One of my favourite things about living in Cape Town is being able to truly submerge yourself in all its splendour and glory. From the mountains to the oceans and the wine farms to the botanical gardens. There truly is something for everybody. The only thing to make an already glorious experience even better is by adding cannabis. How better to enjoy cannabis on the go than a convenient ready-to-go product known as Cannabis Distillate. The convenient way to puff on the go. We take a look at what dagga distillates are, how to use them and most importantly where to get them!
WHAT ARE CANNABIS DISTILLATES?
Cannabis distillates are a new-ish type of cannabis extract that does not have any taste, flavour or aroma. The distillation process refines the quality and potency of the final product by removing all of the undesirable compounds and concentrating the desired cannabinoids.
Once distilled the ultra-refined cannabis concentrate can be used to produce pot products including smokeables and topicals, like lotions, salves and suppositories, and edibles. In fact, cannabis distillates are one of the prefered concentrates used in legal commercially available cannabis edibles.
The ultra-refined product resembles viscous honey that can range from clear to amber in colour. Cannabis distillates are an extremely potent source of cannabinoids like THC or CBD. Therefore they can be used as an alternative medication for treating chronic illnesses including insomnia and chronic pain management.
CANNABINOIDS
The two most sought after cannabinoids are CBD and THC both of which are known to interact with the endocannabinoid system. Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is the non-intoxicating counterpart of the psychoactive cannabinoid known as THC. Or Tetrahydrocannabinol for the linguistically talented. Even though THC has the cerebral effect that makes one feel high, it also has a bunch of medicinal properties. It is used to treat pain, muscle spasticity, glaucoma, insomnia, low appetite, nausea and anxiety. CBD on the other hand won’t get you high but it is known to mitigate seizures, inflammation, pain, nausea, depression, anxiety and migraines.
HOW CANNABIS DISTILLATES ARE MADE
Unfortunately, there is no DIY or easy How-To guide to make your own cannabis distillates. The process requires a lab setting with specific scientific supplies and apparatus.
In a lab the process looks a little something like this:
Step 1 – Extraction
The crude cannabis oil is extracted from the whole plant material using either an alcohol-based, Butane and Propane-based or a critical CO2-based extraction.
Step 2 – Winterization
The freshly extracted crude oil is then purified with a process called winterization, leaving the oil free of undesirable compounds that may affect the flavour and aroma. This vital step utilizes freezing temperatures for up to 24 hours to remove inactive compounds like lipids, waxes and fats.
Step 3 – Decarboxylation
During the process of decarboxylation, the acidic cannabinoids are converted to their non-acidic forms. In other words, the naturally occurring THCa and CBDa is turned into THC and CBD respectively. Decarboxylation makes the cannabinoids more readily bio-available.
Step 4 – Distillation
Now that the cannabis concentrate has been activated so to speak, it is ready for the final step; molecular distillation. During the process of distillation, it utilizes vacuum pressure and heat to separate individual cannabinoids from the decarboxylated extract. Simply put, during the distillation process the cannabis crude oil is first heated into a vapour before it is cooled to a liquid state.
The refined cannabinoid-rich distillate is nearly 100% pure and can be blended with terpenes and flavonoids to encourage the entourage effect. That is when the cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes work together in synchronicity. Unlocking the full potential of the cannabis plant.
Dagga distillates are fast becoming one of the prefered methods to consume cannabis and the marketplace has taken notice. A number of establishments have started producing extremely high-quality distillates and making them available to their customers. Ready to attach to a charged battery and enjoyed whenever, wherever. One such company is Cannabyss, purveyors of pot paraphernalia and other items you might necessitate when growing, harvesting or extracting cannabis.
CANNABYSS
In a rapidly-growing and ever-evolving cannabis landscape, Cannabyss stands out head and shoulders above the rest. The team is made up of a bunch of tree-hugging canna-sseurs on a mission to get you high. Cannabyss is a one-stop shop for all of your growing, harvesting, extracting and smoking needs. The comprehensive catalogue of cutting edge equipment is sure to have whatever it is you are looking for at a competitive price.
THE CANNABIS DISTILLATES
I honestly felt spoiled for choice when it came to choosing a CBD cartridge. The available strains included Gelato, Gorilla Glue, Jack Herrer, Lemon Haze, OG Kush, Strawberry Cough, Durban Poison and White Widow. After an internal debate, I decided to try the latter two options.
The Durban Poison is fresh, full of herbal terpenes like Myrcene, Terpinolene and Limonene, with citrusy hints and sweet, piney aromas. The terpenes in the White Widow include Terpinolene, Myrcene, Limonene and Pinene. Which gives it a citrus and peppery taste with a lemony aftertaste. Both cannabis cartridges are available in 0.5ml or 1ml options and are packed full of pure unadulterated CBD.
When the Cannabyss team found out my birthday was around the corner they decided to surprise me with two THC cartridges. I chose Cookies and Banana Kush – each packing a powerful THC punch. Of course, the sale of THC products is prohibited under the current confusion around the legalization of cannabis for responsible adult use. Cannabyss has a whole range of THC Distillate cartridges in the pipeline that will be ready to roll out when the Cannabis Master Plan is signed into law. Other strains they are planning include, but are not limited to; Blue Cheese, Clementine, Durban Poison and Forbidden Fruits.
THE HARDWARE
Although there are a number of ways to consume cannabis distillates, the cartridges are compatible with a range of 510-thread batteries that powers the flower. After scrolling through the online catalogue and a short consultation with the helpful team at Cannabyss, I decided on the BBTank Sirius 650mAh. The rechargeable vape battery comes in black, is easy to use, has a large battery capacity and three voltage settings. Five clicks power the device on and off, and three clicks change the voltage setting. As simple as that.
Cannabis distillates are the most convenient way to enjoy cannabis on the go. Whether you incorporate CBD into your wellness routine or enjoy cannabis recreationally. I have come to enjoy smoking on a CBD cartridge during work hours and swapping it for a THC cartridge at the end of the day.
Have you gotten your hands on a cannabis distillate cartridge? Let us know about your experience.
