You may already know about or have experienced yourself- but most of us don’t have any idea how CBD is actually made, or what the process is to create the wellness staple that has become so critically important in many people’s lives today. We’re here to help!
In this article, we’re diving into where Rosebud CBD oil comes from and how CBD oil is made.
What is CBD Oil?
First of all, the basics: CBD oil (or cannabidiol) is just one of hundreds of naturally occurring cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant derived from hemp, that contains little- if any- THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and therefore won’t “get you high.”
With the passing of the farm bill in 2018, CBD products are now legal in all 50 states, as well as a growing number of countries!
There are several methods (and many many many tedious steps) that manufacturers use in order to produce high-quality CBD oil.
“When it comes to our CBD oil, we believe that quality matters from seed to shelf. We’ve partnered with an amazing small U.S. farm who puts thought and mindful care into every stage of the plant.”
Alexis Rosenbaum, owner and founder
Extracting CBD from Hemp
The first step in making CBD oil is to cultivate and harvest plants that contain particularly high concentrations of CBD. The next step is to extract the CBD from the hemp plant.
There are many different methods used for CBD extraction, and they differ depending on the type of solvent used, the laboratory conditions, and equipment available.
Here are some of the most popular CBD extraction methods:
- Food-safe CBD Extraction: This extraction process uses natural plant oils as a solvent. Hemp seed oil, olive oil, and coconut oil are all very effective at extracting cannabinoids from hemp and cannabis plants, because these compounds are absorbed well by fat. However, food-safe extractions aren’t as vigorous, and it takes much longer to complete the process- so the end result isn’t as concentrated.
- Butane (or Propane) CBD Extraction: In this method of extraction, solvents like butane or propane are used. The cannabis and liquid butane are placed in a controlled system that removes the butane solvent by turning it into vapor. However, there are some serious safety hazards where this method is concerned. For one, butane is highly flammable; if appropriate precautions aren’t taken there can be explosions and fires. Also, if any butane is left in the CBD, it can be incredibly dangerous for human consumption.
- Liquid Solvent CBD Extraction: This type of extraction involves soaking the hemp plant in a liquid solvent (such as alcohol) to extract the cannabinoids from the hemp, before it’s removed to filter the liquid out. The disadvantage of this extraction method is that solvent residue can potentially linger behind after the evaporation process, if not performed properly- not something you want entering your body with each dose!
- CO2 CBD Extraction: At Rosebud CBD, our CBD is extracted by using CO2 extraction. Keep reading to learn why we chose this method of extraction!
CO2 Extraction Method
The carbon dioxide process (CO2) is the most expensive, but safest (and purest) way to extract CBD, and is used to separate the CBD from other waxes, fats, and additional compounds that aren’t supposed to be in the CBD oil.
This process uses fluid CO2 (instead of chemicals) as a solvent. The ground-up hemp plant is placed in a high-pressure chamber, where the CO2 absorbs the CBD oils and terpenes from the plant.
Terpenes (the naturally-occurring compounds found in all plants) are what gives the cannabis plant its distinctive odor, color, and flavor. Including all of the cannabinoids and terpenes in the CBD is what constitutes a full-spectrum CBD oil.
After the CBD and terpenes are extracted with the CO2, the mixture is released into another high-pressurized chamber where the CO2 returns to a gaseous state, and separates from the CBD oil.
After the CBD is extracted and refined, it’s become a thick, sticky, bitter substance- not a very attractive way of consuming CBD!
This is one of the reasons manufacturers combine the CBD with a carrier oil (we use coconut oil) water, foods, or creams.
The Importance of Third-Party Testing
A recent study found that less than 26% of all CBD products on the market contain less CBD than their labels claimed. When it comes to shopping for the best CBD oil, there are a few things you should look for, which will be provided in a third-party lab test.
Third-party lab tests are completely unbiased reports of what’s *really* in the CBD product. Every bottle of CBD oil should be tested before distribution, without exception.
In this process, the THC levels are tested to make sure the CBD oil contains less than 0.3%-the legal limit. This super-small amount of THC will not cause a high, or any kind of psychoactive side effects.
The lab also runs our CBD oil through a hi-tech chromatography machine, to find out exactly much of the CBD is present, and tests for other full-spectrum compounds- like terpenes.
“Rosebud is a real brand for real people. We are fueled by a genuine connection with our customers and a passion for the plant. Every product we formulate is something that we’ve personally tested and wholeheartedly stand by.”
Alexis Rosenbaum, owner and founder
At Rosebud CBD, we’re on a mission to help our customers take back their health and return to their natural self- through the power of hemp.
FDA DISCLOSURE Representations regarding the efficacy and safety of Rosebud CBD have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA only evaluates foods and drugs, not supplements like these products. These products are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease. Click HERE and HERE to find evidence of a test, analysis, research, or study describing the benefits, performance or efficacy of CBD Oil based on the expertise of relevant professionals. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always check with your physician before starting a new dietary supplement program. The Cannabidiol (CBD) in Rosebud CBD is a natural constituent of industrial hemp plant and grown in the United States of America. Rosebud CBD does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act (US CSA). All products contain less than 0.3% THC. All products are legal in all 50 states.