What works best for RSO?
When making RSO, there are a few choices for what solvent to use to strip the plant of cannabinoids and produce a potent oil. Rick Simpson’s website outlines why certain alcohols may work better than others. In short, he recommends using either pure light aliphatic naphtha or 99% isopropyl alcohol above any others. It may be possible to use other solvents like acetone, hexane, and butane, but Simpson says that the best results have been produced using naphtha or IPA.
Regardless of which alcohol is being used, it is important that it is colorless. Also, if you were to dip your finger in it, it should completely evaporate within 40 seconds and leave zero residues.
How is RSO extracted?
Rick Simpson Oil is extracted through a relatively simple process. It begins with drying some cannabis indica (the recommended strain to produce the most potent and effective oil), which is then crushed and soaked in the desired solvent. After a second wash and soak, the oil can be filtered and boiled to remove any remaining plant material and alcohol. The end result will be a thick, grease-like cannabinoid oil with a high THC concentration. The finished oil should be collected in plastic syringes for easy dosing and storage.
Why Alcohol?
The chemical nature of alcohol is extremely effective when it comes to pulling cannabinoids from plant material. The active compounds, like THC and CBD, can easily be stripped from the dried plants when the trichomes (the small, sticky, hair-like growths that cover the flowers and leaves) are dissolved in alcohol.
Is Alcohol Extraction Safe?
Using alcohol for cannabinoid extraction has been regarded by the FDA as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS). This essentially means that alcohol extractions do not pose any health threats to consumers, as long as it is done safely and properly. Types of alcohol commonly used for extraction purposes are easy to obtain, and they are used as food additives in many processed foods.
A common concern with alcohol extraction is whether the remaining alcohol post-processing is safe for the consumer. The answer is yes! When making RSO, the final boiling steps ensure that all alcohol remnants are evaporated and the produced oil is pure. Since the main hazards with alcohol extraction, proper process, and ventilation, are easy to avoid, there is no real downside.
Interested in Alcohol Extraction?
Extraction Grade Solvents can provide the appropriate solvent and amount of solvent for Rick Simpson Oil production. Visit our contact page here for more information!