CBD is one of the most popular health and wellness compounds available, but many still find themselves asking “how is CBD made”?
There are countless CBD manufacturers out there and they each have their own techniques for producing hemp extracts. Some brands grow their own hemp, others source it from third-party farms. Extraction methods vary, as do many other parts of the manufacturing process.
If you’ve ever found yourself sipping a tincture and wondering how CBD is made, you’ve come to the right place. In this article we will explore the ins and outs of making CBD and take a look at the manufacturing techniques used by the biggest brand-names on the planet.
Genetics
It all starts with finding the best genetics. CBD is a cannabinoid that’s extracted from industrial hemp. To have the best CBD, you need to have healthy, compound-rich hemp. This means making sure that the genetics you select to grow on an industrial scale need to be top notch.
Brands that source their hemp from third-party farmers usually select from a few different strains offered by the farmers.
Some CBD brands have spent years developing proprietary genetics by crossbreeding plants. This allows them to essentially customize their plants to produce high concentrations of cannabidiol.
Industrial Hemp Farming
The way in which the hemp plant is grown has a huge impact on the final product. Even if a company starts with fantastic genetics, if the plants aren’t cared for properly they’ll never reach their full potential.
Though hemp plants are quite resilient, they do require a fair amount of water and sunshine to thrive. Without around-the-clock care, they’re subject to insects and environmental difficulties.
CBD manufacturers take great pride in their hemp. It’s the heart and soul of what they do. Without cannabis sativa (hemp) there would be no cannabidiol, so it’s imperative that the plants are treated with care.
Hemp takes between 108 and 120 days to grow from a seed to a fully matured plant. Growing conditions will vary during this time so it’s crucial that manufacturers choose states with weather that’s optimal for year round-growing. Once the hemp has reached full-maturity, it’s harvested and moved to a location where it is carefully dried and stored.
The best CBD is always made from organically grown hemp. If you’re looking to treat yourself to something special, make sure to check that it’s organic!
CBD Extraction
There are a handful of different ways to extract cannabidiol from hemp, but they don’t all yield the same quality results. Butane, Ethanol, and CO2 are the three primary types of extraction methods.
When Butane or Ethanol are used as the primary solvents in the extraction, they dissolve chlorophyll in the hemp and help pull all of the desirable compounds from the plant.
Unfortunately, chlorophyll doesn’t leave a very appealing taste and is hard to remove from the finished product. This is one of the many reasons CO2 is the preferred method of extraction for many brands and consumers.
CO2 is incredibly clean and efficient, it doesn’t leave any residue in the final product, and it is able to transfer a remarkably high percentage of CBD from hemp to the resulting extract.
Extraction methods are an important part of the CBD manufacturing process, so if you’re on the hunt for some truly top-tier CBD, look for products that are CO2 extracted.
Third-Party Testing
One thing that all CBD products have in common is that they have been third-party tested. CBD manufacturers must adhere to strict federal guidelines that require all products to be tested for quality and purity.
No matter what brand or product you choose, if it’s being sold in the U.S, it’s been thoroughly tested. Regulations require that all CBD products be sent to ISO-certified third-party laboratories to be tested for heavy metals, residual pesticides, or toxins of any kind.
Detailed lab reports are available for all CBD products. If you’re interested in checking out the hard facts regarding the quality of your favorite CBD, just take a look at the lab report!
The Final Product
After a CBD manufacturer has sourced their genetics, grown and dried their hemp, extracted the cannabinoids and had their hemp oil approved by a qualified third-party, it’s finally time to put it all together.
Hemp extract can be used to craft a myriad of different products. Some companies specialize in gummies and edibles, while others craft fantastic skin and beauty products. At this stage of production a brand’s creativity and unique style can really shine.
All CBD comes from the same general process; select seeds, grow them, extract cannabinoids, and have it tested. The difference is made in the ways in which the company executes each step. Do they use organically grown hemp? Are their products CO2 extracted?
Now that you’re more familiar with how CBD is made you should
check out our complete selection of premium CBD oils at CBD.co!
