Six Ways to Make Cannabis Extracts: Which Is Best for You?
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What if you could wield crystalline spheres that call forth an Eternal Dragon to grant wishes for you? Ya, that’d be pretty rad if that Japanese animated TV series was real life. But luckily, we have the next best thing – cannabis dragon balls that contain thousands of milligrams of highly concentrated cannabis extract.
Cannabis concentrates are an effective way you can derive the medical benefits of marijuana. As the name implies, extracts are a purified form of marijuana that contains a higher ratio of the beneficial compounds and less plant material. The methods for producing extracts range from simple to complex. As a general rule, a more elaborate process produces concentrates with greater potency. However, each extraction method entails tradeoffs.
In this article, we’ll examine some of the most common types of extract methods, including some of the associated benefits and drawbacks of each.
What you'll learn in this post:
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Trichomes
The trichomes aren’t just the sticky resin that glues to your fingers when handling buds, they’re also what contains most of the active medicinal cannabis compounds. They’re the breeding grounds for THC, the active chemical compound that creates the “head-high” you get from consuming cannabis.
Trichomes have attracted a certain fascination among cannabis aficionados. Under a microscope (or magnifying glass) they look like translucent stalks with rounded heads. These resinous, hairlike structures have evolved as a defense mechanism, protecting the plant against insect predators and the effects of UV sunlight. But they’re also so much more.
THC and cannabinoids are manufactured in only one location—the globular head of the trichomes. All of marijuana’s psychoactive and medicinal properties derive from these bulbous glands. So, next time you light up you can thank those sticky-icky trichomes (pictured below) for sending you to the stratosphere with each puff.
Kief
Kief is the easiest cannabis concentrate to make, and therefore one of the most popular. Basically, kief is made by separating trichomes (the crystalline structures that coat the outside of the dried marijuana flowers) from whole-plant material using a weed grinder, to produce a fine, light powder that resembles very granular sand. It isn’t considered the highest quality extract out there, but THC levels can typically be 3 to 4 times more concentrated than in unprocessed cannabis.
To produce the fine kief-powder we’re talking about, you’ll need a capable cannabis grinder. Weed grinders have specially designed teeth (made out of metals or plastic and sometimes wood, but metals are by far the most effective) that work to pulverize cannabis as you rotate the device in a circular motion.
If your goal is to produce & capture as much kief as possible, you’ll need to be sure your grinder has a kief-catcher (a bottom chamber with a metal screen above it, which only allows for the fine particles of kief to fall below it).
Recommended for You: Weed Grinders: Which One is the Best for Me?
If you can’t access a grinder, many users also use blenders and food processors to powderize their stash; this can be a dangerous game to play if your goal is kief accumulation, since the fine sticky particles can stick to the sides of your device and escape capture.
Using Kief
Ok, you’ve collected your first batch of kief, now what? Kief can be sprinkled on joints, in bowls, or on bong hits. However, because kief is so finely powdered it’ll burn differently than regular cannabis.
Joints with pure kief are hard to roll and they can burn incredibly fast. As a result, most kief enthusiasts recommend sprinkling it on traditional weed before rolling a “J” and lighting up.
Kief bowls burn better, but remember you’re smoking concentrated marijuana, so pack your bowl accordingly as a small kief hit can go a long way. It can also be used to make cannabutter and other marijuana edibles. As a general rule, if a recipe calls for 1 cup of cannabis you can probably substitute 1/4 cup of kief and achieve the same dosage levels.
Hash
Hash is a potent cannabis extract that’s been used for centuries throughout Asia, the Arab world and India. It was introduced to the West in the 19th century when literary giants like Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, and Charles Baudelaire consumed hashish in Parisian nightclubs.
Hashish is made by separating the resinous trichomes, which contains marijuana’s active ingredients, from the plant material. There are a variety of ways to do this, from dry sifting kief (see above) to the use of liquid solvents. In fact, if you can make kief then you’re only one step away from making a simple form of hash, which can be no as easy as pressing high-quality kief into a block or ball using a pollen press or even your fingers.
Lightly heating the kief while applying pressure is just a slightly more involved process, making for a hash product with a better shelf life. Other methods include using solvents like ice water, butane, or ethanol, which strip further levels of plant material.
However, techniques using flammable solvents can expose hash makers to risks such as fires or explosions. When solvents are used to make hash, then great care needs to be taken during the drying phase so that no mold or bacteria contaminates the hash concentrate.
Ice Water Hash
Making hash using the ice-water solvent method is relatively straightforward, safe, and effective. Basically, the goal is to separate the trichomes from the stalks, buds, and leaves. This is accomplished by adding kief or plant material to ice water, which is then agitated so that the trichomes sink to the bottom while the plant material floats to the top. Various screens and filtration bags are used and the entire process typically takes several days, including drying.
Making ice-water hash is doable, but requires a fair amount of mixing, filtering, and complicated freezing techniques. It’s not beyond the casual user, but many may question whether it’s worth all the effort. In most cases, ordinary users will probably want to avoid hash making methods that utilize flammable solvents as they can pose significant risks.
Butane Hash Oil
As the name implies, butane hash oil (BHO) is a concentrate that uses butane as a solvent to treat the kief, which can produce an extract that exceeds 80 to 90% THC. Experts suggest that BHO concentrates should be lab tested to ensure that excessive levels of butane aren’t present. Since such standardized testing procedures aren’t yet legally required in California, we strongly recommend staying away from concentrates created using BHO extraction. Instead, rely on the next extraction method to produce the safest products for consumption.
Supercritical CO2 Oil
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a gas that converts to a liquid under pressure. As a result, it’s become a standard solvent for many extraction processes, widely used to treat foods, nutritional supplements, and herbal remedies.
Unlike other solvent options, which may leave heavy metals behind, the CO2 process is natural and produces pure concentrates that are low in toxicity. Plus, it extracts the essential oils without damaging them. To extract concentrates CO2 is pumped into a high-pressure vessel containing cannabis. As James Slatic, CEO of MedWest Distribution explains, “When the solvent (CO2) is pushed through the plant matter at such a high pressure, it can separate the matter precisely, which allows us to isolate only the purest essence.”
According to experts (and our personal recommendation for patients interested in using concentrates), the CO2 method is especially recommended for medical marijuana patients who require a highly pure cannabis concentrate with virtually no toxic residues.
Cannabis Oil Extracts
Cannabis oil is a highly effective and popular way of getting the health benefits of medical marijuana. Typically, a few drops of the oil concentrate are dissolved under the tongue (this delivery system is known as being “sublingual”). This delivery method works because the bioavailability of the essential cannabinoid oils is introduced immediately into the circulatory system, allowing you to feel the effects faster and without any potentially harmful side effects that come with combustion (smoking).
Oils can be topically applied to the skin as well, and prove particularly helpful for patients suffering from joint pain (arthritis), and lesions on the skin.
Here’s a brief look at some of the main cannabis oil product types and what to look for:
CBD Oil:
Contains non-psychoactive CBD, which provides many health benefits, but no THC. CBD has gained popularity for helping treat juvenile patients with epilepsy since it can provide the medical benefits associated with cannabinoids without the intoxicating effects of THC. It’s quickly gaining popularity among new and experienced patients as a pain-reliever and mental relaxant.
You won’t feel like you’re in an altered state (although some patients have reported small effects of this type when consuming high doses of CBD), but you’ll certainly feel like you’ve taken the edge off. If you’re a working professional or just someone with daily stress in your life, try weaving a low-dose CBD product into your daily regimen and see if you notice any improvements in your daily function.
Hemp Oil:
Made from hemp, a close cousin of marijuana, it contains some cannabinoids, but not enough to create any of the medical benefits associated with consuming CBD, and contains absolutely no THC. While it has many essential fatty acids that provide nutritional benefits, it doesn’t provide the therapeutic advantages of medical marijuana.
Rick Simpson Oil:
Perhaps the most famous cannabis extract of all is Rick Simpson Oil, named after the marijuana activist who claims to have cured himself along with thousands of others from cancer by using this marijuana concentrate. It’s important to note that Rick doesn’t sell or produce his oil for public consumption; he merely provides the recipe for making it.
RSO is made from the buds and flowers of the female cannabis plant, so the oil will contain THC, CBD, and cannabinoids. Many imitators and competitors have attempted to capitalize on Simpson’s popularity; as a result, there’s a lot of confusion about these extracts in the marketplace.
Buyers need to carefully investigate the oil extracts they’re considering. The marketplace for these products occupies a legal gray area.
Also, a lack of health and safety standards means that shady operators and mislabeled products are common. However, you can infuse olive oil with cannabis by following a simple homemade recipe; or you can check out Rick Simpson’s own method, which he explains on his website.
Rosin
Rosin concentrates are increasingly popular in the medical marijuana community. Essentially, rosin refers to a sticky resin that you get from adding pressure and heat to cannabis to create small batches of hash oil. You can quickly and easily make your own rosin at home with a hair straightener (set at the lowest heat setting) and a few other household items.
Ingredients:
- Flat iron, heat/rosin press or hair straightener (use the lowest heat setting)
- Non-stick parchment paper
- Scraper to collect rosin (i.e. a razor blade)
Steps:
- Fold quality bud inside a 4” x 8” square of non-stick parchment paper.
- Place the parchment paper with the bud in the jaws of a hair straightener.
- Apply heat at the lowest setting for 4 to 7 seconds.
- Remove the bud from the parchment and collect the resin with the scraping tool.
You can see what the process looks like by checking out this short video. For more tips on making rosin, click here.
Conclusion
Cannabis concentrates can offer medical marijuana patients distinct advantages: discreteness, reliable dosing, and quick absorption are just a few of the pluses extracts offer. They’re an ideal option especially for patients who require high doses for instant pain relief. However, extracts can deliver effects that are too potent for some users. As always, it’s important to discuss cannabis concentrate options with a licensed physician.
Absolute Xtracts Review: Vape Pen, Cartridges, Soft Gels, Oil & Honey Straws
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Need a new vape pen or looking for something edible? Keep reading this post ad you’ll find a detailed AbsoluteXtracts review covering each of the company’s many medical cannabis offerings.
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Company Background
AbsoluteXtracts (ABX) is a flourishing NorCal cannabis company that prides itself on providing patients with pure, potent, and safe cannabis concentrates. Their diverse range of products are fully lab tested, labeled, and come “doctor recommended,” although it’s best to take such a statement with a grain of salt.
As with any marijuana concentrate, the extraction process starts with the cannabis plant. With ABX, all their plants are grown and closely tended to in greenhouses and on small family owned farms across Northern California. They’re tested for viruses, bacteria, molds, and pesticides before being dried, cured and processed. The company uses high pressure CO2 to extract the cannabis oil and meticulous techniques to protect the cannabis terpenes, giving each strain its own unique smell, taste and effects.
Below is a detailed examination of their product line, we hope it’ll help you find a remedy for what ails you.
Vape Pen
This portable vaporizer pen is simple to use and supplemented by a huge array of vaporizer cartridges available for purchase. Each cartridge touts organic oils that contain no additives or preservatives and only local, lab tested, high-quality cannabis.
Price:
The ABX vape pen is sturdy and retails for $20-$30, but lightweight enough to carry in your pocket or purse. It even comes in a durable padded soft or hard case, depending on your aesthetic or practical preference, with cushioned pockets for the charger, battery, and a single cartridge. You can throw or toss it almost anywhere without worrying about breakage or leakage!
How to Use It:
Plus, the ABX pen is super easy to use. The auto-draw feature allows for quick and easy activation; simply press down and inhale as the small red lights flash and enjoy! Just be aware, it’s best to take lighter, more frequent pulls than to take long, heavy hits that can cause an irritated throat.
The pen operates on a 510 thread battery (industry standard) that can be used interchangeably with many other vape cartridge brands if needed. Once fully charged, the battery provides almost 400 hits, which makes it perfect for out-and-about extended usage. But just so you know, each ABX vape cartridge typically gives ~200 hits, so you’ll need to carry two cartridges with you to max out the battery life on this bad boy!
Vape Cartridges
Let’s take a second to talk about the ABX cartridges since they’re what makes the real magic happen.
How It’s Made:
Every ABX cartridge is pre-loaded with 100% pure CO2 oil that contains 70% active THC, making it one of the highest THC concentrations available for cartridges. Not only that, but each cartridge is made with metal and superior plastic, making it significantly more durable and less prone to leaking than other brands. They’re available in eighteen distinct, delicious strains to help with almost any medical ailment or mood without sacrificing quality for quantity.
Price:
ABX Vape cartridges retail for anywhere from $35-$65, and sometimes vary by that much solely based on the strain held within. This is the time to use Nugg’s search function to find and compare prices for AbsoluteXtracts at your local dispensaries.
Flavors/Strains:
- Grape Stomper: a sweet sativa-dominant hybrid.
- Blue Dream: a euphoric sativa-dominant hybrid.
- Sour Diesel: an energetic sativa.
- Green Dragon: a sweet, piney indica.
- Blackberry Kush: an earthy, berry indica.
- OG Kush: a mellow, woody hybrid.
- Cherry Pie: a fruity indica-dominant hybrid.
- Girl Scout Cookies: a sweet hybrid.
- Chem Dawg: a pungent hybrid.
- Blue Jaw Way: fruity, spicy indica with high CBD content.
- ACDC: an earthy indica also high in CBD.
- Gorilla Glue: a pungent hybrid that’s quickly risen to become one of America’s favorite strains.
There are two newer strains created in collaboration with Emerald Cup Extracts Group: Berry White, a sweet hybrid, and Royal Kush, a citrusy, earthy hybrid.
Sleek, discreet, and simple to use, the ABX vape pen and cartridges are perfect for anyone who’s watching their wallet without sacrificing quality or flavor, enjoys the ease of using a vaporizer over traditional smoking methods, and seeks medical benefits for a variety of ailments.
Soft Gel Capsules
If you don’t like smoking, vaping, extra calories, or are simply on the go, ABX Softgels are the perfect remedy for you. Each bottle contains 24 capsules, available in 10mg ($50), 25mg (around $70) and 50mg (about $100) THC doses. I’ve seen the price disparity fluctuate so use Nugg to find the best deal near you.
They also include tasty organic coconut oil to improve absorption, making sure your body harnesses their full effect. Simply pop a nondescript pill, wash it down with any non-alcoholic drink, and wait at least two hours for it to take full effect.
While some say it’s best to ingest on an empty stomach (for more dramatic effects), I recommend having a full belly beforehand, as an empty stomach could induce queasiness and even vomiting—a waste of great medication and money.
I’d start with one 25mg pill then, depending on your degree of pain, re-medicate every three to five hours. The price might seem steep, but it’s well worth it for their simplicity, effectiveness, and reliability. Highly recommended.
Oil Extract
Available in indica and sativa, these extract syringes contain a whopping 500mg (0.5mL) of CO2 extracted pure cannabis oil in an already measured, easy to squeeze syringe for exact dosage, so you don’t have to worry about under or over medicating.
Unlike the vape cartridges, this versatile oil is best utilized for dabbing, cooking, baking, and applying topically on any unsightly bruises, cuts or sores.
When cooking be sure that the ratio is exact and applicable to the size/amount of the dish you’re making or baking. For topical application simply rub the oil into the affected area three times a day and bandage; you should see a noticeable difference, depending on the wound’s severity, in anywhere from a few days to a week.
These syringe-style extracts retail at just $25-$30, so I recommend buying one of each; that way you get more bang for your buck and can do a lot more kitchen and first-aid experimentation.
By the way, ABX is one of the first brands we’ve seen reported by users as having healing properties when applied topically to injuries (although that may be because of it’s easy topical application, not the oil itself).
Sublingual Spray
If you’re a consumer who appreciates convenience, speed, and being discreet with your cannabis consumption, look no further than ABX’s line of sublingual sprays. They’re powerful, fast acting, and great for on-the-go medicating.
Dose Amount & Price:
Available in both sativa and indica strains, the spray bottles come in 15mL (90 sprays) and 5mL bottles (30 sprays). The 15mL bottles retail for about $40, while the 5mL go for about $20. But again, prices vary from dispensary to dispensary, so do your research (or just use Nugg) to compare prices at different dispensaries near you.
How to Use a Sublingual Spray:
Remember to always shake the bottle beforehand, as the ingredients will separate quickly, then simply squirt under the tongue (sublingually) and hold for about a minute before swallowing. About three to fifteen minutes later you should begin to feel its soothing effects, which are advertised to last 1-2 hours.
While some sprays require frequent dosing to compensate for lack of strength, you only need two sprays from an ABX sublingual to produce a mild high. It’ll make you more focused and aware—perfect to truck through the work day without distraction or fatigue.
Should you need higher dosage, three to four sprays will create a more relaxing body high, while five sprays can spark euphoria (and sometimes paranoia)—probably not the best option for a day at the office. Remember, it’s always best to start small when considering your cannabis dosing.
Honey Straws
Honey that gets you high? And looks like a Pixie Stick? Count me in!
Dose Amount:
These oil infused straws are made with local, organic honey, 100% pure cannabis oil and coconut oil. Available in 10, 20, and 40mg doses of indica or sativa, they contain the same 70% active THC (like all ABX products).
Price:
They cost anywhere from $7 to $10, but if you have a high tolerance it’s likely you could probably find a way to get more bang for your buck with a different product. After all, it’s really the convenience and novelty you’re paying for here.
How to Consume:
Enjoying an ABX Honey Straw is as easy as shooting it straight out of the straw into almost any food or drink—or directly into your mouth! For the best experience, I recommend adding it to tea, yogurt, milk, fruit salads, shakes—pretty much anything that could use an extra kick!
These travel size straws are also perfect for public consumption without drawing unwarranted attention; just take off the label and medicate. Nobody will know, they’ll just think you have a sweet tooth!
The effects should be noticeable in anywhere from a half-hour to two hours, depending on your tolerance, so regardless of the dosage don’t suck down this nectar in one sitting. Take your time, enjoy the flavor and one of the most creative ways there is to medicate.
Grow for Vets Charity
In addition to creating an affordable line of potent, quality and diverse cannabis products, AbsoluteXtracts also sponsors the non-profit Grow For Vets’ “Save a Million Vets” program. This nationwide tour focuses on helping millions of our troubled American veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), to leave war behind and get back to normal life.
For every vape cartridge sold AbsoluteXtracts will also donate an extra $2 to the tour. So remember, purchasing ABX products means helping our boys, so we should all do our part.
To Recap
Well, there you have it, a complete AbsoluteXtracts review detailing the brand, products, and user’s actual experiences with AbsoluteXtracts.
As always, it’s best for you to decide for yourself if AbsoluteXtracts products are right for you. You can find them on the shelves of most dispensaries, or simply visit Getnugg.com, the GrubHub of medical marijuana delivery, and have Absolute’s cartridges, honey straws, gel caps and more delivered at your door in about an hour.
Nugg delivery is available in over 60 California cities, and provides online research and thousands of products from local cannabis dispensaries, with 24/7 customer service and no cost to you. Register now for free home delivery!
