This text explains in detail the journey of hemp from its cultivation to the final product - CBD oil. Nowadays, more and more people are taking up CBD oil, as it is associated with many potential health benefits. But how is this popular product created and what effect does its production process have on its quality? Answers to these and other topics are contained in this article.

The first step to the production of CBD oil is the cultivation of hemp itself. In the European Union, it is legally possible to grow technical hemp of the Cannabis sativa species, which contains THC within the legal limit of 0.3%. Cultivation of hemp in the EU is permitted under a special license and can take place on land throughout Europe. However, it is important to emphasize that quality cannabis needs clean soil, as it can absorb toxins. For that reason, consumers should avoid cheap CBD production, such as that from China.

Another interesting thing is that within the EU there is a catalog of varieties with a total of 63 cannabis varieties that can be grown by licensed farmers . The flowers of the female cannabis plant, which contain trichomes - pollen full of cannabinoids in the highest concentrations - are essential for the production of CBD oil.

Cultivation is followed by the harvesting and drying of hemp, which usually takes place at the end of summer. Drying is a key stage - the hemp must be completely dry for CBD extraction. Drying is typically done in a cool, dark and well-ventilated area where the cannabis is protected from heat that could damage the valuable components and cannabinoids. The whole drying process usually takes 5 to 7 days.

The next step is to extract the CBD from the plant material. This process is extremely important and the way it is carried out can definitely affect the purity and quality of the final product. There are different extraction methods - oil, dry ice or solvent extraction - but these are not usually used by reputable CBD providers. Premium CBD producers tend to resort to the most effective, but also the most expensive and demanding method - CO2 extraction.

This method consists in a so-called closed loop - the plant material is placed in the extraction chamber of the machine, where the carbon dioxide (CO2) is cooled to approx. -56°C and the pressure is increased to 5 bars, which a supercritical state of CO2 will arise. The supercritical CO2 is then fed into the extraction chamber, where the CBD extraction itself takes place.

The chamber is filled with gas which, in combination with CO2, releases terpenes and cannabinoids from the plant matter without disturbing the valuable components. These extracted substances then end up in a collection vessel and the CO2 is converted back to its original form using a condenser, allowing it to be reused. At the end of the CO2 extraction process, an oil such as coconut or hemp oil is added to the CBD extracts.

Some companies end their process after the CO2 extraction, while others continue with additional steps to increase the quality and purity of their CBD oils, such as so-called winterization. What does it mean? Winterization allows separation of CBD from residual products. This process consists of soaking the CBD extract in alcohol and then freezing it. This can also filter out terpenes, CBD or other cannabinoids, but the result is a less potent oil. Therefore, many CBD suppliers skip this step.

Tip: CBD isolate is rarely recommended. This is due to the so-called "entourage effect", where the different cannabinoids and terpenes in the cannabis plant work together for maximum effectiveness. That is why CBD oil is recommended, which contains the entire spectrum of valuable cannabinoids and terpenes - the so-called full spectrum.

Every supplier of CBD oil of high quality production, as a final step, performs various tests to ensure the quality and purity of the final product , although these tests are not mandatory. When purchasing CBD, consumers should make sure that the supplier can provide test reports from independent and reputable laboratories.

The CBD test is usually done with the help of achromatography. This method makes it possible to separate mixtures of substances into individual components, which enables an accurate examination of the cannabinoid profile in a given CBD oil. CBD oil can also be checked for the presence of fertilizers and heavy metals. The lab report provides accurate information about what is in the CBD oil and at what concentration.

Tip: Independent testing plays a key role in the CBD manufacturing process, both for the producer and the consumer. Quality control of the provider is only possible with appropriate tests. Only then can the consumer know if the CBD oil really offers premium quality.

The production of high quality CBD oil is a complex process, and the foundations for the production of quality end products are already laid during the cultivation of the hemp plants. If you want to buy high quality CBD oil, you as a consumer should pay special attention to these three criteria:

• 1. EU certified hemp plants
• 2. CO2 extraction process
• 3. Independent laboratory tests

Now you know how CBD oil is made and what you should consider when buying it.