Fact Checked by Doctor NameAlcohol extraction is a common method used to extract the active compounds from cannabis plants to produce concentrates.
Ethanol alcohol’s unique solubility properties allow it to strip away cannabis oils effectively.
Here is an overview of how alcohol extractions work and are produced.
What is Alcohol Extraction?
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Alcohol extraction relies on ethanol alcohol’s ability to dissolve cannabis’s active components like THC and CBD, terpenes, and other cannabinoids.
High-proof alcohol removes desirable components from plant material. , The liquid is strained and processing removes the alcohol while retaining the dissolved marijuana extracts.
Alcohol’s polarity allows it to break down the plant waxes and oils to capture more soluble compounds than other methods.
Chlorophyll, which may cause bitterness, is extracted. Gentler than other solvents, ethanol is considered safe and effective.
How to Make an Alcohol Extraction?
Basic steps include:
- Freeze cannabis plant material to make trichomes brittle
- Soak plant matter in high-proof ethanol alcohol solvent
- Agitate the mixture for optimal dissolution
- Strain the liquid through filters to remove plant material
- Use distillation, heating, or vacuuming to evaporate the alcohol
- Further refine with chromatography or winterization for smoother, purer extracts
If done properly, the result is a potent, terpene-rich cannabis extract with a wide spectrum of compounds provided by alcohol solubility.
Backyard extraction can be dangerous, so purchasing tested, regulated concentrates from a licensed access point is recommended.
