Jack Studebaker of Saving Grace CBD talks about methods of CBD extraction and specifically how Saving Grace uses the healthier Co2 extraction method to get the cleanest, pure CBD extraction possible.
CBD (cannabidiol) is extracted from the cannabis plant, including both hemp and marijuana varieties, using several methods, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The goal of extraction is to produce a concentrated form of CBD that can then be used in various products, such as oils, edibles, and topicals. Here are the main methods used for CBD extraction:
CO2 Extraction: This method uses supercritical carbon dioxide to separate CBD oil from the plant material. CO2 extraction is highly efficient and produces a pure, clean, and safe product. The process involves changing CO2’s state through temperature and pressure changes, allowing it to act as a solvent without leaving harmful residues. This method is considered the industry standard for producing high-quality CBD products.
Ethanol Extraction: Ethanol, a form of alcohol, is used as a solvent to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material. It is considered safe and efficient and is commonly used for large-scale extraction. One drawback is that ethanol extraction can also pull out unwanted components, such as chlorophyll, which may require additional steps to remove. However, it is effective for producing full-spectrum CBD extracts that contain a wide range of cannabinoids and terpenes.
Hydrocarbon Extraction: This method involves the use of hydrocarbon solvents like butane or propane to extract CBD oil. Hydrocarbon extraction can be very efficient and produce a potent product, but it carries a higher risk due to the flammable nature of the solvents used. There’s also concern about residual solvents remaining in the final product, which requires careful purging processes.
Olive Oil Extraction: This is a simple and safe method often used by home producers. The cannabis plant is first decarboxylated (heated) to activate the cannabinoids. Then, it is infused in olive oil, which extracts the cannabinoids. The main disadvantage is that the resulting extract is less concentrated than those produced by other methods, making it less commercially viable but suitable for small-scale, personal use.
Dry Ice Extraction: This DIY method involves using dry ice to freeze the resin off the plant material. The frozen trichomes are then shaken or sifted off to produce a high-CBD hash. While not as efficient or pure as CO2 or ethanol extractions, it’s a relatively simple and safe method for small-scale extraction.
Each method has its trade-offs between purity, efficiency, cost, and safety. CO2 extraction is generally preferred for its safety and high purity of the final product, making it popular among high-quality CBD producers.
Transcript:
There are several different ways to extract cannabinoids out of hemp or marijuana. There’s alcohol extraction, which primarily uses ethanol. There’s also CO2 extraction. Saving Grace does CO2 extraction; it’s a more costly way of doing extraction, but what we like about the CO2 extraction is that it isn’t as invasive, and there isn’t any organic solvents that need to be remediated out of the extract. When you have an alcohol-extracted product, it tends to pull out more of the plant waxes, fats, and chlorophyll, which are safe for the body as long as the alcohol is remediated out of the final extract. With alcohol-extracted products, you tend to find a lot more additives, such as flavors and sweeteners, to try to mask that bitter taste because of the chlorophyll. With CO2 extraction, we don’t get that, so we just get the incredible, beautiful cannabinoids. All of our products, we don’t add any additives, flavors, sweeteners, or anything along those lines. There are some other extraction methods as well, such as water extraction, but primarily speaking, the two main ones are alcohol extraction and CO2 extraction.
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