Clean is Green

In today’s world of legal cannabis, you have a plethora of options for consumption. For those who don’t want the psychoactive effects of THC, the market has produced many products that claim to give you the plant’s medical benefits without intoxication.

One such product is CBD (cannabidiol). Due to its antipsychotic and anti-inflammatory properties, CBD is becoming a popular supplement for humans as well as for pets. Some studies even show it could be an effective treatment for epilepsy.

At Way West Wellness, we believe it’s essential to know how your CBD is extracted and formulated so that you can avoid dangerous solvents.

CBD Extraction Process Explained

Extracting CBD means isolating the chemical compound from the surrounding plant material and distilling it in high concentrations.

The term CO2 extraction method refers to when the CO2 gas (Carbon Dioxide) is used as a solvent to separate cannabinoids like CBD and THC from the flower of the hemp plant. The advantage of using only CO2 is that it’s a non-toxic substance and will not leave any lingering, residual solvents behind in the final product.

The process of using CO2 to extract cannabinoids from plants is not new – it has been used for decades, albeit on a small scale. However, recent technological advancements have made it possible to use this method on an industrial level and in larger quantities.

Which Solvents Should You Watch Out For?

It’s important to note that CO2 extraction is not the only way to extract cannabinoids, and other more dangerous solvents can be used. You should avoid any CBD oil that has been extracted using solvents like heptane, butane, hexane, propane and pentanes. These types of extractions can leave behind dangerous residual solvents and chemicals that may be harmful when consumed.

It’s not always possible to tell which solvents were used just by looking at the final product, since opacity and color depend on a variety of factors. That’s why you should exercise due diligence and only source your CBD oil from reputable sellers.

What Are The Benefits Of CO2 Extraction?

CO2 extraction has many benefits and is considered to be much safer than using petroleum-based solvents like butane. CO2 does not leave behind residual chemicals, and it can extract high amounts of cannabinoids from the flower or hemp plant – up to 98%. This means that CO2 extracted CBD oil will also retain its terpenes (the flavorful, aromatic components of the plant).

CBD oil extracted using CO2 will not contain traces of residual butane or other solvents that can alter the chemical composition (and thus alter the effect you receive when consuming it). Additionally, CO2 is a non-flammable gas and is also relatively inexpensive to obtain.

At Way West Wellness, we take CO2 extraction a step further. We use a subcritical CO2 system versus the common supercritical CO2 extraction.  Subcritical means cold temperatures and less pressure than supercritical systems.  This results in a pure, minimally processed CBD oil extract, while not degrading the therapeutics like cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, to produce a potent high quality extract. Not to mention 99% of the liquid CO2 is recyclable!

Without a doubt, this method is highly respected and well-regarded in the industry.

Bottom Line

When purchasing CBD oil, do your body a favor, and make sure you know how it was extracted. CO2 extraction is considered the cleanest method by professionals because CBD oil that has been extracted using this method will contain little to no residual chemicals, unlike methods like butane that can leave harmful traces of solvents behind in your final product.

For more information about our clean and organic practices, feel free to look around our blog section.