Cannabis Distillates: How to make and Consume it

The cannabis distillates are ultra-refined extracts of the cannabis plant that can be found in vape cartridges and edibles worldwide. A distillate contains a single cannabinoid, in pure and potent oils. It is not easy to see their amber-colored, translucent appearance. The raw hemp and cannabis plant material is transformed into marijuana distillate through a series of extraction and purification steps.

Why does cannabis distillate seem so ubiquitous in a world filled with flavorful, aromatic full-spectrum extracts? This flavorless, scentless extract is so sought-after by producers. This guide will explain the differences between cannabis distillates, how they are made and how they can be used around the globe for recreational and medical purposes.

What is Cannabis Distillate?

It can be confusing for a novice user to understand the various types of cannabis extracts. Cannabis distillate, a type of cannabis extract, is one that has been through a distillation process in order to produce a cannabis product with almost 100% CBD or THC. To separate the desired compound, especially THC or CBD from the solvent during the distillation process the processors use distillation equipment.

There are hundreds of compounds in cannabis and hemp, including flavonoids and terpenes. Boiling the cannabis leaves almost all the aroma and flavor that is left from its terpenes. Terpenes may be beneficial in enhancing the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids, but they are not always welcomed.

The distillates are translucent because they have been stripped of all the unwanted plant matter, wax, lipid and other undesirable substances. The extract's viscous, sticky consistency gives it a high potency of up to 98%. This is in contrast to the 60 to 80% levels found in undistilled extracts.

THC Distillate

THC distillate is a potent source of THC for high-tolerance users and medical marijuana patients who need high levels of the pain- and inflammation-fighting compound tetrahydrocannabinol. THC distillate's psychotropic and euphoric properties can be used to treat anxiety, pain, muscle spasticity and insomnia as well as low appetite, nausea and low mood.

CBD Distillate

Cannabidiol (CBD), a subdued, non-intoxicating option to THC's cerebral effects, is available. CBD distillate is free of THC and contains a high concentration of CBD. CBD distillate is a potent extract that can reap the full benefits of hemp and cannabis without getting high. CBD has been proven to treat inflammation, pain, nausea and anxiety as well as migraines.

Terpenes & Flavonoids

The unique cannabis terpenes that give each strain its distinctive aroma are responsible. Terpenes are less common in cannabis than cannabinoids but they can provide a strong aroma that can fill any room. Flavonoids, which are also found in lesser quantities, are responsible for the color of your cannabis buds. These compounds can be removed by processors to create a uniform extract that can then be flavor.

What is the difference between oil, distillate, and isolate?

There are so many names for cannabis oil that it can be difficult to remember. The consistency of cannabis distillate is viscous. Although it is a form of cannabis oil, not all cannabis oils can be called distillates. After the oil has been winterized and extracted, distillates are used. There are many cannabis oils, including butane hash oil (BHO), Rick Simpson Oil(RSO) and hemp-derived CBD oil. They are all similar, but they are not the same.

People often confuse isolate and distillate because they each focus on one cannabinoid. Actually, isolate can be considered a type or distillate because distillation techniques are used for the refinement of the cannabinoid extract. Cannabinoid extracts are pure, crystalline powder forms. Consider distillate to be a more powerful, but less refined extract that has potent effects.

How is Distillate made?

Cannabis distillate is made from a cannabis seed or cannabis plant. It undergoes several cultivation, extraction and post-processing steps in order to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes from the biomass (flowers and leaves) and flavonoids. This is a detailed breakdown of the supply chain, as well as the process for distilling the most valuable cannabis compounds.

The extraction process

Before the distillation process can begin, cannabis plants must be properly dried and cured. The biomass can then be extracted with a variety of solvents, including butane, carbon dioxide, and ethanol. After being soaked in the solvent, the biomass is placed in a material column. The final step is to refine the color using color remediation techniques.

A winterization may be performed by some processors on extracts in order to remove oils and waxes with ethanol and low temperatures. The extract can also be decarboxylated in order to activate acidic cannabinoids such as THCA or CBDA into their parent compounds, CBD and THC.

The crude oil from the initial cannabis extraction process will contain a concentration of THC or CBD between 60-60%. The remainder of the oil will contain different flavors and aromas (terpenes), vitamins and antioxidants, as well as other essential oils. The oil must be further refined after extraction to make it a distillate.

Distillation Process

Although the equipment used to distill cannabis is different, the process is the same for all methods. To purify the cannabinoid to its lowest boiling point, the apparatus is lowered by distillation. The distillation apparatus heats cannabis oil to a temperature that evaporates the cannabinoid desired from it. It then condenses the cannabinoid vapor back into liquid.

Steam distillation and fractionation can be used to extract the alcohol, carbon dioxide or butane solvent.

The risk of the highly volatile cannabis compounds being degraded is reduced if the process is done with a short heat exposure. The best equipment also creates a thin layer of oil on the evaporative surface to ensure uniform heating and evaporation. Higher boiling points of compounds tend to fall with gravity and agitation in separate collection vessels. These are some of the Distillations methods:

• Short Path Distillation
• Wiped Film Distillation
• Rotary Evaporation
• Falling Film Evaporation

How to use cannabis distillates

THC and CBD can be used in many ways for recreational and medicinal purposes. Its versatility makes it a popular choice for both extraction companies and consumers. It can be smoked, vaporized, used in cooking, and even used to make CBD-infused creams and lotions. There are many options. You can find cannabis distillate in many products that are sold in cannabis dispensaries. Here are some of the ways to consume cannabis distillates:

• Dab Rig/Portable Vaporizer
• Pipes, Bongs and Joints
• Edibles
• Topicals

Why is distillation important?

Through distillation, operators can purchase a greater volume of marijuana trim or low-quality biomass and distill their desired compounds into an ultra-potent liquid.

The backbone of the market for marijuana derivatives has been the distillates. They are found in almost every product category. They are flavorless and odorless, making them a reliable and repeatable cannabinoid product.A foundation of distillates is required to make the infused chocolates and gummies we love. If you like aromatic terpene compounds, you can have them reintroduced into the final cannabis product.