Conversion of CBD to THC by heat

In order to convert CBD to THC legally, both compounds have to be legal in the country, state, or territory, where the cooking is taking place.

CBD/CBDA legality

CBD/CBDA is currently not scheduled by any United Nations treaty

CBD, and CBD acid (CBDA), is currently not scheduled by any United Nations treaty, but it is possible that CBD will be added as a THC precursor in the future to the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

Countries and territories that have criminalized CBD

Since the discovery that CBD is a precursor for THC, a few govermnents have criminalized CBD.

• Hong Kong: Illegal in Hong Kong since 1st February 2023, punishable by 7 years imprisonment.^[1]

THC/THCA legality

THC/THCA is scheduled under United Nations treaty

THC, and THC acid (THCA), is scheduled under the United Nations treaty.

Countries and territories that have legalized cannabis

However, cannabis has been legalized for possession, cultivation and use in private in a few countries and states.

Legality

The compounds for manufacturing in the US could be considered analogs of THC, in which case, sales or possession intended for human consumption could be prosecuted under the Federal Analog Act.

"The four most intense products, namely Δ9-THC, Δ8-THC, cannabichromene and cannabinol account for more than 95% of the decomposition products at 250 and 300 °C pyrolysis temperatures in inert atmosphere. Under oxidative conditions an additional product, cannabielsoin appeared. The ratio of the aforementioned five decomposition products is more than 80% under oxidative conditions up to 300 °C."^[2]

Δ9-THC = THC. Δ8-THC is less potent than Δ9-THC.

Simple recipe

Product distribution of CBD at various temperatures in oxidative (O) atmosphere.

Equipment:

• A conventional oven (also called a regular oven or traditional oven).
• An oven thermometer.
• A plate.
• A timer.
• A razor blade.
• A small container.
• Label tape.

Procedure:

• Set the oven at 250 C.
• Place the oven thermometer on the plate.
• Make sure that the thermometer has reached exactly 250 C, otherwise you might have to raise the temperature on the oven slightly.
• Open the oven and put the CBD in the plate.
• Close the oven and wait until the temperature have raised to 250 C again. The CBD will melt.
• Set the timer on 32 minutes and be patient, to convert the CBD to cannabinoids (see the above table).
• Open the oven, take out the plate, and let it cool in room temperature.
• Scrape the cannabinoids from the plate with the razor blade.
• Transfer the cannabinoids to the container.
• Write the estimated strength on the label tape and attach it to the container.

Professional recipe

Product distribution of CBD at various temperatures in inert (I) atmosphere (requires air-free technique).

Semi-inert atmosphere

Equipment:

• A conventional oven (also called a regular oven or traditional oven).
• An oven thermometer.
• a CONTAINER. Suggestions:
  • An ]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ampoule ampoule]: Because it is hermetically sealed, and that can withstand 205 C.
  • A small keyring container (web search "titanium keyring capsule"). You might want to try if the silicone gasket ring can withstand heat by exposing the keyring empty at 250 C first. If it melts, then just remove the gasket ring and use the keyring container without it.
  • A tiny spatula.
• Heat safetly gloves
• A timer.
• A razor blade.
• Label tape.

Procedure for semi-inert atmosphere:

• Set the oven at 250 C.
• Place the oven thermometer on the plate.
• Make sure that the thermometer has reached exactly 250 C, otherwise you might have to raise the temperature on the oven slightly.
• Fill the CONTAINER with CBD completely.
• Seal the container if you used an ampoule.
• Open the oven and put the CONTAINER on the plate.
• Close the oven and wait until the temperature have raised to 250 C again. The CBD will melt inside the container.
• Set the timer on 32 minutes and be patient, to convert the CBD to cannabinoids (see the above table).
• Open the oven, take out the plate.
• If you used a keyring container: Open the CONTAINER with the heat gloves while it is hot. Pour out the content from the CONTAINER with the spatula to the plate.
• Use isopropyl alcohol to rinse the residues of the content inside the CONTAINER. Let all isopropy evaoporate from the plate.
• Transfer the cannabinoids back to the CONTAINER or to another container.
• Write the estimated strength on the label tape and attach it to the container.

Alternative conversions

The below recipe may be used to convert the following phytocannabinnoids (without residual metals found in related commercial CBD converted products like vape cartridges, gummies, etc):

• Cannabidiphorol (CBDP) to tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCP) which is 30 times more potent than THC.
  • CBDP is produced by decarboxylating CBDP acid (CBDPA).
• Cannabidihexol (CBDH) to tetrahydrocannabihexol (THCH) which is 25 times more potent than THC.
  • CBDH is produced by decarboxylating CBDH acid (CBDHA).

• Cannabis growing techniques

• Conversion of CBD to THC (Wikipedia)
• THC production by yeast (Wikipedia)
• Decarboxylated cannabis resins, uses thereof and methods of making same (Google Patents)
• Cannabinoid acid synthase
  • Cannabidiolic acid synthase
  • Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase (Wikipedia)
• Cannabidiol as the Substrate in Acid-Catalyzed Intramolecular Cyclization