Decarboxylation
Pronunciation: /dee-kar-boks-ih-LAY-shun/
Definition
Decarboxylation is the process of converting raw cannabinoid acids (like CBDa) into their active forms (like CBD) by applying heat.
Fresh hemp produces cannabinoids in their acidic forms: CBDa, THCa, CBGa. These acids must be 'decarbed' — heated to remove a carboxyl group (CO2) — before they bind effectively to cannabinoid receptors.
Decarboxylation happens during smoking, vaping, baking, or controlled commercial heating. CBD oil products are decarbed during manufacturing, which is why they list CBD (not CBDa) on the label.
Next stepOrganic CBD Oil Oral Drops$30.00–$65.004.8 · 65 early customer reviewsShop →Related terms
- CBD (Cannabidiol)CBD is one of more than 100 naturally occurring compounds called cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce a 'high.'
- CannabinoidCannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. The plant contains more than 100 of them.
- THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the psychoactive 'high' associated with marijuana. Hemp-derived CBD products may contain up to 0.3% THC under federal law.
- THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid)THCA is the raw, non-intoxicating acid form of THC that the living hemp plant actually produces. Heat converts it into delta-9 THC.
- Total THCTotal THC counts the delta-9 THC already in a product plus the THC its THCA would become if heated — calculated as (0.877 x THCA) + delta-9 THC.
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