Until recently, the cannabis plant was viewed largely as a psychoactive drug and nothing more. Thankfully, all of that has changed in recent years as research has uncovered useful compounds in cannabis such as cannabidiol (CBD). People now use CBD oil for everything from promoting restful sleep to managing skin conditions and much more.
The problem is that using CBD oil can get expensive. Some people question whether it’s worth paying for high-quality, lab-tested CBD oil in shelf-stable and easy-to-use bottle packaging when it’s possible to make similar products at home. This article is for people with both a reliable source of high-CBD hemp and a DIY mindset who want to learn how to make CBD oil at home.
Contents
Step One: Process the Hemp
Thanks to the popularization of CBD, high-cannabidiol varieties of hemp are now being grown specifically for oil extractions, although it’s not legal to grow even low-THC cannabis crops everywhere. Most people making CBD oil at home have access only to dried hemp that, fortunately, is easier to process. Start by breaking it up into small pieces, ideally using a grinder.
Step Two: Decarboxylation
Decarboxylation is a chemical process that involves removing a carbon dioxide molecule from an organic substance, in this case, hemp, to change its properties. This may sound complicated, but the process itself is simple. Just put the broken-up hemp on a baking tray and leave it in an oven set to around 100 degrees C for half an hour.
Step Three: Infuse the Oil
Most people use coconut oil to make CBD infusions because it has a high concentration of healthy fats, and cannabinoids arelipophilic, or fat-soluble. Heat the coconut oil in a saucepan or double boiler, ensuring that 100% of the decarboxylated hemp is covered, then let the mixture simmer for three to six hours at a heat low enough to avoid scorching.
Step Four: Strain the Oil
Once the oil has been fully infused with CBD, it’s time to strain out the plant material itself. To do that, place a cheesecloth in a strainer over a bowl or another wide-mouthed container, then simply pour the hemp-containing oil through it. The result should be a green-colored oil that is free of solids.
Step Five: Store the Oil for Later Use
Homemade CBD oil isn’t as shelf-stable as commercial alternatives, but it can be kept at room temperature for several months or stored in the refrigerator for even longer. People who want a more shelf-stable product will have to buy it from a reputable manufacturer capable of performing more complex extraction and infusion processes.
Is It Worth the Work?
Some people love making their own CBD oil at home, while others try it once and find that saving money on commercial products isn’t worth the trade-offs. DIY enthusiasts should also note that it will not be possible to make pure CBD oil at home. The result will always contain the full range of cannabinoids and terpenes found in the hemp plant, so anyone who wants pure CBD in regular doses should stick with professional products.