Organic CBD oil is a product made from cannabidiol (CBD), a compound found in the cannabis plant.
It’s typically extracted from hemp, a type of cannabis that contains low levels of THC (the psychoactive compound) and high levels of CBD.
The “organic” label means that the hemp used in the oil is grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
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The process of making organic CBD oil involves several key steps, starting from growing the hemp plant to extracting and refining the oil. Since the oil is organic, the hemp used is grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how organic CBD oil is made:
1. Cultivation of Organic Hemp
- Organic Farming Practices: Organic CBD oil starts with organic hemp plants. These plants must be grown according to organic farming standards, which prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Instead, farmers use natural methods for soil health and pest management.
- Soil and Climate Considerations: Hemp grows best in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with plenty of sunlight. Farmers will often use crop rotation and other organic farming techniques to ensure the soil remains fertile and healthy.
2. Harvesting for Organic CBD Oil
- Once the hemp plants are mature, typically around 3-4 months after planting, they are harvested. This usually happens in late summer or early fall. The plants are cut down and the flowers (the part that contains the highest concentration of CBD) are separated from the stems and leaves.
- Timing is Key: The plants need to be harvested at the right time for maximum CBD content. If harvested too early or late, the CBD concentration may be lower.
3. Drying and Curing
- After harvesting, the hemp flowers are dried and cured to preserve the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds.
- Drying Process: This step involves gently drying the flowers in a controlled environment to prevent mold growth and preserve the integrity of the plant’s compounds. Proper curing enhances the flavor and potency of the final CBD oil.
4. Extraction of CBD
- The next step is extracting the CBD from the hemp plant. The most common extraction methods are:
- CO2 Extraction: This is the gold standard for extracting high-quality CBD oil. It uses carbon dioxide (CO2) in a supercritical state (neither liquid nor gas) to separate the cannabinoids from the plant material. This method is clean, efficient, and preserves the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes.
- Ethanol Extraction: Ethanol is used to extract the CBD by soaking the plant material in alcohol, which dissolves the cannabinoids. The alcohol is then evaporated to leave behind the CBD oil. This method can be effective, but it may not preserve the full range of cannabinoids and terpenes as well as CO2 extraction.
- Olive Oil Extraction: This is an old-fashioned, low-tech method where olive oil is used to extract the CBD. While this method is safe and simple, it results in a less concentrated product and is typically used for homemade CBD oils.
- Hydrocarbon Extraction: This method uses solvents like butane or propane to extract CBD. However, it is less commonly used because it can leave behind trace residues if not properly purified.
5. Refinement and Filtration
- Once the CBD is extracted, the oil may undergo a process of refinement to remove any unwanted plant matter, waxes, or chlorophyll. This step helps to improve the clarity, texture, and taste of the CBD oil.
- Winterization: If using ethanol extraction, the oil is sometimes “winterized” by cooling it to remove any remaining fats, waxes, and lipids.
- Decarboxylation: This is the process of heating the raw CBD extract to activate the CBD, converting it from its acidic form (CBD-A) into the active form (CBD). This step is crucial for ensuring the oil has the desired effects.
6. Formulation and Final Product for Organic CBD Oil
- Full-Spectrum, Broad-Spectrum, or Isolate: Depending on the desired final product, the CBD oil may be further processed:
- Full-Spectrum CBD oil retains all the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds from the hemp plant, including trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3% in most cases).
- Broad-Spectrum CBD oil is similar but is refined to remove all THC, offering a THC-free option.
- CBD Isolate is the purest form of CBD, containing 99% pure CBD and no other cannabinoids or terpenes.
- Blending with Carrier Oils: Organic CBD oil is often mixed with a carrier oil like organic coconut oil, hemp seed oil, or olive oil. The carrier oil helps improve absorption in the body and may enhance the overall health benefits of the oil.
- Flavoring: Some brands add natural flavorings to their CBD oil to improve taste. However, organic CBD oil should have a natural, earthy flavor that comes from the hemp plant itself.
7. Testing and Quality Control
- Before the CBD oil reaches consumers, it undergoes rigorous third-party lab testing to ensure it contains the claimed amount of CBD and is free from contaminants, including pesticides, heavy metals, and residual solvents.
- Certificate of Analysis (COA): Reputable CBD companies provide a Certificate of Analysis, which is the official lab report showing the cannabinoid profile and ensuring that the product is safe and pure.
8. Packaging for Organic CBD Oil
Finally, the organic CBD oil is packaged in dark glass bottles (to protect the oil from light degradation) and labeled with important information, such as the CBD content, usage instructions, and lab testing results.
Key Takeaways
The process of making organic CBD oil is a careful and regulated one, designed to preserve the natural benefits of hemp while ensuring that the product is free from harmful chemicals. Organic CBD oil is prized for its purity, as it comes from hemp grown without synthetic chemicals or GMOs, and undergoes high-quality extraction methods to preserve its beneficial compounds.
