Demand for cannabis oil has skyrocketed. We believe cannabis has the potential to be very effective as part of the integrated therapy for cancer, epilepsy, MS and many other chronic and terminal illnesses. But not all cannabis oil is created equally and it’s important to do your own homework before you buy or make cannabis oil.
Hemp Oil vs. Cannabis Oil
Cannabis oil is also known as concentrated cannabis oil, Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), Phoenix Tears, or Milagro Oil. Cannabis oil is a dark, thick paste or gel of a highly concentrated cannabinoids made from the flowers (and sometimes leaves) of seed-free female cannabis flowers. Making cannabis oil requires extraction of the cannabinoids from the dry plan matter, with a solvent, and the heating to activate the cannabinoids and to cook off the solvent. It is very different from Hemp oil which is a legal food-grade product made from pressing hemp seeds, (not from the flower or leaf like cannabis oil) grown specifically as a food grade product. This oil is high in healthy nutrients including the very important essential fatty acids. While hemp oil is a highly nutritious product that does indeed support a healthy endocannabinoid system, it does not have the same assumed curative properties of cannabis oil. While hemp and medical cannabis plants are cousins of sorts hemp has very low levels of cannabinoids, especially low (negligible) levels of THC. Keep in mind that cannabinoids (the pharmaceutically active component of cannabis oil) reside in the trichome, a small gland on the exterior of the cannabis flower and leaf, not within the seed. And, that cannabinoids such as THC and CBD have to be heated to 212F to be converted from a cannabinoid acid to a cannabinoid. While each product has their merits, they are completely different products with different purposes.
3 things to consider when purchasing/making cannabis oil
Purpose
What is it that you want this oil to do for you or your loved one? This will provide guidance as to whether you want an oil high in CBD or THC. They provide different benefits. See our page on “Introduction to Cannabis” for more information on CBD & THC.
High CBD oil has been all the rage in the last year for treating children with epilepsy. While many children are having incredible results with it, the popularity of the product invites scam artist to prey upon desperate parents. Steep Hill Labs and the Werc Shop – both reputable cannabis testing facilities, report that approximately 12 in 750 samples tested are considered high in CBD. Make sure you do your homework in finding the right oil for you and purchase from a reputable source.
Purity
To have clean quality product, you must begin with clean, quality cannabis. Regardless if you are buying or making your cannabis oil it is important to use very dry, high quality cannabis flowers that are pesticide, mold, and bacteria-free. You would not want these things in your antibiotics or cough medicine, why would it be ok in your cannabis oil? If you are in a state with access to lab testing they can test your plant material and concentrates for cannabinoid content, mold, bacteria, other microbes, and pesticides and your concentrates for all of that and residual solvents. Purity Matters!
What solvent was used to make the cannabis oil? Know that some of the most common solvents used in making cannabis oil like Naptha and Butane are carcinogenic and should NOT be used in cannabis oil. While they are supposed to be burned off in the finishing process, the only way to be sure is to have that product lab tested. Even small amounts of these chemicals can be harmful to your health. The safest cannabis oil preparation is the CO2 method but that equipment is expensive. Ethanol (alcohol) extraction is the second best choice. The experts that we interviewed for this article urged extra caution for alcoholics using ethanol extracted cannabis – it is important to ensure that no alcohol residue remains in the oil.
Procurement
Be sure to purchase your cannabis oil from a reputable place. Do not buy cannabis oil on the internet – especially from someone with a random email address! It is likely it is a scam. There is no way to know the quality of the cannabis oil or if it is in fact cannabis oil that is being sold. Again, purchase from a reputable, trustworthy source.
Please remember Purpose, Purity, and Procurement when purchasing or making cannabis oil. We hope this information is helpful to you.
How to Make a Small Batch of Rick Simpson Oil
This is an excellent video on how to make small-batch high-concentrated cannabis oil.
mark says
This is a fantastic post. We were recently considering a wholesale opportunity of some of the hemp-based CBD oil. I’m really glad we passed.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Thank you for your comment. It is possible that the product could be what they say it is. This is going to get VERY confusing before long as new products come to market. CBD is the primary cannabinoid in hemp. However, straight hemp oil – pressed from the seeds of the flower is going to have negligible amounts of cannabinoids.
One of the websites I have visited recently promoting high CBD oil says that they are using steam distillation. I’d like to know more about their process.
If I were considering wholesaling that product, I would want to know:
1.) When they say hemp-based-CBD oil – what does that mean? Are they extracting the cannabinoids from the flower? What is their process?
2.) Are they willing to provide third party testing results from one of the labs that is a member of The Association of Commercial Cannabis Labs http://www.cacannabislabs.com I’d want to see testing for each new batch of product.
3.) Was the hemp grown without the use of pesticides?
If you get a satisfactory answer then you might consider trying the product. Even so, I’d spend the money to have the product blind tested by another lab for cannabinoid content, microbials and residue. Simply tell the lab that it is a cannabis concentrate and you’d like to know what you have.
I’d love to hear back about what you decide. If you prefer to do that off line you can contact me at lane at mychronicrelief dot com – sorry for the weird email explanation – we are trying to avoid spam.
Nice website by the way. Good luck in your business.
P.S. – excellent backlink!
mark says
Well, one thing I realized when researching this was that the more science finds about the many uses of cannabinoids, the more we are seeing that many of those benefits come about as a result of a MIXTURE of cannabinoids. For instance, scientists are finding that the combination of THC and CBD is what is so effective in killing brain cancer. So I think it’s way too early for us to be selling something so unproven as an extract made from a plant that nobody has really tested.
And thanks for the compliment. 🙂
Ryan says
I have been suffering from Colon cancer lungs with metastasis to other part of my body. Ever since the discovery of this diseases, my entire life have been depressed and emotional down, it was a Death roll Sentence on my life, but still I honor you all for your prayers and concern toward my life and my family and I earnestly pray for God to be with you all, i also use the medium to thanks to the Dr who God has sent to help me cure this unimaginable, terrible and horrible illness called cancer.
Knowing that i had colon cancer with met to some part of my body break my heart and make me lifeless, My family have never knew true peace ever since the diagnose of this disease and period given to live. My wife heard that Hemp Oil could help, and for the price the entire family was strong in faith and willing to try anything that would save my Life, I have completed the treatment regime with total eradication of the disease from all parts of my body. if you want to get the hemp or cannabis oil contact : ricksimpsoncancercenter@gmail.com
I have a severe case of neuropathy, and severe arthritis throughout my body with this oil help these issues?rick says
I have a severe case of neuropathy, and severe arthritis throughout my body with this oil help these issues?
jerry noble says
my wife has colorectal cancer however the tumor has been removed, and we would like to go forward with some preventative program we are in AZ. and do not no the best direction from this point forward. jerry and Elsie noble
RHM says
I was wondering if leaves from a male plant could be used to make infused oil? I am interested in its pain relieving properties only, as an ingredient in medicinal salve. Any insights are greatly appreciated!!
Doc suzi says
The female plants grow tricomes full of volatile and fragrant oils ( which have medicinal properties) to “call for fertilization “. Male plants have negligible amounts of these substances.Male plants are useful for causing seed production in females , which is only desirable for strain developers and seed merchants. Once a female is fertilized, she stops producing endocannabanoid sand terpenes. And those on board start to deteriorate
suecato says
lookin to speak with you on pain relief using cbd thansk, sue
David says
Im interested in the oil for pain relief. How can I get it. How much does it cost. Is it legal. I live in Georgia. Im on a lot of pain medication that really make me feel bad. Is their a way I could try some out to see if it works ? Thank you.
Sandra McCollum says
do you know a reliable and safe distributor for cannabis oil for chronic pain that is safe for a 95 year old
R Bayless says
Looking for cannabis oil for pain. Arthritis, neuropathy, for a 78 year old.
I live in Texas can this be purchased legally?
Ann murrell says
My husband has cancer I’m looking for the pure cannibus oil … where can I get the real stuff
DearJohn says
I have been interested in medical use of Essential Oil of Cannabis for some time. A friend was recently in Colombia (unfortunately famous for the Cocaine Trade). My interest (and that of my friend) was not to treat a disease but to use “micro-dosing” to prevent issues. Astoundingly, she found a reputable health food vendor that also sells this oil/ Instead of paying $150.00 (USD) for 5ml (5g) of this oil as currently sold by some US vendors to California residents with doctor’s approval, they are selling it “retail” for less than $10 (USD). I am grateful for all the American (and other) pioneers who are taking on Big Pharma, BUT the average person cannot afford the American prices and doesn’t live in a State where cannabis is DE-criminalized. IF I required this treatment, I would leave the US and go to a country where 1) I could find and use this product for my health w/o fear of criminal prosecution for tending to my health naturally and/or 2) a place where prophylactic treatment would be less than $20 a month or a full on disease battling therapeutic dose would be less than $50 a month vs. the ridiculously high cost in the USA which is in access of 20 to 30 times more costly.
Judith says
Where do you recommend purchasing this oil?
gerald says
i had neck surgery 2 times, cancer,neuropathy, knee surgery,arthritis threw out my body and the pain is sometimes unbearable.i finally got off the opioids but if the pain persists i might have to get back on them.is there any oil that is strong enough to help me with my pain