How to Make 99% Pure CBD Crystals

Chromatography, which is a method of isolating and purifying cannabinoids, is often used in the cannabis industry to separate THC and CBD from already extracted cannabis.

Image is courtesy of Endoca.

Most cannabis users are not going to have access to industrial chromatography equipment to produce crystals, but as this video shows, there are methods of creating a small-scale chromatography machine.  The technique used in this video requires a column with fine sand inside of it (silica is a popular agent used amongst cannabis producers), a pump to apply pressure (pump should have required tubing and a lid that fits the column) and a collection chamber with a small amount of evaporable solution.

Image is courtesy of Endoca.

When the unpurified extract is poured into the column, the sand acts as a filtration system.  By applying pressure, the molecules are pushed through the sand, thus becoming more purified.  If no form of pressure is available, the method will still work; however, it will be much more time-consuming.  As the molecules travel through the sand, the smaller particles (CBD) move to the bottom quicker, while more massive molecules (THC) travel slower, if at all.

Image is courtesy of Endoca.

The filtered extract is then collected and stored in the reservoir of solution. This process can be repeated several times for maximum purity; however, it should be noted that the more times it is run, the smaller the amount of end product.  Once the filtration is complete, the solution should be placed on a heat source (coffee pad) to evaporate the solution, leaving purified CBD crystals as the finished product.  

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