CO2

Carbon dioxide. In cannabis concentrates, CO2 refers to a non-flammable solvent used to extract desirable compounds from the cannabis plant. The CO2 extraction process can include the use of subcritical and supercritical fluids, at varying pressures and temperatures.

What is CO2 oil?

CO2 oil, sometimes also called CO2 hash oil or CO2 cannabis oil, is the general name for any cannabis concentrate made using CO2 as a solvent. Under the name CO2 oil, there are in fact several specific types of cannabis concentrates. But as long as the process by which the concentrate was made uses CO2 as a solvent, the final product can be considered CO2 oil. This also includes hemp CO2 extraction, which uses hemp plants to produce CBD oils and other hemp-derived concentrates.

What is supercritical CO2 extraction?

L’supercritical CO2 extraction is a process whereby CO2 gas is compressed beyond its «critical point» to become a «supercritical fluid». This fluid is then applied to the cannabis plant material, removing much of its cannabinoids and terpenes. The entire solution is then brought to temperatures and pressures at which the CO2 reverts to a gas and evaporates, leaving behind the chemicals extracted from the cannabis plant.

Supercritical CO2 extraction is known to yield a high-quality product, mainly because the CO2 gas can reach its supercritical point at pressures and temperatures that do not damage the cannabinoids and terpenes harvested. What's more, CO2 evaporates cleanly and does not contaminate the final product.

How to use CO2 oil

CO2 concentrates are mainly consumed by vaporization. Concentrates are often used in a vape pen with a pre-filled cartridge. Concentrates such as CO2 wax or another form of THC CO2 extract are often consumed by dabbing. To consume CO2 dabs, you have to heat a «dab nail» (a nail) until it's hot enough to spray the concentrate. Once the nail has reached the desired temperature, a small »dab» of concentrate is placed on the nail, where it immediately vaporizes. The steam is then inhaled, usually through a water pipe.

How to make CO2 oil

To make CO2 oil, concentrate manufacturers manipulate temperature and pressure to transform CO2 into a liquid. Cannabis plant material is then soaked in this liquid, which chemically extracts the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material. Once this process is complete, the plant material is removed from the solution. From here, the concentrate manufacturer again manipulates pressure and temperature to transform the CO2 into gas. When the gas evaporates, it leaves behind a concentrated substance composed almost entirely of cannabinoids and terpenes.

How to make shatter with CO2

The shatter is a special type of cannabis concentrate that owes its name to its fine, brittle, glass-like structure. In fact, it's called «shatter» because, unlike other much stickier concentrates, this one is dry and brittle enough to shatter.

Shatter can be made using CO2 extraction methods. As with any other CO2 concentrate, cannabis plant material is soaked in a fluid form of CO2, which removes cannabinoids and terpenes. Once the plant material has been removed and the CO2 evaporated, the remaining substance is a concentrated form of cannabinoids and terpenes. To transform this substance into chips, it is placed in a vacuum oven, spread on a non-stick surface and left to cool until it forms a solid sheet of chips.