# What is Decarboxylating Cannabis and Why Do We Do It? > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/decarboxylating-cannabis-process-why-how/ > **Published:** 2020-03-10T12:23:11-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:17:36-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Learn about the decarboxylating cannabis process and why it’s essential for activating THC and enhancing cannabis edibles. --- Decarboxylating, or “decarbing”, is when the cannabis is heated just enough to transform the non-psychoactive cannabinoid THCA into THC, which is the form of the cannabinoid that give you the “Euphoric” feeling. While studies are now showing some benefits of THCA from raw cannabis, like anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea, the goal of these (and most) edibles is to enjoy the benefits of THC and other active cannabinoids. Decarboxylating, or “decarbing”, is when the cannabis is heated just enough to transform the non-psychoactive cannabinoid THCA into THC, which is the form of the cannabinoid that give you the “Euphoric” feeling. While studies are now showing some benefits of THCA from raw cannabis, like anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea, the goal of these (and most) edibles is to enjoy the benefits of THC and other active cannabinoids. The most common way that people decarb their cannabis is by breaking it up into small pieces, placing it on a sheet pan and “baking” it in the oven at 220 for about 25 minutes. Some people will drop the temperature lower and bake a little bit longer, so as to preserve more terpenes, which in turn will give you more of an [entourage effect](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-terpene-synergy-entourage-effect/). If you aren’t comfortable using an oven, an even simpler way of decarbing is to use a tabletop device like the Ardent or a DecarBox. You can also use the already vaped bud (AVB) leftover from your flower vaporizer! Either way you decide to decarb, the key is to make sure you are staying below 300 degrees fahrenheit. Now, this will create a lovely aroma in your kitchen. So be sure that you are somewhere that is OK and don’t have any housemates that will be annoyed. While ingesting cannabis is discrete, the preparations aren’t as much. There are products like Kushley, that can neutralize the odor from decarboxylation, as well as consuming cannabis. Once you have your decarbed cannabis, you are ready to make an edible! [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. 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