While extraction processes and technologies continue to rapidly evolve to meet the demands of the expanding global market, there will always be variables before the extraction stage that impact the quality of your distillate products. The quality of your biomass input will always play a major role in determining the quality of your distillate output. For this reason, partnering with growers and cultivators that you can trust to deliver a consistent supply of quality cannabis biomass is crucial to your success.

It’s important to select biomass with the right amounts of the desired cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) and terpenes to support the creation of your desired finished products. Testing for cannabinoids, terpenes, pesticide and heavy metal contents before committing to a partnership with a grower or cultivator is critical to ensuring you’re entering into a relationship that will get you the highest quality inputs for your process.

Here are a few steps you can take to ensure you’re sourcing the best biomass for your cannabis distillate products:

1. Perform a visual inspection – it’s fairly easy to visually identify what your biomass is comprised of; buds have the highest potency of cannabinoids, whereas leaves contain a lower potency, and stalks and stems contain very little desired compounds
2. Ensure your biomass is “homogenized” – since your biomass can come from a variety of strains and sources, it’s important to ensure the distinct plant products have been properly mixed together so they can be tested as a single entity
3. Test the potency of compounds in the biomass – test the biomass for its potency of cannabinoids, terpenes, pesticides, and heavy metals in relation to the concentrations tolerated by your local AHJ
4. Visit your cultivators – review the grow sites, meet the people, see how they deal with pests, assess the quality of their water, etc. (learn more here)
5. Perform a micro-extraction – perform a low-tech, small-scale extraction on a sample of biomass and test the quality of that distillate

Once you’ve sourced the right biomass for your needs, your next step is to engage with an extraction partner that will turn that biomass into the right type of distillate. Depending on your size and type of end product you’re creating, you have a few different options for extraction solutions (learn more about your options here).

If you’re a hemp or cannabis cultivator, processor, or product formulator hoping to produce high-quality cannabis distillate, we walk to talk! Our turnkey mobile labs arrive at your facility within 4-6 months and require a $0 lab CAPEX. Please contact us to learn about becoming an extractX partner.

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When a consumer smokes cannabis, a process called decarboxylation happens instantaneously. During this process, CBGA (the mother cannabinoid) is broken down into other cannabinoids like THC, CBD, CBG, etc. which can then be absorbed by the body. Smoking dried flower allows for a “full-spectrum” experience, where the body’s endocannabinoid system can intake all of the compounds found in the plant.

When a specific cannabinoid like CBD or THC is isolated from its “family” of other compounds, anecdotal evidence suggests that the isolated cannabinoid is less-effective at producing the euphoric, inebriating effects, or medicinal benefits than if the same amount of that cannabinoid was introduced to the body in a full-spectrum capacity (with all those other cannabinoids).

This is especially important for new users of CBD products since, as they want to avoid the inebriation caused by THC, they use CBD isolate products. These isolates can cause the consumer to sacrifice some of the potential benefits of CBD when compared to the way a full-spectrum CBD product is absorbed by the body.

It is important to note that most information supporting the entourage effect is anecdotal, and that further research must be done to fully understand this phenomenon. Once the entourage effect is proven true, real research will prove the current unverified claims that isolate products are processed by the endocannabinoid system differently than full-spectrum cannabis products (learn more about Full Spectrum vs. Isolate Distillates).

This article does not argue in favour of or against the use of cannabis isolate products. In fact, the more we learn about the entourage effect and the effects of isolated cannabinoid products, the more products can be created to help treat specific human health conditions. Moving forward, there will always be a market for THC-free products, and the evolution of the extraction industry is moving us towards a world where specific cannabinoids can be isolated or removed from cannabis distillate more easily. This is great news for the average consumer who wants to use cannabis for medicinal purposes!

If you’re producing cannabis distillate, whether full-spectrum or the isolate of a specific cannabinoid, an extractX mobile lab could be right for you! Our labs are built off-site to the highest compliance standards, able to produce high-quality full-spectrum distillate or THC-free and isolate distillates through further separation and remediation processes. Instead of building your own lab, reach out to extractX today to learn more about how you can get a mobile lab installed within your facility within 4 months of contract for $0 lab CapEx.

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As CBD distillate products become commonplace household items in countries throughout the world, new descriptors are emerging that the average consumer may not be familiar with. One such example is a classifier for CBD distillate products that distinguishes them between being a “CBD isolate” or “full-spectrum CBD distillate”. You may be asking yourself what the difference is, and what products are right for you.

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Recent research into CBG has hinted that this cannabinoid may provide remarkable health benefits. This has contributed to an increasing demand for CBG distillate products to treat a variety of ailments such as:

Note: research into CBG is fairly new, and these claims will need to be further validated by additional research. More information can be found here.

Note: research into CBG is fairly new, and these claims will need to be further validated by additional research. More information can be found here.

Since CBG naturally occurs in cannabis in such low concentrations, the journey towards isolating pure CBG extract starts at the breeding and cultivation stage. Interbreeding strains with high CBG concentrations increases your ability to extract the cannabinoid and harvesting plants at an earlier stage in the growth cycle increases your chances that the CBGA has not been converted into other cannabinoids.

CBG is extracted from cannabis biomass through an extraction process similar to the one used in extracting CBD or THC. extractX mobile labs use a closed-loop ethanol extraction process to create cannabis distillate and a further process that allows us to separate CBG from other cannabinoids.

If you’re a hemp or cannabis cultivator, processor, or product formulator hoping to expand into producing CBG extract, we walk to talk! Our turnkey mobile labs arrive at your facility within 4-6 months and require a $0 lab CapEx. Please contact us to learn about becoming an extractX partner.

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As the demand for these ingestible products has steadily increased, experts in the cannabis industry have had to gain an understanding of decarboxylation on a much deeper level, especially when faced with the challenge of producing THC and CBD distillate at a large scale.

If you’re a hemp or cannabis cultivator, processor, or formulator creating CBD or THC products, and want to penetrate markets faster with no lab CapEx, then a mobile extraction lab may be right for you. If you are processing more than 75,000 lbs of biomass per year and are interested in a turnkey extraction lab for $0 lab CapEx and 4 months to installation, we want to talk to you today! Please contact us to learn about becoming an extractX partner.

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As hemp and cannabis becomes legal for medicinal and sometimes recreational use in countries around the world, it’s never been a better time to educate yourself on the difference between hemp and cannabis.

The THC content tolerated before the cannabis plant is classified as marijuana differs by region. In the table below, we see some examples of the THC percentage tolerated by different countries.

The metric for percentage of THC tolerated by region has become an incredibly important number for hemp cultivators and CBD product brands, as well as the companies trying to support them. Businesses and individuals in the biotechnology, legal, financial, manufacturing, agricultural, extraction, and retail industries are pivoting their business models or starting new ventures to enter and assist this rapidly booming market.

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. In addition to the many valuable uses of hemp, these naturally occurring compounds are what make the cannabis plant so remarkable. There are thought to be dozens of different cannabinoids found in just a single strain of cannabis, the two most commonly known being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

Below are 10 of the top cannabinoids found in cannabis, along with the potential benefits, effects, and products in which they can be found.

As we continue to develop our understanding of the types of cannabinoids and how they can be used to treat specific human ailments and illnesses, the demand for innovation in the extraction industry will continue to rise. A refinement of the process required to extract high-quality cannabis distillate, and to further separate and remediate that distillate to isolate the desired cannabinoids is the next innovative hurdle for the extraction industry, which is why we believe it’s so important to partner with an extraction company with tons of industry experience and a track-record of success.

If you’re a hemp or cannabis cultivator, processor, or formulator creating CBD or THC products, and want to penetrate markets faster with no lab CapEx, then a mobile extraction lab may be right for you. If you are processing more than 75,000 lbs of biomass per year and are interested in a turnkey extraction lab for $0 lab CapEx and 4 months to installation, we want to talk to you today! Please contact us to learn about becoming an extractX partner.

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When examining C1D1 and C1D2 classifications for extraction labs, it’s important to start with a basic understanding of what these classifications are and why they exist. Class 1, Division 1 (C1D1), and Class 1, Division 2 (C1D2) are government-enforced classification systems used when a company requires the use of flammable gases, vapours, or liquids that could cause an explosion or fire hazard. The C1D1 and/or C1D2 classification applies to the physical area wherein these substances could cause harm to an employee or any other person and are used to prevent the occurrences and to minimize their harm if they do occur.

These classifications are not unique to the extraction industry but apply to any industry or company that requires the use of these types of hazardous materials in order to conduct its business. The reason C1D1 and C1D2 classifications are such a hot topic in the extraction industry is that nearly all extraction methods require the use of a flammable, potentially dangerous solvent like ethanol, butane, or CO2.

A Class 1, Division 1 (C1D1) location, is one in which ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or vapours may exist under normal operating conditions; or in which ignitable concentrations of such gases or vapours may frequently exist because of repair or maintenance operations or because of leakage; or in which breakdown or faulty operation of equipment or processes might release ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or vapours, and might also cause simultaneous failure of electric equipment.

A Class 1, Division 2 (C1D2) location, is one in which volatile flammable liquids or flammable gases are handled, processed, or used, but in which the hazardous liquids, vapours, or gases will normally be confined within closed containers or closed systems from which they can escape only in case of accidental rupture or breakdown of such containers or systems, or in case of abnormal operation of equipment; or in which ignitable concentrations of gases or vapours are normally prevented by positive mechanical ventilation, and which might become hazardous through failure or abnormal operations of the ventilating equipment; or that is adjacent to a Class I, Division 1 location, and to which ignitable concentrations of gases or vapours might occasionally be communicated unless such communication is prevented by adequate positive-pressure ventilation from a source of clean air, and effective safeguards against ventilation failure are provided.

Compliance can require a slightly different application depending on the jurisdiction and size and scope of your lab, but it always ultimately comes down to strict attention to preventative and reactive safety measures. In general, the objective is to have a lab where, if something does go wrong, the issue can be resolved without injury to any people nearby and without extensive damage to that area or adjoining areas.

Here are a few examples of areas in your lab where you will have to meet C1D1 and/or C1D2 certifications:

• Fire suppression systems
• Wiring and electrical components
• Solvent “sniffers” – devices used to measure dangerous amounts of flammable/explosive vapours or gasses in the air
• Flame arrestors – devices that will shut off gas flow if they detect an abnormal amount of heat
• HVAC system – the air ventilation system must be able to clear all the air in the room within a certain amount of time if a dangerous level of vapour or gas is detected
• Security features – access cards & codes, cameras & monitoring, approved door locks

*Please note that this list should not be considered professional advice and should be treated solely as information of general interest.

If you’re in the process of building an extraction lab at your facility and are feeling a little overwhelmed by the amount of compliance information to learn and apply, you may be in luck! Our turnkey, mobile extraction labs are built with C1D1 and C1D2 compliance fully considered. If you’re interested in learning more about how we build our labs to meet compliance standards, take a look at our discussion paper: Proprietary construction or a self-contained extraction lab: what’s right for your company?

If you’re a hemp or cannabis cultivator, processor, or formulator creating CBD or THC products, and want to penetrate markets faster with no lab CapEx, then a mobile extraction lab may be right for you. If you are processing more than 75,000 lbs of biomass per year and are interested in a turnkey extraction lab for $0 lab CapEx and 4 months to installation, we want to talk to you today! Please contact us to learn about becoming an extractX partner.

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As hemp has rapidly been re-introduced to consumer markets across a variety of industries throughout the world, humans have been reminded of the many benefits of this remarkable plant. Hemp serves as a more usable, sustainable alternative to common practices found in a variety of industries, yet a new use for the plant is proving incredibly valuable to consumers and entrepreneurs.

Hemp biomass is generally comprised of non-flower parts like seeds, stalk, and leaves and has an average price of around $14 USD/lb. As seen in the chart below, there are many uses for unspent biomass based on the part of the plant used.

The birth of this industry has created an exciting economic boom in a brand-new market, one that entrepreneurs and engineers alike are flooding to. While hemp has been proving its usefulness to humans for many centuries, advancements in the cultivating, extracting, and infused product industries have created an exciting opportunity for modern companies operating in these spaces.