is a chemical process involving removing a carboxyl group from a molecule. In the context of cannabis, decarboxylation refers to the process of heating or exposing the plant material to light, which causes a chemical change in the compounds known as cannabinoids, specifically the acid forms like THCA or CBDA. This process converts these acid forms into their neutral forms, such as THC and CBD, which are the compounds responsible for the plant’s psychoactive and therapeutic effects. Decarboxylation can be done through baking, smoking, or vaporizing the cannabis material. It is essential to activate the compounds to achieve their intended effects.