At present, more than 70 cannabinoids have been isolated from cannabis plants, of which CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) have the highest content and are isomers of each other. The significant difference between CBD and THC is that THC is hallucinogenic and addictive, while CBD is not hallucinogenic and addictive, and it also inhibits this “toxicity”. Antioxidant, neuroprotection, anti-anxiety, anti-tumor, liver protection, anti-diabetic and other aspects have outstanding effects. Cannabis contains a large amount of psychoactive component tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which can play a hallucinogenic effect. The THC content of cannabis is 5%~20%, and the higher can reach 25%~30%, while industrial hemp is hallucinogenic. The content of component THC is less than 0.3%, which is a variety type with no drug utilization value.
As the efficacy of CBD is widely studied, its downstream applications are also increasingly enriched. CBD can be used as skin care products, with anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and acne-removing effects; CBD can be used as medical treatment, and has mature products in the treatment of epilepsy and multiple sclerosis (MS) – the British GW company has developed Sativex and Epidiolex medicines with CBD as the main ingredient are produced; CBD can be used in food and has the effects of calming and improving sleep quality.
Where we can extract CBD?
Cannabis. Now, with the policy gradually loosing, residents can grow their own cannabis at home. Medical marijuana patients 18 years and older will be able to grow up to 3 mature and 3 immature plants at home starting October 1, 2021, with a cap of 12 total plants per household. All adults over age 21 will be able to grow under the same rules starting July 1, 2023. Plants must be grown indoors and must not be visible from the street. People who choose to grow their own plants must do so in their primary residence and where individuals under 21 cannot access the plants. So most of people will choose to grow marijuana in indoor plant bags at home. Seeking other grow bags, you can go through https://gardzenonline.com.
Carbon Dioxide Extraction
Carbon dioxide extraction methods are divided into supercritical, subcritical and “medium critical” categories and do not involve the use of chemical solvents for the purpose of protecting CBD and other beneficial compounds.
Solvent Extraction
Solvent extraction usually uses ethanol and butane as solvents to extract from cannabis plant excipients. The combination of the two is good, simple and easy to operate, and can be operated at home. Under the condition of ensuring the extraction rate and purity, the method adopts solvent extraction in the whole process, avoids the use and residue of toxic organic solvents such as petroleum ether, and ensures product safety.
Olive Oil Extraction
Heating a plant at a specific temperature for a period of time activates the plant’s chemicals, adding olive oil, and heating it for a period of time, which ultimately results in the cannabinoids.
Dry Ice Extraction
The cannabis plant is cut into chunks and placed in a bucket, covered with ice, inverted, and the mixture is filtered through a mesh bag several times, eventually drying the extract until it turns into a powder. This method requires time and effort, but can also be performed at home.
In addition, there are many methods to obtain cannabinoids, such as cultivating genetically modified cannabis, biosynthesis and chemical synthesis. The above four methods are commonly used extraction methods.
The goal of cannabinoid extraction technology is to improve the extraction rate and purity of cannabinoids, remove THC residues as much as possible, avoid the use of toxic organic solvents, ensure product safety and environmental protection, and reduce costs as much as possible. Among the current methods of obtaining cannabinoids, the extraction method with sophisticated technology still occupies the mainstream position, and biosynthesis and chemical synthesis are the main directions for obtaining cannabinoids in the future.