Does Microwaving Weed Make It More Potent?

Microwaving weed can make it more potent through a process known as decarboxylation. But while putting weed in the microwave may save time, it’s not recommended as it can be somewhat risky. That’s because weed is more likely to burn in the microwave when it heats up quickly.

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Does Putting Weed in the Microwave Make You More High?

Putting weed in a microwave oven can result in a stronger high. That’s because heating weed in a microwave can activate specific cannabinoids and the precursors of cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). As a result, this process will convert inactive, acidic cannabinoids into active ones like THC and CBD.

But if you want to get high, THC is the primary cannabinoid of interest because it’s linked to intoxicating effects. Other cannabinoids, such as CBD, do not cause the classic marijuana “high.” Therefore, it’s best to opt for a strain that contains THC because it’s more likely to have the precursor compounds of this cannabinoid.

However, while heating cannabis flower in the microwave can save you time, it isn’t the best route to take when decarboxylating weed. That’s because this method has the potential to go wrong quickly and could ruin the final product.

Effects of Microwaving Weed

Microwaving weed can alter the effects of the plant material by decarboxylating — or decarbing — its compounds. In other words, it can convert one compound to another, and the compound it is converted to typically has stronger effects. For example, it converts tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

This process occurs when weed is heated to high temperatures between 100 and 120 degrees Celsius. The heat helps by quickly facilitating this process. Without heat, this process can still occur naturally, but it could take several weeks to months, depending on how the weed is stored.

While THCA may offer some therapeutic benefits, indicating it can interact with the human body, it’s generally considered to be inactive since it cannot cause a classic “high.” Converting THCA to THC can ensure that cannabis users experience intoxicating effects.

It’s important not to heat the weed for too long and to ensure that it’s adequately stored afterward. Overheating and poor storage can cause compounds like THC to degrade, making the product less effective. When storing weed after the decarboxylation process, always ensure it’s kept in an airtight container, away from heat and light.

How To Decarb Weed In The Microwave

Unfortunately, there are no specific guidelines on heating or decarbing weed in the microwave. While microwaving weed is quite risky because it has the potential to burn quickly, there are some things you can do to try to prevent this from happening.

For example, some users recommend putting weed in the microwave for up to 90 seconds. However, you could split this time into 30-second intervals while watching it closely to ensure it doesn’t burn.

You could also put a glass of water in the microwave while heating the weed. Doing so can prevent the weed from drying out too much and burning.

Lastly, ensure that the weed is laid out evenly on a flat tray or plate in the microwave to improve the consistency of decarboxylation.

If heating weed in the microwave seems too risky, you could put it in the oven at a low temperature instead.

The Bottom Line

Microwaving weed could make it more potent and potentially increase its intoxicating effects. But keep in mind that it can quickly burn in the microwave, and you will need to watch it carefully to ensure it isn’t ruined.