In the pursuit for optimal purity, high terpenes, and superior quality, CO2 extraction of cannabis oil and concentrates has become commonplace. CO2 extraction, known as supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), uses carbon dioxide (CO2) heat compressed to a critical point.
CO2 can reach its critical point at 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which is cool enough that the cannabis plant’s terpenes and cannabinoids are not damaged during the extraction process. The CO2 is compressed into a cold liquid state and then passed through cannabis. As the liquefied CO2 passes through the cannabis, it extracts the plant’s trichome and terpene-rich oils and waxes. It quickly penetrates the cannabis’ trichomes to dissolve all the available oils for extraction.
One of the main benefits of using CO2 for extraction is that it is a truly green solvent, unlike other chemical solvents that are often used in cannabis extraction such as butane or hexane.
The use of CO2 extraction for cannabis concentrates is also considered healthier because the oils contain no harsh chemical residues such as butane, etc. The human body naturally produces CO2 as part of our breathing process when we exhale, so naturally this adds to it being a safer method for extraction. Lastly, CO2 extraction is cost effective and recyclable.
After using CO2 in an extraction process, it can be safely released into the atmosphere or recaptured using a commercial industrial machine to be recycled and reused.
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.
