The Farm Bill of 2018 was a game-changer for the cannabis industry. However, the legal wrangling over the legality of CBD vs the legality of THC continues.
For producers of CBD products, being able to confirm that they are selling products that are under the legal THC saturation limit is critical to their success.
Decoding CBD Oil
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the many compounds in plants of the cannabis family. CBD can be harvested from both cannabis and hemp plants, but hemp plants are inherently either very low or free of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol.
If you live in an area that criminalizes THC use, purchasing your CBD from a producer that offers third-party testing will help you avoid these legal worries.
Both CBD and THC act on your nervous system by plugging into the endocannabinoid receptors. When THC plugs in, it creates euphoric disconnection or a feeling of being high. When CBD plugs in, it slows the transmission of
- nerve pain
- anxious thoughts
- agitation.
A bit of CBD can help you to relax and focus. A full dose of CBD can help you sleep. Too much CBD can cause digestive problems and sluggishness. To put CBD to use in your life, keep a journal and carefully track how much you use and your reaction.
Steps: CBD Oil Manufacturing
Industrial CBD oil extraction can be done in a variety of ways, but cooling with CO2 allows the waxy oil of the plant to be extracted efficiently.
When questioning how is CBD oil made, it is important for users to know how the THC is managed as well.
The chilling and pressing concentrates the CBD and allows for detailed testing of the concentrations of all the compounds in the CBD so the CBD can be isolated and purified.
Traditional Oilseed Press Machine Used in CBD Oil Manufacturing
In addition to using the hemp plants for CBD extraction, the seeds of the hemp plant offer many benefits. Hemp seed oil does not tolerate heat. However, at room temperature, you can use hemp seed oil in
- salad dressings
- smoothies
- topicals for skin irritation.
If you have a source of fresh hemp seeds, a traditional crank press can be used to extract the oil from the seeds.
The oil and any seed particulate will need to be filtered out. For those pressing their own oil, make sure to use the remaining pulp or mash for compost, chicken feed, or wild bird feed.
Adding CO2 to Extract Remnant Oil
CO2 cools the mass of the plant so the CBD oil is thicker. Once treated with CO2, the cold, raw CBD oil is actually closer to peanut butter inconsistency.
This allows the CBD to be concentrated in the pressed, cooled oil and makes it possible to dispose of the remaining biomass or leftover plant material safely.
Five Industrial Processes of Extraction in CBD Oil Manufacturing
CBD oil extraction can be done via
- carbon dioxide extraction as noted above
- steam distillation, though the heat can change the effectiveness of the compound
- ethanol extraction, though it can change the taste of the product
- oil extraction, such as olive oil, but it is slow and less efficient than CO2
- hydrocarbon extraction, but it can leave traces of the fuel in the CBD mix
CBD users are generally aware that they want to buy products from sources that offer third-party testing. For purity and safety, the CO2 extraction process also appears to be the safest option.
