FAQ

CBD distillates are not as refined and therefore are not as pure as CBD isolates. A CBD distillate may contain various cannabinoids such as terpenes and plant material. CBD distillate is the precursor to isolate and could be further refined even more to become a CBD isolate.

While some people may not care for the taste, terpenes and cannabinoids found in distillates can be both healthy and beneficial for the body. A CBD Distillate usually has a higher THC content which could make it illegal in some states, whereas a CBD isolate contains no trace amounts of THC.

CBD distillate is often sourced from a marijuana plant which is higher in THC. THC is the chemical which produces mild altering effects. CBD isolate however is sourced from hemp plants that have less THC to begin with.

Distillate Production Process
Any impurities remaining in the extracted oil, such as lipids, fats or other compounds, need to be removed for the oil to be separated to a further degree. The following step to create a cannabis distillate is a technique known as winterization. The process of winterization involves mixing ethanol with the crude cannabinoid extract, then placing it in a frigid environment for 24-48 hours. By putting the extract in a cold setting, any remaining impurities will congeal and separate; thus, falling to the bottom of the container.

If you think about it, the process can be compared to baking a chicken. When cooking a chicken, any of the excess juices or grease (similar to impurities) will drip down into the baking pan; thus, coagulating once the chicken is cooled. After removing the impurities, the crude extract with ethanol is passed through a filter where the ethanol is carefully removed. This is often done utilizing a rotary evaporation procedure.
The following step to produce a cannabis distillate is known as decarboxylation. If cannabinoids are not provided with heat, they will not become active and will remain in an acid state. The process of decarboxylation occurs when a person “lights a joint” and the cannabis is heated; thereby, allowing all of the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids to be activated.

Finally, all of the extracted, winterized and decarboxylated material passes through a distillation procedure. The distillation process uses a short path steam or fractional distillation chamber numerous times to purify the cannabinoid. By distilling the cannabinoid, it is transformed into an isolated and pure state. The short path distillation option utilizes heat, steam, and vacuum pressure to influence boiling points and expose the product to cool temperatures as it passes through the distillation chamber. Dependent on the technique being used, the compounds may be fractionated individually or together for collection. CBD distillate can be exposed to this procedure several times to produce the purest substance.

After completing these procedures, you will have a type of sap similar to pure honey – this is the cannabis distillation product. The method of distillation is famous for both THC and CBD, and the application of the products is available on a global scale. It is important to note that cannabis distillate is as close to pure cannabinoid oil as a person will come. Taking this into account, when you are accustomed to products containing a cannabinoid, using cannabinoid distillate is receiving the purest form of CBD or THC.
Cannabis distillate is one of the most commonly used cannabis products today. It is also the most versatile, thus can be used in many applications. Some of the methods/ways to use CBD distillate are outlined below.

What is Broad spectrum cbd
If you need a THC free solution for say work or legal compliance requirements where even small amounts of thc use could be detected and reprimanded, this is the solution for you! Containing an array of cannabinoids. The Certificate of Analysis will show laboratory verified amounts of CBC, CBN, CBD and CBG and often are rich with an array of terpenes. Our customers often feel a wider range of positive effects from the array of cannabinoids.

CBD distillate is often sourced from a marijuana plant which is higher in THC. THC is the chemical which produces mild altering effects. CBD isolate however is sourced from hemp plants that have less THC to begin with.

Full spectrum CBD as opposed to CBD distillate contains all of the benefits of the whole plant, without the elevated amounts of THC. Full spectrum CBD contains an array of annabinois, terpenes, and vitamins which are likely beneficial to the body. It also contains negligible amounts of THC so you will not experience mind altering effects, you will not get high, and the product remains legal.

CBD can be an incredible healing source, although there are also other cannabinoids found in hemp plants which have also been shown to alleviate symptoms of various ailments as well. CBD isolates as well as full spectrum CBD have their own unique benefits. It oftentimes depends on a persons personal preference and what they are trying to accomplish by taking the product.

Hemp biomass refers to the dried plant matter that is used for the production of refined hemp products, such as CBD oil, textiles, hemp plastics, and others. Raw hemp can be refined to make anything from wellness products to construction material. If you are a farmer growing hemp of looking for affordable hemp biomass for sale to get into the lucrative CBD business, get in touch with us submit a “Contact form” < Link

Definition of hemp biomass
Even though it is common industry practice to refer to the whole dry plant matter as “hemp biomass” (including flowers), this is not exactly the case. According to experts, the correct definition includes the stalks, leaves and flowers, only after they have been extracted. In general, we can distinguish three primary parts of the plant: hemp flowers, hemp seed and stalks. Highest CBD concentration can be found on the flower, but can be extracted from the biomass as well. High CBD hemp biomass can be used for the manufacture of CBD distillate and CBD isolate, as well as hemp oil used for food products. It is important to have a strategy regarding your business goals before obtaining the suitable type of hemp biomass. High-CBD hemp biomass is more expensive than fibre biomass used for textile and pellet manufacture. At Bio Distro we have all types of premium hemp biomass available for sale. Please contact us now if you are interested to sell or buy biomass.

Terpenes are chemicals which give the hemp plant its unique smell. Even in tiny amounts CBD terpenes are strong and work very well with CBD to heal the body. While CBD isolate is isolated cannabidiol in its most pure form, full spectrum CBD also contains other beneficial compounds while still remaining THC free. Because of the benefits which can be provided by the whole plant, full spectrum CBD products are often used to treat illness and various ailments.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical responsible for most of marijuana's psychological effects. It acts much like the cannabinoid chemicals made naturally by the body, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
Cannabinoid receptors are concentrated in certain areas of the brain associated with thinking, memory, pleasure, coordination and time perception. THC attaches to these receptors and activates them and affects a person's memory, pleasure, movements, thinking, concentration, coordination, and sensory and time perception, according to NIDA.

THC is one of many compounds found in the resin secreted by glands of the marijuana plant. More of these glands are found around the reproductive organs of the plant than on any other area of the plant. Other compounds unique to marijuana, called cannabinoids, are present in this resin. One cannabinoid, CBD is non psychoactive, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, and actually blocks the high associated with THC.

Effects on the body
THC stimulates cells in the brain to release dopamine, creating euphoria, according to NIDA. It also interferes with how information is processed in the hippocampus, which is part of the brain responsible for forming new memories. THC can induce hallucinations, change thinking and cause delusions. On average, the effects last about two hours, and kick in 10 to 30 minutes after ingestion. Psychomotor impairment may continue after the perceived high has stopped, however. "In some cases, reported side effects of THC include elation, anxiety, tachycardia, short-term memory recall issues, sedation, relaxation, pain-relief and many more," said A.J. Fabrizio, a marijuana chemistry expert at Terra Tech Corp, a California agricultural company focused on local farming and medical cannabis. However, he said, a study in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that other types of cannabinoids, as well as terpenes (compounds that produce flavor and fragrance in plants), can modulate and reduce negative effects.

Risks
The effects of marijuana make it a popular drug. In fact, it is considered one of the most commonly used illicit drugs in the world. But these effects also concern mental health advocates. THC can trigger a relapse in schizophrenic symptoms, according to NIDA.
Another possible risk of consuming THC comes in the form of impaired motor skills. Marijuana may impair driving or similar tasks for approximately three hours after consumption and it is the second-most common psychoactive substance found in drivers, after alcohol, reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. People taking medical marijuana are instructed not to drive until it has been established that they can tolerate it and conduct motor tasks successfully. The use of marijuana may cause problems for younger people, and long-term problems. "Some of the side effects of THC include a decrease in IQ, memory and cognition, especially in younger people," said Dr. Damon Raskin, medical director at Cliffside Malibu Treatment Center. "However, the jury is still out on long-term effects, as not enough research has been done on it yet. There is some speculation that it could impair fertility in men and women and also compromise a person's airways, but the studies are still not clear."

A study by the University of Montreal published in the journal Development and Psychopathology in 2016 found that early use of marijuana can affect teens. Smokers that start around age 14 do worse on some cognitive tests than non-smokers. The study on almost 300 students found that pot smokers also have a higher school dropout rate. Those that waited to start around age 17 did not seem to have the same impairments.
NIDA reports that rats exposed to THC before birth, soon after birth or during adolescence have shown problems with specific learning and memory tasks later in life. The drug can also have drug interactions with certain medications.

Medicinal uses
According to the National Cancer Institute, marijuana has been used for medicinal purposes for more than 3,000 years. As of early 2017, more than half of the United States has legalized the use of medicinal marijuana. Several states have also legalized the drug for recreational use, as well. THC can be extracted from marijuana, or synthesized, as is the case for the FDA-approved drug dronabinol. Dronabinol is used to treat or prevent the nausea and vomiting associated with cancer medicines and to increase the appetites of people with AIDS, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. It is a light yellow resinous oil.

Other studies are showing more evidence that, when used properly, THC has many additional medical benefits. For example, THC may be able to improve memory when taken in small doses, according to a 2016 study on mice.
People tout marijuana as a better drug than prescription pills because it is "all-natural." That may not be true. "Just because something is considered 'natural' doesn't mean it's healthy," Raskin said. "For example, poison oak can be harmful. Just because it grows in the ground doesn't mean it's good for you or healthy."

Understanding Decarboxylation
So, what is decarboxylation? The scientific definition of this term is that it is a chemical reaction that will remove a carboxyl group and release carbon dioxide. The process converts inactive components in cannabis – which are not psychoactive – into active components, which unlock the effects that many people are looking for. With time, cannabis can go through the decarboxylation process on its own, or there are other ways that you can speed up the process.

The two main catalysts in the decarboxylation process are heat and time. Curing and drying cannabis over time will result in partial decarboxylation. Smoking and vaporizing can instantly decarboxylate cannabinoids as a result of the extremely high temperatures that are present, and this makes them immediately available for absorption via inhalation. However, people with respiratory conditions, children, or the elderly who are attempting to use cannabis for its medicinal purposes likely will not want to inhale the smoke, so being able to extract numerous cannabinoids and terpenes in the form of oil is often a better strategy.

Why Decarboxylation is Important for CBD
When discussing decarboxylation, the difference between CBD-A and CBD needs to be addressed. CBD-A is known as the acidic precursor to CBD, and when cannabis grows, it produces CBDA and not CBD. The same is true for one of the other main compounds of marijuana – THC – as the decarboxylation process is needed to turn the inactive THC-A into the psychoactive THC. In order to activate the CBD and to experience all of its benefits, it needs to be heated through vaporization, cooking, or smoking so that decarboxylation occurs. Even after the process has been completed, you still won’t get high by taking CBD, as the product is non-psychoactive and does not bind to receptors the same way as THC.
The decarboxylation process is important for getting the most out of the CBD. After the process activates it, CBD is available to be used within the body. In the past, CBD-A has had a tendency to be overlooked with CBD getting the attention of medical researchers. However, there are several studies that are currently examining the potential benefits of CBD, as well, including:

• Antibacterial. A study completed in 2000 notes that more CBD-A in a hemp plant will lead to greater antimicrobial potency within the CBD that results after decarboxylation.
• Anti-Nausea. A 2013 study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology showed that CBD-A could be used as an alternative to THC when it comes to preventing nausea and vomiting, and it doesn’t offer the psychoactive properties of THC. It has also been shown to have significant benefits in helping with anticipatory nausea experienced by chemotherapy patients
• Cancer. CBD-A is thought to be one of many cannabinoids that can help to control the growth of tumors in cancer patients. A 2012 study published in Toxicology Letters found that CBDA could work to inhibit the migration of breast cancer cells.

Decarboxylation Temperature and Terpenes
When going through the decarboxylation process, the temperature that you use is extremely important. While a lower temperature will cause the process to take longer, delaying the process can actually be a good thing, as lower temperatures will allow you to retain more terpenes. The terpenes are the oils that give cannabis its unique smell and flavor, and they offer a variety of benefits. Some of the most popular terpenes in cannabis include:

• Caryophyllene. A spicy smell, providing medical value for ulcers, arthritis, and gastrointestinal problems
• Limonene. This citrus-smelling terpene offers anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, and it can also help with depression and heartburn
• Linalool. Medicinal value includes relief of depression and anxiety, and the terpene smells sweet like flowers
• Myrcene. Myrcene offers an earthy smell and is good for relieving muscle tension, insomnia, and chronic pain.

Besides the fact that retaining as many terpenes as possible will allow for some of these benefits, there is another important reason you’ll want to keep them around in your CBD oil products – terpenes can actually boost the power of CBD and other cannabinoids if they are present.

If you’re shopping for CBD oil, you may have noticed a growing selection of products that sound like they belong in a science fiction novel instead of on your nightstand:
Nano-Amplified CBD. Nano-technology-Enhanced Diols. Nano-particle Cannabinoids. Nano-OMG!!! Is all this nano-business a sign of scientific progress — or just a scientistic gimmick?

Fancy Salad Dressing
In truth, nano CBD products are about as technologically-advanced as a creamy balsamic vinaigrette. Don’t be fooled by the big words (or the small ones). This article explains the ins and outs of nano-enhanced CBD oil in a language you can actually understand. Learn how to judge the quality and safety of nano CBD products for yourself...

Nano-Sized Drops of CBD Oil
It may sound intimidating, but nanotechnology is just a fancy way of saying that a company is working with extremely small things.
By the normal definition, those extremely small things should be less than 0.0000001 meters — i.e. 100 nanometers.
However, in the CBD industry, "nano" is thrown around pretty loosely, frequently describing much larger things. Why? Simply because “nano” sounds so coooool. And what are these "nano" things anyway? Little drops of CBD oil! You can visualize a droplet of any CBD oil product as one of those carnival ball-pits full of plastic spheres. Most of those spheres are molecules of the carrier oil (coconut oil, olive oil, etc.) but there's a much smaller number of CBD molecules interspersed throughout — mostly hidden inside the ball-pit with very little at the surface or edges.
Because your mouth and your digestive tract are moist and watery, and because oil & water don't mix, when you swallow a CBD product it tends to stay in droplets or globules, with most of the CBD molecules hidden and inaccessible until fully digested. (And digestion tends to break down a large percentage of any CBD you swallow — which is why we strongly recommend that you vigorously swish your CBD oil around your tongue and gums for enhanced absorption.)

Helping CBD Oil Mix into our Watery Bodies
Since oil and water don’t mix, "nano" CBD companies use one of the oldest tricks in the recipe book… When whipping up a homemade salad dressing, recipes usually call for honey, mustard or egg yolks. This isn’t just for taste — these ingredients are natural emulsifiers, which means they help stabilize oil-in-water mixtures. If you look at a pre-mixed salad dressing on the grocery shelf, you'll see that it lists extra ingredients & chemicals — many of which help keep the oil & water mixed indefinitely. If you could zoom in on that salad dressing with a high-powered microscope, you would see countless tiny drops of oil suspended in vinegar (which is mostly water).

What you wouldn’t be able to see (even though it’s there) is a thin layer of emulsifiers & other chemicals coating the surface of every drop of oil. They’re what keep the oil droplets from merging and rising to the top to separate from the water.
Nano CBD products typically contain CBD oil, water and other ingredients that help stabilize this emulsion. For instance, one common nano CBD ingredient – lecithin or “phospholipids” – is the same fat in egg yolks that works great to keep salad dressings from separating.
Nano CBD: Any Benefits?
There is one true reason you might want to try emulsified CBD oil (aka nano CBD).
When manufactured correctly, emulsified CBD oil could potentially increase the amount of CBD that ends up in your bloodstream.

How is that true?

• Increased Surface Area: Your body has an easier time digesting and absorbing nutrients from oil when it’s broken down into tiny drops. The smaller those drops get, the more surface contact the oil has with your body’s enzymes and absorptive tissue. Within your digestive tract, your body’s natural bile salts will emulsify CBD oil and other dietary fats. However, putting pre-emulsified oil in your mouth could help your body start absorbing CBD molecules sooner.
• Penetration-Enhancers: Nano CBD products typically contain ingredients that belong to a class of chemicals called “penetration enhancers.” These include ethanol, propylene glycol, and other surface-active molecules that coat the tiny drops of CBD oil. These chemicals can increase the movement of CBD molecules across the skin and mucous membranes.

Nano CBD: Risks & Downsides?
Although nano-emulsified CBD can deliver higher levels of CBD quickly into your bloodstream, there are a few things you should consider before buying a nano CBD product:

• Added chemicals: Nano CBD products are manufactured with chemicals you might not want in your body. For instance, propylene glycol is a common additive in shelf-stable emulsions that was recently named “Allergen of the Year” by the American Contact Dermatitis Society. Each miniscule drop of CBD oil is literally coated with these ingredients, and different companies will choose different chemicals to create these emulsions.
• Dishonesty: Unfortunately, the nano CBD world is rife with fraudulent products and misinformation. You’ll need to do some detective work to find a trustworthy company. Beware: Many nano CBD companies love to use scientific-sounding language as a smokescreen to keep you from noticing red flags. If you don’t understand what they’re saying, they’re probably confusing you on purpose

Deciding Whether to Buy Nano CBD Oil
Whether or not you should try nano CBD depends on why you were drawn to it in the first place.
Most of the benefits promised by nano CBD products can be found from less-adulterated CBD products for a much lower price.
Here are our thoughts on a few popular reasons people consider taking nano CBD:

• Are you buying your first CBD product and just stumbled on nano CBD? You might want to start simple and try a high-quality CBD oil on its own. You can use that as a baseline to see how — or even if — you would want to improve that experience.
• Have you found other CBD products ineffective? First triple-check that the CBD products you previously bought came from a reputable company. (This new, minimally regulated industry is full of hype and snake oil, so it's easy to be sold fake products whether you’re buying nano CBD or natural CBD oil.)
• Do you wish your CBD oil was stronger or want to feel it quicker? Before giving away your bottle of non-nano CBD oil, there are natural tricks you can try to enhance your body’s ability to absorb CBD. For instance, try eating a nice meal full of healthy fats before taking CBD oil. To speed the flow of CBD into your bloodstream, try vigorously swishing CBD oil around in your mouth for a few minutes before swallowing — not only does this spread the oil out across many absorption areas in the mouth, it also emulsifies the oil somewhat. You could even include a natural emulsifier like a spoonful of honey. For more tips, see our article on getting your CBD dosage right.
• Do you already love CBD and just want to try the newest thing? Well, that sounds reasonable. However, make sure to scrutinize your options and choose a nano CBD company that treats you like an intelligent person while prioritizing your safety. We don’t currently recommend any specific products, but we do have some advice to help you navigate the hype.

Types of CBD Products:

CBD has a variety of known use cases. Though we are limited to making any medical claims, here is a chart that will give you an idea of what types of cannabinoids are best suited for different ailments or needs.

Capsules / Tinctures / Sublingual / Extracts

These items are very popular amongst users who do not desire to taste the cbd and are looking for quality effects quickly. Capsules, sublinguals, and extracts are intended to be absorbed by the body quickly. Allowing for intended effects to be felt in approximately 10-20 minutes. These effects often last longer than those one may feel from smoking or vaping. These products are often enhanced with liposomes such as MCT oil to allow for the best absorption into the body. Many cases, sublinguals, extracts, and capsules are enhanced with additional cannabinoids, terpenes, or other supplements such as circumin or vitamins. These options are often the best choice for high content cbd use intended to have positive effects on an ailment since they are highly concentrated and fast acting. If you are looking to get 50mg or more of cbd in a dose, these methods are likely your best option.

Vaping / Smokable
Many people consume CBD distillate (as well as THC distillate) through vaping. Also known as dabbing, vaping provides the best and fastest way to deliver these compounds to the bloodstream. The effects/results of vaping CBD distillates are almost instantaneous. The distillate produces a nearly tasteless and odorless vapor. You might, however, have a blend of flavor added to give it a twist, which amplifies the vaping experience. One can also add THC distillate to the vaping pen’s cartridge to increase its effect. Smoking raw hemp flower has also become a popular usage for immediate results. Rubbing THC distillate on your joints can even come in handy in bringing about its psychoactive effects.
Vaping CBD distillate has a therapeutic effect and more effective if using it to treat a condition.
Edibles
If you aren’t a fan of smoking or vaping CBD distillates, you can then make use of edibles. This entails using the distillate alongside other ingredients when preparing your meals. The distillate has already undergone the carbonization process, hence activated on the go. That said, you can use it in your dishes without altering its composition. In addition to this, CBD distillate is odorless and tasteless – you won’t even notice its presence in your food. Preparing edibles with cannabis distillates is relatively easy. If worried about altering its chemical composition, you should consider adding low doses of the distillate when the food is almost ready. Experts recommend adding 5mg or less to the meal until you can find the perfect dosage to your liking. Adding low doses of the same in all your meals should make it more effective and mainly if using it to treat a condition.
Beauty Products and Topical Applications

CBD distillate can be infused in beauty products, skin care products, and other topical products as well. Adding a few drops of the distillate to skin care products, for example, enriches it with cannabinoids that come in handy in treating various skin conditions, and manage pain as well. Just massaging the affected area with CBD distillate helps provide relief to inflammations and sore muscles.
You too can make topicals at home. You will only need a carrier oil, say jojoba or coconut oil, and any other oils you feel like adding. Add the recommended amount of CBD distillate in the same, shake well, then start using.

One of the most common questions being asked these days by aspiring cannabis processors is “Which method of extraction should I use? CO2 or ethanol?”
The answer to this question is another question. What products are you going to produce and in what volume?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both methods and efficiencies created when utilized together, which when taken into consideration will help you decide what’s best for you given your unique business model short and long term.
Before addressing the pros and cons of the two methods, it is helpful to take a brief look at the histories of these techniques and how we ended up where we are today.
A Brief History of CO2 and Ethanol
Ethanol extraction of cannabis has been around for a very long time. Although it would be hard to say exactly when and where this started in human history, there are detailed records of ethanol-based cannabis tinctures being sold in apothecaries throughout the United States up until 1937 when cannabis was outlawed.
Ethanol extracted cannabis oil enjoyed a brief renaissance in the mid 1970’s when D.J. Gold, author of “Cannabis Alchemy”, launched the Iso 2 extractor in High Times magazine. The DEA forced this product off the market in short order. In the early 1990’s Eden advertised small tabletop systems in High Times and then in 1995 Eden launched the first commercial sized “Coldfinger” ethanol extractors for the new medical markets. This was the beginning of the cannabis industry that we have today.
Ethanol extraction has come a long way since 1995 with large scale commercial and industrial systems extracting thousands of pounds per day to serve the expanding medical and recreational markets. There are quite a few companies marketing ethanol extraction machines with a wide range of variance in the way they perform an extraction but the biggest variable is whether to perform the extraction with warm or cold ethanol and if the system can produce a pure terpene fraction. Warm or cold will be addressed in a later blog. Eden has designed a series of tests that should settle once and for all which temperature parameters are the most efficient.
CO2 extraction has a much briefer history. This method was invented by the Nazis and was originally intended for extracting oil from shale for the war. When the war ended, these large scale CO2 extractors were repurposed to extract hops for the beer industry.
Supercritical CO2 extraction is still the primary method for extracting hops. Large commercial breweries use a highly refined alpha acid hops oil for the top-selling

pilsners that dominate the market. More recently, microbreweries have started using smaller and more specialized CO2 extractors for creating unique flavor profiles of boutique hop strains that have opened whole new areas in the taste and terpene profiles of beers. The next time you enjoy a micro-brew, you may notice it smells a bit like cannabis. This is because hops are the closest relative to cannabis and the CO2 extraction nicely preserves the native terpenes.
The current state of the hops industry is a good indicator of where cannabis is headed. Large scale hops production is done with CO2 because it makes a high-quality product and the daily operating costs and facility build-outs for solvent storage of CO2 are far less than other methods. No one in the hops industry extracts with butane or ethanol.
Thinking About Scale in Cannabis Extraction
Why then are these other methods so popular and highly regarded? It really comes down to cost. All the methods can make a quality product with the right operators and SOP’s. The cost of entry for butane and ethanol is much less than CO2, and ethanol is the lowest priced method in terms of entry costs.
As large-scale production ramps up, the cost of equipment becomes a bigger factor in a business plan. A startup that needs to extract hundreds or thousands of pounds per day can get started in ethanol for a cost in the hundreds of thousands.
So why might you want to invest so much more in CO2? The lowest potential daily operating costs, which were previously mentioned, is the primary rational. The other methods require the constant purchase, storage, use and disposal of large amounts of flammable liquids. This can be a heavy burden from a workflow, regulatory, and monthly expense perspective. CO2 is highly tunable. With CO2 you can vary factors such as time, temperature, and pressure to create different products. Ethanol products need to go into more stages of refinement to be turned into various products such as distillate.
Processors who choose CO2 as their primary extraction method are often considering long-term viability and survivability.
The final reason for selecting a CO2 extractor for your processing is marketing cachet. Supercritical CO2 has gained a reputation for being the cleanest, safest, and most cutting-edge method of extracting natural products. As full-spectrum cannabis oils gained in popularity, so has CO2 extraction for cannabis and hemp. Health food stores often have special displays of their CO2 extracts which garner a higher price than other herbal remedies. Processors who choose CO2 as their primary extraction method are often considering long-term viability and survivability. They may emphasize the chemistry of their extractions, such as high-levels of THC, CBD, and terpenes. As competition increases and the industry consolidates, daily operating costs may become a "make or break" factor. In addition, as large corporations begin to dominate sectors of the industry, many of them may choose to contract processing to the best existing facilities rather than build their own plants

If you’re shopping for CBD oil, you may have noticed a growing selection of products that sound like they belong in a science fiction novel instead of on your nightstand:
Nano-Amplified CBD. Nano-technology-Enhanced Diols. Nano-particle Cannabinoids. Nano-OMG!!! Is all this nano-business a sign of scientific progress — or just a scientistic gimmick?

Fancy Salad Dressing
In truth, nano CBD products are about as technologically-advanced as a creamy balsamic vinaigrette. Don’t be fooled by the big words (or the small ones). This article explains the ins and outs of nano-enhanced CBD oil in a language you can actually understand. Learn how to judge the quality and safety of nano CBD products for yourself...

Nano-Sized Drops of CBD Oil
It may sound intimidating, but nanotechnology is just a fancy way of saying that a company is working with extremely small things.
By the normal definition, those extremely small things should be less than 0.0000001 meters — i.e. 100 nanometers.
However, in the CBD industry, "nano" is thrown around pretty loosely, frequently describing much larger things. Why? Simply because “nano” sounds so coooool. And what are these "nano" things anyway? Little drops of CBD oil! You can visualize a droplet of any CBD oil product as one of those carnival ball-pits full of plastic spheres. Most of those spheres are molecules of the carrier oil (coconut oil, olive oil, etc.) but there's a much smaller number of CBD molecules interspersed throughout — mostly hidden inside the ball-pit with very little at the surface or edges.
Because your mouth and your digestive tract are moist and watery, and because oil & water don't mix, when you swallow a CBD product it tends to stay in droplets or globules, with most of the CBD molecules hidden and inaccessible until fully digested. (And digestion tends to break down a large percentage of any CBD you swallow — which is why we strongly recommend that you vigorously swish your CBD oil around your tongue and gums for enhanced absorption.)

Helping CBD Oil Mix into our Watery Bodies
Since oil and water don’t mix, "nano" CBD companies use one of the oldest tricks in the recipe book… When whipping up a homemade salad dressing, recipes usually call for honey, mustard or egg yolks. This isn’t just for taste — these ingredients are natural emulsifiers, which means they help stabilize oil-in-water mixtures. If you look at a pre-mixed salad dressing on the grocery shelf, you'll see that it lists extra ingredients & chemicals — many of which help keep the oil & water mixed indefinitely. If you could zoom in on that salad dressing with a high-powered microscope, you would see countless tiny drops of oil suspended in vinegar (which is mostly water).

What you wouldn’t be able to see (even though it’s there) is a thin layer of emulsifiers & other chemicals coating the surface of every drop of oil. They’re what keep the oil droplets from merging and rising to the top to separate from the water.
Nano CBD products typically contain CBD oil, water and other ingredients that help stabilize this emulsion. For instance, one common nano CBD ingredient – lecithin or “phospholipids” – is the same fat in egg yolks that works great to keep salad dressings from separating.
Nano CBD: Any Benefits?
There is one true reason you might want to try emulsified CBD oil (aka nano CBD).
When manufactured correctly, emulsified CBD oil could potentially increase the amount of CBD that ends up in your bloodstream.

How is that true?

• Increased Surface Area: Your body has an easier time digesting and absorbing nutrients from oil when it’s broken down into tiny drops. The smaller those drops get, the more surface contact the oil has with your body’s enzymes and absorptive tissue. Within your digestive tract, your body’s natural bile salts will emulsify CBD oil and other dietary fats. However, putting pre-emulsified oil in your mouth could help your body start absorbing CBD molecules sooner.
• Penetration-Enhancers: Nano CBD products typically contain ingredients that belong to a class of chemicals called “penetration enhancers.” These include ethanol, propylene glycol, and other surface-active molecules that coat the tiny drops of CBD oil. These chemicals can increase the movement of CBD molecules across the skin and mucous membranes.

Nano CBD: Risks & Downsides?
Although nano-emulsified CBD can deliver higher levels of CBD quickly into your bloodstream, there are a few things you should consider before buying a nano CBD product:

• Added chemicals: Nano CBD products are manufactured with chemicals you might not want in your body. For instance, propylene glycol is a common additive in shelf-stable emulsions that was recently named “Allergen of the Year” by the American Contact Dermatitis Society. Each miniscule drop of CBD oil is literally coated with these ingredients, and different companies will choose different chemicals to create these emulsions.
• Dishonesty: Unfortunately, the nano CBD world is rife with fraudulent products and misinformation. You’ll need to do some detective work to find a trustworthy company. Beware: Many nano CBD companies love to use scientific-sounding language as a smokescreen to keep you from noticing red flags. If you don’t understand what they’re saying, they’re probably confusing you on purpose

Deciding Whether to Buy Nano CBD Oil
Whether or not you should try nano CBD depends on why you were drawn to it in the first place.
Most of the benefits promised by nano CBD products can be found from less-adulterated CBD products for a much lower price.
Here are our thoughts on a few popular reasons people consider taking nano CBD:

• Are you buying your first CBD product and just stumbled on nano CBD? You might want to start simple and try a high-quality CBD oil on its own. You can use that as a baseline to see how — or even if — you would want to improve that experience.
• Have you found other CBD products ineffective? First triple-check that the CBD products you previously bought came from a reputable company. (This new, minimally regulated industry is full of hype and snake oil, so it's easy to be sold fake products whether you’re buying nano CBD or natural CBD oil.)
• Do you wish your CBD oil was stronger or want to feel it quicker? Before giving away your bottle of non-nano CBD oil, there are natural tricks you can try to enhance your body’s ability to absorb CBD. For instance, try eating a nice meal full of healthy fats before taking CBD oil. To speed the flow of CBD into your bloodstream, try vigorously swishing CBD oil around in your mouth for a few minutes before swallowing — not only does this spread the oil out across many absorption areas in the mouth, it also emulsifies the oil somewhat. You could even include a natural emulsifier like a spoonful of honey. For more tips, see our article on getting your CBD dosage right.
• Do you already love CBD and just want to try the newest thing? Well, that sounds reasonable. However, make sure to scrutinize your options and choose a nano CBD company that treats you like an intelligent person while prioritizing your safety. We don’t currently recommend any specific products, but we do have some advice to help you navigate the hype.

Types of CBD Products:

CBD has a variety of known use cases. Though we are limited to making any medical claims, here is a chart that will give you an idea of what types of cannabinoids are best suited for different ailments or needs.

Capsules / Tinctures / Sublingual / Extracts

These items are very popular amongst users who do not desire to taste the cbd and are looking for quality effects quickly. Capsules, sublinguals, and extracts are intended to be absorbed by the body quickly. Allowing for intended effects to be felt in approximately 10-20 minutes. These effects often last longer than those one may feel from smoking or vaping. These products are often enhanced with liposomes such as MCT oil to allow for the best absorption into the body. Many cases, sublinguals, extracts, and capsules are enhanced with additional cannabinoids, terpenes, or other supplements such as circumin or vitamins. These options are often the best choice for high content cbd use intended to have positive effects on an ailment since they are highly concentrated and fast acting. If you are looking to get 50mg or more of cbd in a dose, these methods are likely your best option.

Vaping / Smokable
Many people consume CBD distillate (as well as THC distillate) through vaping. Also known as dabbing, vaping provides the best and fastest way to deliver these compounds to the bloodstream. The effects/results of vaping CBD distillates are almost instantaneous. The distillate produces a nearly tasteless and odorless vapor. You might, however, have a blend of flavor added to give it a twist, which amplifies the vaping experience. One can also add THC distillate to the vaping pen’s cartridge to increase its effect. Smoking raw hemp flower has also become a popular usage for immediate results. Rubbing THC distillate on your joints can even come in handy in bringing about its psychoactive effects.
Vaping CBD distillate has a therapeutic effect and more effective if using it to treat a condition.
Edibles
If you aren’t a fan of smoking or vaping CBD distillates, you can then make use of edibles. This entails using the distillate alongside other ingredients when preparing your meals. The distillate has already undergone the carbonization process, hence activated on the go. That said, you can use it in your dishes without altering its composition. In addition to this, CBD distillate is odorless and tasteless – you won’t even notice its presence in your food. Preparing edibles with cannabis distillates is relatively easy. If worried about altering its chemical composition, you should consider adding low doses of the distillate when the food is almost ready. Experts recommend adding 5mg or less to the meal until you can find the perfect dosage to your liking. Adding low doses of the same in all your meals should make it more effective and mainly if using it to treat a condition.
Beauty Products and Topical Applications

CBD distillate can be infused in beauty products, skin care products, and other topical products as well. Adding a few drops of the distillate to skin care products, for example, enriches it with cannabinoids that come in handy in treating various skin conditions, and manage pain as well. Just massaging the affected area with CBD distillate helps provide relief to inflammations and sore muscles.
You too can make topicals at home. You will only need a carrier oil, say jojoba or coconut oil, and any other oils you feel like adding. Add the recommended amount of CBD distillate in the same, shake well, then start using.

One of the most common questions being asked these days by aspiring cannabis processors is “Which method of extraction should I use? CO2 or ethanol?”
The answer to this question is another question. What products are you going to produce and in what volume?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both methods and efficiencies created when utilized together, which when taken into consideration will help you decide what’s best for you given your unique business model short and long term.
Before addressing the pros and cons of the two methods, it is helpful to take a brief look at the histories of these techniques and how we ended up where we are today.

A Brief History of CO2 and Ethanol
Ethanol extraction of cannabis has been around for a very long time. Although it would be hard to say exactly when and where this started in human history, there are detailed records of ethanol-based cannabis tinctures being sold in apothecaries throughout the United States up until 1937 when cannabis was outlawed. Ethanol extracted cannabis oil enjoyed a brief renaissance in the mid 1970’s when D.J. Gold, author of “Cannabis Alchemy”, launched the Iso 2 extractor in High Times magazine. The DEA forced this product off the market in short order. In the early 1990’s Eden advertised small tabletop systems in High Times and then in 1995 Eden launched the first commercial sized “Coldfinger” ethanol extractors for the new medical markets. This was the beginning of the cannabis industry that we have today.

Ethanol extraction has come a long way since 1995 with large scale commercial and industrial systems extracting thousands of pounds per day to serve the expanding medical and recreational markets. There are quite a few companies marketing ethanol extraction machines with a wide range of variance in the way they perform an extraction but the biggest variable is whether to perform the extraction with warm or cold ethanol and if the system can produce a pure terpene fraction. Warm or cold will be addressed in a later blog. Eden has designed a series of tests that should settle once and for all which temperature parameters are the most efficient.

CO2 extraction has a much briefer history. This method was invented by the Nazis and was originally intended for extracting oil from shale for the war. When the war ended, these large scale CO2 extractors were repurposed to extract hops for the beer industry.
Supercritical CO2 extraction is still the primary method for extracting hops. Large commercial breweries use a highly refined alpha acid hops oil for the top selling pilsners that dominate the market. More recently, microbreweries have started using smaller and more specialized CO2 extractors for creating unique flavor profiles of boutique hop strains that have opened whole new areas in the taste and terpene profiles of beers. The next time you enjoy a micro-brew, you may notice it smells a bit like cannabis. This is because hops are the closest relative to cannabis and the CO2 extraction nicely preserves the native terpenes.
The current state of the hops industry is a good indicator of where cannabis is headed. Large scale hops production is done with CO2 because it makes a high-quality product and the daily operating costs and facility build-outs for solvent storage of CO2 are far less than other methods. No one in the hops industry extracts with butane or ethanol.

Thinking About Scale in Cannabis Extraction
Why then are these other methods so popular and highly regarded? It really comes down to cost. All the methods can make a quality product with the right operators and SOP’s. The cost of entry for butane and ethanol is much less than CO2, and ethanol is the lowest price method in terms of entry costs.
As large-scale production ramps up, the cost of equipment becomes a bigger factor in a business plan. A startup that needs to extract hundreds or thousands of pounds per day can get started in ethanol for a cost in the hundreds of thousands.
So why might you want to invest so much more in CO2? The lowest potential daily operating costs, which were previously mentioned, is the primary rational. The other methods require the constant purchase, storage, use and disposal of large amounts of flammable liquids. This can be a heavy burden from a workflow, regulatory, and monthly expense perspective. CO2 is highly tunable. With CO2 you can vary factors such as time, temperature, and pressure to create different products. Ethanol products need to go into more stages of refinement to be turned into various products such as distillate.

Processors who choose CO2 as their primary extraction method are often considering long-term viability and survivability.
The final reason for selecting a CO2 extractor for your processing is marketing cachet. Supercritical CO2 has gained a reputation for being the cleanest, safest, and most cutting-edge method of extracting natural products. As full-spectrum cannabis oils gained in popularity, so has CO2 extraction for cannabis and hemp. Health food stores often have special displays of their CO2 extracts which garner a higher price than other herbal remedies. Processors who choose CO2 as their primary extraction method are often considering long-term viability and survivability. They may emphasize the chemistry of their extractions, such as high-levels of THC, CBD and terpenes. As competition increases and the industry consolidates, daily operating costs may become a "make or break" factor. In addition, as large corporations begin to dominate sectors of the industry, many of them may choose to contract processing to the best existing facilities rather than build their own plants

So now you’re aware of what CBD isolate, CBD distillate, and full-spectrum CBD products are and what those terms mean. But which should you choose? Which one is right for you?
CBD distillates are not as produced as other types of CBD because of their high amounts of THC. So we’re going to focus more on the isolates and full-spectrum CBD. There’s a theory in the world of CBD referred to as the “entourage effect” in reference to full-spectrum CBD. The idea behind the entourage effect is that the entire plant works in conjunction and provides more healing.

Some users, however, dislike the taste of plant matter full spectrum CBD often has. Many manufacturers are trying to overcome this by flavoring their full-spectrum CBD oils to lessen the earthy taste some users dislike. Essentially the CBD world’s version of a cocktail.
Most people, however, don’t mind the natural taste of the hemp plant, and some people even enjoy eating hemp seeds, hemp foods, and hemp protein, and the taste is not a deterrent to using full spectrum CBD products. If you want to get the full range of benefits the hemp plant can offer, you may want to consider full spectrum CBD.
While isolates don’t contain the extra compounds found in the hemp plant, it still has many benefits from being the purest form of CBD one can acquire. CBD by itself is known to have many wonderful effects on people suffering from all sorts of ailments.
CBD isolates are a great product for those who are seeking a great taste and a palatable way to consume CBD such as CBD gummies.
Many users do not want to have any THC in the CBD they consume. Full spectrum CBD contains less than 0.3% THC, produces no mind-altering effects and doesn’t get one high, and is legal, tiny amounts of THC could still be present.

CBD isolates have next to no THC and provide an even smaller chance of having THC in your product. If you’re seeking a potent CBD product that tastes great and you don’t want the extra elements found in full spectrum CBD, a CBD isolate may be the product your seeking.
Each individual will react differently to CBD. The best method for finding what works best for you is to try various products you are interested in and seeing how they affect you.

What is the appropriate dosage for me?

Everyone is different. Dosage should be determined by starting with a small dose and working your way up based on effects vs desired effects. Dosage can vary based on your physical attributes and the “ailments” or issues you are trying to address. Someone with no true “ailments” that are using cbd as a supplement, should only need to take 10mg - 50mg a day. Someone that is trying to address an “ailment” could take from 50mg - 500 or 1000mg in a day depending on what product they are using. The following chart can help you address your serving size.
The typical Standard dosage is currently suggested around 20mg per day.

*This is a general guide to dosing. Everybody is different. Your body is different, your condition is different and everyone needs to do some trial and error to figure out what works for them. Try vaping vs sublingual. Some people have better results with one over the other. Some people need small doses several times a day, whereas others need 1 or 2 larger doses. Both ways could equal the same amount per day but have different results depending on your body and the conditions you have.

 Will CBD get me high?

Our CBD, even while having small trace amounts of THC, will not get you high and is designed to not provide any psychoactive characteristics or effects.

What are Cannabinoids?
There are 113 known cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids are the chemicals that give the cannabis plant (both hemp and marijuana plants) its medicinal properties. Cannabinoids like THC and CBD interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body to produce a wide range of effects.

Can I take “too much” cbd, or overdose?
While you can take more cbd than your body can actually absorb, there is currently no recorded case of anyone overdosing from any full spectrum or isolate CBD products.

Is CBD Safe for children and or pregnant or nursing women?
All products should always be cleared by your physician or doctor before using. Especially in children or if you are pregnant or nursing.

Will I fail a drug test after taking CBD?
Short answer: Maybe. Everyone’s body processes CBD differently. While the standard dosage shouldn’t flag a positive on a drug screening, there is no way to be certain that the trace amounts of THC end up in a false positive. If you use a full spectrum product it is likely that you would show positive for THC. If you are subject to regular screenings, try our broad-spectrum products, which are certified THC FREE.

Escrow is an arrangement where you use a “third party” (somebody who is neither the buyer or seller) to hold something of value. That third party helps to make the transaction safer by ensuring that both the buyer and seller meet their obligations.
Ideally, the escrow provider is a disinterested (or neutral) third party who doesn’t care whether the buyer or seller comes out ahead. The job of an escrow service is simply to ensure that everybody sticks to their end of the bargain.

When you agree to buy or sell something, you agree to do certain things: The buyer will pay the agreed-upon amount by a specific time, and the seller will provide the asset being sold. Of course, most transactions are more complicated than that. For example:
The buyer might want the right to inspect the property or goods she is buying before paying.
The seller might want some assurance that she’ll actually get paid (or have the opportunity to move on if the deal is not happening quickly enough).
The item being sold might be a service instead of a product.
Who is the “referee” when you sign a complicated agreement? An escrow company can provide that service, ensuring that everybody does what they agreed to do, and acting as a middleman to safeguard assets in the process.
That’s why it’s important to use a trusted third party—a big-name escrow provider or a service provider recommended by your real estate agent.
Escrow transactions can be done through either parties escrow attorney based on buyer/seller agreement or through an online escrow service such as safe funds 

The cannabis curing process is actually quite lengthy and complicated, with a number of important steps. Air drying is one of the initial steps, but bud material cannot be left “out in the wild”, or it will lose too much moisture. To combat that problem, and to ensure that optimum moisture levels can be achieved while also reaching the right flavor production, cannabis can be matured in sealed glass jars (mason jars, for instance). When pressure and moisture build-up within those jars, burping is required. In cannabis culture, this would be a need to, “burp your nugs”.

Burping is a common process found in any fermenting or maturation process where the product is stored in a sealed container. For instance, fermenting foods in mason jars also require burping to expel excess gasses and pressure within the jar.

There are many variables that determine how often you must “burp your nugs,” and for how long. One of those is the desired humidity level in the finished cannabis. Another is the starting humidity level of the plant material. Of course, you also need to account for other factors, such as the temperature of the area where the drying is taking place, the altitude, and even the humidity level outside of the sealed jars.

Most growers burp their jars once per day, for about 10 seconds per burp. However, that schedule can and should be adjusted to meet individual unique maturation conditions.

ABSOLUTELY! We ship products to consumers and retail / wholesale facilities in all 50 states. If it's legal in your state, we can ship it. We even do some international shipping if legalities allowed.

We do not accept returns or give refunds. If there is a manufacturing error, we will happily compensate you. WE DO NOT ACCEPT RETURNS IF YOU SIMPLY DO NOT LIKE IT OR DOES NOT WORK FOR YOU. Read our full Return Policy.

CBD hemp farming futures are contracts between an established company looking to secure a purchase crop of CBD hemp biomass. It is essentially a contract between buyer and seller before the hemp has been grown or finished growing. This is beneficial for both parties as the buyer can secure the crop beforehand and it limits the risk to the hemp farmer. For this, reason hemp futures are a great way for an aspiring farmer to enter the market. It can also give the established farmer confidence and let them focus on growing hemp. The contract can be structured in many different ways under different clauses and terms suitable to both parties.

With hemp futures, buyers can secure their supply for the next year and get a much cheaper price. Farmers can secure their orders and cash flow so they can focus on the future season. For these reasons, these farming contracts are a win-win for the buyer and seller.
Farmers can sell future crop with hemp futures

If you are a hemp farmer looking for a hemp future contract, it is best to work with an established company who can confidently buy and sell in high volumes on the best terms. There are several types of companies that would be interested in futures contracts such as, CBD extraction/processing companies. The best bet for the best terms is to contact a company that buys and sells a lot of biomass. Here at IHF LLC, we offer the best hemp futures farming contracts. If you are a farmer looking for a contract please reach out to us and we will negotiate the best terms. IHF LLC works with many large companies who buy and sell biomass, we can quickly offer the best hemp future contracts for CBD biomass. Please contact us.

Securing mutually beneficial terms
The other main reason for using hemp futures contracts is to lock in supply under specific terms. These terms can be negotiated by the buyer and seller. For example, the buyer may want a specific strain or type of hemp biomass produced. They may want a specific strain or only want the hemp flower. The farmer may also want their own terms involved that will limit their risk.
Hemp futures are mutually beneficial for both the buyer and farmer

Length & Flexibility of Contracts
Hemp futures can be set for any length or quota. Some contracts may be in length of time (seasons, years etc.) others can be a one-time or annual quota contract. A contract can range from a season too many years.
The high flexibility of hemp futures contracts makes them ideal for both the buyer and farmer. One party may want specific terms that will benefit them. In this way, the two parties can negotiate the most favourable terms that will suit them best. For instance, a farmer may want to structure the deal where a specific amount of acres/fields of his crop is dedicated to the contract, however, if he has a bad season, he may not add a specific quota requirement. On the other hand, another farmer may be confident in his season and go into the contract by quota, not by the acre. How the hemp future farming contract is structured is really up to the minds of the farmer and buyer. IHF LLC can hemp explain hemp farming futures and suggest the best and most favorable terms for a specific farmer. Please contact us now to learn more.

Types of hemp biomass futures
CBD Hemp Biomass Futures
This is by far the most common type of hemp farming contract. CBD hemp biomass has a high demand so futures are fairly easy to get secured for farmers. The issue is finding the most favorable terms. IHF can help with the best hemp futures contract terms.

CBD Hemp Flower Futures
This is another common type of hemp farming contract. The CBD flower is usually grown earlier in the season. CBD hemp flower can produce medical grade CBD and has a high demand also. A farmer should work with an expert to ensure they get the best hemp farming future terms for CBD hemp flower.