Fundamentals of Extracting Cannabis: Methods for Developing Marijuana Products

Developing Innovation In the Consumer Cannabis Market

Well, my dear friend, as cannabis use continues to expand into the realms of both medical and recreational use, manufacturers are exploring a multitude of techniques to extract the plant’s essential components. The cannabis plant contains a rich bounty of approximately 80 cannabinoids, with the most well-known being cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC, the primary psychoactive component, and CBD, which holds tremendous potential for medicinal applications, are critical components for the production of a range of cannabis-based products, such as edibles, tinctures, vape extracts, and budders.To unlock the plant’s full potential, manufacturers can employ different extraction methods to process the harvested cannabis material, with the most common being solvent extraction and supercritical CO2 extraction. Solvent extraction is typically carried out using a solution of water and alcohol, particularly ethanol, due to its cost-effectiveness, but it requires the removal of the solvent later. On the other hand, supercritical CO2 extraction employs CO2 to extract the plant’s active components, offering efficient extraction but requiring higher startup costs and time to set the technique parameters. After the extraction process, further steps, such as concentrating the extraction mixture, separation, and additional concentration, are typically carried out to create the final product.

The factors Being Taken Into Account

Leo Zhou, the esteemed Business Development Manager for Chromatography at BUCHI, sheds light on the prevalent technique of solvent extraction for isolating cannabis compounds. This customary practice typically entails immersing or agitating the vegetal matter in ethanol, with or without the application of heat. A select few, however, resort to the advanced supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) method.Zhou underscores the appealing attributes of solvent extraction, such as its cost-effectiveness, simplicity of implementation, and scalability. However, he does not shy away from discussing the method’s inherent constraints. One such limitation is the substantial quantity of solvent necessitated by the process, which, albeit recoverable through distillation, can prove financially burdensome. Additionally, the technique is hindered by its suboptimal efficacy in procuring the sought-after compounds.In juxtaposition, SFE boasts remarkable efficiency while requiring a reduced amount of solvent. Nevertheless, the initial investment in SFE apparatus is substantial, and the methodology presents a formidable challenge in terms of operation.Zhou sagely observes that, despite their contrasting qualities, both techniques have found utility in the extraction of natural products for an extended period.

Improving the efficiency

Nestled in the mountainous region of Colorado, Mountain High Suckers has chosen to utilize ethanol extraction as their primary means of extracting cannabinoids. Chad Tribble, the proprietor of this distinguished establishment, divulges that their secret lies in the nearly 200 proof alcohol mixture. Once the cannabis has been duly soaked, a process of evaporative distillation commences, sifting out some of the alcohol. Finally, an extraction process that Tribble calls “essentially a reduction” is performed.It’s worth noting that typically, the team at Mountain High Suckers tends to process batches of around 10 pounds. Although, if the situation calls for it, larger batches can be accommodated without breaking a sweat. At the moment, the process is semi-automatic, requiring a delicate balance of half manual labor and half automation. However, should the market demand it, Tribble assures us that they’re able to seamlessly scale up their operation.As one would expect from a company with a prestigious reputation, Mountain High Suckers has honed their methods over time. Tribble admits that they’ve become more efficient in their run times and have developed a range of exceptional flavours that are sure to satisfy even the most discerning of palettes.

An Exciting Future For Cannabis Extraction

At present, it’s par for the course for cannabis companies to adopt pre-existing instrumentation designed for unrelated industries. Nevertheless, Chad Tribble and his illustrious team are revolutionizing the game by partnering with Eberbach, a pioneering company, to create what he claims is the “world’s first commercial ice-water extraction, where the solvent is water.” This innovative methodology involves the use of ice water to aggregate the cannabis, followed by a screening process to obtain the final product.The future is ripe with possibility for the cannabis industry. Tribble foresees an influx of dedicated extraction platforms hitting the market, along with cutting-edge developments in methods and equipment that are sure to enhance efficiency and lower operating costs. If this vision comes to fruition, the extraction process could potentially undergo a transformation, resulting in a greater degree of precision and manageability than ever before.