How to Make Hash Oil
Hash oil is an extract that broke the conventions of cannabis usage and entered the medical industry. Cannabis concentrates, specifically oils, potentially help with conditions like mental and physical diseases, etc. Given the benefits of cannabis concentrate, many people want to know how to make hash oil.
So, we will discuss the popular types of hash oil and guide you through hash oil production. You will learn the hash oil extraction methods, safety considerations you must know, proper storage and usage of the hash oil, and much more. Let’s get started!
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Understanding Hash Oil
Hash oil is a potent marijuana concentrate. There are different types of hash oil, such as BHO (Butane hash oil), CO₂ Oil, and Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), which are also the most popular. We will get into more detail about each oil below.
Typically, the hash oil looks like maple syrup in color and almost in consistency. It’s more runny than maple syrup. However, when the hash oil has that color and consistency, you should know it’s highly concentrated with THC and should be used cautiously.
The average THC level in a hash oil is about 80%, but depending on the method it’s derived from, it can reach more than 90%. So, let’s go into the details of how to make hash oil to understand more about the types and different methods.
How to Make Hash Oil
In essence, the creation of this cannabis extract includes high-proof alcohol. Ethanol, spirytus (rectified spirit), or any other high-proof alcohol might be effective.
Therefore, the marijuana is dipped into the alcohol, and the mixture is strained. As a result of this mix, you will get a thick and oily substance. This oil is highly potent and can be used in baked goods, vaporized, smoked, or topical applications.
In a nutshell, this was how to make hash oil and what you should expect. Now, you can learn step by step how to make hash oil and what to consider.
Preparation for making hash oil
The first step is to gather the necessary equipment and materials. You will need a few coffee filters, a baking sheet, a mason jar, and a pan. Additionally, you would need a room with good ventilation. Butane is a highly flammable solvent and requires good ventilation. Then, here’s what you need to do:
Select high-quality cannabis material for extraction
You need to separate the good marijuana from the bad (the cleaner, the better). Also, prepare it for the next step – decarbing the cannabis.
Grinding or breaking down the cannabis material
The next step is grinding the cannabis. Process the plant, and preheat the oven to 250 °F in the meantime. Once you finish with the grinding, place the cannabis on the baking sheet to prepare for decarbing. Decarbing means activating the good THC (the ones that may get you high) components in the plant by slowly cooking.
Keep in mind that some people believe that raw cannabis (THC-a) has more medical value than decarbed, and they skip this step. However, by skipping the decarbing method, the potency will be mitigated compared to the clean THC product.
Furthermore, put the ground marijuana in the oven for 30 minutes at 250 °F and wait until it starts to smell nice. When you notice the smell, continue to the next step.
Mix it with the alcohol
Once you take out the freshly baked marijuana, grab your mason jar and put ¼ cup of alcohol, just enough to cover the marijuana. Ideally, it should have 1 inch of liquid above the marijuana.
Some people leave this mixture overnight so that the alcohol absorbs the best qualities of the plant. Or, if you don’t feel like waiting, leave it for 20 minutes before you prepare it for filtering.
Filter and boil the oil
Filter the mix from one jar to another using the coffee filters. Then, you need to boil the filtered oil. To do so, you would need a rice cooker, ideally.
However, if you don’t have any at home, take a big pot, put five to six cups of water in the pot, and add a skillet on top. Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, and put the oil in the skillet.
So, you will notice bubbles from the heat. That is the alcohol that evaporates. The hash oil is ready when the bubbles are gone.
Hash Oil Extraction Methods
Depending on the extraction method, you can derive different types of hash oil. Below, you can discover how to reach your preferred hash oil type.
Butane hash oil (BHO) extraction
The BHO extraction method is a closed-loop system that involves dried, packed cannabis and liquid butane. Butane is one of the most effective elements that separates cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant.
Therefore, that helps you create a pure product as a final result. Unlike regular production, the butane hash oil (BHO) extraction method requires a vacuum oven because that oven leaves the least solvent in the product.
CO₂ extraction
CO₂ extraction or supercritical fluid extraction is a rather advanced process that requires more knowledge of the processes. Namely, you bring the CO₂ level to a supercritical level (to act like gas and fluid) to dissolve the cannabinoids and terpene.
However, the CO₂ extracted oil is less potent and has a thicker texture, which is difficult for dabbing. Yet, the CO₂-extracted oil is purified from potential mildews, molds, or solvents left in the final product.
Rick Simpson oil extraction
The Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is a medical miracle that possibly helped Rick Simpson eliminate his cancer skin growth. Rick was a huge advocate of medical features in marijuana, and his example proved his beliefs. So, are you wondering how to make RSO oil?
To extract RSO, you need pure (99%) isopropyl alcohol to separate the THC from the plant. The process is simple to follow. It requires dipping the marijuana into the alcohol and stirring, just like in the example above. Crush and stir the mixture to ensure the plant releases its THC values.
Then, filter the oil and prepare it for boiling. Dehydrate the oil and collect it with a syringe. The RSO is a highly concentrated black cannabis oil that may help with epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, etc.
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Safety Considerations
The hash oil extraction could be a safety hazard as you use inflammable products like pure alcohol. Additionally, inhaling the evaporation might be bad for your lungs. Therefore, to avoid any potential accident, please remember the following:
Keep good ventilation in the room – Leave an open window where you cook the hash oil to ensure you don’t inhale the bad fumes. Moreover, if you cook a larger batch, use a mask to prevent the fumes from entering your system.
Follow the state’s laws and regulations – Before you take action in making hash oil at home, ensure it aligns with the laws and regulations. Failing to comply with the rules, you risk facing charges.
Keep away from open flames - Avoid lighters, candles, and gas stoves when cooking with pure alcohol. You can even keep a fire extinguisher next to you to protect yourself and your property from fire accidents.
Do not leave the process unsupervised - Stay alert when making your hash oil to avoid accidents or ruining the final product. Once you finish, double-check the system to ensure everything is turned off and secured.
Do not consume cannabis while you extract the oil - No matter how confident you are with yourself and your capacity to sustain cannabis, do not consume it while you extract the oil. It may distract you and cause further issues, such as mishaps or destroying the final product.
Quality Control and Purity
Quality control of the hash oil begins with the plant. The soil where it grows is crucial for the quality of the marijuana. To ensure quality, you should always buy the plant from a company that adheres to the QA/QC and FDA regulatory bodies. Otherwise, you risk using a moldy or expired plant.
The QA begins from the marijuana harvest. You should treat marijuana as any other plant that grows naturally. It also has pesticides and other pollutants.
Other potential contaminants of the end product quality are heavy metals, microbial pollutants, and residual solvents. The easiest way to detect these pollutants is with third-party testing.
Testing and quality assurance for hash oil
The classic test you can do to confirm the quality of the hash oil can be done at home. All you need for this test is a lighter, a butter knife, and your oil.
Take a small amount of the oil and put it on the knife. Light the oil and wait for the reaction. If you spot bubbles, don’t worry. They occur because of the oils in the hash that volatilize. If the oil turns dark gray and smells like a marijuana plant, then the quality is okay.
On the other hand, if the sample burns black, smolders, or has a chemical odor, then it’s of low quality. Low-quality cannabis oil is a potential health peril. You should practice these habits in the production process to avoid getting these results. You can discover them below.
Removing impurities and ensuring purity in the final product
Cannabis quality control testing involves several aspects each manufacturer has to take at given stages. They go as follows:
Microbial testing - This is the initial test that scans for potential pollutants, molds, or bacteria that damage the quality of the final product from the start.
Pesticide testing - Correspondingly to the microbial tests, the pesticide test involves testing for pesticides and chemicals used during the cultivation process.
Heavy metal testing - Shows the presence of heavy metals such as arsenic or lead.
Potency tests - This test checks the potency levels of the THC and CBD in the final product to ensure they comply with the rules.
Residual solvent testing - This test ensures all butane or other solvents used for the extraction process are removed from the final product.
Importance of maintaining quality standards in hash oil production
The legalization of the cannabis industry depends on high-quality products. Thus, all participants involved in the cannabis business must adhere to the quality conditions from the regulatory bodies. On the other hand, maintaining the quality of the hash oil within the frames of the FDA ensures they are safe for consumption.
Storage and Use of Hash Oil
To avoid compromising the potency of the hash oil, store it in a fridge. This is to maintain potency and prevent degradation. So, you need to keep hash oil in a dark, dry, and cold environment. However, extreme temperatures damage the quality of the oil.
Moreover, you can consume hash oil in several ways. Dabbing and vaping are the most common, but they can be used for baked goods as well. In contrast, hash oil is perfect for topical application on the skin. It might soothe muscle pain as it acts like an analgesic or help with skin issues.
Ultimately, the recommended dosage of hash oil per day is 2.5 mg THC or 0.2 ml for beginners. As for regular usage, the recommended dosage should be according to
Your weight
The purpose of using the hash oil
The CBD concentration in the product
The CBD style of the product you’re using
The endocannabinoid system and chemistry in your body
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Conclusion
As you reached the end of the article, we hope now that you have a clearer idea of how to make hash oil. It is one of the discoveries that has presumably helped many patients soothe or treat their diseases.
Hash oil extraction can be done through different methods, like BHO, CO₂ extraction, and RSO oils. Each method involves a different approach. Also, they require experience and prior understanding. For example, CO₂ extraction requires more knowledge and chemical background as it may easily escalate and lead to unwanted accidents.
To conclude, it’s really important to stick with the recommendations of the regulatory bodies. That will help you ensure you don’t compromise the quality and effect of the oil.
