What Is CBD Distillate? And Other FAQ From Your Customers
Lots of people in the CBD industry are currently talking about CBD distillate. But what exactly is it? How does it differ from other CBD concentrates? What can it be used for? We’re here to fill you in.
What Is CBD Distillate?
CBD distillation process has come a very long way in just a few short years of development. As the refining process continues to progress, distillates have become more pure, much more potent, and much better quality.
A CBD distillate is a highly refined extract from the cannabis plant. It comes in the form of a viscous, golden, honey-like liquid, although it can turn solid at room temperature or cooler.
A distillate generally contains 80% CBD. The other 20% is made up of minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and other plant oils and extracts.
Will CBD Distillate Get You High?
The component from the hemp flower that has psychoactive properties, resulting in the “high” feeling, is called THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). Distillates can be made up of THC or CBD, so it’s important to differentiate carefully between the two.
Because of new distillation processes, a CBD distillate can contain as little as 0% THC!
CBD distillates are highly desirable in this pure form, and are generally more costly than normal CBD concentrates.
How Is CBD Distillate Made?
There are two basic processes for producing CBD concentrates.
The first method is to use a high pressure rinsing method to isolate the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant matter.
This method is often preferred, because it does not make use of foreign chemicals as a part of the extraction process.
The second method is a solvent-based method which requires the hemp to go through a “winterization” process. The hemp plant soaks in a chemical compound to remove impurities, which is followed by a filtration process to remove the chemical solvents.
CBD distillation is a post-processing extraction technique done after this initial extraction process.
This initially processed oil, although it has a THC or CBD concentration of 60-80%, often contains a blend of other flavors and smells known as terpenes. It can also contain some contamination from other plant-based components such as vitamins, antioxidants, and other consumable substances.
In order to purify the oil from the last 20-40% of contaminants, it must go through the distillation process with a specialized commercial distillation unit. There are a variety of units and machines available for this process, but they perform the same function. The distillation unit will isolate specific compounds (either THC or CBD, depending on which hemp distillate is being manufactured) to produce a refined oil with a purity percentage of at least 90%.
The remaining percentage of terpenes or other non-THC/CBD compounds are so minimal that they do not affect the flavor or smell of the finished product.
How Is CBD Distillate Used?
CBD distillates are ideal for vaping, as the distillation process removes most traces of the earthy smell and flavor commonly associated with hemp oils.
CBD distillates are also perfect for using in creams, lotions, tinctures, and topical products. Distillates will render greater results because of the concentration and purity of the distillate product.
Topicals are often used to treat soreness, aching, inflammation in the body, as well to combat stress and anxiety.
CBD distillates can be used in exactly the same way as you would use an undistilled CBD oil or topical, but can yield much more promising results after it has gone through the purifying distillation process.
What Is A CBD Isolate?
CBD isolate is CBD in its purest form. It is CBD flower that has gone through such a strenuous and specific refining process, it has been reduced down to completely isolated cannabidiol.
These isolates are a minimum of 99.8% pure CBD, and they contain no additives, terpenes, chlorophyll, foreign plant oils or extracts, or contaminants.
A CBD isolate is extremely valuable and versatile. One of the reasons this CBD product is so desirable is because the refining process removes the commonly “earthy” flavor of other CBD oils and edibles, but the isolate retains all of its potency.
CBD Distillate Vs. CBD Isolate
Although CBD distillates are not cannabidiol in its purest form, some of the cannabinoids, terpenes, plant
extracts and oils found in distillates can be very beneficial to your health, and may contain vitamins and nutrients.
The main benefit of choosing a CBD isolate over a CBD distillate is the trace amounts of THC left in a distillate. In many states, the use of cannabis is prohibited, and even with a level as low as 0.35 THC, CBD distillates may still show up on a routine drug screening.
Because a CBD isolate is the isolated cannabidiol which contains not even trace amounts of THC, it will not show up on any screening results, and stays compliant with all legal qualifications.
In an area where THC Is legalized, choosing between a CBD distillate or a CBD isolate may come down to preference or budget.
For those who dislike the earthly flavor of traditional CBD oils and distillates, an isolate may be the best option. However, if buyers are not opposed to CBD flavor, and are on a more restricted budget, a CBD distillate will serve the desired purpose, and be friendlier on the wallet.
Final Thoughts
As the distillation and extraction processes continue to advance, CBD distillates will become more widely available. As the CBD industry continues to grow, we will continue to hear more and more about CBD distillate.
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