Medical marijuana was first legalized in California in 1996 and is now legal in 37 American states. Although still in its comparative infancy, marijuana research has already shown numerous medical benefits. Medical marijuana is now a huge business, and in 2021 in America, it is estimated that medical marijuana sales generated over $3.7 billion in tax revenue.
The most commonly used active component of marijuana is cannabidiol (CBD). Researchers have identified numerous medical benefits of this compound, including lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation, treating sleep disorders, preventing seizures, relieving pain, treating anxiety disorders, and treating gastrointestinal disorders.
There are several ways to extract CBD, including olive oil extraction, hydrocarbon extraction, steam distillation, ethanol extraction, and CO2 extraction. CO2 extraction is the most popular method, and CO2-extracted CBD is the current marijuana business sensation.
To learn everything you need to know about the CBD CO2 extraction method, continue reading here.
What is CO2 extraction? How CBD is extracted?
CO2 extraction is one of the safest and most environmentally friendly technologies, and it is used to create a wide range of end products. At certain temperatures and pressures, CO2 behaves as a solvent. CO2 can be used to extract CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids from hemp or cannabis while maintaining the plant’s terpenes.
Despite its high cost and complexity, the CO2 extraction process has been adopted in many industries. Large-scale commercial CO2 extraction units are frequently utilized in the food business, for example, to decaffeinate coffee and create essential oils from various plants. CO2 is also used as an additive in a wide range of popular foods and beverages, including carbonated soft drinks.
Manufacturers use carbon dioxide because it is a versatile and adaptable chemical. It functions as a solvent at a specified temperature and pressure range but does not pose the same risks as other chemical solvents, such as butane and hexane. Using the CO2 extraction method means that customers can benefit from high-quality, CO2-extracted CBD that is free of hazardous byproducts.
Explaining the Different Types of CO2 Extraction
There are three recognized types of CO2 extraction: supercritical, subcritical, and medium-critical. Because it is safe and produces a pure final product, the supercritical variation is the most often utilized CO2 technique for extracting cannabis derivatives.
Supercritical Extraction
The phrase “supercritical” may sound fancy, yet it is a regularly used term in chemistry. Simply described, a supercritical material has the properties of both a gas and a liquid.
Although it requires highly qualified personnel and higher equipment costs, supercritical CO2 extraction is the best and fastest way to extract CBD. Because it emits very little, it is more environmentally friendly than other extraction methods. Additionally, CO2 is generally considered safe by the FDA.
Supercritical CO2 can be used in CBD extraction because of the gas properties that penetrate all plant matter and the liquid properties that enable it to extract components efficiently. The specific method varies; some laboratories begin with liquid CO2, while others begin with gaseous CO2.
In both situations, producers place CO2 in a chamber containing plant material and apply the precise pressure and temperature required for CO2 to attain its supercritical state. At this stage, CO2 acts as a solvent, and with some more heat, it allows the plant material to separate, bringing all the vital components with it. After that, CO2-extracted portions will be isolated from the chemical components, leaving producers with full-spectrum CO2-extracted cannabis oil.
Subcritical Extraction
Subcritical extraction is another type of carbon dioxide extraction. Low temperatures and low pressure are involved in this process. This form of extraction takes longer than the standard CO2 CBD extraction technique. When employing the subcritical extraction process, you can extract the terpene oils and CBD while avoiding other chemicals, such as chlorophyll.
Mid-Critical Extraction
Mid-critical extraction is a form of extraction that occurs between subcritical and supercritical extraction. Some firms blend CBD produced by supercritical and subcritical extraction technologies to generate a mixed type of oil.
Ethanol Extraction vs. CO2 Extraction
In the cannabis market, carbon dioxide and ethanol extraction are two of the most commonly used extraction methods. While CO2 extraction is either superficial or subcritical, ethanol extraction is a whole other process. So, what’s the difference between ethanol-extracted CBD and CO2-extracted CBD?
Ethanol and CO2 are present in extraction to function as solvents. Once separated, these particles will absorb the terpenes and trichomes from the cannabis plants. To take out CBD and separate it from the plant material, ethanol extraction requires soaking the entire plant in the chemical.
Ethanol is extensively used in the extraction process because it is less expensive than CO2 extraction and can process a large volume of cannabis while utilizing a small amount. The main distinction between CBD ethanol extraction, and CBD CO2 extraction, is in the procedure and the amount of time spent on it.
Advantages of CO2 Extraction
One of the key advantages of employing CO2 extraction to make hemp extract is that it is a “green solvent.” Using carbon dioxide to extract CBD results in a cleaner, healthier product. CO2 extraction, unlike solvents such as butane and hexane, leaves no solvents or chemical residues. It is also recyclable and hence better for the environment in the long term.
The Entourage Effect
However, the most significant advantage of a CO2-extracted cannabis is its ability to extract hundreds of cannabinoids and terpenes. Over 100 cannabinoids have been found in the hemp plant, and hundreds of terpenes, flavonoids, and essential omega acids. When all of these diverse phytocompounds are mixed in a single product, the spectrum of advantages increases compared to products containing solely CBD isolate.
This is referred to as the entourage effect. While high-quality CBD isolate has its merits, full-spectrum products are thought to be more beneficial for a broader range of applications.
Cannabinoids, such as cannabinol (CBN) and cannabigerol (CBG), are not as prevalent as CBD, but researchers believe they may have many health advantages. Then there’s the issue of terpenes. Alpha-pinene and myrcene, for example, are considered to enhance relaxation. Filtering chemicals like these out of CBD oil means that customers miss out on many possible health advantages.
Where can I find CO2-extracted cannabis?
Fortunately for customers, CO2-extracted CBD oil and other CBD goods are widely available. The best CO2-extracted CBD oil is readily available from legal dispensaries across America. While it may be costly, the CO2 extraction process helps companies maintain industry-leading standards, ensuring that clients may obtain safe, effective, and adaptable hemp extract.
Key Takeaway
CBD products derived from reputable CO2 extraction procedures often include a broad spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes, implying that consumers will reap more significant health advantages. Furthermore, the CO2 extraction processes often provide a cleaner, safer, and more ecologically friendly final product than solvent-based competitors.
This is not to say that all CO2-extracted CBD products are superior. However, if a lab invests in the equipment needed for the most technically difficult extraction procedure, odds are they know what they’re doing.
For quality CBD products, trust in Herbal Fracture.
Check lab testing when in doubt, and always ensure that your third-party tested products are from trustworthy sources, like Herbal Fracture, a trusted store that offers high-quality CBD products in Dillon, CO.
