We are doing research for experience and possibility of extracting very specific Cannabis Extracts. For example we need an extract with about 25% CBD and less than 0.04% THC.
Does anybody know it that was done before? Is it possible to have such Extracts from a special genetic or does the low THC level make a post-process necessary?
Best regards
Simon (Industrial Grow Operation Manager Switzerland)
I am not a processor, but I grow for one and work closely with them and I do know plants. My processor packages a CBD isolate made from hemp. From what I understand, hemp does have some THC and upon extraction it exceeds the federally allowed level. This requires post processing to remove all THC. The end product is 0% THC and 50.5% CBD. I assume it could be diluted further, if 25% is desired.
While I think it is possible to find plant genetics that produce no THC whatsoever, the reality is that it is not consistent enough to satisfy the federal laws on THC here in the USA. I think post processing would be easier in the long run, particularly, if there are legal reasons for those low THC percentages.
I have also talked with several hemp breeders about seed, and they tell me there are no guarantees when it comes to passing inspection for THC below 0.3% here in the USA. I would just have to rely on the previous inspection that the line has passed.
Then I read articles like this one and ask, “why?”
We are doing research for experience and possibility of extracting very specific Cannabis Extracts. For example we need an extract with about 25% CBD and less than 0.04% THC.
Does anybody know it that was done before? Is it possible to have such Extracts from a special genetic or does the low THC level make a post-process necessary?
Best regards
Simon (Industrial Grow Operation Manager Switzerland)
Hi Dan
Thank You for your helpful message. I was pretty sure that there is a post process necessary. We need to build an extracting plant with a post process laboratory. Can you give me a contact to your processor or find out what method he is using for it?
Are there any Processor Company who can help us setting up a post process unit for Cannabis Extracts?
I would, but they purchase their CBD isolate from another company and I do not know the name of that company. I believe it is processed using liquid chromotography, any details past that is beyond me. Perhaps one of the folks here have more information on specifics.
As per my son, who has 30 years of growing ( learning from Ed Rosenthal) If you would like to increase CBD during flowering all you have to do is increase the amount of nitrogen you give it during flowering and decrease the phosphorus the plants will come out more leafy and less “smokeable” but they will contain high amounts of CBD and lesser amounts of THC which would be more beneficial to those of you that are using it for ingestion or for making creams or Oils. To increase the amount of THC during flowering and make them better for smoking, you decrease or eliminate the nitrogen and increased phosphorus. You can also obtain high levels of CBD through old and degraded marijuana flowers for example when THC breaks down and it’s sugars begin to degrade it turns into CBD so if you have high levels of THC in smokable Bud form and you leave it sitting around for more than say a year or so but keep it where it doesn’t mold it will be higher in levels of CBD because the THC will convert and turn into CBD with age.
Aside from growing a strain with the high CBD content, you are able to use a processing facility/lab to isolate specific cannabinoids. Using chromatography would be effective. You can also extract using an ethanol or co2 extraction system and use distillation equipment to separate the oil produced into the different cannabinoids. This would give you a CBD isolate that you could dilute to 25% CBD and next to now THC.