What is This Glossary?
Every extraction, distillation, and processing term that matters, defined by operators who run these systems daily. No textbook fluff. Each entry gives you the definition, why it matters to your operation, and the key numbers you need to know. Where we have written the full guide, you will find the link.
Extraction Methods
BHO (Butane Hash Oil) Extraction
What it is: Hydrocarbon extraction using n-butane (or butane/propane blends) in a closed-loop system to dissolve cannabinoids and terpenes from plant material.
Why it matters: BHO produces the widest range of concentrate textures (shatter, wax, budder, live resin, diamonds) and preserves terpene profiles better than ethanol. Get the solvent recovery wrong and you are left with residual butane above the 5,000 ppm action level.
Key numbers: Extraction temp: -40F to -80F for best selectivity. Recovery rate: 95-98% solvent. Target residual solvent: below 500 ppm (most states), below 50 ppm (Oregon).
→ Full guide: How to Set Up and Operate a Closed Loop BHO Extraction System
→ Full guide: How to Make BHO Wax: Butane Extraction SOP for Every Texture
CO2 Extraction (Supercritical/Subcritical)
What it is: Extraction using carbon dioxide at elevated temperature and pressure to reach supercritical or subcritical states, selectively dissolving cannabinoids and terpenes.
Why it matters: CO2 is tunable. Supercritical (above 31.1C, 1,071 psi) acts like a nonpolar solvent for bulk cannabinoid extraction. Subcritical (lower pressure) targets terpenes and lighter compounds. The downside is throughput: CO2 runs slower than hydrocarbon and produces crude that still needs winterization.
Key numbers: Supercritical: 35-60C, 1,200-5,000 psi. Subcritical: 15-25C, 800-1,200 psi. Typical yield: 8-12% by weight on dry flower.
→ Full guide: CO2 Extraction for Cannabis: Supercritical vs Subcritical
Ethanol Extraction
What it is: Using food-grade ethanol (190 proof minimum) as a polar solvent to strip cannabinoids from plant material, typically at cryogenic temperatures (-40F to -80F).
Why it matters: Ethanol is the workhorse for high-throughput operations. It extracts fast and scales well. The tradeoff is selectivity: warm ethanol pulls everything, including chlorophyll, waxes, and fats. That is why cryogenic temperatures and post-extraction winterization are non-negotiable for quality output.
Key numbers: Soak time: 3-10 minutes at cryo temps. Ethanol ratio: 10:1 solvent-to-biomass. Evaporation temp: below 40C to preserve terpenes.
→ Full guide: How to Make Ethanol Shatter
Rosin Press Extraction
What it is: Solventless extraction using heat and pressure to squeeze cannabinoid-rich resin from flower, hash, or kief. No solvents. No residual solvent testing required.
Why it matters: Rosin is the cleanest path to a dabbable concentrate. No C1D1 room. No solvent recovery. No residual solvent COA. The constraint is yield: flower rosin returns 15-25%, and you lose terpene fractions above 220F.
Key numbers: Flower rosin: 180-220F, 600-1,200 psi, 60-120 seconds. Hash rosin: 150-190F, 300-800 psi. Micron bags: 25u-90u depending on input.
→ Full guide: How to Press Rosin from Flower
→ Full guide: Hash Rosin: How to Press Premium Rosin from Bubble Hash
Ice Water Hash (Bubble Hash)
What it is: Mechanical separation of trichome heads from cannabis using ice water agitation and progressively finer filter bags (25u-220u).
Why it matters: Ice water hash is the starting material for premium hash rosin and solventless diamonds. The 73u-90u collection is where the full-melt heads live. Everything else goes to edibles or second-press rosin. Water quality matters: use RO or distilled. Chlorinated tap water degrades terpenes on contact.
Key numbers: Water temp: 32-38F. Agitation: 5-15 minutes depending on freshness. Full-melt collection: 73u-120u bags. Drying: freeze dryer at -40F, 24-48h.
RSO (Rick Simpson Oil)
What it is: Full-spectrum whole-plant extract made by soaking cannabis in ethanol or isopropanol, then evaporating the solvent to leave a thick, dark oil containing the full cannabinoid and terpene profile.
Why it matters: RSO retains more plant compounds than any other extraction method: cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and plant waxes. The entourage effect is maximized. The downside is taste and purity. RSO is crude by design. It is not meant to be dabbed.
Key numbers: Soak time: 3-5 minutes (quick wash) to 20+ minutes (full extraction). Decarboxylation: 240F for 40-60 minutes. Typical potency: 50-70% total cannabinoids.
→ Full guide: How to Make RSO (Rick Simpson Oil)
Live Resin Extraction
What it is: Hydrocarbon extraction of fresh-frozen cannabis (harvested and immediately frozen, never dried or cured) to preserve the volatile terpene profile that drying destroys.
Why it matters: Drying cannabis at ambient temperature evaporates 30-50% of monoterpenes before extraction even begins. Fresh-frozen material retains the full terpene fingerprint. The result is a concentrate that actually smells and tastes like the living plant.
Key numbers: Freeze within 1 hour of harvest. Storage: -20F or colder. Extraction: -60F to -80F butane/propane blend. Monoterpene retention: 2-5x higher than dried material.
→ Full guide: How to Make Live Resin
Steam Distillation
What it is: Passing steam through cannabis biomass to volatilize and carry terpenes into a condenser, where they separate from the water layer as an essential oil.
Why it matters: Steam distillation isolates terpenes without any solvent. It produces cannabis essential oil for reintroduction into distillate or formulation products. The limitation: it only captures volatile terpenes. Cannabinoids stay behind in the biomass.
Key numbers: Steam temp: 100C. Run time: 2-4 hours per batch. Yield: 1-3% by weight of terpene-rich essential oil.
→ Full guide: Terpene Extraction from Cannabis
Post-Processing
Winterization (Dewaxing)
What it is: Dissolving crude extract in cold ethanol (-40F to -80F) and filtering to remove fats, lipids, and waxes that co-extracted with the cannabinoids.
Why it matters: Fats and waxes cause cloudiness, harsh taste, and clogged vape cartridges. Skip winterization and your distillate will haze within days on the shelf. The ethanol must be cold enough to precipitate waxes while keeping cannabinoids in solution.
Key numbers: Ethanol ratio: 10:1 to 15:1. Temp: -40F minimum, -80F ideal. Soak time: 24-48 hours. Filter: 0.45um or Buchner with Whatman #1.
→ Full guide: Cannabis Winterization: The Complete Guide to Dewaxing Extracts
Degumming
What it is: Removing phospholipids from crude oil before distillation using water, citric acid, or phosphoric acid to hydrate and precipitate the gums.
Why it matters: Phospholipids cause foaming in the distillation flask, erratic boiling, and reduced throughput. They also degrade at distillation temperatures and contribute off-flavors to the final product.
Key numbers: Citric acid concentration: 0.1-0.5% by weight. Water addition: 1-3% by volume. Temp: 60-80C. Centrifuge or filter after 30-60 minutes of mixing.
→ Full guide: Degumming Cannabis Crude Oil
Decarboxylation
What it is: Heat-driven removal of the carboxyl group from THCA to produce THC (or CBDA to CBD). The reaction that converts non-psychoactive acid forms into their active counterparts.
Why it matters: Raw cannabis contains THCA, not THC. Without decarboxylation, edibles will not produce psychoactive effects. Smoking and vaping decarb on contact. Edible and tincture production requires controlled decarb before infusion.
Key numbers: THCA to THC: 220-240F for 30-60 minutes. CBDA to CBD: 240-280F for 60-90 minutes. Above 300F: degradation to CBN accelerates.
→ Full guide: Devolatilization and Decarboxylation Explained
CRC (Color Remediation Chromatography)
What it is: Filtering crude extract through a packed column of adsorbent media (activated alumina, silica, bentonite, T5 clay, or Magnesol) to remove pigments, chlorophyll, and oxidation byproducts.
Why it matters: CRC turns dark crude into light, golden extract. It is standard practice for BHO producers who need consistent color. The risk: over-packing or using the wrong media strips terpenes alongside the color. A CRC column that is too aggressive produces clean-looking product with no nose.
Key numbers: Media ratio: 5-15g per pound of oil depending on darkness. Flow rate: gravity or 5-10 psi. Typical terpene loss: 5-20% depending on media selection.
→ Full guide: Color Remediation Chromatography (CRC): The Complete Guide
Remediation
What it is: Post-extraction correction of failed batches, including removal of residual solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, or microbial contamination from concentrate that did not pass testing.
Why it matters: A failed COA does not always mean the batch is scrap. Residual solvent remediation via extended vacuum purging, pesticide remediation via activated carbon filtration, and microbial remediation via gamma irradiation each have specific protocols. Knowing when to remediate versus when to scrap saves thousands per failed batch.
Key numbers: Residual solvent limit (most states): butane below 5,000 ppm, propane below 5,000 ppm. Pesticide action levels vary by state. Microbial: total yeast and mold below 10,000 CFU/g (most states).
→ Full guide: Cannabis Remediation Decision Matrix
Devolatilization
What it is: Controlled vacuum oven purging to remove residual solvents and volatile impurities from crude extract before distillation or final product packaging.
Why it matters: Devolatilization is the step between extraction and distillation that most operators rush. Incomplete purging leaves residual solvent in the crude, which causes bumping during distillation and contaminates the final product. Proper vacuum oven protocol is the difference between passing and failing residual solvent testing.
Key numbers: Vacuum: -29 inHg minimum. Temperature: 90-130F (depends on target). Time: 24-72 hours depending on slab thickness. Flip slabs every 8-12 hours.
→ Full guide: Cannabis Devolatilization: Vacuum Oven Purging Guide
Distillation
Short Path Distillation
What it is: Vacuum distillation where the condenser sits centimeters from the evaporating surface, minimizing the distance cannabinoid vapor must travel before condensing. Used to purify crude into 85-95% THC or CBD distillate.
Why it matters: Short path is the entry-level distillation system for cannabis labs. It is slower than wiped film but cheaper to set up and simpler to operate. The short vapor path reduces thermal degradation, which matters because THC starts converting to CBN above 157C.
Key numbers: Mantle temp: 160-200C. Vacuum: 50-500 millitorr. Throughput: 1-4L per hour. Typical purity: 85-95% cannabinoid content.
→ Full guide: Short Path Distillation Cannabis: Complete Setup and SOP Guide
Wiped Film Distillation
What it is: Continuous-feed distillation where a rotating wiper blade spreads crude oil into a thin film on a heated cylinder wall, and cannabinoid vapor condenses on an internal condenser. Operates under deep vacuum.
Why it matters: Wiped film runs continuously (not batch), processes 5-20L per hour, and produces more consistent purity than short path. The thin film means shorter residence time on the heated surface, which reduces thermal degradation. This is the production-scale workhorse for distillate manufacturing.
Key numbers: Evaporator temp: 150-185C. Vacuum: 50-200 millitorr. Throughput: 5-20L/hr. Film thickness: 0.5-1.5mm. Wiper speed: 200-400 RPM.
→ Full guide: What is Wiped Film Distillation?
Fractional Distillation
What it is: Multi-stage distillation using a fractionating column to separate compounds by boiling point. Each theoretical plate in the column provides additional separation resolution.
Why it matters: Fractional distillation achieves higher purity than single-pass short path. It is used when you need to isolate specific cannabinoid fractions or separate closely-boiling terpene groups. The tradeoff is speed: more theoretical plates means slower throughput.
Key numbers: THC boiling point: 157C at 1 atm (much lower under vacuum). CBD: 160-180C. Terpenes: 100-180C depending on compound. Each theoretical plate adds ~10C of separation resolution.
→ Full guide: Cannabis Distillation Theory
Concentrates and Products
Shatter
What it is: Translucent, glass-like cannabis concentrate produced by BHO or ethanol extraction followed by vacuum purging at low temperatures to maintain a stable, amorphous molecular structure.
Why it matters: Shatter is the benchmark for visual purity in BHO. The clarity comes from avoiding nucleation: if you agitate, heat too high, or introduce moisture during purging, the shatter will butter out. Consistent shatter production is a direct test of your vacuum oven protocol.
Key numbers: Purge temp: 90-110F. Vacuum: -29 inHg. Time: 48-72 hours. Flip every 8-12h. Target residual solvent: below 500 ppm.
→ Full guide: How to Make Ethanol Shatter
Live Resin
What it is: Hydrocarbon concentrate made from fresh-frozen cannabis that was never dried or cured. Retains the full volatile terpene profile of the living plant.
Why it matters: Live resin is what consumers mean when they say a concentrate “tastes like the strain.” Drying cannabis at room temperature evaporates monoterpenes (myrcene, limonene, pinene) that define the aroma. Fresh-frozen extraction captures what drying destroys.
Key numbers: Monoterpene content: 5-15% (vs 1-5% in cured resin). Freeze within 1 hour of harvest. Storage: -20F or colder until extraction.
→ Full guide: How to Make Live Resin
THCa Diamonds
What it is: Crystalline THCa structures grown by controlled nucleation and crystallization from a supersaturated cannabinoid solution, either via solvent-based jar tech or solventless mechanical separation.
Why it matters: Diamonds are the purest non-isolate cannabinoid product on the market (95-99% THCa). They form when conditions are right: slow cooling, minimal agitation, and enough time for crystal lattice growth. Rush it and you get microcrystals instead of faceted stones.
Key numbers: Jar tech: sealed at room temp, 2-4 weeks. Solventless: rosin tech cold cure at 50-70F, 1-3 weeks. Purity: 95-99% THCa crystalline.
→ Full guide: How to Make THCa Diamonds: Jar Tech Method
→ Full guide: Rosin Diamonds: Solventless THCa Crystallization
Distillate
What it is: Purified cannabis oil produced by vacuum distillation, typically 85-95% total cannabinoids with most terpenes, fats, and plant compounds removed.
Why it matters: Distillate is the most versatile base product in cannabis manufacturing. It goes into vape cartridges, edibles, tinctures, and topicals. The tradeoff is that distillation strips the terpene profile, so the final product needs terpene reintroduction for flavor and entourage effect.
Key numbers: Typical purity: 85-95% cannabinoids. Color: light gold to amber. Viscosity: highly viscous at room temp. Terpene content: below 1% (most removed during distillation).
→ Full guide: Full Spectrum vs Distillate
Full Spectrum Extract
What it is: Cannabis extract that retains the complete cannabinoid, terpene, and flavonoid profile of the source plant, without isolating or removing individual compounds.
Why it matters: Full spectrum maximizes the entourage effect. THC, CBD, minor cannabinoids, and terpenes work together through multiple receptor pathways (CB1, CB2, TRPV1, 5-HT1A) in ways that isolated compounds cannot replicate. The challenge is producing full spectrum at scale without losing volatile terpenes during processing.
Key numbers: Terpene retention target: above 5% for premium full spectrum. Cannabinoid diversity: 6+ detectable cannabinoids. Processing temp: never above 40C during ethanol removal.
→ Full guide: 6 Reasons Full Spectrum Outperforms Distillate
Piatella
What it is: A solventless concentrate made by pressing and folding bubble hash or rosin at controlled temperatures until it reaches a smooth, butter-like consistency. Originated in the European hash scene.
Why it matters: Piatella represents the highest expression of mechanical processing without solvents. The folding and pressing technique aligns trichome structures and releases terpenes evenly through the matrix. The result is a full-melt product with better flavor distribution than standard hash rosin.
Key numbers: Starting material: 73u-90u full-melt bubble hash. Press temp: 130-160F. Folding cycles: 5-15 depending on consistency target.
→ Full guide: How to Make Piatella
Nano Emulsion
What it is: Cannabis oil broken into droplets smaller than 100 nanometers and stabilized in water using surfactants and high-energy mixing (ultrasonication or high-pressure homogenization).
Why it matters: Standard cannabis oil is lipophilic and has oral bioavailability of 6-20%. Nano emulsification increases surface area by orders of magnitude, driving onset time from 60-90 minutes down to 10-20 minutes. But most commercial nano products fail because the emulsion is unstable, the droplet size is too large, or the surfactant system is wrong.
Key numbers: Target droplet size: below 100nm (ideally 20-50nm). Surfactant HLB: 12-16 for oil-in-water. Onset: 10-20 minutes vs 60-90 for standard edibles. Bioavailability: 2-4x improvement over standard oil.
→ Full guide: How to Make a Nano Emulsion
→ Full guide: Nano Emulsified Distillate: What It Actually Is and Why Most Products Fail
Key Cannabinoids
THC (Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol)
What it is: The primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis. Produced by decarboxylation of THCa. Binds CB1 receptors in the brain and central nervous system.
Why it matters: THC is what regulators measure, what consumers chase, and what determines whether your product is legal hemp (below 0.3% total THC) or marijuana. The total THC calculation (THCa x 0.877 + THC) catches every hemp-derived product that contains THCa.
Key numbers: Boiling point: 157C. Legal threshold: 0.3% total THC (dry weight). Decarb: THCa converts to THC at 220-240F over 30-60 minutes. Degradation to CBN accelerates above 300F.
→ Full guide: How to Convert CBD to THC
THCa (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid)
What it is: The non-psychoactive acid precursor to THC, found in raw cannabis. Converts to THC when heated above 220F.
Why it matters: THCa is the legal loophole driving the hemp-derived THCa flower market. Hemp can contain high THCa as long as delta-9 THC is below 0.3% at the time of testing. But once the consumer lights it, the THCa converts to THC. This regulatory gap is closing.
Key numbers: Molecular weight: 358.47 g/mol. THCa x 0.877 = equivalent THC (the 0.877 accounts for the lost carboxyl group). Crystalline purity: 95-99% in diamond form.
→ Full guide: How to Make THCa Flower from Hemp
CBD (Cannabidiol)
What it is: Non-psychoactive cannabinoid that modulates CB1 (negative allosteric modulator), activates 5-HT1A serotonin receptors, and inhibits FAAH enzyme (which breaks down anandamide).
Why it matters: CBD is the most commercially significant non-psychoactive cannabinoid. It is also the starting material for isomerization to delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10 THC. Understanding CBD chemistry is essential for both the wellness market and the synthetic cannabinoid conversion industry.
Key numbers: Boiling point: 160-180C. Oral bioavailability: 13-19%. Isomerization to delta-9: requires acid catalyst (p-TSA, BF3, Lewis acids) at 100-140C.
→ Full guide: CBD to THC Isomerization
Delta-8 THC
What it is: A positional isomer of delta-9 THC with the double bond at the 8th carbon instead of the 9th. Produced commercially by acid-catalyzed isomerization of CBD.
Why it matters: Delta-8 is not found in significant quantities in natural cannabis. Virtually all commercial delta-8 is synthesized from CBD isolate. The conversion process requires acid catalysis, reflux, and careful neutralization. Incomplete reactions produce byproducts that must be removed by distillation.
Key numbers: Isomerization: p-TSA catalyst, toluene solvent, 100-140C, 3-8 hours. Typical crude purity: 50-70% delta-8 before distillation. Final purity after distillation: 90-98%.
→ Full guide: How to Make Delta 8 THC from CBD
CBN (Cannabinol)
What it is: Oxidation product of THC. Forms when THC is exposed to heat, light, or air over time. Mildly psychoactive with reported sedative properties.
Why it matters: CBN is both an indicator of degradation and a marketable product. High CBN in your distillate means your crude was overheated or your starting material was old. Low CBN means your processing preserved the THC. The sleep/sedation market for CBN products is growing, but the mechanism is poorly understood and may be attributable to accompanying terpenes rather than CBN itself.
Key numbers: Forms at temperatures above 300F or with prolonged UV exposure. CBN content above 2% in distillate indicates thermal degradation during processing.
Key Terpenes
Myrcene
What it is: Monoterpene. The most abundant terpene in cannabis, often 20-50% of the total terpene fraction. Earthy, musky, herbal aroma.
Why it matters: Myrcene is a TRPV1 receptor agonist and potentiates THC transport across the blood-brain barrier. It is also the most volatile major terpene, which means it is the first thing you lose during drying, extraction, or post-processing at elevated temperatures.
Key numbers: Boiling point: 167C (334F). Flash point: 39C. Evaporation begins well below boiling point. Preserve by processing below 40C when possible.
→ Full guide: Terpene Extraction from Cannabis
Limonene
What it is: Monoterpene with a citrus aroma. Second or third most abundant terpene in many cannabis cultivars.
Why it matters: Limonene modulates serotonin and dopamine signaling and has demonstrated anxiolytic effects in clinical settings. From a processing standpoint, limonene is a good indicator of extraction quality: if your concentrate smells flat, you probably lost the limonene fraction during processing.
Key numbers: Boiling point: 176C (349F). Highly volatile. Soluble in ethanol and hydrocarbon solvents.
Beta-Caryophyllene
What it is: Sesquiterpene with a spicy, peppery aroma. The only terpene known to directly bind CB2 receptors, making it functionally a dietary cannabinoid.
Why it matters: Caryophyllene survives processing better than monoterpenes because it has a higher boiling point (119C vs 167C for myrcene). It is often the dominant terpene in distillate simply because the lighter terpenes were lost. CB2 activation provides anti-inflammatory effects without psychoactivity.
Key numbers: Boiling point: 119C (246F). CB2 binding affinity: Ki = 155 nM. More thermally stable than monoterpenes.
Chemistry and Processes
Isomerization
What it is: Rearranging the molecular structure of a cannabinoid without changing its molecular formula. Most commonly: converting CBD to delta-8 or delta-9 THC using an acid catalyst.
Why it matters: Isomerization is what turned cheap CBD isolate into the delta-8 market. The chemistry is straightforward (acid catalyst + heat + time), but the cleanup is where most operators fail. Incomplete reactions and unknown byproducts require distillation, chromatography, or both to reach sellable purity.
Key numbers: CBD to delta-9: Lewis acid catalyst, 100-140C, 1-6 hours depending on catalyst. CBD to delta-8: p-TSA in toluene, 100-140C, 3-8 hours. Reaction monitoring: HPLC every hour.
→ Full guide: How to Convert CBD to THC
→ Full guide: Lewis Acids for Cannabinoid Isomerization
→ Full guide: The Amberlyst 15 Method
Equipment
Closed-Loop Extraction System
What it is: A sealed hydrocarbon extraction system where solvent is recovered, condensed, and recycled without ever being exposed to the atmosphere. Required by law for commercial BHO extraction.
Why it matters: Open blasting kills people. Closed-loop systems contain the butane within a sealed circuit, recover 95-98% of the solvent, and operate within C1D1 classified rooms. Every commercial hydrocarbon lab runs closed-loop. There is no legal alternative.
Key numbers: Working pressure: 150-300 PSI. Solvent recovery: 95-98%. Column sizes: 1 lb to 20+ lb material capacity. Recovery tank temp: 80-100F for passive, chilled coil for active.
→ Full guide: Closed Loop BHO Extraction Setup Guide
Vacuum Oven
What it is: A heated chamber that operates under vacuum (-29 inHg) to lower the boiling point of residual solvents, allowing them to evaporate at temperatures that do not degrade cannabinoids or terpenes.
Why it matters: The vacuum oven is where BHO goes from crude extract to finished product. Temperature and vacuum depth control the texture (shatter vs budder vs crumble) and determine whether you pass residual solvent testing. Most failed solvent tests trace back to rushed vacuum oven protocols.
Key numbers: Temp range: 90-130F for purging. Vacuum: -29 to -29.9 inHg. Time: 24-72 hours minimum for shatter. Slab thickness: 0.25-0.5 inches for even purging.
→ Full guide: Vacuum Oven Purging Guide
Extraction Lab Design
What it is: The complete facility plan for a cannabis extraction laboratory including room classification (C1D1/C1D2), HVAC, gas detection, fire suppression, electrical, and equipment layout.
Why it matters: A poorly designed lab fails inspection before it processes a single gram. C1D1 classification alone requires explosion-proof electrical, 12+ air changes per hour, negative pressure zoning, LEL monitoring, and emergency ventilation. Getting this wrong costs six figures to retrofit.
Key numbers: C1D1 air changes: 12+ per hour. LEL alarm: 10% of butane LEL (set point ~1,900 ppm). Emergency ventilation: full room volume in under 1 minute. Typical build cost: $150K-$500K+ depending on scale.
→ Full guide: How to Build an Extraction Laboratory
→ Full guide: How Much Does a Cannabis Extraction Lab Cost?
Regulatory and Compliance
COA (Certificate of Analysis)
What it is: Third-party lab report verifying the cannabinoid potency, terpene profile, residual solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, microbial contaminants, and mycotoxins in a cannabis product.
Why it matters: The COA is the document that determines if your product can legally be sold. A failed COA on any category can require remediation, relabeling, or disposal. Understanding what each panel tests and at what action levels lets you design your process to pass consistently.
Key numbers: Panels vary by state. Typical: potency (cannabinoids), terpenes, residual solvents (butane below 5,000 ppm), pesticides (66-70 analytes), heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg, Pb), microbial (TYM, bile-tolerant gram-negative), mycotoxins (aflatoxin, ochratoxin).
Total THC Calculation
What it is: The formula regulators use to determine the true THC content of a product: Total THC = (THCa x 0.877) + delta-9 THC.
Why it matters: This is the calculation that makes or breaks every hemp-derived product. The 0.877 conversion factor accounts for the mass lost when the carboxyl group leaves during decarboxylation. A flower testing at 20% THCa and 0.2% THC has a total THC of 17.74% under this formula, which means it exceeds the 0.3% hemp threshold by a factor of 59.
Key numbers: Hemp threshold: 0.3% total THC (dry weight). Conversion factor: 0.877. Any product with THCa above 0.34% exceeds the hemp limit even with 0% delta-9 THC.
C1D1 (Class 1, Division 1)
What it is: NEC electrical classification for rooms where ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or vapors exist under normal operating conditions. Required for any room where hydrocarbon solvents are used.
Why it matters: If you run BHO, your extraction room is C1D1. That means every electrical component (lights, outlets, switches, fans, heaters) must be explosion-proof rated. Standard electrical equipment in a C1D1 room is a code violation that will shut down your operation and void your insurance.
Key numbers: LEL monitoring: alarm at 10% of LEL. Butane LEL: 1.86% by volume (~19,000 ppm). Emergency shutdown at 25% LEL. Air changes: 12+ per hour minimum.
→ Full guide: Cannabis Extraction Lab Safety
Formulation
Bioavailability
What it is: The fraction of administered cannabinoid that reaches systemic circulation. Varies dramatically by route of administration.
Why it matters: A 10mg THC edible delivers 0.6-2mg to the bloodstream. The same 10mg vaped delivers 3-5mg. This is why dosing between product categories is not interchangeable. Formulation scientists focus on improving oral bioavailability through nano emulsification, lipid-based carriers, or self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS).
Key numbers: Inhalation: 30-50%. Sublingual: 15-35%. Oral: 6-20%. Transdermal: 5-10%. Nano emulsion oral: 15-40% (estimated, varies by formulation quality).
Terpene Reintroduction
What it is: Adding terpenes back into distillate or isolate after processing has stripped the original terpene profile. Uses cannabis-derived terpenes (CDT), botanically-derived terpenes (BDT), or a blend.
Why it matters: Distillate without terpenes is a flavorless, odorless oil. Terpene reintroduction restores the strain-specific flavor and may restore entourage effect benefits. CDT is preferred for quality products but costs 5-20x more than BDT. The target concentration is 5-10% by weight for vape cartridges.
Key numbers: Vape cartridge: 5-10% terpene by weight. Edible: 0.5-2%. Mix temp: below 40C to prevent terpene volatilization. CDT cost: $50-$200 per gram. BDT cost: $1-$10 per gram.
