CBD Distillate – The future of cannabis vape pens?

A CBD Distillate is one of the newest trends in cannabis concentrates. Although it’s a very new way of refining cannabis oils, the methods used actually go back to the 8th century A.D. Arabic alchemist Abu Musa Jabir ibn Hayyan designed the alembic pot still, a contraption that improved the distillation of spirits by retaining or enhancing flavours.

Distillation is a process of separating the components or substances from a liquid mixture by selective evaporation and condensation.  In layman’s terms, distillers heat and boil the raw alcohol or CO₂ cannabis extract.  The resulting steam evaporates through a condensation chamber where it is rapidly cooled, returning to an oil form that resembles light honey or syrup.  None of the impurities carry over during the process, so the resulting extract is clean, potent and 100% natural.  Unlike CBD isolate, no further chemicals are needed to complete the process.

CBD distillate vs. other cannabis extracts

CBD Distillate is the pinnacle for us here at Highkind Cannabis Co, as it is ideal for vaping.  The oil is free from residual lipids, waxes, fats and chlorophyll when compared to the many CO₂ extracts found on the market today.  CO₂ extracts can be winterised to remove lipids, but it’s very hard to match the purity of a distillate. CO₂ extracts are always done using carbon dioxide as a solvent under extreme pressure.  Consequently, this filters unwanted compounds out of the plant material.

What is a solvent?

A solvent is essentially any chemical liquid that dissolves a product into a solution. Propane hash oil (PHO) or butane hash oil (BHO) are produced with extraction methods that use these specific elements to extract the raw oil from the plant.

But solvents like BHO and CO₂ typically leave behind residue, impurities and unwanted materials.  Cannabis distillates, however, are created using a short path distillation technique that differs from typical solvent extraction. Heat vaporises THC and CBD, bringing the vapour into a cooling system for consolidation and eventual collection into beakers. This process is repeated several times to create pure cannabinoids without chlorophyll, plant matter or residual solvents.

Issues with CBD distillates

One of the biggest problems with distillates is that they crystallise and solidify (rather than remain in a syrup-like consistency) when their purity is above 60-70% CBD. This causes a massive problem when used in vape pens and cartridges. After one or two days, the oil crystallises, affecting the coil’s ability to absorb the liquid. Consequently, this causes what vapourists call a “dry hit” or “burnt hit” – an unbearable burning sensation that vape connoisseurs dread. This can also permanently damage the coil.

How Highkind Cannabis Co uses CBD distillates in concentrate vapourisers.

Terpene content is the core of our product. Thanks to the “entourage effect,” terpenes combine with the CBD to enhance its effects – something that isolates lack.

It took approximately one year of meticulous research and testing to perfect our new range of luxury CBD vape cartridges.  Through the manipulation of terpenes, we were able to prevent the aforementioned crystallisation plaguing similar products, while maintaining superb flavour in our Highkind Vapes pens.

Due to the much more complex process and advanced machinery, distillates are more expensive to produce than concentrates. However, concentrates don’t come close to matching the purity and potency of their distillate counterparts. All things considered, no CBD enthusiast should settle for less.

If you want to learn more, you can find our full range of Highkind Vapes 50% CBD Vape Kits, Prefilled Cartridges and Refills here: Highkind Vapes.