Industrial Hemp or Medical Cannabis for CBD Extraction?

Given how rapidly the CBD and medical cannabis markets are growing, we are consistently helping new entrepreneurs get into the business of CBD extraction. We provide much of the CBD extraction equipment they need. Though we are not experts, we can also help by passing on what knowledge we do have. It starts with a discussion of whether to extract CBD from industrial hemp or medical cannabis.

 

If you have been in the business a while, you already know the difference. But for entrepreneurs just getting started, it may be a different matter. Your choice of the plant will determine the quality of your CBD extract as well as its volume and the other cannabinoids and terpenes you harvest along the way.

 

Multiple Varieties of Cannabis

 

One of the things that confuse newbies is the fact that the cannabis plant has so many different varieties. Cannabis is not just marijuana. Whether you call them varieties or species, both industrial hemp and marijuana are types of cannabis.

 

Industrial hemp is a cannabis species known as Cannabis Sativa. It is separate from marijuana, which can be any variety of Cannabis Sativa, Indica, and ruderalis. The primary difference between industrial hemp and marijuana is THC content. By law, industrial hemp can have no more than 0.3% THC by volume. Anything with a higher content is considered marijuana and/or medical cannabis.

 

Growers use very specific techniques to ensure that their industrial hemp plants do not exceed the 0.3% THC threshold. But here’s the good news: industrial hemp has more CBD than THC. This is why processors who focus on producing CBD extracts prefer industrial hemp. They get more bang for their buck, so to speak.

 

Legal in All 50 States and DC

 

Another reason to utilize industrial hemp for CBD extraction is the fact that it is legal in all fifty states and the District of Columbia. This wasn’t the case just a few short years ago, but 2018’s Farm Bill changed things. Even in the most conservative states, where lawmakers still haven’t allowed medical cannabis, industrial hemp can be grown, processed, and used to create CBD extracts of all sorts.

 

Companies looking to buy CBD extraction equipment may or may not actually produce retail products. Some do, while others sell their extracts to manufacturers. The CBD oil that is so valuable to them can be turned into medications, lotions, soaps, cooking additives, and on and on.

 

Having the Right Equipment

 

The key to successful CBD extraction is having the right equipment. But note that there are several different ways to extract CBD from industrial hemp. Perhaps the most popular is solvent extraction. It involves using some sort of solvent, like ethanol or CO2, to separate cannabinoids and terpenes from plant material.

 

This particular method of extraction utilizes equipment like centrifuges and stainless-steel tanks. Chromatography equipment is often utilized to isolate CBD from other cannabinoids and terpenes. No separation takes place when processors focus on full-spectrum CBD, mitigating the need for chromatography.

 

A Lot to Learn

 

If you are new to industrial hemp and CBD extraction, know that there is a lot to learn. However, don’t let that discourage you. The cannabis industry is profitable when done the right way. Not only that, but market demand is also growing. Learning all the ins and outs of CBD extraction is well worth it if you’re looking for long-term business investment.

 

We are here to supply you with the CBD extraction equipment you’ll need to make a go of it. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions before you order. We want you to be sure that you’re investing in the right pieces.