The Extraction Process - Where and how do we get our CBD and CBN?

It’s not the same process as squeezing wine out of grapes! There are various techniques for extracting and purifying CBD and various cannabinoids form the hemp plant. The extraction process involves preparing hemp material, separating its beneficial compounds using a solvent, and then purifying the resulting extract. Methods include CO2 extraction, or solvent extraction. Once extracted the crude hemp oil may undergo a further process of decarboxylation to further refine the oil, like distillation, in to isolate pure CBD.

1. The Basic Steps

Mature hemp plants are harvested, dried, and ground into a coarse powder to increase the surface area for extraction. The ground hemp material is then heated to activate the cannabinoids, converting them from their acidic forms like CBDA into their active, non-acidic forms, like CBD. A solvent is then used to separate the CBD and other beneficial compounds from the plant material.

After this, the resulting crude extract is then processed to remove unwanted plant matter, waxes, and solvents, leading to a more refined product.

‍

2. Supercritical CO2 Extraction

This is an advanced method using pressurized carbon dioxide, which acts as a solvent at high temperatures and pressures, to extract cannabinoids. It leaves no solvent residue, preserving beneficial compounds and creating a pure full-spectrum extract. CO2 extraction is the cleanest, most effective method of extraction. It is also the most environmentally friendly and our choice of extraction methods. 

‍

3. Solvent Extraction – There are Two Kinds

Ethanol Extraction is a popular, non-toxic method using high-proof ethanol (alcohol) to dissolve and extract cannabinoids and terpenes from the hemp plant. The ethanol is evaporated, leaving the desired extract.

Hydrocarbon Extraction is a method that uses solvents like butane or propane to extract cannabinoids from the plant.

‍

4. Other Extraction Methods, But Let’s Go One Step Further: Decarboxylation

Other methods of extraction include oil extraction and steam distillation but there is one further step critical to extracting pure CBD oil: “decarboxylation.” This is an important step for efficient production of the major components of the active ingredient (CBD for example). It is a slow, controlled heating process of the oil that removes a carboxyl group (COOH) from a molecule. In the case of hemp oils, making them bioavailable to the body’s endocannabinoid system. The process lasts 30 to 60 minutes of gentle heat between 220 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. This simple but essential step helps preserve terpenes and other important plant compounds.

‍

Is it Soup yet?

During the extraction process, must like a fine wine fermenting in great oak casks (or if you prefer, whiskey and bourbon!) the oils are tested both internally at the extraction facility, and by certified third party independent labs for purity and potency to ensure what we say is in the product is in the product well before it gets to the shelf.

‍

Footnotes

2. https://www.edenlabs.com/co2-extraction/co2-extraction-process/

3. Ethanol

3. Hydrocarbon

4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5549281/

‍