How to extract cannabis resin

Marijuana resin extractions allow you to concentrate the cannabinoids and terpenes present in the buds and other parts of the plant, maximizing their potency. Over the years, various methods, both mechanical and chemical, have been developed to achieve high-quality concentrates such as CBD hash, BHO, or CO2 cannabis oil. In this article, we will explore how to extract marijuana resin using different techniques, from the most traditional to the most modern.

What are marijuana extractions?

Cannabis extractions refer to the process of separating trichomes, or resin, from plant matter to obtain concentrates rich in cannabinoids (such as THC and CBD) and terpenes. This process allows you to make use of not only high-quality buds but also leaves and other parts of the plant, depending on the type of concentrate you wish to obtain.

Extraction techniques can be divided into two main categories:

1. Solventless extractions: Mechanical methods that do not use chemicals, ensuring a final product free of toxic residues.
2. Solvent-based extractions: Methods that use substances such as butane or CO2 to dissolve trichomes and separate them from the plant matter.

Both approaches have advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between one or the other depends on the type of concentrate you want to obtain and the resources available.

How to extract marijuana resin without solvents

Solventless methods are very popular among those who prefer to avoid any type of chemical residue in their concentrates, especially in the case of medicinal users. These mechanical methods can be easily performed at home, although their yield is usually lower than that of solvent-based concentrates.

Types of dry cannabis extractions

Dry extraction is one of the oldest and most widely used methods, especially in places like Morocco. This process consists of separating trichomes from plant material through friction, without the use of solvents.

1. Mesh extraction: This consists of freezing cannabis flowers or leaves for 24 hours and then tapping the material over a fine mesh so that the trichomes fall through the holes. This method is simple and can be done at home, but it requires a bit of patience.
2. Grinders with a sieve: There are special grinders with a mesh at their base to collect “pollen” (trichomes). These devices allow for faster and more uniform extraction. One of the most popular models is the Secret Shaker, a cylinder that facilitates the extraction of hash in small quantities.

Example: If you have a grinder with a sieve, simply grind the flowers and collect the powder that accumulates in the bottom compartment. Then, you can compact it using a pollen press to create blocks of hash.

Ice extractions (Iceolator)

This method, also known as “Iceolator,” uses ice water to facilitate the separation of trichomes. The process is carried out in several stages, filtering the plant material through meshes of different microns to obtain different degrees of purity.

Necessary materials:

• Extraction bags of different microns (for example, 220, 160, 120, 73, and 25 microns).
• A large bucket to mix the material with water and ice.
• An agitator or extraction washing machine.

The main advantage of this process is that trichomes detach more easily when the material is cold, and the meshes allow for precise filtration that improves the quality of the final concentrate.

Example: If you use an extraction washing machine like the Secret Box, you just need to load the plant material, add water and ice, and then activate the system. The bags with the meshes filter the material in different stages, which allows you to obtain resins of different qualities.

Rosin (pressure and heat extraction)

Rosin extraction has become popular due to its simplicity and the absence of solvents. It is performed by applying heat and pressure to flowers or hash, which allows for the extraction of a concentrated oil.

Necessary equipment:

• A hydraulic rosin press.
• Patches of rosin paper.

This method has gained a lot of popularity, especially after a viral video showed how rosin could be made using a hair straightener. Although this technique can be done at home, for better results, it is recommended to use specialized presses. It allows the use of both buds (Flower Rosin), which offer more flavor, and hash (Rosin Hash), which will be a more intense and potent rosin. For those looking for especially aromatic flowers with a good presence of resin, a very interesting option is La Bomba, a genetic strain from Compound Genetics that fits very well with this type of preparation.

How to extract marijuana resin with solvents

Unlike the methods explained above, there is also the possibility of obtaining extractions of outstanding quality through the use of solvent products, such as butane gas, CO2, or propane, among other examples. The operation in all of them consists of dissolving the trichomes with one of these liquids with the aim of separating them from the plant matter, and it is then necessary to clean the solvent content from the final extraction using an oven or a desiccator. These are flammable products, so they require the utmost caution and precision possible.

BHO extraction

BHO is obtained by extracting trichomes using butane gas. This process creates a dense and sticky concentrate, commonly known as “shatter.” The use of a closed-loop system is essential to ensure safety, as butane is flammable. A good combination to achieve quality shatter is to buy the Roller Extractor BHO along with the Colibrí 0% Impurity Gas.

Necessary equipment:

• Metal or glass BHO extractors.
• High-purity butane gas.
• Desiccator oven to purge residual butane.

This method is widely used by professional producers due to the high purity and potency of the resulting concentrate. It is crucial to follow all safety measures to avoid accidents.

The Rick Simpson method

This type of extraction bears the name of its creator, Rick Simpson, who created an oil known as RSO that is considered one of the most potent concentrates known today. Rick Simpson oil is a highly concentrated cannabis extraction that uses isopropyl alcohol to dissolve the trichomes. This concentrate is famous for its potential medicinal benefits, especially in the treatment of cancer, chronic pain, and neurological disorders.

Necessary equipment:

• High-purity isopropyl alcohol.
• Cannabis plant material.
• Glass containers for decanting and evaporation.

It is usually used in different ways, whether sublingually, topically, ingested, or even vaporized, all in small and controlled doses. This extraction can be beneficial for conditions such as multiple sclerosis, arthritis, as well as depression and muscle inflammation, among others.

To prepare it, buds should be placed inside a container filled with isopropyl alcohol and crushed with a wooden spoon. Then, the mixture should be stirred for about three minutes, and subsequently, a strainer should be placed inside a pot to pour the mixture. After that, this process is repeated several times to achieve greater processing. Next, the solvent is evaporated at a temperature of 120 °C, and when almost all the alcohol has volatilized, a little water should be added. When it no longer evaporates, it will be time to collect the oil with syringes.

CO2 cannabis oil

How to extract marijuana resin with solvents has become a very popular multidisciplinary technique among growers and concentrate lovers. In this field, solvents such as alcohol, acetone, or even butane gas are used, but the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) has also spread, an extraction method that focuses on separating cannabinoids and terpenes from buds and leaves with high pressure and low temperature.

It can be classified as the most common method among extraction professionals, as it allows for obtaining large quantities of cannabis oil in a quick and easy way. For this reason, it is not within the reach of every grower, since it requires a large installation and equipment. Its operation consists of pumping CO2 between two cylinders and then pushing it through a tube where the cannabis is located. In this process, the CO2 acquires the cannabinoids, terpenes, and essential oils, so it must be passed through a condenser that gives it a more viscous and oily appearance.

Extracting marijuana resin provides stronger and more intense psychoactive effects

In short, cannabis extractions have become one of the most relevant sectors within the industry, as they guarantee a high content of cannabinoids and terpenes while enabling other forms of consumption, both for recreational and medicinal use. We hope that with this article you have learned a new concept about how to extract marijuana resin, as well as the tools necessary for this task.

GB The Green Brand has a wide variety of products, devices, and accessories designed to obtain marijuana concentrates, so we recommend you visit our website or any of our physical stores to learn more about this interesting cannabis modality.