How Does Ethanol Extraction CBD Work? An Overview
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a naturally occurring cannabinoid that exists in both psychoactive and non-psychoactive forms of the cannabis plant. Even though CBD doesn’t produce a high, it’s still often lumped in with THC and the stigma of marijuana.
It wasn’t until the federal government passed the 2018 farm bill that CBD was legalized in all 50 states. Still, some states and local jurisdictions try to make it difficult for their residents to consume CBD products. However, as long as the CBD is sourced from industrial hemp with 0.3% or less THC content, it should be legal.
If you’re interested in CBD products, learn more about the ethanol extraction CBD process below.
What Is CBD?
Before learning about ethanol extraction, it’s necessary to understand what CBD is.
Cannabis is not just a plant that people use to get high — the human body has its own cannabinoid system. That’s right, the human body NEEDS cannabinoids to function properly! And yes, one source of these cannabinoids that we need may come from cannabis plants.
Scientists are still learning about CBD, but there are promising studies that point to many potential therapeutic benefits. This is why CBD products are becoming so popular. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has even approved a CBD medicine for the treatment of epilepsy.
What Is Ethanol Extraction?
Ethanol extraction is not just a method for CBD extraction. It has long been used to process other products, like perfumes, essential oils, and food coloring. It helps to condense desirable properties, increasing potency and purity.
Ethanol is a type of alcohol with many uses, one of the most infamous being as the main ingredient in alcoholic drinks. By soaking cannabis in ethanol, it acts as a solvent, extracting CBD. It can also extract less desirable components of cannabis, like chlorophyll, but modern extraction processes can minimize this.
The Benefits of Ethanol Extraction CBD
People often look for ethanol extracted CBD because these products are more pure and potent than other CBD extraction methods.
Companies often choose ethanol extraction because the cost of labor and materials is lower than other methods. They can also store more of it and take up less space. It’s a fast method and it is relatively simple.
The Drawbacks of Ethanol Extraction CBD
One drawback of ethanol extraction is that it is full spectrum. This means it extracts more cannabis compounds, resulting in a “full spectrum” product. This is not ideal for companies that want their CBD to be legal in all states, maximizing their clientele.
Full spectrum CBD products may contain more than the legal amount of 0.3% THC, since they extract more compounds.
Purchasing Ethanol Extraction CBD Products
Ethanol extraction CBD is just one method of processing this phytocannabinoid. Unfortunately, because the CBD market is so huge, there are some counterfeit products on the market. When shopping for ethanol extracted CBD, ask for a contaminants test on their plants to make sure they are following state regulations.
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