Businesses and at home cannabis users have started to extract cannabis oil for cooking, recreational and medical purposes, or distribution. Whether you are new to cannabis oil extraction, somewhat familiar with the process, or consider yourself an expert, it is good to do your research and stay up to date on oil extraction and the processing of cannabinoids.
What Is Cannabis Oil Extraction?
The process of extracting specific oils from plants has been a common practice all over the world for many years. When extracting oil from plants like lavender, one specific type of molecule is isolated to create a fragrant residual oil. When extracting oil from cannabis, the basics remain similar, but the process is somewhat more complex.
When extracting cannabis oil, you will have to select very specific molecules within the plant (such as CBD, THC, CBG, etc.) from over 120 different cannabinoids and terpenes. Major cannabinoids like THC and CBD are the most abundant in cannabis plants and are usually targeted during extraction, but other minor cannabinoids may actually be more valuable as the cannabis industry’s market trends evolve.
Different Cannabis Oil Extraction Methods
Cannabis oil extraction methods are most commonly divided into solvent methods and non-solvent methods. The method you use will depend on your desired end-product. There are different forms of extraction within each category.
Solvent Extraction Methods
Solvent extraction methods make use of a solvent that is able to dissolve other substances and molecules. Some of the solvents used in oil extraction include:
- Ethanol (one of the most popular extraction methods)
- CO2 Supercritical
- Hydrocarbon (such as propane and butane)
- Oils (olive, vegetable, or coconut)
- Combinatory methods (e.g. injecting ethanol into CO2)
Ethanol extraction is one of the safest and easiest forms of cannabis oil extraction. It is also the most suitable for high volume production, making it a common practice for commercial use. This process also requires less machinery and is relatively inexpensive compared to other solvent methods.
Non-Solvent Extraction Methods
Non-solvent extraction methods are also referred to as mechanical separation. This involves the use of physical forces to isolate the desired molecules within a compound. These extraction methods include:
- Water or ice based extraction (although technically a solvent, water is referred to as a non-solvent when referring to cannabis separation and extraction)
- Cold-pressed extraction (the use of intense pressure to extract oil)
- Steam extraction
- Lipid infusion
- Dry sifting
Choosing The Best Extraction Method
The extraction method you use depends highly on the materials you are working with, and the end result you wish to achieve. You will follow a different extraction method in order to achieve the desired end-product of:
- Concentrates and MPIs
- Smoking products for rolling or producing edibles
- Dab and similar products
- Vape oil and similar products
- Butter for edibles
- Tinctures
Concentrates And MPIs
- Starting material: Dry flower
- Extraction method: Non-solvent – dry sifting
- Concentrate/extract form: Kief
Smoking Products For Rolling Or Producing Edibles
- Starting material: Dry flower
- Extraction method: Non-solvent – ice water and agitation
- Concentrate/extract form: Hash
Dab And Similar Products
Method 1:
- Starting material: Bubble hash / kief / dry flower
- Extraction method: Non-solvent – heat and pressure
- Concentrate/extract form: Rosin or whipped rosin
Method 2:
- Starting material:
- Dry flower for shatter and wax
- Frozen flower for live resin, terpene juice, and THC crystalline
- Extraction method: Solvent methods with butane or propane
- Concentrate/extract form: Shatter / wax / terpene juice/ live resin/ THC crystalline
Vape Oil And Similar Products
- Starting material: Dry flower and trim
- Extraction method: Solvent method – CO2 Supercritical extraction
- Concentrate/extract form: Oils
Butter For Edibles
- Starting material: Dry flower and trim
- Extraction method: Non-solvent – Heat
- Concentrate/extract form: Butter
Tinctures
- Starting material: Dry flower and trim
- Extraction method: Solvent method – Ethanol or glycerine
- Concentrate/extract form: Tincture
How Much Weed Do I Need For Extraction?
On average, it takes 6-12 grams of cannabis for 1 millilitre of oil to be produced. If you are using oil extraction methods for commercial use, you will need very large quantities of cannabis and most likely your own weed growing greenhouses. Note that the amount of cannabis you use will depend on the following factors:
- The desired effect you wish to achieve
- Whether you want a potent THC or CBD oil
- The extraction process you will be using
Strains For Potent THC Oils
Strains that are high in THC will naturally make potent THC oils upon extraction. Strains that have an extremely high THC concentration include:
| Strain Name | Breeding Between Strains | Indica/Sativa Ratio | THC Levels |
| Pineapple Express | Trainwreck x Hawaii | Sativa-dominant | 16-23% |
| Dalae OG | N/A | Indica-dominant | 20-26% |
| Primus OG | 303 OG x Trainwreck x Arcata | Indica-dominant | 21-27% |
| Light of Jah | Jack Herer x Disputed Northern California | Sativa-dominant | 24-26% |
| Mother’s Milk | Appalachia x Nepali OG | Sativa-dominant | 24-29% |
| Bubba Fett | ’98 Bubba Kush x Stardawg | Indica-dominant | 26% |
| Royal Gorilla | Sour Dubb x Chem Sis x Chocolate Diesel | 50:50 | 27% |
| Royal Runtz | Gelato x Zkittlez | 50:50 | 27% |
| Green Gelato | Sunset Sherbet x Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies | Indica-dominant | 27% |
| Cookies Gelato | Girl Scout Cookie x Gelato 33 | 50:50 | 28% |
Strains For Potent CBD Oils
Strains that are high in CBD will naturally make potent CBD oils upon extraction. Strains that have very high CBD concentrations include:
| Strain Name | Breeding Between Strains | Indica/Sativa Ratio | CBD Levels |
| Suzy Q | Unknown | 50:50 | 11-20% |
| Ringo’s Gift | ACDC x Harle-Tsu | Sativa-dominant | 13-20% |
| Harle-Tsu | Harlequin x Sour Tsunami | Indica-dominant | 13-21% |
| Sour Tsunami | Sour Diesel x NYC Diesel | Sativa-dominant | 13% |
| Remedy | Cannatonic x Afghan Skunk | Indica-dominant | 14% |
| ACDC | Ruderalis x Cannatonic | 50:50 | 14% |
| Elektra | Early Resin Berry x ACDC | Sativa-dominant | 16-28% |
| Lifter | Suver Haze x Early Resin Bud | Sativa-dominant | 16% |
| Cherry Wine | The Wife x Charlotte’s Cherries | 50:50 | 17% |
| Sour Space Candy | Sour Tsunami x Early Resin Berry | 50:50 | 17% |
There are many methods of cannabis oil extraction, the best of which will depend on the end-product you are looking for. You can use dry flower, kief, bubble hash, resin, and trim for extracting cannabis oil to get the results you want. Be sure to check out Cannarite for all your cannabis-related needs, as well as informative articles on working with and consuming cannabis.
