Fact Checked by Doctor NameCannabis extraction utilizes solvents like hydrocarbons or CO2 to separate and isolate desirable compounds like cannabinoids and terpenes away from raw plant material.
Common methods include butane hash oil (BHO), hash, rosin presses, and supercritical CO2 oil.
What is Extraction?
Extraction aims to isolate the naturally occurring beneficial compounds generated within the trichomes of the cannabis plant. Solvents act as a separating medium.
As they pass through raw cannabis material, the resins containing cannabinoids and terpenes preferentially dissolve into the solvent.
Solvents used include:
- Hydrocarbons – Butane, propane, hexane
- Ethanol and other alcohols
- Supercritical CO2 – Puts CO2 into a state exhibiting solvent properties.
- Water, ice
- Plant lipids like coconut oil
Key factors impacting an extraction’s quality and composition include:
- Solvent type
- Starting material – Flower, trim, fresh frozen plants, etc.
- Extraction parameters – Temperature, pressure, duration
- Post-processing – Steps like dewaxing, vacuum purging, distillation
Benefits of Extraction:
- Concentrates compounds and cannabinoids
- Allows isolation of specific cannabinoids
- Provides smoke-free consumption options
- Preserves terpenes well if done properly
- Generates versatile extract products like shatter, wax, live resin, etc.
In general, the highest quality extractions utilize fresh frozen cannabis material and hydrocarbon or CO2 solvents followed by robust post-processing.
