WOAHSTORK EXPO EDITION December 2016 | Page 14

The EXTRACTION of Excellence by Nicco Reggente Ten short years ago, the first closed passive hydrocarbon extractor made a splash in the cannabis industry. Capable of turning marijuana flowers into a highly potent concentrate, it’s no surprise that extraction machines are responsible for almost 50% of the products purchased in dispensaries today. As it goes with all profit-generating innovations, dozens of companies began to quickly manufacture these incredibly expensive pieces of machinery. Their haste allowed for a rapid expansion of production, coupled with a new niche of extraction professionals manning the controls. Unfortunately, the majority of extraction machines developed throughout this time period were missing crucial controls; manufacturers concentrated on removing features so as to lower their retail prices. As extraction specialists become more sophisticated and a need to accommodate the ever-changing landscape surrounding this technology grows, the demand for a larger feature set is returning. David McGhee of Tamisium Extractors appears perfectly positioned to meet this demand. As the developer of that first closed passive hydrocarbon marijuana extractor, there are few who rival his expertise. Our discussions with David have afforded us with an enriched understanding of the sophistications that surround the science of extraction as well as the pros and cons straddling each decision point in the process. In order to assist extractors with identifying which problems are solvable, David has created an introductory rule-set applicable to all extraction processes that he dubbed the “Laws of Extraction”. Below, you will find the first installment of a series that speak to these laws with an emphasis on the value of foundational knowledge when refining your extraction process. TE-700 Extractor David’s long history of experience has exposed him to the plethora of problems one is bound to face in the extraction arena. A majority of the problems have elegant solutions— afforded to those willing to experiment and learn. However, several problems will remain unsolvable as they violate some fundamental laws that govern the process. TE-175 Extractor Laws of Extraction And The Formulas That Surround Them “Adding heat increases yields” is an example of a law of extraction. It’s a rule you simply can’t escape or change. Within David’s framework, a law is something inherent to the science and chemistry of the process and a formula is a method that takes these laws into account. It would be senseless and wasteful to try and develop a formula that attempts to defy a law. Extraction is a delicate process that requires a great deal of experimentation and refinement throughout the search for a perfect formula. Ten short years ago, the first closed passive hydrocarbon extractor made a splash in the cannabis industry. Capable of turning marijuana flowers into a highly potent concentrate, it’s no surprise that extraction machines are responsible for almost 50% of the products purchased in dispensaries today. 14 WOAHSTORK EXPO EDITION