The evolving landscape of sustainable industry is creating exciting opportunities with crops like industrial hemp at the forefront. As a robust and versatile plant, industrial hemp has the potential to revolutionize numerous sectors, from textiles and construction to nutrition and personal care. But success in this space starts with understanding how to cultivate and harvest hemp effectively, underpinning the creation of high-quality, sustainable products.

Industrial hemp flourishes under a wide range of conditions, demonstrating a versatility that makes it a compelling choice for many growers. Optimal growth is achieved with a careful balance of warmth and moisture, while soils rich in organic matter support the plant's nutrient uptake. Planting methods can vary, with direct seeding often preferred for its cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, the natural compatibility of hemp with crop rotation systems can bolster soil health and assist in pest management, contributing to the crop's eco-friendly credentials.

When it comes to harvesting, timing is contingent on the end use of the hemp. For example, if the goal is CBD production, the crop is typically ready when a majority of trichomes on the plant's flowers have clouded and some have begun to amber. Post-harvest procedures, such as thorough drying and proper storage, are critical for maintaining the quality of the harvested plant. While challenges in hemp cultivation may arise, ranging from pest management to navigating regulatory complexities, they can be overcome with informed strategies and dedication. In this way, the cultivation of industrial hemp becomes a powerful tool in promoting sustainability, driving us towards a greener future across various industries.

Here is a breakdown of the different extraction methods that may be used to process raw hemp flower.

There are many ways that the active ingredients in the hemp plant can be stripped or extracted from the plant it self, leaving plant material behind. The desired end product will determine which type of process is right for the job. In this article, we will cover the big differences between each of the processes listed below. 

Processing Types: 

-Ethanol Extraction

-Ice/Water Extraction

-Light Hydrocarbon Extraction

-Mechanical Separation

-CO2 Extraction

Ethanol Extraction:

Ethanol extraction is likely the most efficient and cost effective solution for extracting CBD from the hemp plant. It's a rough and broad extraction process that almost always results in a crude oil product which needs to be further refined into a smokeable product. In this process, hemp is washed in a big industrial washing machine type system. The basket of the machine is filled with hemp and then freezing cold Ethanol (-40C) is poured into the machine. The Ethanol needs to be this cold so that the solvent only extracts the desirable CBD molecules and not the undesirable fats, waxes, lipids and chlorophyl. The operator will then start the machine which will spin at 1500 RPM for about 10 minutes. After this step, the oil and Ethanol mix is put through another machine which recovers back the majority of the alcohol used so that it may be reused again. The crude oil thats left over can then be further refined into whats known as Distillate (CBD Oil testing above 90% purity) or put into edibles. 

Ice/Water Extraction:

Ice Water Extract and Live Rosin are one of the most valuable and sought after products in todays smokeable CBD market. In this process, fresh hemp plant is mixed with ice and water, then filtered through a set of different micron screens. These screens are responsible for capturing the trichome heads that have been frozen. Once these trichomes are collected and majority of the water drained from them, the CBD hash is placed onto parchment paper in a stainless steel tray. This tray then heads into a freeze dryer and the remainder of the moisture is dried out of the product. This end product is then sieved and smoked as water hash or it can be further refined into Rosin using Mechanical Separation which we will be covering later in this post. 

Light Hydrocarbon Extraction:

Light Hydrocarbon Extraction is typically the most efficient form of extractions when it comes to smokeable products. Lab grade Butane, Isobutane, Propane or a combination of any of the three is used in a closed-loop extraction system. The first step in the process is to break down the material (either dry hemp flowers or fresh frozen hemp flowers) and pack it into the material column of the closed loop system. Once the operator is ready to begin the run, they will let the -40C solvent flow over the material and soak it for a period of time (usually 5 minutes). After the soak is complete, the operator will then open the necessary valves to allow the oil/solvent mixture flow to the collection column. While it's flowing from the material column to the collection column, the oil/solvent mixture passes through a series of media and paper filters which helps remove any potential impurities. Now that the oil/solvent mixture is in the collection column, heat is added to the column. This makes the solvent in the collection column begin to boil and evaporate from a liquid to a gas. The warm gas is then collected back into the cold solvent storage tank and is turned back into a liquid to be reused again. When majority of the solvent is out of the collection column and back into the solvent storage tank, the oil is ready to be poured out of the machine. Depending on the desired end consistency, the operator will either pour the oil onto a parchment sheet, pyrex dish or diamond miner. 

Mechanical Separation: 

Mechanical Separation is one of the newer forms of extraction/separation in the industry. This process is done by using high pressure and heat to break the outer layer of the trichome and release the CBD thats inside of it. The process of Mechanical Separation is used mainly to refine ice water hash or dry flower into a type of concentrate called Rosin. The operator will take dry hash or dry flower and place it into a bag thats made out of nylon screen. When pressure and heat are applied to this bag of hash or flower, the CBD resin flows out and is collected either in a jar or on a parchment paper. Currently Rosin is one of the higher end and most sought after products on the market. 

CO2 Extraction:

CO2 Extraction is another form of processing that is typically only used to make crude CBD oil. Sometimes CO2 extraction can also be tailored to separating terpenes and other compounds other than CBD out of the product.