What You Need to Know to Easily Make CBD Oil at Home

Have you ever thought about how to make CBD oil at home? Do you think it is expensive? Do you need a lot of equipment?

First, let’s explore some of the most frequently asked questions.

Why Is CBD Oil Expensive?

 

You may have wondered why CBD (or cannabidiol) oil is expensive but if you look at the amount of work and materials needed to produce good quality CBD oil, you will understand the expense. Growing the CBD is just a part of it and that in itself is not small as you have to consider the seeds, water, equipment, and labour involved. Then there is the cost of producing it, testing it in labs and making it safe before it gets to the public. You might be faced with importation costs and also government policy. And of course, you most likely have heard the saying, cheap does not necessarily equate to value.

Is It Legal to Make CBD Oil

This brings us back to the legality and the controversy surrounding CBD oil and other products. You have probably seen this statement: “CBD oil is now legal in all 50 states!” This statement is not exactly true.

An Indiana man faced jail time and a fine for having marijuana which turned out to be CBD oil with 0% THC. This substance was legalized by state lawmakers last month.

The DEA still states that CBD is illegal and those who violate the law run the risk of being arrested.

 

Project CBD recently published an article regarding a series of police raids in North Dakota.

Canada has additionally placed restrictions on CBD stating that the THC content must be lower than 0.3% in its finished state.

Medical Marijuana is legal in Canada (Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR). The sale of Recreational Marijuana has been delayed until at least August.

To be safe, it is strongly urged that YOU check to see if it is legal in your area or to make CBD Oil in your residence.

Are CBD Oils Safe?

It is important to understand that the FDA has not approved CBD for any condition. However, it is considered safe for humans, even in high amounts. It is generally found that it is well-tolerated with a wide range of dosages.

When you hear that CBD oil is non-psychoactive it means you will not experience the ‘high’ or euphoria associated with THC. However, there are some common side effects including:

Dry mouth – drinking water can help;

Low blood pressure (or light-headedness) – consult a medical practitioner if experiencing this, especially if you are taking medication;

Drowsiness or sleeplessness – experiment with the optimal amount and time to take it;

Interference with pharmaceutical drugs (general drug-metabolizing enzymes (including cytochrome P450) – such as steroids, antihistamines, antibiotics, and HIV antivirals, to name a few.

 

It is always cautioned to seek the advice of a medical practitioner before taking CBD, especially if you are taking prescribed drugs.

Can You Make CBD Oil At Home?

Yes, you can make CBD oil at home. Some manufacturers use toxic chemicals but you will know exactly what you are using by choosing quality cannabis.

How to Store Your CBD Oil

After you make CBD oil, keep it upright away from direct heat and direct sunlight; a cool dark place is optimal. You could always store it in your refrigerator as well.

Extracting Methods to Make CBD Oil

Today we look at 3 methods of extracting CBD to make CBD oil.

(1) The CO2 Extraction method. This method is the most commonly used, providing a full-spectrum, pure finished product. It is non-toxic and non-flammable. While it is safe and effective, the equipment is expensive. This equipment freezes and compresses CO2 gas into a supercritical cold liquid state. Supercritical CO2 is becoming an important commercial and industrial solvent due to its low toxicity and environmental impact. The relatively low temperature of the process and the stability of CO2 also allow most compounds to be extracted with little damage.

Cons: Besides the expense, manually operated systems can be challenging to learn.

(2) Ethanol method. This method is considered generally safe for human consumption according to the FDA. Ethanol is a natural byproduct of plant fermentation found in many things – beauty and personal care products such as perfume and mouthwash, paints, markers, general-purpose cleaners, and fuel. It is also used as a preservative. One drawback to this method is the chlorophyll compound extraction which can make for a dark green colour and bitter flavour. While the chlorophyll can be extracted, it is an expensive process.

Cons: Besides extracting chlorophyll, it is flammable, posing a risk factor.

(3) The Olive Oil method. This method is safe, inexpensive, and very simple. The oil only has to be heated up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cons: The extraction is perishable and needs to be stored in a cool, dark place. Also, because the extract can’t be concentrated, the finished product will be less potent so larger quantities must be consumed to be effective.

Now you know some ways to extract CBD to make oil, let’s look at a simple recipe using Olive Oil. You decide if it is worth your time and effort, as it can be time-consuming and may not be strong enough to meet your needs. If this seems like too much work, there are many places to buy CBD oils, such as CBDPure.

How to Make CBD Oil in a Slow Cooker

Since I discovered how to make cannabutter in a slow cooker, this is what I use. I don’t have the patience to sit around and wait to monitor what’s cooking. Use the slow cooker and virtually walk away (but do use a timer)!

What You Need:

Slow Cooker
2 cups Olive or Coconut Oil
1 ounce (28 grams) of cannabis* (see note at the end of this article)
Glass jars with a lid or airtight containers (glass, preferably)
Fine mesh strainer

Instructions:

Use a coffee or small grinder to grind your stems, leaves, and buds. Don’t over-grind. Spread cannabis on a cookie sheet and decarboxylate at 240 degrees for approximately 40 minutes. Decarboxylating the weed means activating the THC by heating it.

Place your prepared cannabis and oil in a slow cooker, and give it a good stir. Set the slow cooker on the lowest setting. Set your timer and cook for 6–8 hours.

Once the mixture has cooled, place a strainer over a bowl, pour in the mixture and strain to extract the oil.

Pour into a container and store in the fridge until ready to use. Discard the leftover mixture.

NOTE:

You can also buy medical cannabis strains that have a high concentration of CBD oil. Medical strains of cannabis will contain a significant amount of THC so if you are looking for higher CBD amounts, you will need to check out the ratio of the two.

Disclaimer: This article does not constitute a legal endorsement. It is up to you to make sure using CBD oil or medical marijuana is legal in your area of residence, whether for medical or recreational purposes.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see full disclosure here.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this article. Please feel free to comment below on your experiences. Have you tried making your CBD oil?