The opinions and attitudes of people towards cannabis have witnessed a gradual shift in how they perceive marijuana, positively, and that is primarily because of this cannabinoid called CBD. CBD oil has been the driving force behind the legalization movement for cannabis, and people from all backgrounds seem to be vouching for it, from celebrities to health professionals, to the average health-conscious consumer. So what is it about CBD that is so appealing? To know what makes CBD so special, first, it’s important to know what it is.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of more than eighty active chemical compounds (cannabinoids) found in the cannabis plant. CBD is often associated with another cannabinoid THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), but in reality, they are different compounds with different effects. THC is responsible for the ‘making you high’ part of cannabis, thus more suitable for recreational purposes. CBD, however, is mostly used for health benefits as it has significant healing qualities, and is known to relieve pain, anxiety, depression, and helps with other conditions like insomnia and inflammation.

CBD oil is extracted from plants in the cannabis family: marijuana and hemp. CBD oil has gained popularity because it is easy to use, and it can enter the body quickly, which makes smaller doses more effective. CBD oil can be made at home using the following methods:

Ethanol Extraction

Ethanol extraction is also known as alcohol extraction and is a cannabis extraction method that does not require the extractor to possess special skills or equipment, it is a suitable method for beginners. Another advantage of ethanol extraction is that alcohol does not leave behind any unpleasant smells or taste. In the ethanol extraction method, the hemp plant is introduced to the solvent ethanol for the extraction of cannabinoids. This cannabis extraction method is unique in the sense that it can produce cannabis oil with up to 99 percent purity, thus a high-quality end product. The step by step procedure for extraction through this method is stated below:

  1. Extract the resin after putting the plant in a glass/ceramic bowl, and stirring it after covering it with alcohol for a few minutes.
  2. Filter the solvent out of the container with the help of a straining bag and squeeze as much extract as possible. This process can be repeated if you think more oil can be extracted from the weed that is being pressed.
  3. The extracted oil needs to be put in a double boiler and heated until bubbles start to form. Without raising the temperature, wait until the alcohol evaporates completely, and then mix it.
  4. The concentrated oil should then be transferred into a storage bottle, and it should be made sure that the lid is tight in order to prevent damage to the quality and effectiveness of the oil.

CO2 Extraction

The CO2 extraction method is a trendy one and used by a majority of companies to make CBD oil. With the help of multiple temperature-controlled chambers, the gas is filtered under high pressure in order to create a supercritical phase. CO2 behaves both like a liquid and a gas in this phase.

By doing so, the chemicals are stripped out of the cannabis material with the help of the extremely efficient solvent properties gained in the period. A particular method called ‘chromatography’ gets rid of plant residue from the final products once the extraction is over. Due to its highly efficient process, the final products made through the CO2 extraction are of very high quality.

Additional Processing Steps

After CBD extraction has been completed through the methods mentioned above, there still needs to be some further processing to make the extract fit for human use. These steps are:

  • Decarboxylation: Decarboxylation process can be described as the ‘activation’ of the CBD oil because before going through this process, there is no naturally occurring CBD or THC present in the plant. That is because, before this process, CBD and THC are present in an inactive or acidic state, and are known as cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA). The decarboxylation process hence is a process that transforms them from an inactive state to an active state and thereby giving out a high-quality end-product.
  • Winterization: Winterization is the process of removing unwanted particles from the CBD extract, which include plant materials, fatty acids, terpenoids, and chlorophyll. This process is the amalgamation of non-polar substances like hash oil, and polar substances like ethanol, and done at sub-zero temperatures – hence the name ‘winterization.’ After this process, you are left with a pure CBD end-product that is ready to use.

Things To Keep In Mind When Making CBD Oil

While easy to make, there are still some precautions that you must take when making CBD oil for your safety and the safety of others around you. Safety precautions are essential because CBD oil can be extremely flammable. Another thing to keep in mind is to make sure that the oil does not end up overheating. Thus constant monitoring is required and recommended. Due diligence is needed in this matter as the overheating of oil could lead to it catching fire and giving you significant burns in case it comes in contact with your skin. It is also essential to have a sound ventilation system in the area where the CBD oil is being prepared as its smell can be strong and overpowering in case there is no proper ventilation in the room where it is being made.

Conclusion

As discussed in the article, it is not very difficult to make CBD oil and it can be made at home by beginners without a lot of difficulties. CBD oil is a versatile supplement that you can utilize to enhance the quality of your life. CBD and cannabis have a long history of usage, which dates back to thousands of years, and due to its increased legalization worldwide, and easily accessible information about it, it is now easier than ever to use it.

What is your experience with making CBD oil? Let us know in the comments below!