Why Is CO2 Extraction Method Considered the Gold Standard?
By: Jason Farrell
Tags: Cbd Oils, Cbd, Hemp, Marijuana, Cannabis

Unfortunately, the growing CBD market is not regulated federally. The FDA is trying to show its position against adding CBD to other food and drinks. However, the Food and Drug Administration is doing nothing considerable to prevent substandard products from coming into the market. States such as Florida are doing almost everything to regulate this market, but it is quite hard without the support from the FDA. However, currently, the CBD market is a mishmash of reputable brands and scammers.

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But, still you can differentiate between a top-notch brand and a dodgy company. In this case, third-party lab reports can help a lot. Another way to identify a good company is by knowing the extraction method they use. If the company uses solvents such as ethanol and butane, avoid it. The best CBD companies always use the safest method for extraction. However, the carbon dioxide extraction method produces the highest quality CBD oil that is safe, pure, and residue-free.

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The CO2 extraction method is considered the “Gold Standard” in the industry. In this process, carbon dioxide is used which does not involve any kind of toxic substances. Besides, when CBD oil is extracted by this method, no residue is left behind. As a result, what comes out is only the purest CBD oil. The CO2 extraction method processes at high pressure above the “critical point.”

What is CO2 Extraction?

Simply put, it’s a method that uses carbon dioxide gas at a high pressure to remove desired cannabinoids from the cannabis plant. CBD oil extracted using this method is clean with negligible impurities. All types of cannabinoids, terpenes, and waxes are removed during this process. After the extraction, the amber-colored CBD oil is used to create varieties of CBD oil products. Properties such as pressure and temperature of the carbon dioxide gas are precisely controllable. It is why CO2 is also known as a “Tunable Solvent.” When you have control over the gas, you can use it to create a variety of products.

What is Supercritical CO2 Extraction?

The carbon dioxide extraction method has three different forms: subcritical, mid-critical, and supercritical. The subcritical CO2 extraction method uses low-pressure and low temperatures. This process is time-consuming and creates smaller yields. On the other hand, the mid-critical CO2 is a process in the middle of subcritical and supercritical.

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The supercritical CO2 uses higher levels of pressure and temperature. At normal pressure and temperature, CO2 remains at a gaseous state. However, you can control the pressure and temperature and turn it into liquid or solid. When the CO2 is in liquid form, you adjust the pressure and temperature slowly until it reaches the supercritical point. At this point, the gas is not liquid nor solid. This state of the gas is used to extract cannabinoids from the cannabis plant.

How Does Supercritical CO2 Extraction Work?

The supercritical CO2 extraction method involves a complicated set-up of equipment. You also need an outstanding knowledge of chemistry for the process. The need for professionals, expensive equipment, and cost are some of the factors why some companies avoid this method. Let’s learn how this method works:

#Step 1: The first step starts with taking the CO2 in its gaseous state and running it through a chamber. You need to carefully adjust the pressure and temperature to turn it into gas.

#Step 2: In the next step, the CO2 gas is turned into liquid form. Then the pressure and temperature are adjusted slowly until it reaches the supercritical point.

#Step 3: Now the CO2 at the supercritical point is passed through a chamber that contains the plant matter.

#Step 4: When the CO2 passes through the plant matter it removes a significant amount of the active compounds of the plant. During this process, the trichome membrane is dissolved.

#Step 5: When the extraction process is done, the mixture is collected in a vessel. At this stage, the CO2 gas goes to a condenser and returns to the gaseous state. You can repeat the whole process.

Benefits of CO2 Extraction

CO2 is a naturally occurring compound and is non-toxic

It is one of the safest non-polar solvents

It is healthier than petroleum-based hydrocarbons

The CO2 extraction method does not require the use of harmful solvents

In CO2 extraction you don’t need to use a temperature higher than 88 degrees

This method involves less risk of damaging the natural compounds of the hemp plant

It allows you to pull other cannabinoids such as CBG, CBN, and CBC from the plant

It allows you to retain more terpenes and offers a more flavorful CBD oil

Conclusion

In the supercritical CO2 extraction method, you have control over the whole process. As a result, you can create the best quality CBD oil. Besides, the carbon dioxide gas can be recycled and used as many times as you want. Carbon dioxide acts as a cleaning agent and produces safe CBD oil that is free of bacteria and other harmful substances. Even if the cannabis extract contains residue, it is evaporated as CO2 returns to the gaseous state. So from every aspect, the supercritical CO2 extraction method is the best of all other extraction methods. Although this method requires expensive equipment and skilled manpower, it’s worth it for creating the highest quality CBD oil.