Cannabis Alchemy

by D.Gold

Removal of the solvent from the oil

To distill off the solvent, a small collection pan replaces the expended cannabis material in the colander (which may be discarded). The apparatus is then reassembled and returned to the water bath. The solvent/ oil solution in the small stainless-steel pot boils; the fumes rise and are condensed on the ice-cooled lid as before. The pure solvent drips into the colander, where it is collected in the small pan. The oil remains behind in the stainless-steel pot. The collected solvent, which is essentially pure, may be saved for a future extraction.

After the solvent is removed and collected, the stainless-steel pot containing the oil is kept in boiling water to remove all traces of the solvent. If a toxic solvent, or one containing water is used, steps are taken to remove the last traces of solvent and water. Some water is added to the oil and evaporated in an oil bath (cottonseed oil works fine) at approximately 220°F. When the water is gone, all traces of the solvent have been removed, since all solvents mentioned here evaporate at a temperature below that of boiling water. The oil may now be eaten or smoked.