Maximum Yield Cannabis USA October/November 2018 | Page 58

The Evolution of
Extraction
by Nicole Skrobin
Within the cannabis industry,
there are many ways to create
extracts. Some are riskier and
potentially hazardous to
human health than others,
while some are safe. Nicole
Skrobin breaks down the
extraction methods.
S
hatter, budder, wax, rosin, sugar, and sauce — what
do all these substances have in common? They’re all
cannabis concentrates that are extracted through
different methods. In recent years, these types of
cannabis concentrates have made their way
into the mainstream cannabis industry while
gaining significant popularity and attention
along the way. There are various methods
that extractors use to create cannabis
concentrates, and they all possess their
own pros and cons. Although there
are several extraction methods
to choose from, it’s important to
understand one’s desired results
and the main reasons for using
extracts whether it’s for medical,
therapeutic, or recreational
purposes. Keep reading to learn
more about the progression of
cannabis extraction methods
including latest trends,
developments in extraction
methods, and different
extraction risks.
Cannabis Concentrates/
Extracts — The Basics
If you’re new to cannabis and/
or if you haven’t ventured off into
the cannabis concentrates realm yet,
here’s some background information.
Extraction is often referred to as a process
that has been utilized for centuries with the
intention of creating natural byproducts from
different kinds of plants including cannabis.
The main goal of extraction is to gather sought-
after compounds like cannabinoids and terpenes.
However, the purpose of cannabis extraction
techniques is to separate cannabis compounds
and remove them from the plant matrix in order to
isolate desirable plant compounds for usage.
Nowadays, various cannabis extracts
have grown to become high in demand and
commonplace in the mainstream cannabis market.
So far, there are different extraction methods that
can be utilized to properly divide plant material
into extracts. Regarding extracting different
cannabis compounds, the main ones extractors
look for are terpenes and cannabinoids that
deliver numerous appealing flavors, scents, and
effects. Now, which extraction methods are the
best for our health, and which ones are potentially
dangerous? Although there are several different
methods available, some of them are quite risky,
expensive, and difficult to conduct at home.
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