Decarboxylation

Decarboxylation is the chemical process by which raw cannabinoid acids (like THCA) lose a carboxyl group (CO2) and convert to their active forms (THC, CBD, etc.). Heat is the primary trigger — combustion when smoking, vaporization when vaping, baking time/temperature when making edibles. Without decarboxylation, raw THCA flower will not produce psychoactive effects.

Example: Decarbing flower at 240°F for 40 minutes is the standard for edibles.

Etymology: Standard organic chemistry term applied to cannabis since the 1960s.