Maximizing Cannabis Potency: Beyond Decarboxylation Techniques
A common misconception is that decarboxylation can enhance the potency of cannabis. However, decarboxylation merely activates THC to allow it to bind with fat cells more effectively, which is the mechanism that makes you feel the effects. If you're looking to increase the potency of your cannabis, you may be wondering if soaking it in water or vodka is an option. This article will explore the different methods and provide insights on how to maximize your cannabis's THC content.
The Truth Behind Potency
First, let's clear up a common misunderstanding. The strength of THC is not determined by different types of THC, similar to the strength of oxygen. Instead, potency depends on the concentration of THC in the plant material. Stronger cannabis strains contain more THC, so a high potency 20% strain will have more THC per gram than a low potency 5% strain. While some lower quality cannabis may produce less THC per gram, it still contains the same amount of THC per potently, regardless of variety. Therefore, to enhance the potency of your cannabis, you need to focus on increasing the THC content through more effective preparation methods.
Water Soak: A Misunderstood Method
One common method often mentioned is soaking cannabis in water. However, this technique does not enhance the potency of your cannabis. THC is not water-soluble, so soaking your plant material in water will not increase the concentration of THC. Instead, it is important to use solvents that are fat or alcohol-based for extraction. Extraction involves using a solvent to pull the THC and other cannabinoids out of the plant material, and then removing the solvent to isolate the active compounds.
Vodka Soak: A Poor Choice for Extraction
For those considering soaking their cannabis in vodka, it is important to understand that vodka is only 40% alcohol, which is not sufficient for a complete extraction of THC. Vodka can be used, but it will require a long soaking period, usually about a month, to even begin to extract a significant amount of THC. For optimal results, it is recommended to use a higher proof alcohol or a non-alcoholic solvent such as fats. For those interested in using vodka, it is advisable to opt for a higher proof alcohol like Everclear (190 proof), which is the best option available for effective extraction.
Decarboxylation: The Active Ingredient
Decarboxylation is the process of converting THC acid (THCA) to THC, which is the active ingredient that produces psychoactive effects. It is important to note that you can decarb concentrated cannabis after extraction, but the most common method is to first decarb the raw plant material and then extract with a solvent. Decarboxylation is crucial because it activates the THC so that it can be effectively used in edibles, vapes, or other cannabis products.
Practical Application and Edible Preparation
The process of creating cannabis edibles is a combination of decarboxylation and extraction. By using a solvent like alcohol or fat, you can extract THC from the plant material and then decarboxylate it to activate the THC. The amount of plant material used during the extraction process will determine how much THC is extracted. However, all the THC in the final product will have the same strength, so the strength of your edibles can be measured in milligrams per unit (e.g., cookies, gummies, or chocolate squares).
For those with low-quality or trimmings from high-quality plants, using these materials can still result in potent edibles. Simply use more of the lower-quality material during the extraction process to achieve the same level of THC per unit as higher-quality material.
In conclusion, decarboxylation is necessary to activate THC, but it is water soak is not an effective method for increasing potency. Instead, use a strong alcohol like Everclear or fat-based solvents for optimal extraction. Always decarb your material before extracting and choose the right solvent based on your specific needs, such as extra virgin olive oil for flavored edibles.