How to Extract CBD From Hemp and Cannabis Plants

July 06, 2018 by Colin Darcel

shane-rounce-390475-unsplash Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the three main chemicals found in the cannabis plant, and it has grown in popularity in recent years as scientific studies continue to find benefits for its application.

Over the past few years CBD has become so popular that it is now being produced into a wide range of commercial and pharmaceutical products, from edibles, oils, creams and even infused drinks such as coffee.

This naturally occurring compound in the cannabis plant can be used for the treatment of various mental and physical illnesses, and possess beneficial properties such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, anticonvulsants and antipsychotics.

Cannabinoids are THC-free, meaning they do not provide you with the ‘high’ of cannabis and that means CBD products are legal in many countries around the world.

CBD, however, is not easy to extract from the hemp plant. The medicinal properties of the plant can easily be damaged in the extraction process, particularly if the wrong equipment is used.

Learning how to extract CBD from a hemp or cannabis plant, and using the most effective machinery to do this, is essential for a high-quality end product.

How can CBD be extracted?

The purpose of CBD extraction is to create cannabinoids in a pure and highly concentrated form that are suitable for human consumption. CBD can be extracted from both hemp and cannabis plants, although it is most oftenly extracted from the stalks and stems of industrial hemp plants.

The two most popular methods for extraction are ethanol and C02. C02 extraction involves filtering plants through a series of chambers that control temperature and pressure. This methods isolates cannabinoids at a 90 per cent efficiency by applying different temperatures and units to the hemp or cannabis plants.

The C02 extraction method requires extremely expensive equipment that use pressurized C02 (carbon dioxide) to pull the CBD from the plant.

Ethanol extraction, however, can produce cannabis oil with up to 99 percent purity, meaning a higher quality end product. Ethanol extraction involves introducing the solvent ethanol to the hemp or cannabis plant in order to extract the cannabinoids.

So, what’s the best equipment?

Maratek & Cannabis Oil Tech is a leader in the separation of cannabis and hemp oils from ethanol and our machinery creates a finished product with over 99 percent purity.

With installations across the US and Canada our highly automated and advanced Oil & Ethanol Recovery System – Continuous (OERS-C) and our Oil and Ethanol Recovery System - Batch (OERS-B) are highly regarded within the industry.

Our machinery, which is designed specifically for the cannabis market, requires less manpower than industry competitors and both pieces of equipment are significantly more cost-effective than using C02 extraction machines.

Here are some benefits of using Cannabis Oil Tech’s equipment:

Our systems produce a Cannabis or Hemp oil with up to 99 percent purity.
Can decarboxylate the oils.
Offer both batch and continuous systems for companies of all sizes.
Industrial quality with stainless steel, grade 304 or higher (including fittings and condenser).
GMP compliant (Good Manufacturing Practices compliant).
Class 1, Division 1 certified By MetLab, for explosion proofing and safety.
Much less expensive than using CO₂ systems, Rotovaps or butane for oil production.
Extremely safe to operate.
Very non-labor intensive, running for hours or even up to days without needing an operator.