Wondering how to make THC distillate? You’ve come to the right place!
THC distillates may be taken in a variety of ways. Some distillates can contain up to 99% THC and include no waxes or other compounds from the plants. You remove all of the cannabis plant’s components until only one specific cannabinoid is left. These are extremely potent concentrates that lack any flavor or fragrance because they are void of all elements, including terpenes.
Home distillation is not recommended since the processes are quite complicated and difficult to control. If you don’t have a thorough understanding of the process, high-quality equipment, and safety protocols in place, attempting to manufacture this cannabis product yourself might be dangerous. There are numerous ways the procedure may go wrong, and you don’t want to risk your safety.
We’ll go through how THC distillates are produced by professionals to give you a better idea of how they’re made.
Step 1: Extraction
The first step is extracting the resinous trichomes from the rest of the plant, which can be done using physical or chemical methods.
Physical extraction can be accomplished through sieving or using a rosin press. This technique is chemical-free, but it needs more physical work and introduces more plant residues into the crude product that must be removed in the next stage of refinement.
Chemical extraction can be done with solvents, such as butane or critical carbon dioxide, to extract raw marijuana oil, also referred to as crude oil. The level of THC/CBD in crude oil ranges from 60% to 80%. It’s not advised to attempt this method at home because it has resulted in a number of injuries and property damage as butane is highly flammable.
Step 2: Winterization
Winterization is the process of purifying cannabis concentrate by removing cannabinoids and terpenes from the rest of the plant material. Winterization cleans out impurities including chlorophyll, fats, waxes, and lipids.
For this process, the crude oil is combined with ethanol and kept at temperatures as low as -20°C to -60°C for up to 24 hours. Impurities coagulate and settle to the bottom, after which they are eliminated via filtering. The ethanol is then evaporated from the solution, leaving an extract free of any solvents.
Step 3: Decarboxylation
The THC content of the extract before this point is still in its acidic form, called tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA). To get rid of carboxylic acid and thus convert THCA to THC, heat is required. Decarboxylation is done by using a temperature of around 225°F(107°C) for up to 40 minutes.
Decarboxylation allows you to enjoy both the therapeutic and psychoactive effects of THC.
Step 4: Distillation
Distillation is a purification technique that uses heat, steam, and vacuum pressure to remove all chemical components from the concentrate and produce a concentrated cannabinoid distillate at 99% purity.
The extraction of terpenes and flavonoids must be monitored closely for their particular boiling points. The use of a vacuum during distillation helps to maintain temperature control, therefore saving time and energy.
The process separates chemical components while also eliminating undesirable materials. This leaves behind a cleaner, almost 100 percent cannabinoid.
This pure THC distillate is flavorless and odorless. To provide a richer taste profile and greater overall effects, THC distillate producers may add additional cannabinoids and terpenes from various strains to the mix to create more balanced effects.
Closing on How to Make THC Distillate
There is a lot of science and chemistry that go into making THC distillate. This is a fascinating process that we can’t replicate at home.
However, understanding how THC distillate is made will allow you to appreciate the quality and intricacy of this product. If you want the purest form of Th, make sure you purchase a high-quality distillate.
