The national narrative on the legality of cannabis and its derivatives is slowly changing. Although cannabis remains federally illegal, some states have adopted their own laws to address this controversial consumption. CBD products, which are derived from hemp varieties, similar to the marijuana plant have fallen into a proverbial judicial “no man’s land” as states continue to grapple with its legal status. The Farm Bill has made it legal to grow and cultivate hemp in the US and while CBD has been approved by the FDA, not all states are buying into the craze. Some of this confusion is the result of misinformation. CBD Hemp and marijuana are not the same. While hemp and marijuana come from the same family of cannabis plants, they are not the same plant and have completely different effects on the human body. Cannabis is also big money. As the CBD industry continues to grow, cultivators will want to invest in a compliant cannabis extraction building to avoid inadvertent explosions and injury.
What is CBD?
CBD is derived from a hemp variety akin to the marijuana plant. While cannabis users rely on marijuana’s psychoactive compound, or THC, CBD is used for its health benefits. Research has show that CBD can be effective in managing pain, stress, anxiety, epilepsy and inflammation. The CBD product line has exploded to include gummies, creams, oils and edibles. It pretty much goes without saying that states that have legalized marijuana for recreational and medicinal use have taken a similar stance with CBD. But as we explained before, CBD extracts have waded into murky legal waters. While some states have staunchly opposed marijuana legalization, they have laxed views on CBD. The 2018 Farm Bill officially removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act although laws on CBD usage vary from state to state.
Cannabis Extraction Buildings Ensure Compliant Carbon Dioxide Storage
As with any new legalized industry, expansion is rapid. An increasing number of CBD manufacturers are competing for every dollar that follows this new craze. Most CBD extractors rely on the carbon dioxide extraction process method. The extraction process is complicated and involves a closed loop extractor that consists of three main chambers. Each chamber stages a different stage of the extraction process before the mixture is pumped to the next process. Supercritical forms of CO2 is heated and pressurized to a supercritical liquid. At this point, the CO2 is passed through the plant materials and extracts the cannabinoids. The supercritical CO2 extraction method is by far the safest and most effective extraction process, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with risks. Exposure to rich air mixtures of carbon dioxide can cause headaches, difficulty breathing and even convulsions. Carbon dioxide tanks should be stored in a compliant cannabis extraction buildings that are equipped with a passive ventilation system to remove excessive volumes of gasses should leaks or compromise in storage should occur. Climate control units can also ensure carbon dioxide tanks are stored in a cool environment.
Complete Protection For Solvent Extraction
Solvent extraction processes most commonly rely on ethanol or isopropyl for CBD extraction. While cheaper, solvent extraction can be highly flammable and prone to spontaneous combustions. For extractors who chose to go this route, you will need to invest in a four-hour fire rated chemical storage locker. In addition to passive ventilation and climate control options, our compliant cannabis storage buildings come with an optional fire suppression system should an errant spark lead to a sudden conflagration.