Distillate
Category: Extraction & Processing · Level: Intermediate
Cannabis distillate is a highly refined extract produced through molecular distillation, typically containing 90%+ cannabinoid purity.
Distillate is a cannabis concentrate refined until it is mostly a single cannabinoid, usually THC or CBD, at 80 to 95 percent purity or more. It looks like a clear, honey colored oil with little taste or smell, and it is the base ingredient of most vape cartridges and many edibles, tinctures and topicals sold in regulated markets.
How it is made: plant material is first extracted with ethanol, CO2 or hydrocarbons. The crude oil is winterized to take out waxes and fats, then decarboxylated with heat so THCA becomes active THC. It is then run through short path or wiped film distillation under deep vacuum: each compound boils at its own temperature, so the cannabinoid fraction can be collected apart from terpenes, chlorophyll and residues. Some producers distill twice for higher purity, and CBD distillate can be crystallized further into isolate.
What to know as a buyer: because terpenes are boiled off, distillate has no strain character of its own. Flavor in a distillate cartridge comes from terpenes added back, either from cannabis or from other plants, which labels should state. A full spectrum or live resin product keeps more of the plant's original compounds and tastes very different. Distillate is consistent and easy to dose, which manufacturers value; its potency also means small amounts go a long way. Lab results should show the cannabinoid percentage and pass tests for residual solvents and heavy metals.
Also known as
Cannabis oil distillate, Clear concentrate
Used in
- Medical
- Recreational
- Industrial
Related terms
- CO2 Extraction: CO2 extraction is a method of producing cannabis concentrates using supercritical or subcritical carbon dioxide as a solvent, resulting in clean, pharmaceutical-grade extracts.
- Full-Spectrum: Full-spectrum cannabis extract contains all naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes, and other plant compounds, including trace amounts of THC.
- Broad-Spectrum: Broad-spectrum cannabis extract retains multiple cannabinoids and terpenes but has THC removed or reduced to non-detectable levels.
- Extraction: Cannabis extraction is the process of isolating cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds from plant material using solvents or mechanical methods.