It’s important to understand that not all cannabis extractions are the same, even though products in the market are typically labeled with THC and CBD contents. While these labels are helpful for consumers, it’s crucial to recognize that not all THC is created equal. An analogy for this is sugar content; a gram of sugar from honey is different from a gram of sugar from high-fructose corn syrup.
In this article, we will examine the four most common methods of cannabis extraction.
Oil Extraction
Oil extraction is by far the safest method of cannabis extraction, with a long history dating back to the first documented use of cannabis extraction in 1550 BCE by the ancient Egyptians, who used it to treat inflammation.
Oil extraction involves dissolving cannabis content into a food-grade oil, such as coconut or olive oil, without the use of harsh chemicals, making the safest extraction method. Oil extraction is a full extraction method as it includes terpenes and terpenoids, which give each cannabis variety or strain its distinctive flavor.
One drawback of this method is that it is time-consuming. Additionally, due to the inclusion of terpenes, the resulting product has a distinct cannabis aroma.
Pros:
- Can be done using food-grade solvents, such as olive oil or coconut oil, which are safe for consumption and can add flavor to the final product.
- Allows for the creation of infused oils that can be used in a variety of edible and topical products.
- Full extraction which includes terpenes
Cons:
- May have a shorter shelf life compared to other extraction methods.
- Can be more time-consuming than other extraction methods, as the process of infusing the oil may take several hours.
- End product will have a cannabis smell.
Butane Extraction
Butane extraction is another popular method for extracting THC and other cannabinoids because of its high yield. This method uses butane (a highly flammable hydrocarbon) to extract compounds from the plant material. Butane extraction is fast, which allows for quick production and industrialization. However, this method can result in the loss of terpenes due to the high temperatures used during the process. Terpenes are volatile compounds that are easily damaged or destroyed by high heat. Additionally, there is a potential for residual butane in the final product if not purged correctly. This is a health concern as butane is toxic.
Pros:
- High yield of THC and other cannabinoids
- Fast extraction process
- Minimal plant material required
Cons:
- Potential for residual butane in the final product if not purged correctly
- Can result in loss of terpenes and other valuable compounds
Ethanol Extraction
Ethanol (which is a food-grade alcohol) is generally considered safe. Because ethanol is a solvent that can dissolve a wide range of compounds, it is another popular choice for a full-spectrum extraction. Unlike butane, it can be operated without heat, which means the end product will contain terpenes. The drawback of this method is that ethanol extracts all compounds, including the unwanted ones such as waxes, lipids, and chlorophyll. This can be mitigated by taking additional steps such as filtration and winterization.
Pros:
- Ethanol is a safe, non-toxic and widely used solvent in many industries
- Produce full spectrum extract with cannabinoids and terpenes
Cons:
- Ethanol is a polar solvent, which means it can extract unwanted compounds along with cannabinoids and terpenes
- Low yields and time-consuming, especially with the additional steps like winterization
CO2 Extraction
Finally, we have CO2 extraction. This method involves exposing cannabis to liquid CO2 in a high-pressure, low-temperature environment. CO2 is safe and non-toxic, and the extraction can be precisely controlled to extract only certain elements of the plant, which makes this extraction method have the lowest long-term costs for manufacturing. The drawback of this method is that it requires proper training and expensive equipment. The extraction process needs to be precise to yield a consistent product.
- Allows for precise control over temperature, pressure, and flow rate. If done correctly, it will result in a high-quality and consistent product
- CO2 is safe and non-toxic
- The process is customizable, allowing for targeted extraction of specific compounds, including THC, CBD, and terpenes.
Cons:
- Requires expensive equipment.
- Requires specialized training to operate in order to yield a consistent product
So which extraction method is the best? There are different trade-offs between each method. But in our opinion, we prefer oil extraction for topicals. This is because the extracted oil can be made into a cream with minimal processing. It’s important to keep in mind that cannabis is an organic substance, and every additional processing step has the potential to reduce the medical benefits of the final product
New to Cannabis-based topicals? Try our THC pain relief cream.