Alcohol extraction is a commonly used extraction method for cannabis to create cannabis oil and concentrates. Two types of alcohol are normally used for cannabis extraction: isopropyl or ethanol.
It is frequently believed that ethanol is a safer and healthier alcohol option than isopropyl when used in cannabis extraction. The alcohol is combined with dried cannabis plant material. Alcohol works as a solvent and pulls the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), terpenes, and cannabinoids from the plant material.
After the process, the alcohol solvent, byproducts, THC, trichomes, and cannabinoids are further separated and manipulated to create a pure, finished cannabis oil product or concentrate.
During alcohol extraction of the cannabis plant, the dried plant material is first covered in alcohol. This step is often referred to as ‘the wash’.
During the second step of alcohol extraction, the alcohol is further separated or strained away from the plant material using filters.
During the third and final step of the alcohol extraction process, the alcohol is evaporated, leaving behind the cannabis concentrate that is high in THC, trichomes, and cannabinoids.
The remaining cannabis concentrate will undergo additional processes, but during those processes, alcohol will no longer be used to achieve the finished and refined product.
The information on this page is purely informational and should not be considered instructional. The creation of cannabis extracts can be extremely dangerous and requires a full understanding of the process and risks involved.
