

Raw cannabis, hash, or concentrates such as rosin or shatter won’t have psychoactive effects on their own.  When you smoke these substances the burning instantly decarbs it as you breathe in. For edibles recipes, you need to activate the THC first, before cooking.  Simply mixing raw hash in your brownie recipe will leave most of the potential high unrealized. Decarbing hash will allow you to make the potent edibles most users are looking for.

After decarboxylation, hash can be used to make a variety of edibles such as this cannabis tinctureOnce you have properly decarboxylated hash you have activated the THC in a way your liver can process once you eat it. It can be enjoyed in any edibles recipe you’d like, preferably one where you dissolve the decarbed hash in a fat-based oil such as butter, coconut oil, vegetable oil, etc. You can also use your decarboxylated hash in this THC tincture recipe.

The secret to making the best edibles from bubble hash, finger hash, dry ice hash, old-school Frenchy Cannoli-style hash, or loose kief is to know how to decarb bubble hash before you cook recipes with it. The process for decarbing hash oil is very similar to decarbing kief; learn how to decarb BHO here.

If you are planning to make cannabutter with hash, you can place your decarbed hash directly in the butter to dissolve it.  The same applies if you’re looking to learn how to decarb hash so you can then incorporate the hash with coconut oil.

Once decarboxylated, hash is a great choice for making edibles because the recipes have much less of the “planty” marijuana flavor of edibles cooked with cannabis flower or trim.  The hash creation process removes nearly all of the green plant material, leaving you with just the psychoactive trichome heads.

Summary

Once you know how to decarboxylate hash you’ll be able to activate the THC for edibles recipes. The best way to decarb hash is to break up the hash into small chunks and spread in a thin layer on parchment paper. Bake at 250 degrees for 25-30 minutes and you’re ready to go.

How to make cannabutter with bubble hash
Once you have decarbed your hash you will have activated the THC for use it for edibles, such as this cannabutter.
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