Cannabis oil is often thought of as the one byproduct of the cannabis plant that is more versatile than any other. In fact, it represents the majority of modern cannabis culture. However, are you ever curious how it can even be possible to get this pure and clear oil out of a plant? We employ a pair of frequently used methods for refining oils that are extracted from cannabis plants. These methods are known as distillation and winterization. Both of these methods help us produce only the purest of oils for our clients, given that both of them wind up with premium-quality oils.
It’s crucial to note that refinement and extraction are both very different processes, and they both get done in different ways. The extraction procedure is done first using Supercritical CO2, and the refinement process follows.
The winterization method means that the raw cannabis extract is put through an alcohol wash which filters out a number of unwanted materials. The winterization name comes from the fact that the raw extract gets immersed into the alcohol, which then gets frozen. This process is able to separate the cannabinoids from many other wastes and compounds, such as terpenes, lipids, waxes, and plant chlorophyll. The final product is a superior oil that can have potency rates as high as 65 percent.
On the other hand, the method known as distillation happens through a process known as short path distillation; it first separates and then refines contaminants and valuable molecules, which results in a concentrate that is clean and practically transparent. In contrast with other means of refinement, the resulting distillate is a level higher given how it generates every high potency pure oil. We personally produce both THC and CBD distillates with a potency range of 75 to 85 percent, on top of our super-deluxe THC distillate oils that go as high as 90 percent potency.
You might be curious as to why the particular distillation method winds up creating cannabis oils with so much potency. That’s because cannabinoids have very high boiling points, so manufacturers distill them at much lower temperatures than would be typical for most of the rest of molecular distillation processes that are used. On the other hand, cannabis distillates get created using the aforementioned short path distillation technique which is different from your normal solvent extraction. Heat will vaporize cannabinoids, which then get transferred into a cooling system where consolidation and collection into beakers happens. This process will get repeated numerous times to create only pure cannabinoids that don’t have residual solvents, plant matter, or chlorophyll.
It’s crucial to be mindful of the fact that once a solvent-free oil is obtained through the initial CO2 extraction and then either distillation or winterization refinement, the majority of the terpene properties are then lost, although the manufacturer can re-introduce them later.
At the end of the day, the important thing is how an oil got refined, rather than which particular method got used in refining it. Consumers are best advised to be mindful of the product’s origins so they can know if things were done properly so that they know they’re getting something of good quality. When deciding between products made using winterized or distillate oil, consumers should know that these products are more concentrated, which means a greater impact on users. Be sure you consult your physician before you consume any medicinal product so that you find what product is best for your condition. Also, you can get the right information regarding strength and dosage.