Yes, decarboxylation is an essential step if you want to activate the THC in cannabis before cooking it with butter in a slow cooker. Decarboxylation is a chemical process that converts the inactive THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) found in raw cannabis into the psychoactive THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). This step is necessary because raw cannabis does not have significant amounts of THC and will not produce the desired psychoactive effects if used without decarboxylation.
When you decarboxylate cannabis, you apply heat to it at a specific temperature for a certain duration, which removes a carboxyl group from the THCA molecule, turning it into THC. The process can be done in an oven or with other heat sources.
After decarboxylation, you can then infuse the activated cannabis into butter or oil using a slow cooker. The cannabinoids will bind to the fat in the butter, making it an effective carrier for THC and other compounds. This infused butter can then be used in various recipes to create edibles with the desired psychoactive effects.
Keep in mind that proper dosing and responsible consumption are crucial when making edibles, as the effects can be more potent and longer-lasting than smoking or vaping cannabis. Start with a small amount and wait for at least two hours to assess the impact before consuming more, if desired. Also, remember to store any cannabis-infused products out of reach of children and pets.