What To Consider When Testing Cannabis Extracts
Cannabis extracts are used in many ways to create new and exciting marijuana products, chief among them cannabis concentrates. Before they make their way to the dispensary, though, they must be tested for residual solvents, and many companies may opt for -- or some states may require -- phytocannabinoid profiling, lipid testing, and other checks for quality as well. What are some of the considerations you should make while evaluating your options for testing cannabis extracts?
In this blog, you will learn:
Why cannabis brands should (and need to) test their cannabis extract
The different ways cannabis extracts are made
Which products are made with cannabis extracts
What is cannabis extraction?
Cannabis extraction is the process and method used to create a cannabis extract that is made into other cannabis products.
Cannabis extract is mixed into a carrier oil to make tinctures, used to create marijuana infused products (MIP) like edibles, and is the base for cannabis concentrates like vape cartridges and “dabs” like wax and shatter.
Cannabis extraction is conducted in several ways. Some of the most common ones involve using solvents or a combination of heat and pressure to separate the phytocannabinoid and terpene content from the plant matter. You’ll learn more about cannabis extraction methods later in this blog.
Why is it important to test cannabis extracts?
Testing cannabis extracts is a regulatory requirement in many states to ensure consumer safety and transparency when selling these products to the public. However, your lab testing involves much more than simply checking a box. Here are three important reasons to test cannabis extracts:
To check for residual solvents in the final product. Many states, including New Jersey, require licensed cannabis producers and manufacturers to test their products for residual solvents like butane and ethanol before they can be sold. Although manufacturers go through great lengths to remove solvents once the extract is made, it is possible that some may remain. These trace amounts may be harmful if inhaled, making testing vital to ensure consumer safety.
To check for lipids. Cannabis lipids are a natural part of the plant (and all plants, in fact). However, researchers still do not conclusively know the impact of inhaling lipids on the lungs; studies have either been inconclusive or suggest a negative correlation.
To verify potency. Cannabis extracts are much more potent than just inhaling cannabis flower. Consumers need to know precisely how much THC and other phytocannabinoids these products contain and plan their expected experience appropriately. This also helps disclose accurate numbers to consumers, building a reputation of trust and transparency between the brand and the customer.
How cannabis extraction is performed
Cannabis extraction falls into two general categories: mechanical and solvent:
Mechanical methods use physical factors like heat and pressure to extract valuable phytocannabinoids and terpenes.
Solvent methods utilize a medium to remove the phytocannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis flower (or industrial hemp, in the case of CBD products).
Once the cannabis undergoes extraction, the plant material is discarded and what’s left behind is an extract with elevated levels of phytocannabinoids and terpenes. This extract is then further refined to remove unwanted substances like lipids, or further refine the extract into specific constituent parts.
Here’s a quick overview of some of the most common cannabis extraction methods used today:
Butane
Also called Butane Hash Oil (BHO), this method involves using butane as the medium through which phytocannabinoids and terpenes are extracted. The process sends the cannabis through a sealed cylinder, which separates the desired compounds from the plant material. There are multiple methods used in cannabis manufacturing settings, including closed loop systems and open loop systems.
Ethanol
This extraction method uses ethanol as the medium to extract desired compounds from the flower. This extraction method uses ethanol as the medium to extract the desired compounds from the cannabis plant. The cannabis biomass is soaked in ethanol to bring the phytocannabinoids and terpenes into solution, then filtering out the plant material. After this extraction, the ethanol is removed and recycled for further extraction, while the resulting oil is available for further refinement and formulation into finished consumer goods.
CO2 or Supercritical CO2 extraction
Carbon dioxide may not be a harsh solvent like butane or ethanol, but it is a solvent nonetheless. Through this method, CO2 and pressure are applied to finely-ground cannabis in tandem to extract phytocannabinoids and terpenes.
Solventless
Solventless extraction methods involve pressing the plant material until the extract comes out. Rosin is a common example of a solventless cannabis concentrate product. This method is celebrated for its preservation of terpenes; many of these sensitive compounds are lost during other more harsh extraction processes. Solventless extraction can use “live” cannabis flower, which is procured from flower that’s flash frozen before being pressed, or cannabis flower that has gone through the traditional drying and curing process.
What about hemp?
CBD and other hemp-derived products sourced from industrial hemp are made with the same cannabis extraction methods described earlier. All the cannabis extraction methods discussed here can be done with hemp. Remember, industrial hemp and cannabis are the same plant; the only difference is the amount of total THC contained in the flower.
Despite the fact that there is less regulatory oversight when it comes to industrial hemp, cannabis extracts derived from hemp are often tested for residential solvents, pesticides, phytocannabinoid content, and terpene content. This is because brands know that they need to build trust with their customers, particularly in light of the lack of strict standards.
Test your cannabis extracts for purity and potency
At True Labs for Cannabis, we take great pride in keeping several steps ahead of what’s required for testing cannabis extracts and other cannabis products. Licensed cannabis operations in New Jersey can expect the highest standards of transparency and accuracy when they set out by the state when they submit their samples to our East Hanover facility. Consumer safety is at the core of what we do, and our testing procedures and policies are shaped to cater to building consumer trust. Learn more about True Labs for Cannabis and contact us to learn more about partnering with our laboratory.