We recently released a blog that discussed a few different types of medical marijuana concentrates and we want to take that a bit further. There is so much to concentrates that we’ve decided to devote another blog to continue exploring.
Extraction Methods
In the previous blog we explored the different types of concentrates such as shatter, wax, rosin, oil, and bubble hash, and what makes them unique, but there is more to it than that. Even within these classifications there can be differences and the big ones are a result of the extraction method that was used. Generally, marijuana concentrates are extracted by either solvent-based methods or non-solvent extractions.
Solvent Extraction
Solvent-based extractions use a chemical solvent to strip cannabis flowers of their resin glands and produce a slurry. There are several solvents that are typically used in the extraction process.
- Butane is used to produce butane hash oil (BHO) products like shatter, budder, wax, sap, and more.
- CO2 is used to produce a thick CO2 oil. It is often thought to be the safest solvent extraction process because CO2 occurs naturally.
- Propane is also used to produce products similar to BHO such as budder, wax, shatter, live resin, and more.
- Alcohol extraction generally involves the use of isopropyl alcohol or ethanol to dissolve the cannabis.
Non-Solvent Extraction
Non-solvent extractions generally require the use of ice to bring cannabis flowers down to sub-zero temperatures. Once the cannabis has reached the ideal temperature, the resin glands are agitated to remove them from the flower. This process produces products like kief, bubble hash, rosin, and dry sift.
NaturaLeaf is Here to Help
This was just a quick overview of how different marijuana concentrates are extracted using different methods, but there is a lot more that goes into each process. Talk to the team at NaturaLeaf to discuss which products are best for you!