How to decarboxylate cannabis with a mason jar in 5 easy steps

Mason jars aren't just for pickles and jam – you can also use them to decarboxylate cannabis. Decarboxylating your cannabis using a mason jar is an easy process that anyone can do at home with a few simple steps. Read on to learn how to decarb weed in a mason jar!

How to decarb in a jar

The traditional way to decarb your cannabis is to spread it on a baking sheet, bake it using low heat, and stink up your kitchen. But there is another option.

Instead, forget the baking sheet and decarboxylate your cannabis flower using a mason jar to significantly reduce the smell. 

Decarboxylation of THCA to THC

We have to understand the science associated with decarboxylation before we can understand how you can decarb in a mason jar. Raw cannabis contains THCA, a non-intoxicating precursor of THC. The answer lies in temperature - once cannabis is heated, either through vaporization, combustion, or decarboxylation, a chemical reaction occurs in which the acidic component of THCA is removed and the molecule is converted into THC.

Thus, by heating marijuana inside a mason jar, you activate the THC. This process is simple and only takes about 30 minutes. 

How to decarb weed in a mason jar

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Preheat your oven to 240 degrees Fahrenheit. At 220 degrees Fahrenheit, the chemical reaction begins occurring. It is important not to overheat your weed when preparing edibles in order to preserve as much THC as possible. Once the buds have turned golden brown, remove them from the oven and let them sit.

Step 2: Grind up your cannabis with a grinder.

It is crucial to separate your buds so that they can be heated evenly and decarb at the same time. Using a grinder is a good idea, but don't attempt to turn your weed flowers to dust. You will only need to chop your cannabis into rice-sized pieces. If you don't have a grinder, you can simply chop it up with a knife.

Step 3: Place the ground cannabis into a mason jar.

Fill your mason jar with ground weed and seal it securely, being careful not to over-tighten it. You can now place your bud into the preheated oven and let it roast.

Step 4: Give it a shake.

Take out the mason jar about every 15 minutes and shake vigorously with oven gloves. As long as the ground-up buds are agitated, all of the cannabis will receive equal exposure to heat.

Step 5: Remove from the oven, let cool, and enjoy!

After your weed-filled mason jar has roasted for about 30 to 45 min (ovens may vary), remove it from the oven and set it aside to cool. The golden color will appear after the weed has roasted for an adequate amount of time. Be sure to keep an eye on your stash to avoid overcooking. Then let the decarboxylated buds sit for about 30 minutes at room temperature before you add them to your next round of edibles, or simply consume them as is.

When weed is decarbed, it can be infused into just about anything with alcohol or fat. Store the weed after decarboxylation in the mason jar and keep it sealed.

Why decarb with the mason jar method

The mason jar decarboxylation method is simple and doesn't produce any of the strong odors associated with traditional decarbing methods. 

Get started on your cannabis wellness journey

Have you started your cannabis wellness journey? Jointly is a new cannabis wellness app that helps you discover purposeful cannabis consumption so you can achieve your wellness goals with cannabis and CBD. On the Jointly app, you can find new cannabis products, rate products based on how well they helped you achieve your goals, and track and optimize 15 factors that can impact your cannabis experience. These 15 factors include your dose, the environment in which you consume cannabis, who you are with when you ingest, how hydrated you are, the quality of your diet, how much sleep you got last night, and more. Download the Jointly app on the App Store or the Google Play Store to get started on your cannabis wellness journey.