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Learn how to extract THC from cannabis so you can enjoy the benefits of marijuana without smoking it. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to extract THC from cannabis.
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Decarboxylate your cannabis.
The process of decarboxylation is key when making edibles or topicals, as it activates the THC in cannabis. Without decarbing, your edibles or topicals will likely have little to no effect. This is because the THC in cannabis is in the form of THCA until exposed to heat (decarboxylation), which transforms it into active THC.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to decarb weed:
1.Preheat your oven to 245°F (120°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread your weed out onto it in a single layer.
2.Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes so that your weed evenly exposed to heat.
3.After an hour, remove from oven and let cool completely. Your cannabis is now ready for use!
Combine your decarboxylated cannabis with your solvent.
There are many ways to combine your decarboxylated cannabis with your solvent. The most common method is to mix the two together in a large jar, then shake the jar vigorously for a few minutes. This will ensure that the THC is evenly distributed in the solvent. Other methods include using a blender or food processor to combine the cannabis and solvent, or stirring them together in a methanol bath for a few hours.
Once you have combined your decarboxylated cannabis and solvent, it’s time to begin the extraction process. The most common method of extraction is to use a coffee filter or piece of cheesecloth to strain the liquid into another container. This will remove any plant matter or impurities from the mixture.
Once you have strained the mixture, it’s time to evaporate the solvent. This can be done by placing the container in a cool, dark place and allowing it to Evaporate naturally over time. Or, if you’re in a hurry, you can use a fan or hair dryer to speed up the process. Just be sure not to let anything come into contact with the mixture while it’s still hot, as this could result in an explosion.
Once all of the solvent has evaporated, you will be left with a pure THC extract that can be used in any number of ways. The most common way to consume THC extract is by dabbing it onto a smoking device such as a pipe or bong. However, it can also be used in edibles or topical products if desired.
Use a water bath to heat your mixture and agitate it.
Water baths are a common method for heating extraction mixtures and for agitating them. To use a water bath, you will need to put your mixture into a container that can be placed into a larger container of water. Heat the water to the desired temperature and then place the container with your mixture into the water. You may need to put a weight on top of the container to keep it submerged. Agitate the mixture regularly.
Filter your mixture and collect your THC-infused solvent.
Now that your plant material has been thoroughly mixed with your solvent, it’s time to filter out the plant matter and collect your pure THC-infused solvent.
To do this, you’ll need a coffee filter or some other type of strainer. Place the coffee filter over a mason jar or other type of container, and pour your mixture through the filter. As the mixture passes through, the plant matter will be left behind in the filter while your THC-infused solvent collects in the jar below.
Once all of the mixture has been filtered, you can discard the plant matter and seal your jar of THC-infused solvent. Congrats! You’ve just extracted THC from cannabis!
Evaporate your solvent to collect your THC.
After your cannabis has soaked in the solvent for some time, you will need to evaporate the solvent off so that you are left with nothing but pure THC. You can do this one of two ways, either by heating up the solution (called a “hot pull”) or by letting it sit out and evaporate on its own (called a “cold pull”.)
The method you choose will depend on what kinds of solvents you used and what kind of equipment you have. If you used butane or propane, it is not recommended to heat up the solution, as these solvents are highly flammable. If you used alcohols like ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, however, it is safe to heat up the solution.
If you choose to do a hot pull, simply place your container of cannabis solution in a water bath and heat it up until the solvent has evaporated off. You can then collect your THC by scraping it off of the surface of the container or filter it through a coffee filter.
If you choose to do a cold pull, simply set your container of cannabis solution in a well-ventilated area and allow it to evaporate on its own. This process will take longer than a hot pull, but it is safer if you are using flammable solvents. Once the solvent has evaporated, you can collect your THC in the same way as described above.
