How is CBD Oil Made?

Understanding CBD Oil Production

If you’ve taken CBD, you might wonder, “how is CBD oil made?” Knowing what you’re ingesting is always a wise move.

The Basics of CBD Oil-Making

All processes involved in creating CBD oil have multiple stages. These stages extract CBD oil from the hemp plant and then refine it for consumption. Sometimes, a finished product can take several months to produce.

The Importance of Plant Purity

Firstly, manufacturers must test the plant’s purity. They aim to ensure that the THC content remains below .3%. They also want the CBD content to align with any labeling claims.

Extraction Process

Then comes the extraction. Manufacturers crush and grind the flowers, increasing their surface area. They then place these crushed flowers in an extraction machine. Here, a solvent (usually either CO2 or ethanol) dissolves the required extracts at very high-pressure levels.

Filtration and Refinement

Next, there’s the waxing and filtration process. In this step, manufacturers dissolve the oil in a food-grade solvent. They filter out wax, fat, and other impurities to enhance the oil’s potency. The concentration will depend on the solution that’s being made.

Distillation and Purity

The solution then undergoes distillation. This step removes final impurities and captures only the purest CBD and desired cannabinoids. The process requires expertise, as it’s essential not to destroy the terpenes and cannabinoids.

Isolation and Formulation

Once technicians complete distillation, the next step is CBD isolation. They often aim for a purity level of at least 99.5%. After isolating the CBD, it’s time to mix it into a formulation, such as capsules, tinctures, topical solutions, or edibles.

Ensuring the Quality of the Final Product

Lastly, manufacturers need to test the finished product. They verify that concentration levels meet the intended goals and check for potential contaminants like heavy metals and pesticides.

Methods of CBD Oil Production

Various methods can produce CBD oil. The method a manufacturer chooses determines the product’s distinct characteristics. Four primary methods exist today, and each has its merits:

CBD Whole Plant Extract Method

This full-spectrum method appeals to those wanting the “entourage effect.” The final product might contain some THC, but for sale as hemp CBD, the threshold must remain less than 0.3%.

Isolate Method

Here, manufacturers extract only pure CBD and filter out everything else. This method suits those who want a THC-free experience.

CO2 Extraction

Known as supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, this method uses carbon dioxide as a solvent. Although it’s the most expensive process, it yields the purest product.

Ethanol Extraction

This method uses ethanol to draw out the CBD from the cannabis plant. It’s quicker than CO2 extraction and doesn’t demand sophisticated equipment.

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