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Cannabis Extractions and Their Methods
Cannabis is alive and booming. Now, tell us something we don’t know, right?Well, did you know that cannabis extractions are booming just as much?
The days of DIY methods and risky home chemistry are thankfully fading fast. Today, extraction methods look increasingly professional-grade and place a higher emphasis on safety. This safety concern extends to the producers, consumers and our planet alike.
Meanwhile, other once trusted extraction methods may soon fade away over not keeping pace. So, whether you’re producing or consuming, cannabis extraction is an area where you should take notice. Knowing which each method entails can save you time, money and even your health.
BHO (Butane Hash Oil)
Many choose butane hash oil (BHO) for its flavor and its relatively affordable cost. Consumers also choose BHO for its potency and differing flavors. However, those flavors can actually represent an excess of a good thing. When terpenes are over concentrated, more is not a good thing and can impact your health. There exists a risk where the BHO can become harmful to your health – including the potential to counteract other medications you are taking. That’s why it is vital that BHO has the correct amount of terpenes that derive from the plant.
Additionally, BHO has a reputation for its dangerous elements. This includes a risk of explosion for producers and a less environmentally friendly product overall. More directly to the consumer, one case report found that BHO inhalation can lead to chest tightness and pains, trouble breathing and even a bloody cough in certain instances. While a debate still centers on how dangerous BHO actually is, some consumers have opted to steer clear until there are answers.
Rosin
Rosin has gone from a DIY product made from hair straighteners to a commercial-grade product. Consumers are fans of its solvent-free product and versatility. That includes its rich aromatic and flavor profiles that retain the compounds of the flower it was extracted from. As such, it is not uncommon to find rosin sold at a higher price than other products.
Additionally, the production of quality rosin is quite labor intensive. While pressing rosin may seem like a straightforward process, it comes with several steps and is dangerous to novices without any training. That danger is often relegated to the final product, but can also present a burning risk for careless pressers. When it comes to the rosin itself, applying the ideal amount of pressure and time are key. Missteps can results in wasted flower or bubble hash and a suboptimal yield as well.
Live Resin
Due to its complexity and high amount of sweat equity, live resin is one of the higher priced items on the market today. Live resin is the result of low temperature BHO extraction and fresh, frozen flower. The end result is rich in terpenes and boasts a flavor profile unlike many other products on the market.
Like rosin, live resin is a highly labor-intensive process. The process requires cryogenic freezing, which incorporates liquid nitrogen into the process. Its inclusion allows the plant to be frozen at around -196 °C. Working with such volatile solvents is a risky prospect for those attempting to make DIY live resin. This is even the case for those working in commercial productions. As such, this complex, time consuming process should be left to the professionals.
Bubble Hash/Ice Wax
Bubble hash and ice wax have similar methods and results. Though there are some differences stemming from the use of trim or flower, they are worth including in the same breath otherwise.
Fans love five- and six-star bubble hash for its final product and versatility in other production processes.
The method to make either extract is labor intensive, even compared to the others on the list. In fact, some will use bubble hash to press rosin, which is why some cite rosin for longer production times than others may require. This extensive time producing ice wax and bubble hash is felt in production costs. Expenses include micron bags, washers and freeze dryers among other costly items.
However, with grams running lower than other extracts, there are a good deal of fans for both products. That said, it’s sometimes difficult to work with consistency presents a hurdle for less skilled consumers and producers. Be sure to know how to use it before buying just for its low cost.
Supercritical CO2
Supercritical CO2 is an extraction method that relies on pressure and less chemicals than most others. Using high pressure, compounds of the plant are extracted using an undetectable, or supercritical, CO2. Other solvents can be used, but CO2 is the most popular. Top quality CO2 extracted products tend to use a process that is conducted at a low pressure that produces a superior product.
The supercritical extraction production process is highly regarded for its elimination of the drying step. This is due to supercritical CO2 acting as an extractor of water. Therefore, freeze dryers are not needed and can be replaced with another low-temperature storage option. Furthermore, the process allows for the reuse of CO2, which cuts down on its environmental impact, making it far less impactful on the environment than plenty of other extraction methods.
And here’s a fun tidbit: Supercritical CO2 extraction cleans out acetaldehyde, the first chemical compound in alcohol metabolism, from the cannabis. Headaches, nausea and other hangover related symptoms occur with surpluses of acetaldehyde. Instead, when using a CO2 extracted product, you’ll get high without the hangover.
Cannabis Extractions Done Right
IONIC swears by supercritical CO2 extraction for its impact on consumers and the environment alike. Each product embraces this spirit in its own way. Our Pure products use only super refined CO2 oil with no other elements included. Each Pure product goes through a minimum of four filters so that it is ensured to be as pure as the driven snow.
Meanwhile, our Black line’s proprietary terpene blend is doctor analyzed to ensure its overall quality and safety. We asked professionals to evaluate the Black line’s maximum quality as well as its levels. We didn’t want to venture into oversaturation territory like plenty of other products tend to do. As such, we have been able to verify that your endocannabinoid system runs no risk of oversaturation, nor do your taste buds run the risk of any bland flavors. With IONIC’s Black products, consumers can enjoy flavors in orange, vanilla and a citrus blend that you’ll recognize as our own special IONIC flavor.
We hope this serves as a helpful introduction to the pros and cons of some of what cannabis extraction has to offer. The market is sure to evolve more soon enough. We here at IONIC are excited to stand at the forefront and deliver the most flavorful, enjoyable products around.
Tags :
- bho ,
- bubble hash ,
- c02 ,
- Cannabis ,
- co2 ,
- concentrates ,
- dabs ,
- distillate ,
- extraction ,
- ice wax ,
- live resin ,
- oil ,
- rosin
Cannabis is alive and booming. Now, tell us something we don’t know, right?Well, did you know that cannabis extractions are booming just as much?
The days of DIY methods and risky home chemistry are thankfully fading fast. Today, extraction methods look increasingly professional-grade and place a higher emphasis on safety. This safety concern extends to the producers, consumers and our planet alike.
Meanwhile, other once trusted extraction methods may soon fade away over not keeping pace. So, whether you’re producing or consuming, cannabis extraction is an area where you should take notice. Knowing which each method entails can save you time, money and even your health.
BHO (Butane Hash Oil)
Many choose butane hash oil (BHO) for its flavor and its relatively affordable cost. Consumers also choose BHO for its potency and differing flavors. However, those flavors can actually represent an excess of a good thing. When terpenes are over concentrated, more is not a good thing and can impact your health. There exists a risk where the BHO can become harmful to your health – including the potential to counteract other medications you are taking. That’s why it is vital that BHO has the correct amount of terpenes that derive from the plant.
Additionally, BHO has a reputation for its dangerous elements. This includes a risk of explosion for producers and a less environmentally friendly product overall. More directly to the consumer, one case report found that BHO inhalation can lead to chest tightness and pains, trouble breathing and even a bloody cough in certain instances. While a debate still centers on how dangerous BHO actually is, some consumers have opted to steer clear until there are answers.
Rosin
Rosin has gone from a DIY product made from hair straighteners to a commercial-grade product. Consumers are fans of its solvent-free product and versatility. That includes its rich aromatic and flavor profiles that retain the compounds of the flower it was extracted from. As such, it is not uncommon to find rosin sold at a higher price than other products.
Additionally, the production of quality rosin is quite labor intensive. While pressing rosin may seem like a straightforward process, it comes with several steps and is dangerous to novices without any training. That danger is often relegated to the final product, but can also present a burning risk for careless pressers. When it comes to the rosin itself, applying the ideal amount of pressure and time are key. Missteps can results in wasted flower or bubble hash and a suboptimal yield as well.
Live Resin
Due to its complexity and high amount of sweat equity, live resin is one of the higher priced items on the market today. Live resin is the result of low temperature BHO extraction and fresh, frozen flower. The end result is rich in terpenes and boasts a flavor profile unlike many other products on the market.
Like rosin, live resin is a highly labor-intensive process. The process requires cryogenic freezing, which incorporates liquid nitrogen into the process. Its inclusion allows the plant to be frozen at around -196 °C. Working with such volatile solvents is a risky prospect for those attempting to make DIY live resin. This is even the case for those working in commercial productions. As such, this complex, time consuming process should be left to the professionals.
Bubble Hash/Ice Wax
Bubble hash and ice wax have similar methods and results. Though there are some differences stemming from the use of trim or flower, they are worth including in the same breath otherwise.
Fans love five- and six-star bubble hash for its final product and versatility in other production processes.
The method to make either extract is labor intensive, even compared to the others on the list. In fact, some will use bubble hash to press rosin, which is why some cite rosin for longer production times than others may require. This extensive time producing ice wax and bubble hash is felt in production costs. Expenses include micron bags, washers and freeze dryers among other costly items.
However, with grams running lower than other extracts, there are a good deal of fans for both products. That said, it’s sometimes difficult to work with consistency presents a hurdle for less skilled consumers and producers. Be sure to know how to use it before buying just for its low cost.
Supercritical CO2
Supercritical CO2 is an extraction method that relies on pressure and less chemicals than most others. Using high pressure, compounds of the plant are extracted using an undetectable, or supercritical, CO2. Other solvents can be used, but CO2 is the most popular. Top quality CO2 extracted products tend to use a process that is conducted at a low pressure that produces a superior product.
The supercritical extraction production process is highly regarded for its elimination of the drying step. This is due to supercritical CO2 acting as an extractor of water. Therefore, freeze dryers are not needed and can be replaced with another low-temperature storage option. Furthermore, the process allows for the reuse of CO2, which cuts down on its environmental impact, making it far less impactful on the environment than plenty of other extraction methods.
And here’s a fun tidbit: Supercritical CO2 extraction cleans out acetaldehyde, the first chemical compound in alcohol metabolism, from the cannabis. Headaches, nausea and other hangover related symptoms occur with surpluses of acetaldehyde. Instead, when using a CO2 extracted product, you’ll get high without the hangover.
Cannabis Extractions Done Right
IONIC swears by supercritical CO2 extraction for its impact on consumers and the environment alike. Each product embraces this spirit in its own way. Our Pure products use only super refined CO2 oil with no other elements included. Each Pure product goes through a minimum of four filters so that it is ensured to be as pure as the driven snow.
Meanwhile, our Black line’s proprietary terpene blend is doctor analyzed to ensure its overall quality and safety. We asked professionals to evaluate the Black line’s maximum quality as well as its levels. We didn’t want to venture into oversaturation territory like plenty of other products tend to do. As such, we have been able to verify that your endocannabinoid system runs no risk of oversaturation, nor do your taste buds run the risk of any bland flavors. With IONIC’s Black products, consumers can enjoy flavors in orange, vanilla and a citrus blend that you’ll recognize as our own special IONIC flavor.
We hope this serves as a helpful introduction to the pros and cons of some of what cannabis extraction has to offer. The market is sure to evolve more soon enough. We here at IONIC are excited to stand at the forefront and deliver the most flavorful, enjoyable products around.
