Why is cannabis extraction gaining more attention at present?
Nishant Dixi
Cannabis extraction is garnering increasing attention on account of many countries, states within countries, and regions legalizing the use of cannabis for medicinal reasons. Some have even granted permission for its recreational use. Few have not gone as far as to legalize it but have decriminalized it.
With this change of laws, the market for cannabis extraction is expected to shoot up. One major reason for this legalization wave is the tide of public opinion turning in its favour as more and more are waking up to cannabis’ fantastic medicinal properties.
Cannabis is classified into two broad types:
- Hemp is cannabis with less than 0.3% of dry weight of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); and
- Marijuana contains 0.3% or more by dry weight of THC.
Two of the best known cannabinoids (compounds in cannabis) are Cannabidiol (CBD) and THC. CBD offers a host of health benefits and is not psychoactive i.e. it does not get the user in the hyperactive state - generally referred to as “getting high.” THC also offers some health benefits, but is psychoactive.
This is the reason why hemp is legal or is becoming legitimate in many parts of the world while marijuana is still prohibited.
One of the best methods for cannabis extraction is the supercritical extraction procedure. More correctly, it is the supercritical fluid extraction (SCFE) process. It uses a supercritical fluid (SCF) for this purpose. The solvent power i.e. capacity of the SCF to dissolve cannabinoids is greater at high pressure and vice versa.
In supercritical extraction:
- SCF separates the required cannabinoids (usually CBD) from cannabis plant material at high pressure.
- Cannabinoids come out of solution from the SCF at low pressure.
Such a pressure differential action means that the supercritical extraction is able to obtain cannabinoids in their relatively pure form. The purer they are, the more effective they become is providing the benevolent health effects discussed below.
CBD fights off multiple health conditions such as:
- Pain
- Anxiety and Depression
- Mental Illness or Psychosis
- Migraines
- Inflammation
- Nausea
- Seizures
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Side effects of CBD are incidental and a result of CBD reacting with medications that the patient is already consuming.
THC also fights back:
- Pain
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Insomnia / Sleeplessness
- Muscle Spasticity
- Low Appetite
- Glaucoma
However, THC produces a whole lot of side effects that include:
- Memory Loss
- Faster Heartbeats
- Delayed Reflexes
- Dry Mouth
- Red Eyes
Coordination Issues