Solvent vs. Solventless: Key Differences in Cannabis Extraction
When it comes to cannabis extraction, understanding the keynote differences between solvent and solventless methods is crucial for ensuring high-quality, compliant products. Either method presents unique challenges and benefits that impact production and environmental responsibility. Let's delve into the basics of these two extraction methodologies and explore their implications for cannabis producers, helping you make informed decisions that align with industry standards and sustainability goals.
What Are Cannabis Extracts?
Cannabis extracts (i.e., concentrates) are concentrated forms of the plant's essential compounds, including cannabinoids (e.g., THC and CBD), terpenes, and flavonoids. These concentrates derive from various extraction methods known for their potency and purity, offering users a more intense experience than traditional flower consumption.
Types of Cannabis Extracts
Cannabis extracts are available in a variety of forms, each with distinct characteristics and uses:
Hash oil – viscous, amber-colored oil rich in cannabinoids and terpenes—suitable for edibles, topicals, and vape cartridges.
Shatter – glass-like, brittle concentrate known for its high purity and potency—effective for dabbing.
Wax – opaque, beeswax-textured extract known for its mailability—popular among dabbers.
Badder – creamy, butter-like extract marked by a smooth, easy-to-handle consistency—offers flavorful experiences.
What Are Solvents in Cannabis Extraction?
Solvents are chemical agents used in cannabis extraction to break down the plant material and isolate its essential oils, cannabinoids, terpenes, and other desirable compounds. These extracts are commonly found in concentrates like hash oil, shatter, wax, and badder. Solvents that manufacturers frequently use for solvent-based cannabis extraction include butane and propane. These gaseous chemical agents are highly flammable and require specialized equipment, such as C1D1 extraction rooms, to ensure safety and compliance.
The Process of Solvent-Based Extraction
The solvent-based extraction process consists of the following:
Cannabis flower is exposed to solvents like butane or propane.
These solvents dissolve the cannabis flower.
Once the flower dissolves, the process introduces heat to the cannabis-solvent mixture, evaporating the solvent and leaving behind the desirable cannabis concentrate.
Types of Solvent Concentrates
Solvent cannabis extraction methods are used to make these concentrates.
Ethanol extraction produces crude oil, which is then distilled to boost potency and quality.
Butane hash oil (BHO) or propane hash oil (PHO) extraction creates dabbable concentrates such as live resin, badder, shatter, crumble, diamonds, and sauce. They also create THCA isolate, liquid diamonds, and HTE (high terpene extract). BHO crude oil can be made into distillate, but that is less common.
Regulatory and Environmental Considerations
The solvent-based extraction method requires strict adherence to regulations set by agencies such as the EPA, MO DNR, and the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR), necessitating a comprehensive understanding of mandatory cannabis and hazardous waste disposal measures. For instance, the first step for disposing of solvent-treated cannabis includes properly off-gassing treated cannabis for at least 24 hours in a C1D1 environment before it is rendered unusable.
Outsourcing organic and hazardous waste removal and disposal from a licensed cannabis waste service provider ensures facilities manage their waste materials safely and comply with federal and state regulations.
Solventless Cannabis Extraction
Solventless extraction relies on mechanical processes rather than chemical agents, making it a cleaner, more environmentally friendly option than solvent-based extraction methods. Solventless techniques include cold water, dry shifting, and rosin pressing. Additional advantages of solventless extraction over solvent-based include:
Eliminates the risk of residual solvents after the extraction process, producing a safer finished product.
Uses lower temperatures during extraction to preserve the product’s aroma, flavor profile, and therapeutic effects.
Does not require a generator’s ID or the need for a hazardous waste removal service, gas meters, etc.
Displays practical sustainability since there is no renewable source for the limited availability of butane and propane.
Types of Solventless Concentrates
Solventless cannabis extraction methods create a range of concentrates.
Ice water extraction produces ice water hash (bubble hash), which can then be pressed into rosin, both of which are dabbable solventless concentrates.
Dry sift extraction uses a screen to sift the trichomes from the flower and create a fine powder known as kief. The kief can be sold as-is or used to make hashish.
CO2 extraction creates honey-colored CO2 oil, with quality varying due to extraction parameters and dewaxing. This oil is sold as a dabbable concentrate in glass syringes.
The History of Humans and Hash
Since the beginning of human civilization, cultures worldwide have used various solventless extraction techniques to produce hashish, also known as hash:
Ancient World: Current archeological evidence suggests humans’ relationship with hash began in ancient Mesopotamia, China, Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
Middle Ages: The medieval era produced one of the first recorded references to Hash in the collection of Middle Eastern folktales, One Thousand and One Nights.
Modern Era: French troops stationed in Egypt during the Napoleonic Wars discovered hashish from the region’s locals, bringing the cannabis concentrate back with them to Europe.
In solventless extraction, processors focus on removing trichomes from the plant material and keeping them intact, producing high-quality extracts without harmful chemicals.
Is CO2 Extraction Considered Solventless?
CO2 extraction offers a cleaner profile than solvent-based approaches, mistakenly leading people to categorize it alongside solventless methods. However, CO2 extraction is technically not solvent-free.
CO2, the chemical formula for carbon dioxide, acts as a solvent during extraction. While this method is highly efficient and leaves no solvent residue, it often involves using additional solvents to optimize the effectiveness of the finished product. Still, CO2 extraction remains a popular choice for its ability to produce high-quality, consistent extracts with minimal environmental impact.
Concentrate on What Matters With Compliant Waste Management
Both solvent and solventless cannabis extraction methods have their unique advantages and challenges. Understanding these differences can help you make informed decisions that align with your production goals and regulatory waste requirements.
At Monarch Waste Co., we are dedicated to helping you navigate these complexities with our comprehensive cannabis waste removal and disposal services, ensuring your operations remain compliant, sustainable, and thriving. Contact us today to learn more about our government-compliant cannabis waste management services.