The Journey of Cannabis Oil From Plant to Product

The cannabis plant goes on quite the adventure as it makes its way from flower to dabs, beverage enhancers, gummies, and so much more. No matter which turn a product takes, cannabis oil is at the heart of it. Follow the journey with us.

Where does cannabis oil come from?

Cannabis oil primarily comes from the flower of the cannabis plant. When a flowering cannabis plant matures, the buds develop resin glands called trichomes. These trichomes contain compounds we know and love, like Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD).

Cannabis oil is made by extracting these compounds from the plant and combining them with a carrier oil. This is most commonly a coconut-derived oil called medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, but there are coconut-free options, too. (For the coconut-averse, don’t worry: cannabis products made with this oil don’t taste like coconut.) The final product is a broad spectrum oil that contains high levels of THC and other cannabinoids.

How cannabis oil extraction works

Cannabis oil can be made through a range of different extraction methods. To keep things simple, we’ll focus on two broad types of extraction: solvent-based and solventless. There are multiple methods that fall under each of these types of extraction. If you want to learn more about each you can read our guide on how concentrates are made.

Solvent-based extraction

Solvent-based extraction involves the use of another substance to separate cannabinoids from the plant itself. Common solvents include hydrocarbons like butane; ethanol; and supercritical CO2.

The precise steps of the extraction process vary depending on the solvent chosen. Generally, once the cannabinoids are separated from the plant material, the mixture moves on to a purging step, where manufacturers gradually increase temperature to boil off the solvent and separate it from the cannabinoid-rich extract.

All cannabis products at licensed dispensaries like The Travel Agency undergo third-party cannabis testing to ensure no residual solvent remains in the final product. Thanks to testing, we can guarantee the quality of every product on our shelves. 

Solventless extraction

Solventless extraction methods forego the use of chemical solvents and tend to retain more of the plant’s original aromas and flavors. They’re quickly becoming popular among artisan manufacturers and cannabis connoisseurs.

Typically, solventless extraction processes involve the collection of trichomes and the use of pressure and heat to squeeze cannabis oil from them. An example of cannabis oil produced this way is hash rosin, which comes from bubble hash made by way of ice water extraction, which agitates flower in ice water to separate and collect the trichomes.

How strong is cannabis oil?

However it’s made, cannabis oil is a potent concentrate. Potency varies, but cannabis oil can exceed 90% THC content. Anywhere from 60% to 90% or more is standard.

Which cannabis products contain oil?

Cannabis oil can be consumed on its own, typically by vaping it in a prefilled vape cartridge. However, it’s often used as an ingredient in other cannabis products. This makes creating cannabis oil just the first step in a longer journey for many products. Here’s where — and how — oil ends up in these products.

Dabs

Cannabis oil, particularly Butane Hash Oil (BHO) made by way of hydrocarbon extraction, can be used to produce a range of cannabis concentrates for dabbing like shatter, crumble and budder.

These dabs are made by agitating the oil in different ways after it’s produced. For example, the creamy, smooth texture of budder is created by whipping cannabis oil, allowing it to be aerated. Shatter, on the other hand, is made by pouring cannabis oil into a thin sheet and allowing it to harden into a glass-like structure. To learn more about the different types of extracts available in cannabis dispensaries, check out our guide to cannabis concentrates.

Vaporizers and vape cartridges

Cannabis oil is often loaded into vaporizers or vape cartridges for simple, on-the-go consumption. This includes disposable vaporizers that come pre-filled with cannabis oil, 510 vape carts which attach to universal batteries, and closed systems with proprietary pods. These products contain different types of cannabis oil as it was extracted from the plant, rather than as an ingredient.

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Edibles

Cannabis edibles like gummies or chocolates are often made with cannabis oil as a key ingredient. The cannabinoids in the oil are activated by exposing them to heat at relatively low temperatures, a process called decarboxylation, so that they will work when you eat them. Then, the oil is used to infuse gummies, chocolates, and other edibles. Cannabis oil can also be used to infuse cooking ingredients like Chef For Higher’s Honey to create home-cooked meals that incorporate cannabinoids as part of the experience.

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Beverages and beverage enhancers

When it comes to cannabis beverages, decarboxylated cannabis oil is subjected to a process called nano-emulsification. Using techniques like sonication, the use of sound waves to break down clusters of oil, manufacturers blend cannabis oil evenly throughout a water-based mixture. This recent development has led to an explosion of tasty cannabis beverages that deliver consistent, reliable experiences and dosages.

When shopping for cannabis beverages, you may also encounter beverage enhancers. These products make nearly any drink into an infused one. They most commonly appear in two types: liquid drops and dry powder mixes. These are made using decarboxylated cannabis oil and breaking the molecules down into small parts through the process of sonication, much like with beverages. To create dry powders, manufacturers use a process called “spray drying” to turn the oil into a powder.

Tinctures

Fast-acting and long-lasting THC tinctures deliver cannabis oil to your system in two ways. They’re absorbed directly into your bloodstream through tissues in your mouth and parts are digested similarly to an edible. They are also easy to consume and discreet products that can be taken quickly and easily, with no conspicuous smell, mess to clean up, or device to maintain.

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Topicals

Cannabis topicals are commonly used for pain management and skincare. These infused topicals provide localized relief to the area to which they’re applied, making them great for alleviating joint pain or muscle soreness. And while they are infused with potent cannabis oil, they generally don’t absorb into your bloodstream. This means they won’t get you high.

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CBD products

Cannabis oil can also be derived from hemp plants that contain less than 0.3% THC so that they primarily contain CBD. The CBD used in cannabis products at the dispensary may come from hemp, and some products may derive their CBD from high-THC cannabis. No matter where it comes from, this CBD oil is used to create all sorts of infused products.

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Trying weed in all kinds of ways, thanks to cannabis oil

Whether it’s a vape, edible, dab, or tincture, cannabis oil makes a full menu of products possible. A whole world awaits — discover it all at The Travel Agency.