Extracting THC with Vegetable Glycerin

Processing Cannabis is a science for certain, and there are many different methods for extracting THC from the plant. Among the most popular types of extraction is extracting THC with vegetable glycerin. This method is largely popular due to the sweet taste of the vegetable glycerin. Those that regularly take THC products prefer a sweet flavor rather than a stark sting of alcohol — but is it really effective?

Effectiveness of Vegetable Glycerin Extraction

Extraction of THC is important to produce a high quality final product. Extraction via vegetable glycerin has proven a better tasting final product, but it actually only extracts about 10% of the THC in the Cannabis plant. Where your product might taste better to your customers with vegetable glycerin extraction, it will be far less potent than with comparable methods.

Alcohol Extraction

Alcohol based extraction methods are the best way to extract the most potency from your cannabis plant. Instead of just 10% extracted like with vegetable glycerin extraction, alcohol based extraction methods produce up to 90% extraction. However, they are not popular with people who do not like the distinct burn produced by alcohol extraction.

Combining the Two

It’s clear that in order to extract the most THC from the Cannabis plant, alcohol extraction is the superior method, but due to the burning sensation grain alcohol produces, it can be difficult to find customers that will embrace your product. However, a combination of these two methods have proven beneficial as the sweet flavor of vegetable glycerin extracted THC will counteract the burning sensation of the alcohol.

Allow Alcohol to Evaporate

When producing THC products, combining alcohol extraction with vegetable extraction can be a credible and better tasting option. You can take the process even further by allowing the final product to sit out in an open area overnight. This allows the alcohol in the product to slowly and naturally evaporate. The final product will taste smoother and sweeter without any of the negative effects from alcohol.

Other Extraction Methods

CO2 – With CO2 extraction, virtually everything is stripped from the plant. This is an effective extraction option, but excess CO2 can have harmful effects on the human body, so for this method you will have to engage in extreme caution and protection.

Hydrocarbons – This method of extraction has been popular in the past, but is not recommended in today’s world. Hydrocarbon extraction uses butane or propane and is an effective extraction solution, but due to the excess chemicals and mixing of those chemicals combined with the explosive nature of these gasses, it’s a possible volatile extraction process, so it’s not recommended.

Solvent Free Extractions – Cannabis extraction has been around for many years, even before credible research was available for the public. Solvent free extraction is one of the oldest methods of extraction. The process involves heat and pressure to extract components of the Cannabis plant. This method is used by old school producers that prefer more natural solutions to their final products.

No matter which type of extraction process you use for extracting THC, do so in a safe manner. THC has been proven to be highly effective for a lot of conditions and more research is being performed successfully every day. Extraction methods may vary, but the final result should produce a substance without harming the environment or anyone in the process.