Why CBD Extraction Matters
Naturally derived compounds and mixtures were the only medicinal products available for thousands of years. Likely, humans have used botanical “medicines” for as long as we’ve been around. Archaeological excavations have found opium poppies and Cannabis in sites as old as 60,000 B.C.! Many years ago, these plants were crudely formed into a paste, cake, tincture, compounded, consumed, or applied topically. Thankfully, modern CBD extraction offers a better way to get the goods.
Many CBD extraction techniques help target compounds residing within plants. Some are more specific to the compounds they seek, and some are found almost universally, but we’ll discuss the big ones related to CBD extraction today.
Generally, CBD extraction techniques can be broken down into two categories: solvent-based and solventless-based. Both approaches attempt to dissolve the wanted compounds (in this case, cannabinoids) and move them away from the plant matrix and unwanted compounds. Solvent-based CBD extraction is the most common in the hemp industry.
Butane CBD Extraction
The first of these solvents is most likely the most well-known in the medical and recreational Cannabis market: Butane. Butane-extracted resin or butane honey oil (BHO) occurs when liquid butane (at -0.5℃) is passed over through hemp or Cannabis biomass. Generally (and more safely), this is done at both cryogenic temperatures and pressure to ensure the butane does not evaporate into a gas. Gaseous butane is very dangerous! Butane is not the only alkane to be used in this way. Other alkanes, such as propane, hexane, and heptane, are all known to be used this way. Alkanes are a good choice since water-soluble compounds such as chlorophyll and some plant sugars are left behind, and doing this at cryogenic temperatures will also allow for in-line winterization, which we’ll discuss later. This process usually takes place in what is called a “closed loop” extractor. This means that the butane and cannabinoids are not introduced to the open air and handled otherwise before separating both the butane and cannabinoids. We’ll also discuss this process later, but let’s move on to another favorite CBD extraction method: Ethanol.
Ethanol CBD Extraction
Ethanol has been the major CBD extraction method in solvent-based CBD extraction for many years, but access can sometimes be limited. Being a highly flammable and lightly corrosive liquid, proper steps must be taken to ensure safety in handling within the laboratory. Generally, this is done at cryogenic temperatures to ensure fewer fats and sugars are gathered, but temperatures vary across the industry.
Two other problems come with ethanol: legality and water. Alcohol (ethanol, ethyl alcohol; the same compound that makes fermented and distilled beverages so desirable) is regulated by the Federal Alcohol Agency (part of the Department of Treasury). Getting a liquor license to serve your fellow humans a Moscow Mule is one thing, but a license to store thousands of gallons of high-purity ethanol and use it in CBD extraction is another. It’s also heavily taxed no matter the size, turning a $10 bottle into a $30 bottle of Everclear.
Water is another issue: properly distilled ethyl alcohol comes out of the still at 200 proof (100%) but quickly lowers to 190 (95%). This is because ethanol is unstable in this purity and snatches water from wherever it can (generally from the air) until it reaches a new maximum of 95%. After that, it can still gather water when passing over and through Cannabis biomass through hydrogen bonding. Even properly cured and dried biomass can contain anywhere from 5-13% water by weight, so compounding water in ethanol during extraction over time is easy. More water means more sugars and chlorophyll.
Many in the CBD extraction industry also move towards denatured ethanol, which starts as 200-proof ethanol and is then stabilized by adding heptane, isopropyl, or another solvent compound. Some believe this can lead to issues in removing the solvent from the end product due to what’s called an azeotrope or lead to dangerous compounds during post-processing. Still, there isn’t much information to support this claim, and denatured ethanol is undrinkable, so it isn’t taxed the same as pure ethanol, meaning a lower cost for CBD extraction. Ethanol is a tried and true method for extracting oils, terpenes, and flavonoids, which makes it a common and well-tried choice in the industry.
CO2 CBD Extraction
Carbon Dioxide (or CO2 as it is commonly called) is similar to butane in the way it is used in a closed-loop system under pressure. It is touted as the purest form of CBD extraction because CO2 is easy to purge from the extract; this is very debatable because the resulting extract still needs to be mixed with ethanol to winterize (remove fats and waxes) the extract. Don't fall for the industry claims that it is somehow better; ethanol is easily purged from extracts, and products should always be tested for residual solvents. The other grey area comes in the pressures and temperatures used. CO2 is a liquid under high pressure. It stays liquid under even higher pressure when heated as well. These pressure and temperature differences can make CO2 act in a very particular and unique way: as both a fluid and a gas. As we all remember from our 5th-grade science class, gasses fill the space they are in. CO2 keeps its density as a “liquid” and can enter spaces like a gas. It’s not the best solvent for CBD extraction, and machines that can safely handle the pressure are expensive, but it can be an excellent option for products like “shatter” and “wax.”
Solventless CBD Extraction
Now for solvent-less extraction methods. Some companies have started using high-pressure steam to push cannabinoids out of the trichomes, similarly to CO2, but even less efficiently. This is similar to the steam distillation of water-soluble plant compounds but works with pressure to target the cannabinoids.
The other most common solvent-less extraction method is Rosin Pressing. Rosin is produced by using mechanical pressure and heat to squish the cannabinoids out of the trichomes. This is an excellent option for small batches and gives an automatically concentrated product.
Solvent-based CBD extraction is the most efficient and common way to extract across the industrial hemp and medical and recreational Cannabis industries. Depending on the final product that you’re looking for, different methods may be better suited to manufacturing them. Going back to our post on ‘Reading a CoA’ (certificate of analysis), this can be critical in making sure that proper safety has been carried out during CBD extraction - you don’t want excessive butane or heavy metals in a product you’re choosing to consume!
After CBD extraction, there are many ways to refine cannabinoids further. Some cannabinoids (like CBD, CBG, and even THCa under special circumstances) will crystallize, making it easy to single them out and purify them. Winterization can be used to filter out and remove fats. Distillation uses heat and vacuum to remove all solvents and can be used further to separate cannabinoids from other plant constituents. Isolates (crystalized cannabinoids), distillate (distilled cannabis oil), and crude oil all have their place in final products and may be better suited to you, depending on your circumstances or needs.
We encourage you to learn about the products you like, how they’re made, and what works best for you! As always, Blackhouse Botanicals is happy to answer any questions and is here to help you search for the best and most efficacious Cannabis s. products for you, which we just so happen to have!
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Let us know your questions, comments, or suggestions about this or future blog posts by sending your inquiries to BlackhouseBotanicalsBlog@gmail.com. Check out the articles below! Next time, we’ll discuss something interesting happening in the industry: Microbes. See you then!