Cannabis Extraction Methods
The cannabis market uses three main extraction techniques. In all processes, the plant material is subjected to a solvent to remove active compounds from the plant matter and filtered to yield a solution of the solvent with plant extracts. All processes rely on standard techniques that have been used for years in the botanical, chemical and petrochemical, and distilled spirits industries.
Sub/Super Critical Carbon Dioxide Use:
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is pressurized to the CO2 subcritical or supercritical state. The CO2 stream passes through a chamber containing cannabis material. The distillate can be isolated easily by reducing the pressure which evaporates the CO2, leaving a cannabis extract with no solvent. Working on temperature and pressure affords CO2 systems the ability to yield extracts with a complete terpene profile.
Liquefied Hydrocarbons:
Pressurize butane, propane or other low molecular weight hydrocarbons to a liquid state. The liquid hydrocarbon
passes through a bed of cannabis material and filter, yielding an extract solution of hydrocarbon and plant extract. Like the CO2 method, a reduction in pressure evaporates the hydrocarbon liquid, yielding a solvent-free plant extract.
This method requires great attention to safety due to the flammability of the hydrocarbon used.
Ethanol Extraction Use:
Food grade or USP grade ethanol as a solvent to extract plant material. This method varies from vessels to reactors, filter reactors, spinning vessels to barrels. A popular process has the ethanol chilled to <-20°C (- 4°F) either in a cold room or freezer and then pumped into a container of cannabis.
After a soak period, the ethanol solution is either filtered or the plant material removed in a ‘tea bag’ fashion. The resultant mother liquor of ethanol and extract is then concentrated by removing the ethanol. Typical distillation apparatus used to remove the ethanol include rotary evaporators, falling film evaporators or a batch vacuum distillation system.
Extraction Process Residues and Winterization:
All extraction methodologies described above yield an oil once the solvent has been removed. This oil contains plant lipids, possibly chlorophyll, waxes, fats, terpenes, THC and other cannabinoids. Additional processing to remove the plant lipids and
waxes is necessary to produce a more desirable extract product.
Winterization is the term used to describe the process of removing the plant lipids, fats and waxes. Dissolution of the extraction oil in ethanol and chilling to temperatures <-20°C causes the lipids, fats and waxes to precipitate. This cooling process is conducted in cold rooms, freezers or with jacketed vessels or jacketed filter reactors.
The Ethanol Extraction is slowly making its way to an industry standard thanks to high-quality, low-risk, and relatively inexpensive results it produces. Not to mention the huge investments needed for the Super Critical Carbon Dioxide and Liquefied Hydrocarbons methods.
Which instruments are needed for the Ethanol Extraction Method?
Rotary Evaporator, Water Chiller, Vacuum Pump
The rotary evaporator enables the removal of solvent in a controlled manner
under vacuum. Sizes range from bench top (to 3 L flasks) to pilot scale
(20 L and up). Reducing the pressure in the rotary evaporator by a
vacuum pump lowers the boiling point of the solvent to be removed. In
this case ethanol has to be removed.
Typically, the distilling flask is filled to 50% volume. The water bath is heated to 30-40°C. The condenser temperature, controlled by a recirculating chiller, is set to -5°C to 0°C. Once the water bath and condenser have reached the set points, the distillation
flask is rotated from 150-200 rpm. This creates a thin film on the 2 upper surface of the round glass flask, which increases the solution surface area and enhances the solvent
evaporation rate.
Applying an appropriate vacuum to the system lowers the boiling point. To
achieve a recommended target, set the vacuum to achieve an ethanol vapor temperature of 15-20°C. As the ethanol evaporates, it will condense and collect into the distillate flask.
Pay attention:
Increasing the evaporation rate by lowering the vacuum and/or increasing
the water bath temperature can lead to capacity overload on the condenser. The evaporation rate can exceed the condensation capacity of the recirculating chiller. In this case, ethanol vapor will pass through the condenser and into the vacuum pump. Cannabis extracts require lower water bath temperatures to minimize thermal decomposition.
As a consequence, the condenser temperature of -5°C to 0°C will require a good quality chiller with adequate cooling capacity at those low temperatures.
Temperature control plays a vital role in the cannabis extraction workflow
therefore it is paramount to use good and reliable instruments.
Attention to detail and optimization of the processing conditions
from extraction to component isolation remain critical to maximization
of yield and purity.
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7 Things You Need to Know about Cannabis Extracts
What Are Cannabis Extracts?
Cannabis extracts refers to a broad range of products that generally contain higher levels of cannabinoids than are found in the cannabis plant.
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in cannabis that can affect your mind and body when consumed. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the best known cannabinoid and the one that makes an individual euphoric and intoxicated (or high).
CBD (cannabidiol)
is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that might have some therapeutic benefit, although more research is needed to confirm its potential medical use.
Cannabis extracts can vary widely in their THC and CBD concentrations. Some extracts can have up to 99% THC, whereas others can be mostly CBD with little THC. Cannabis extracts can be in solid form (hash or hashish) or in liquid form (oil intended for vaping). Some extracts are named after their appearance or Consistency, such as shatter, wax, honeycomb and budder. Cannabis extracts are typically smoked or vaporized, and some can be added to dried cannabis flower. Tinctures are extracts that are placed under the tongue using a spray or dropper.
Dabbing is a relatively new way of vaping extracts that requires a specialized water pipe (“dab rig”), a heating element (“nail”), a torch and a dab tool.
Nectar Collector is a E-device that acts like a heated straw so you can consume your concentrates right from the container you buy them in for a no mess, no fuss, great tasting choice. Its one of our favorites.!
Dabbing is not recommended for individuals who are new to cannabis. If you have tried cannabis before and are considering using cannabis extracts, here are seven things
you need to know.
1. Always Purchase Your cannabis Extracts from a Legal Source
(Some cannabis extracts (e.g., wax and shatter) are made using complex lab
equipment and chemical solvents. Because the extraction process usually
involves the use of solvents, some residual solvent can be left in the
final cannabis extract.)
There is also emerging evidence of health issues associated with new chemical formulations that can occur when cannabis extracts are heated to a high temperature. Cannabis extracts made by license holders are strictly regulated and inspected for
quality, including the presence of solvents and pesticides.
Extracts from illegal sources are not regulated, which means you do not know how
much residual solvent or other chemicals are present in the extracts they produce.
Making your own cannabis extracts can be a dangerous process. Play it safe and purchase your cannabis extracts from a licensed retailer. Purchase your cannabis extracts from legal, licensed retailers.
2. Be Sure To Read the Label Carefully
There are many different Extracts that not only vary in their THC concentration, but also in the way they are used. Using a cannabis extract with a higher THC level than you are used to or consuming an extract in an incorrect way can lead to a negative experience.
Read the label, paying special attention to the concentrations of THC and CBD in the product. For people who are new to extracts, it is a good idea to do your own research about different types of cannabis extracts or ask a friend or family member who has experience with them to understand which type would be best for you.
Read the label carefully for concentration of THC and CBD, and instructions for use.
3. If You Are New to Cannabis! DO NOT DAB!
Dabbing is a complicated and risky method for vaping high-strength cannabis
extracts, which is not recommended for people who are inexperienced with
cannabis. You need to know how to set up a dab rig, how to heat the
nail to the right temperature, how much cannabis extract to insert on
the nail and how to inhale the vapors. You have to know how to clean and
maintain the dab rig.
On top of this, the effects of dabbing can kick in quickly and be more intense than smoking dried cannabis. Not knowing what to do can quickly lead to a negative experience. If you choose to try dabbing, you should start with extracts that have lower THC concentrations. Your first few times dabbing should be with a trusted friend or family member who has adequate experience with this method.
4. The Effects of Consuming High-Strength Cannabis Extracts Can Be Intense
and Felt Quickly Cannabis extracts can have high levels of THC, up to 99%.
Compare that to the 10–25% THC typically found in dried cannabis buds. In other words, high-strength cannabis extracts can lead to intense intoxication quickly. They can also increase your risk of over-intoxication, symptoms of which include severe anxiety, vomiting and symptoms of psychosis (paranoia).
So take precautions. If you are vaping, take one puff and wait five minutes to see what Happens before taking another. If you are dabbing, start with a small amount (the size of a grain of rice) and wait at least 10 minutes before doing more.
If you are new to cannabis, it is recommended that you avoid high-strength cannabis
extracts.
Instead, start with a one or two puffs of a vape with 100 mg/g (10%) or less of THC. If it is a
cannabis extract that you eat (a capsule), start with no more than 2.5 mg of THC
and wait at least four hours before consuming more. Again, it is best that your first few times using cannabis extracts be with trusted friends or family members who have experience with them. If you or someone you know has consumed too much cannabis and is not feeling well, contact your local poison center or seek medical attention. When consuming high-strength cannabis extracts, take it easy and start low.
5. Cannabis Extracts Containing High THC Content Can Increase Your Tolerance.
Daily or near-daily use of high-strength cannabis extracts, such as wax, shatter and budder, can increase your tolerance to THC. Increased tolerance means that lower-strength cannabis products will no longer have as much effect on you. It will take more cannabis to get the same high.
6. Be Sure To Properly Store Your Cannabis Products Cannabis extracts are sensitive to heat and can break down.
It is important to store them with this in mind. Just as there are different cannabis extracts, there are different ways to store them. Take precautions to ensure that products are properly labelled, stored in child-resistant containers that are re-sealed after use, and stored out of sight and reach of children. It is also a good idea to invest in a lockbox or make your own. If you or someone you know has accidently consumed cannabis and is not feeling well, contact your local poison center or seek medical attention. Be sure that your cannabis products are properly labelled and stored.
7. Be Safe, have fun, do not use cannabis and drive, lets all stay safe to enjoy life!
8. It is important to be respectful of non-cannabis users.
There are great personal filters that you can use to filter smoke cloud.