Differences in Edible Inputs and Production Methods
Written By Maha Haq, M.S.
Besides the ingredients listed on the packaging, we don’t often consider what kind of cannabis is in an edible product and how it was made into its final form. For more experienced consumers, the answer is usually revealed by smelling or tasting the edible, followed by its effects. Some consumers may not like the taste of cannabis in their edibles, and some may desire that taste since it’s linked to a more natural production process. Furthermore, the effects of an edible varies based on the type of cannabis input or byproduct that is used during production.
With the plethora of cannabis edibles available on shelves today, not all cannabis gummies share the same production process despite being the same end product. This also applies to other edibles like chocolates and beverages.
There are different methods of edible production to understand before selecting the right cannabis gummy for you. The two main input categories of discussion are distillates and full spectrum oils. Although both are considered cannabis extracts, there are major differences in their manufacturing processes as well as effects.
Distillates & Isolates
Distillate is a refined byproduct composed only of cannabinoids, typically either one or a ratio of two or more cannabinoids like THC and CBD. It is the highest in potency, potentially containing nearly 99% of cannabinoids only, and has the consistency of runny oil in shades ranging from translucent to amber. Distillate is manufactured by going through short path distillation, a method in which the refined product is heated in a flask under a vacuum to vaporize the desired cannabinoid. The vapor is then collected in a cooling component to ensure the cannabinoid won’t degrade under the high heat.
Distillate can be further refined by going through the crystallization process; this results in an isolated cannabinoid in a powdery and crystalline form known as isolate, a common edible input. Isolates are specifically potent in the one cannabinoid it aims to have (for example, THC), but lacks other naturally occurring compounds of the plant like trace cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. These are all stripped out during the distillation process and more so during isolation.
Distillate and isolate inputs often come out of solvent-based extraction processes, which involves hydrocarbon solvents like butane and/or propane to extract oil from cannabis. This result is crude oil that cannot be cooked with, so solvent-based extraction requires further refining, as mentioned, to get to the end product. Another solvent-based and solvent-free method is CO2 extraction, which can be similar to full-spectrum oil (or FSO, explained below). The extraction method entails complex equipment capable of controlled temperature and pressure manipulation of CO2, which stabilizes the active compounds. This is when “supercriticality” occurs: supercritical CO2 behaves like a liquid and a gas simultaneously which will also result in crude oil. Winterization, distillation, and isolation are refining processes of solvent-based extracts which can then be used in edibles. CO2 extracts can be considered as solvent-free, not solventless concentrate, since the CO2 can be purged out in the refining process.
Why they are popular in edibles
Distillate- and isolate-based edibles will not have the herby smell or taste of cannabis, making it a controllable input to work with when producing edibles. On a culinary level, it is very important to maintain the taste profile of the non-cannabis edible ingredients. Distillates and isolates are easier to homogenize in the production process, therefore providing consistency and dose precision which is helpful for manufacturers to maintain product efficacy and portions. These edible inputs possess the highest concentration and purity of one cannabinoid which allows for the product to be formulated in perfect ratios. However, distillates and isolates cannot be a strain-specific product as it only contains a single cannabinoid or a particular combination of cannabinoids that are not unique to strains. What makes strains unique are their terpene profiles and these are removed during the distillate/isolate process. To mimic strain profiles, some manufacturers reintroduce combinations of terpenes and flavonoids during manufacturing of the edible products.
Consuming a distillate or isolate edible will yield the effects of the cannabinoids stated on the packaging label. Because there are no other trace cannabinoids and terpenes present, the effects will be reflective of the cannabinoid(s) only.
Full Spectrum Oil (FSO) & Cold Water Hash
Full spectrum cannabis oil, also known as FSO or FSCO, contains all of the plant’s cannabinoids and terpenes. While the majority of cannabis edibles are made with distillate, those that are made with FSO inputs promote the “entourage effect” (i.e., when cannabinoids and terpenes work synergistically with each other), since they retain the complete cannabinoid profile. This result is achieved only through full-spectrum products.
Cold water hash, also known as ice water hash or bubble hash, is the FSO edible input of choice for production. Cold water hash is a solventless concentrate using natural and mechanical methods to extract the desired compounds from the cannabis. The process involves putting fresh cannabis flower into a filter bag and soaking it in ice and cold water. The bag is then agitated or whisked, and the cold temperature helps snap off the trichomes containing the cannabinoids and terpenes, which then sink to the bottom. Cannabinoids and terpenes are lipophilic compounds, meaning they blend with oil and don’t dissolve in water. Prior to infusing, the hash must be decarboxylated by heating while cooking, which activates the chemical compounds.
Actual/true FSO can only be made through dry processes like pressing kief into hash rosin, and water-based processes like cold water hash.
Use in edibles
The cold water hash technique results in a natural edible input that can be used in food. Most FSO and all cold water hash edibles will taste slightly like cannabis because of the plant matter left behind in the process. While potency and consistency of FSO are not as high as those of distillate and isolate, FSO has a full cannabinoid and terpene profile with at least 60% cannabinoid content. As mentioned, FSO edibles bring forth the entourage effect which promotes the effects of all the components in the whole plant. The consumer will feel the effects of all the cannabinoids and terpenes.
Summary
To recap, most edibles sold on the market are made with distillates and not with full spectrum cannabis oil because they are flavorless and easy to dose with precision. FSO edibles achieve the entourage effect which may benefit those seeking therapeutic value in their edible products. Ultimately, understanding what exactly is in your edible is crucial to holding manufacturers accountable to higher standards of practice. By knowing what edible inputs are utilized, you can ensure more informed purchases throughout your shopping experiences. If you’re looking for an edible product that is easier to dose and that will precisely offer the effects of what is mentioned on the packaging label, a traditional edible with a distillate or isolate input is recommended -- this route is best for those that are new to cannabis, try PLUS’ selection of uplift, balance or unwind gummies. If you’re seeking a more holistic and full plant experience, coupled with the synergistic benefits of terpenes and trace cannabinoids, an edible with FSO inputs like PLUS Strains or Limited Edition HASH gummies, can provide that therapeutic benefit.
At PLUS, we want to provide our customers natural options and bring more variety to the edibles market—all while being completely transparent about our processes to promote consumer confidence with our products.
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About Maha:
Maha Haq has her M.S. in pharmacology, concentrating on Medical Cannabis Sciences & Therapeutics from the University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy. Her undergraduate is in Mathematics and Sociology from UCLA, where she started the first registered cannabis student organization, Cannaclub, which has since expanded to 20+ universities nationwide.
Maha is currently the Managing Partner of Highspitality, a firm focused on cannabis consumption lounge operations, biz dev, and compliance. She is also the CEO of CREA, a research group facilitating focus groups and cannabis business assessments through case studies. Maha has worked in the cannabis industry since 2012.