"The Clear" Solventless hash from harborside

[gunnaknow]

What were the CBG levels that you found in fresh plant extracts? Do different fresh varieties have different levels? And do different varieties have to be extracted at different levels of maturation to maximize CBG %'s.
We seldom did fresh plant extracts, we used very mature, very dry materials, so all this is a bit new to me. Our method was to have single Cannabinoid varieties, with very high levels. We did this first with THC, then CBD, then CBC, then THCV, then CBG, as well as several more of the propyl's.
-SamS

Like you, Sam, I haven't tested the CBG levels in oleoresin from fresh material. To answer your specific questions some tests would need to be performed. CBGA doesn't build up and up in most strains because of the secretion of THCA synthase and/or CBDA synthase into the secretory cavity of the trichomes. The point at which the CBGA level is highest is therefore likely to be close to the point at which THCA synthesis is highest. However, there's no way to be sure without running some tests. If you happen to know at which point THCA or CBDA synthesis is highest for a specific clone, or possibly for a specific strain or chemotype, then that would be a good place to start.

Naturally, the main objective for most growers is to harvest close to full maturity, so I wouldn't really advise them to harvest more than a week or so early. I'd be interested to know what the genetic background of your high CBG strain is but perhaps that's proprietary information. There are some seed companies selling high CBG strains but it could just be a sales ploy. You can't believe everything that you read on the internet.

 

[FatherEarth]

Nice to see this thread commandeered back into something useful.


Thanks Sam, your posts are enlightening to say the least.

Gunnaknow...

Thank you as well, hope to see some more posting from you.. For now the hamster has spun off his wheel, lol ...I now have some new things to research. Ill be back with some questions.

Respectfully,

FE

 

[Sam_Skunkman]

I have my doubt about the CBG % in fresh plant extracts, but I am not sure. And is the CBG % stable if stored or even frozen?
If you do not know the CBG % it is hard to judge any modulating effect with THC, you believe it has.
-SamS

Like you, Sam, I haven't tested the CBG levels in oleoresin from fresh material. To answer your specific questions some tests would need to be performed. CBGA doesn't build up and up in most strains because of the secretion of THCA synthase and/or CBDA synthase into the secretory cavity of the trichomes. The point at which the CBGA level is highest is therefore likely to be close to the point at which THCA synthesis is highest. However, there's no way to be sure without running some tests. If you happen to know at which point THCA or CBDA synthesis is highest for a specific clone, or possibly for a specific strain or chemotype, then that would be a good place to start.

Naturally, the main objective for most growers is to harvest close to full maturity, so I wouldn't really advise them to harvest more than a week or so early. I'd be interested to know what the genetic background of your high CBG strain is but perhaps that's proprietary information. There are some seed companies selling high CBG strains but it could just be a sales ploy. You can't believe everything that you read on the internet.

 

[gunnaknow]

And is the CBG % stable if stored or even frozen?

CBG is considered stable under normal temperatures and pressures, as is THC. Although, as with THC, it's incompatible with strong oxidizing agents and it's likely to gradually oxidize from exposure with the air. However, the high concentration of THCA and THC will protect the CBG by behaving as oxygen scavengers. As always, storing in a dark place would be advisable to avoid photoxidation.

If you do not know the CBG % it is hard to judge any modulating effect with THC, you believe it has.
-SamS

Yes, without knowing the precise percentage of a cannabinoid, it's impossible to accurately quantify the modulatory effects. I'm not suggesting that CBG necessarily has a strong modulatory effect but if a substance is a strong adrenergic receptor agonist, moderate 5-HT receptor antagonist and a GABA uptake inhibitor, it's highly likely to change one's experience to some degree. Particularly if you continue to regularly administer it because GABA uptake inhibitors cause the extracellular concentrations of GABA to build up over time. The upside to this is that the effects are much longer lasting. It's been an interesting conversation, it's a shame that we haven't spoken more before. Cheers.

 

[theJointedOne]

well is this clear stuff just vapor resin?

 

[co2extractor]

LOL, you hit the nail on the head, GW! I had to correct him on several points before but I don't think that he was listening.

The answer is simple, to avoid killing oil prices. Bho sets the standard high, making co2 even more valuable. Since it's more economical to make co2, I have a disclosure preventing people from posting the intellectual property, but not the benefits of using it. Many of the people who see me for a tutorial, choose not to leave a paper trail. Extreme paranoia imo, but I'm not begging clients to post shit. So I'm not totally against butane as much as 1% can be included in the formulation to help preserve the color w the negative effects on chlorophyll that ethanol has. Hexane, chloroform, R-134a are often used as part of the formula then really the high pressure takes care of the rest. I'm not after just props of developing methods to extract, I do my own thing taming the beast and bringing a new level of skill to the table.

 

[co2extractor]

id content of young plants. THC dehydrogenates to form Cannabidiol (CBD). THC is a primary psychoactive cannabinoid. The minor constituent Cannabiverol (CBV) possesses only about 20% of THC’s activity. CBD and CBN are not psychoactive, but they have valuable medical properties. (6-10)

Many synthetic analogs of THC are more or less potent than the parent molecule. The dimethylheptyl derivative is over 50 times more active, with effects lasting several days. Some nitrogen and sulfur analogs also are psychoactive.

The total synthesis of THC has been accomplished in many ways, most of which are difficult. However, the extraction of cannabinoids, their purification, isomerization and acetylation are easy experiments for dilettante souffleurs who would possess this elixir.

6.2 Extraction ~

Cannabis must be dried be it is extracted, because it is not possible to remove more than 50% of the cannabinoids from fresh material THC-Acid is difficult to extract If you plant to convert the THCA to THC, the plant material should be thoroughly decarboxylated by heating it under nitrogen at 105° C for 1 hour before performing a solvent extraction.

Chloroform is the most efficient solvent for the extraction of THC from cannabis. A single extraction will remove 98-99% of the cannabinoids within 30 minutes. A second extraction removes only 88-99% of the cannabinoids within 30 minutes. A second extraction removes 100% of the THC. Light petroleum ether (60-80°) also works well, but a single extraction removes only 88-95% of the cannabinoids; a double extraction removes up to 99%. Ethanol also can be used, but it removes ballast pigments and sugars which complicate the purification of the resin (11, 12)

Extract the dried cannabis with a suitable solvent for several hours at room temperature or by refluxing. Filter through charcoal to clarify the solution, then chill overnight to precipitate waxes, then filter the solution again. Concentrate it to one-half volume, and extract it with 2% aqueous sodium sulfate (to prevent oxidation). Separate the aqueous layer, and strip the solvent. The residue is crude hemp oil.

The odoriferous terpenes can be removed by steam or vacuum distillation. Cautious distillation in vacuo yields a fraction of crude red oil (bp 100-220° C/3 mm). This can be purified by redistillation or column chromatography. Use ethanol to remove the residue from the flask while it is still hot. Filter the solution through charcoal, and strip the solvent. Distill the residue to yield pure red oil (bp 175-195° C /2 mm). Distillation must be stopped if smoke appears, indicating decomposition. (13, 14)

Because THC is heat-sensitive, it is preferable to isolate the cannabinoids by column chromatography. The simplest method of column chromatography is performed with ethanol and ether extracts of hemp on alumina, yielding two major fractions: (1) chlorophyll, CBD, and CBN, and (2) THC. A second, more difficult method is performed on Florisil (use 10 times the weight of the oil) with the solvent system hexane:2% methanol. This yields a doubly-concentrated, viscous oil which can be repeatedly chromatographed on alumina to separate the THC and CBD. (15)

6.3 Isomerization ~

The potency of marijuana can be increased by about 50% simply by simmering a water slurry of the material for 2 hours. Add water as necessary to maintain the level. Cool and filter the mixture, and refrigerate the aqueous solution. Dry the leaf material at low heat. Drink the tea before smoking the marijuana. The effects are much more intense and last longer than those from the untreated leaves. The boiling water treatment isomerizes the inactive CBD, and decarboxylates THCA to THC.

Although Cannabidiol (CBD) has no psychoactivity, it does antagonize THC and produces other valuable sedative, antibiotic, and anti-epileptic effects. CBD can be isomerized to THC. If the plant is Phenotype III (containing mainly CBD in its resin), isomerization can double the yield of THC.

The CBD fraction of column chromatography can be distilled (bp 187-190° C/2 mm; pale yellow resin) to purify it. Isomerization can be accomplished with any of several solvents and acids. Alcohol and sulfuric acid isomerizes only 50-60% of CBD to THC; p-TolueneSulfonic Acid (p-TSA) in petroleum ether or other light, non-polar solvent will convert 90% of CBD to THC upon refluxing 1 hour at 130° F. (16, 17)

Reflux 3 gr CBD in 100 ml dry benzene for 2 hours with 200 mg p-TSA monohydrate until the alkaline Beam test (5% KOH in ethanol) is negative (no color). The Beam test gives a deep violet color with CBD. Separate the upper layer, wash it with 5% sodium bicarbonate, wash again with water, and strip the solvent. The remaining viscous oil should give a negative reaction to the Beam test. The crude THC can be purified by distillation (bp 169-172° C/0.03 mm), or by chromatography in 25 ml pentane on 300 gr alumina. Elute with pentane 95:5 ether to yield fraction of CBD and THC. Combine the THC fractions and distill (bp 175-178° C/1 mm).

Reflux 2 gr CBD in 35 ml cyclohexane, and slowly add a few drops of sulfuric acid. Continue to reflux until the Beam test is negative. Separate the sulfuric acid from the reaction mixture. Wash the solution twice with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, the twice again with water. Purify by chromatography, or distill (bp 165° C/0.01 mm). Any unreacted CBD can be recycled.

Another method is to reflux a mixture of 6 gr dry pyridine hydrochloride and 3 gr CBD at 125° C until the Beam test is negative. Wash the reaction mixture with water to remove the pyridine, then extract the mixture with ether. Wash the ether with water, evaporate the ether, and distill the residue i.v. to yield pure THC.

Similarly, reflux 3 gr CBD in 150 ml ethanol with 50 ml 85% phosphoric acid until the Beam test is negative. Work up the reaction mixture, and purify the THC.

Alternatively, reflux 3 gr CBD in 100 ml absolute ethanol containing 0.05% HCl for 19 hours. Extract the ether, wash the ether with water, dry, evaporate, and chromatograph on 400 gr alumina to yield:

(a) 0.5 gr 1-EthoxyHexaHydro-CBN (EHH-CBN: mp 86-87° C); elute with pentane 98:2 ether. Recrystalize from methanol and water.

(b) 2 gr THC; elute with pentane 95:5 ether. Repeated chromatography will separate the less polar forms.

(c) 0.5 gr EHH-CBN, eluted with pentane 93:7 ether. It can be isomerized to THC by refluxing in benzene for 2 hours. Cool the reaction mixture, wash it with water; separate, dry, and strip the solvent layer i.v. to yield THC.

CBD also can be isomerized by irradiation of a cyclohexane solution in a quartz vessel with a mercury lamp (235-265 nm) for 20 minutes. Workup of the reaction mixture yields 7-13% THC. (18-20)

6.4 ~ Acetylation

THC gives an acetate (ATHC) which is as potent as THC. The mental effects are quite subtle and pleasant. Wohlner, et al., prepared ATHC by refluxing the crude distillate of cannabis oil with approximately 3 volumes of acetic anhydride. It is purified by distillation i.v. or with steam.

Cahn prepared ATHC thus: add 150 ml acetyl chloride (dropwise with stirring and cooling) to 185 gr crude resin in 500 ml dry pyridine. Crystals may separate during the addition, or on standing a few hours at room temperature. Pour the mixture into dilute hydrochloric acid/ice. Separate the oil, then dissolve it in ether. Wash this solution with dilute acid, then with aqueous sodium carbonate, and again with water. Dry the solution with calcium chloride. Strip the solvent and distill the residue (240-270 C°/20 mm). The mixture of acetylated cannabinoids is separated by dissolving 2 gr in 100 ml benzene and chromatography over silica (150-200 mesh). Elute with 800 ml benzene. Combine the washings and the original effluent solutions, then strip the benzene i.v. to recover about 60% yield of light yellow oil. The material remaining on the column contains CBD and other cannabinoid acetates which can be recovered with ethanol and worked up.(21)

6.5 ~ Identification

Colorimetric tests are the simplest method of identifying cannabinoids. Hundreds more sophisticated analytical methods have been developed, as a review of Chemical Abstracts will reveal.

The Beam test is relatively specific. It gives a purple color with 5% ethanolic KOH, based on the oxidation of CBD, CBG, etc., and their acids to hydroxyquinones. However, THC does not react to the Beam test. Only two plants (Rosemary and Salvia) out of 129 common species tested give a weakly positive reaction. Among some 50 pure vegetable substances such as mono- and sesqui-terpenes, aromatics, etc., only juglone, embelin, and alkyl dioxyquinone develop a color reaction close to that of Cannabis. The reaction is not always dependable; it can be absent if the ethanol is hot. (22, 23)

A modification of the Beam test uses absolute ethanol saturated with gaseous hydrogen chloride. When added to an extract of suspect material, it gives a cherry red color which disappears if water is added. However, the test also gives more or less similar red color reactions with pinene, tobacco, julep, sage, rosemary, and lavender, etc..

The colorimetric test of Duquenois and Moustapha is not so specific as the Beam test, but it is very sensitive. The test reacts to CBN and CBD, but not to THC:

Vanillin (0.4 gr, acetaldehyde (0.06 gr) and 20 ml 95% ethanol is stored in a bottle. Extract the plant material with petroleum ether, then filter it and evaporate the solvent. Add exactly 2 ml of reagent and 2 ml concentrated hydrochloric acid. Stir the mixture; it turns sea-green, then slate gray, followed by indigo within 10 minutes. It turns violet within 30 minutes and becomes more intense.

The Duquenois-Negm hydrogen peroxide/sulfuric acid test is suitable for following the development of the resin and its potency. Macerate cannabis in chloroform or light petroleum ether for several hours. Evaporate 0.2 ml of the extract in a porcelain dish. Add 2 drops 30% hydrogen peroxide and 0.5 ml concentrated sulfuric acid. Rotate the dish gently, and observe the color of the liquid after 5 minutes. A pink color indicates CBD; blood-red color indicates a high concentration of THC. Violet or strong brown indicates THC. CBN produces a green color which quickly turns green-brown. (24)

The identification of cannabinoids has been made irrefutable by the modern development of gas chromatography, especially when combined with mass spectrometry.

Laboratories which do not possess these technologies can use diode-array and programmable variable-wavelength ultraviolet absorption detectors in conjunction with thin-layer chromatography (TLC) or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), or a combination of both, and make comparisons with published data in conjunction with the specific absorption spectrum for the cannabinoids (200-300 nm). The combination of these techniques can overcome the problem of errors due to interference which often occur when single methods are used. (25)

6.6 ~ Neurology

In 1984, Miles Herkenham and his colleagues at NIMH mapped the brain receptors for THC, using radioactive analogs of THC developed by Pfizer Central Research. They found the most receptors in the hippocampus, where memory consolidation occurs. There we translate the external world into a cognitive and spatial "map". Receptors also exist in the cortex, where higher cognition is performed. Very few receptors are found in the limbic brainstem, where the automatic life-support systems are controlled. This may explain why it is so difficult to die from an overdose of cannabis. The presence of THC receptors in the nasal ganglia --- an area of the brain involved in the coordination of movement --- may enable the cannabinoids to relieve spasticity. Some receptors are located in the spinal cord, and may be the site of the analgesic activity of cannabis. A few receptors are found in the testes. These may account for the effects of THC on spermatogenesis and as an aphrodisiac.

S. Munro, et al., located a peripheral CX5 receptor for cannabinoids in the marginal zone of the spleen. The Anandamide/cannabinoid receptor site, a protein on the cell surface, activates G-proteins inside the cell and leads to a cascade of other biochemical reactions which generate euphoria. (26-31)

The brain produces Anandamide (Arachidonylethanolamide), which is the endogenous ligand of the cannabinoid receptor. It was first identified by William Devane and Raphael Mechoulam, et al., in 1992. Anandamide has biological and behavioral effects similar to THC. Devane named the substance after the Sanskrit word Ananda (Bliss). The discovery of Anandamide and its receptor site has unlocked the door to the world of cannabinoid pharmacology. (32-35)

CBD antagonizes THC and competes with THC to fill the cannabinoid receptor site. THC also exerts an inhibitory effect on acetylcholine activity through a GABA-ergic mechanism. It significantly increases the intersynaptic levels of serotonin by blocking its reuptake into the presynaptic neuron. THC also elevates the brain level of 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (5-HT) while antagonizing the peripheral actions of 5-HT. (36-39)

In 1990, Patricia Reggio, et al., developed a molecular reactivity template for the design of cannabinoid analgesics with minimal psychoactivity. The analgesic activity of the template molecule (9-nor-9b-OH-HHC) is attributed to the presence and positions of two regions of negative potential on top of the molecule. The template places all cannabinoid analgesics on a common map, no matter how dissimilar their structures. (40)

 

[FatherEarth]

^^^^^Very Nice, Thank you!

 

[gunnaknow]

CO2, you've taken that from the book Hemp Husbandry. If you're going to do that then you should make it clear, so that people aren't mistaken in thinking that it's your own work, or that you know more than you do.

Some of the information is correct but not all of it. It's not true that only 50% of the cannabinoids in fresh plant material can be extracted. It's more than a little suspect when a nice round figure like 50% is used. THCA can be more difficult to extract than THC, depending on the solvent used. That's down to the fact that THCA possesses a carboxyl group, which is polar. The carbon chain is nonpolar, so the molecule has both polar and nonpolar sections.

THCA dissolves relatively well in ethanol. Nonpolar solvents like hexane are also often used to extract THCA and the other cannabinoid acids. If the intention is to purify the THCA further then a small amount of acid, such as acetic acid can be added to the solvent to prevent ionization but otherwise it's not necessary. An important point to make is that when you're extracting from fresh material, the ratio of solvent to oleoresin is so high that you don't actually need to select a solvent that the cannabinoid acids are especially soluble in.

 

[Sam_Skunkman]

id content of young plants. THC dehydrogenates to form Cannabidiol (CBD). THC is a primary psychoactive cannabinoid. The minor constituent Cannabiverol (CBV) possesses only about 20% of THC’s activity. CBD and CBN are not psychoactive, but they have valuable medical properties. (6-10)

NOT TRUE, THC DEGRADES TO CBN NOT CBD.
THCV IS NOT PSYCHOACTIVE HAVE YOU EVER SMOKED IT? IT DOES NOT GET YOU HIGH, AND IS A CB1 ANTAGONIST. I HAVE SMOKED !00% THCV.

Many synthetic analogs of THC are more or less potent than the parent molecule. The dimethylheptyl derivative is over 50 times more active, with effects lasting several days. Some nitrogen and sulfur analogs also are psychoactive.

COOL, BUT IF IT IS NOT IN THE PLANT IT IS NOT RELEVENT HERE.

The total synthesis of THC has been accomplished in many ways, most of which are difficult. However, the extraction of cannabinoids, their purification, isomerization and acetylation are easy experiments for dilettante souffleurs who would possess this elixir.

6.2 Extraction ~

Cannabis must be dried be it is extracted, because it is not possible to remove more than 50% of the cannabinoids from fresh material THC-Acid is difficult to extract If you plant to convert the THCA to THC, the plant material should be thoroughly decarboxylated by heating it under nitrogen at 105° C for 1 hour before performing a solvent extraction.

NOT NEEDED....

Chloroform is the most efficient solvent for the extraction of THC from cannabis. A single extraction will remove 98-99% of the cannabinoids within 30 minutes. A second extraction removes only 88-99% of the cannabinoids within 30 minutes. A second extraction removes 100% of the THC. Light petroleum ether (60-80°) also works well, but a single extraction removes only 88-95% of the cannabinoids; a double extraction removes up to 99%. Ethanol also can be used, but it removes ballast pigments and sugars which complicate the purification of the resin (11, 12)

I PREFER LESS TOXIC SOLVENTS, IF YOU USE THE ABOVE SOLVENTS YOU WILL BE EXPOSED SOONER OR LATER.

Extract the dried cannabis with a suitable solvent for several hours at room temperature or by refluxing. Filter through charcoal to clarify the solution, then chill overnight to precipitate waxes, then filter the solution again. Concentrate it to one-half volume, and extract it with 2% aqueous sodium sulfate (to prevent oxidation). Separate the aqueous layer, and strip the solvent. The residue is crude hemp oil.

OR PUT GROUND OR NOT, DRIED CANNABIS WITH ETHANOL IN A ULTRASONIC BATH FOR JUST A FEW MINUTES AND YOU GET A GREAT CLEAN OIL. LET SIT IN THE BATH FOR !5 MINUTES AND YOU GET 99% OF THE THC BUT THE OIL IS DARK FROM THE CHLOROPHYL.

The odoriferous terpenes can be removed by steam or vacuum distillation. Cautious distillation in vacuo yields a fraction of crude red oil (bp 100-220° C/3 mm). This can be purified by redistillation or column chromatography. Use ethanol to remove the residue from the flask while it is still hot. Filter the solution through charcoal, and strip the solvent. Distill the residue to yield pure red oil (bp 175-195° C /2 mm). Distillation must be stopped if smoke appears, indicating decomposition. (13, 14)

THC IS BETTER WITH THE TERPENES

Because THC is heat-sensitive, it is preferable to isolate the cannabinoids by column chromatography. The simplest method of column chromatography is performed with ethanol and ether extracts of hemp on alumina, yielding two major fractions: (1) chlorophyll, CBD, and CBN, and (2) THC. A second, more difficult method is performed on Florisil (use 10 times the weight of the oil) with the solvent system hexane:2% methanol. This yields a doubly-concentrated, viscous oil which can be repeatedly chromatographed on alumina to separate the THC and CBD. (15)

6.3 Isomerization ~

The potency of marijuana can be increased by about 50% simply by simmering a water slurry of the material for 2 hours. Add water as necessary to maintain the level. Cool and filter the mixture, and refrigerate the aqueous solution. Dry the leaf material at low heat. Drink the tea before smoking the marijuana. The effects are much more intense and last longer than those from the untreated leaves. The boiling water treatment isomerizes the inactive CBD, and decarboxylates THCA to THC.

Although Cannabidiol (CBD) has no psychoactivity, it does antagonize THC and produces other valuable sedative, antibiotic, and anti-epileptic effects. CBD can be isomerized to THC. If the plant is Phenotype III (containing mainly CBD in its resin), isomerization can double the yield of THC.

The CBD fraction of column chromatography can be distilled (bp 187-190° C/2 mm; pale yellow resin) to purify it. Isomerization can be accomplished with any of several solvents and acids. Alcohol and sulfuric acid isomerizes only 50-60% of CBD to THC; p-TolueneSulfonic Acid (p-TSA) in petroleum ether or other light, non-polar solvent will convert 90% of CBD to THC upon refluxing 1 hour at 130° F. (16, 17)

Reflux 3 gr CBD in 100 ml dry benzene for 2 hours with 200 mg p-TSA monohydrate until the alkaline Beam test (5% KOH in ethanol) is negative (no color). The Beam test gives a deep violet color with CBD. Separate the upper layer, wash it with 5% sodium bicarbonate, wash again with water, and strip the solvent. The remaining viscous oil should give a negative reaction to the Beam test. The crude THC can be purified by distillation (bp 169-172° C/0.03 mm), or by chromatography in 25 ml pentane on 300 gr alumina. Elute with pentane 95:5 ether to yield fraction of CBD and THC. Combine the THC fractions and distill (bp 175-178° C/1 mm).

Reflux 2 gr CBD in 35 ml cyclohexane, and slowly add a few drops of sulfuric acid. Continue to reflux until the Beam test is negative. Separate the sulfuric acid from the reaction mixture. Wash the solution twice with aqueous sodium bicarbonate, the twice again with water. Purify by chromatography, or distill (bp 165° C/0.01 mm). Any unreacted CBD can be recycled.

Another method is to reflux a mixture of 6 gr dry pyridine hydrochloride and 3 gr CBD at 125° C until the Beam test is negative. Wash the reaction mixture with water to remove the pyridine, then extract the mixture with ether. Wash the ether with water, evaporate the ether, and distill the residue i.v. to yield pure THC.

Similarly, reflux 3 gr CBD in 150 ml ethanol with 50 ml 85% phosphoric acid until the Beam test is negative. Work up the reaction mixture, and purify the THC.

Alternatively, reflux 3 gr CBD in 100 ml absolute ethanol containing 0.05% HCl for 19 hours. Extract the ether, wash the ether with water, dry, evaporate, and chromatograph on 400 gr alumina to yield:

(a) 0.5 gr 1-EthoxyHexaHydro-CBN (EHH-CBN: mp 86-87° C); elute with pentane 98:2 ether. Recrystalize from methanol and water.

(b) 2 gr THC; elute with pentane 95:5 ether. Repeated chromatography will separate the less polar forms.

(c) 0.5 gr EHH-CBN, eluted with pentane 93:7 ether. It can be isomerized to THC by refluxing in benzene for 2 hours. Cool the reaction mixture, wash it with water; separate, dry, and strip the solvent layer i.v. to yield THC.

CBD also can be isomerized by irradiation of a cyclohexane solution in a quartz vessel with a mercury lamp (235-265 nm) for 20 minutes. Workup of the reaction mixture yields 7-13% THC. (18-20)

6.4 ~ Acetylation

THC gives an acetate (ATHC) which is as potent as THC. The mental effects are quite subtle and pleasant. Wohlner, et al., prepared ATHC by refluxing the crude distillate of cannabis oil with approximately 3 volumes of acetic anhydride. It is purified by distillation i.v. or with steam.

Cahn prepared ATHC thus: add 150 ml acetyl chloride (dropwise with stirring and cooling) to 185 gr crude resin in 500 ml dry pyridine. Crystals may separate during the addition, or on standing a few hours at room temperature. Pour the mixture into dilute hydrochloric acid/ice. Separate the oil, then dissolve it in ether. Wash this solution with dilute acid, then with aqueous sodium carbonate, and again with water. Dry the solution with calcium chloride. Strip the solvent and distill the residue (240-270 C°/20 mm). The mixture of acetylated cannabinoids is separated by dissolving 2 gr in 100 ml benzene and chromatography over silica (150-200 mesh). Elute with 800 ml benzene. Combine the washings and the original effluent solutions, then strip the benzene i.v. to recover about 60% yield of light yellow oil. The material remaining on the column contains CBD and other cannabinoid acetates which can be recovered with ethanol and worked up.(21)

6.5 ~ Identification

Colorimetric tests are the simplest method of identifying cannabinoids. Hundreds more sophisticated analytical methods have been developed, as a review of Chemical Abstracts will reveal.

The Beam test is relatively specific. It gives a purple color with 5% ethanolic KOH, based on the oxidation of CBD, CBG, etc., and their acids to hydroxyquinones. However, THC does not react to the Beam test. Only two plants (Rosemary and Salvia) out of 129 common species tested give a weakly positive reaction. Among some 50 pure vegetable substances such as mono- and sesqui-terpenes, aromatics, etc., only juglone, embelin, and alkyl dioxyquinone develop a color reaction close to that of Cannabis. The reaction is not always dependable; it can be absent if the ethanol is hot. (22, 23)

A modification of the Beam test uses absolute ethanol saturated with gaseous hydrogen chloride. When added to an extract of suspect material, it gives a cherry red color which disappears if water is added. However, the test also gives more or less similar red color reactions with pinene, tobacco, julep, sage, rosemary, and lavender, etc..

The colorimetric test of Duquenois and Moustapha is not so specific as the Beam test, but it is very sensitive. The test reacts to CBN and CBD, but not to THC:

Vanillin (0.4 gr, acetaldehyde (0.06 gr) and 20 ml 95% ethanol is stored in a bottle. Extract the plant material with petroleum ether, then filter it and evaporate the solvent. Add exactly 2 ml of reagent and 2 ml concentrated hydrochloric acid. Stir the mixture; it turns sea-green, then slate gray, followed by indigo within 10 minutes. It turns violet within 30 minutes and becomes more intense.

The Duquenois-Negm hydrogen peroxide/sulfuric acid test is suitable for following the development of the resin and its potency. Macerate cannabis in chloroform or light petroleum ether for several hours. Evaporate 0.2 ml of the extract in a porcelain dish. Add 2 drops 30% hydrogen peroxide and 0.5 ml concentrated sulfuric acid. Rotate the dish gently, and observe the color of the liquid after 5 minutes. A pink color indicates CBD; blood-red color indicates a high concentration of THC. Violet or strong brown indicates THC. CBN produces a green color which quickly turns green-brown. (24)

The identification of cannabinoids has been made irrefutable by the modern development of gas chromatography, especially when combined with mass spectrometry.

Laboratories which do not possess these technologies can use diode-array and programmable variable-wavelength ultraviolet absorption detectors in conjunction with thin-layer chromatography (TLC) or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), or a combination of both, and make comparisons with published data in conjunction with the specific absorption spectrum for the cannabinoids (200-300 nm). The combination of these techniques can overcome the problem of errors due to interference which often occur when single methods are used. (25)

6.6 ~ Neurology

In 1984, Miles Herkenham and his colleagues at NIMH mapped the brain receptors for THC, using radioactive analogs of THC developed by Pfizer Central Research. They found the most receptors in the hippocampus, where memory consolidation occurs. There we translate the external world into a cognitive and spatial "map". Receptors also exist in the cortex, where higher cognition is performed. Very few receptors are found in the limbic brainstem, where the automatic life-support systems are controlled. This may explain why it is so difficult to die from an overdose of cannabis. The presence of THC receptors in the nasal ganglia --- an area of the brain involved in the coordination of movement --- may enable the cannabinoids to relieve spasticity. Some receptors are located in the spinal cord, and may be the site of the analgesic activity of cannabis. A few receptors are found in the testes. These may account for the effects of THC on spermatogenesis and as an aphrodisiac.

S. Munro, et al., located a peripheral CX5 receptor for cannabinoids in the marginal zone of the spleen. The Anandamide/cannabinoid receptor site, a protein on the cell surface, activates G-proteins inside the cell and leads to a cascade of other biochemical reactions which generate euphoria. (26-31)

The brain produces Anandamide (Arachidonylethanolamide), which is the endogenous ligand of the cannabinoid receptor. It was first identified by William Devane and Raphael Mechoulam, et al., in 1992. Anandamide has biological and behavioral effects similar to THC. Devane named the substance after the Sanskrit word Ananda (Bliss). The discovery of Anandamide and its receptor site has unlocked the door to the world of cannabinoid pharmacology. (32-35)

CBD antagonizes THC and competes with THC to fill the cannabinoid receptor site. THC also exerts an inhibitory effect on acetylcholine activity through a GABA-ergic mechanism. It significantly increases the intersynaptic levels of serotonin by blocking its reuptake into the presynaptic neuron. THC also elevates the brain level of 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (5-HT) while antagonizing the peripheral actions of 5-HT. (36-39)

CBD DOES NOT BIND TO THE CB1 RECEPTOR.

In 1990, Patricia Reggio, et al., developed a molecular reactivity template for the design of cannabinoid analgesics with minimal psychoactivity. The analgesic activity of the template molecule (9-nor-9b-OH-HHC) is attributed to the presence and positions of two regions of negative potential on top of the molecule. The template places all cannabinoid analgesics on a common map, no matter how dissimilar their structures. (40)

I STOPED CORRECTING JUST TOO MUCH MISINFORMATION.
-SamS

 

[Garhart]

Thanks to all who contributed.

 

[mack 10]

@ Sams your knowledge of all things cannabis is off the charts.
mack.

 

[FatherEarth]

Indeed

Indeed

I have to second what mack said...

@ Sams your knowledge of all things cannabis is off the charts.
mack.

Thanks for clarifying. I was hoping someone would come and either validate the info or shoot it down.
Wish Granted.

Lets see some Co2 equipment and some end results please. Has anyone else gotten around to trying this stuff?

 

[theJointedOne]

no but a buddy is going to oakland next week im gonn ahve him grab me a few things fo the head, one being a few grams of this, or maybe just 2 in case its not that good, lol

 

[gunnaknow]

To be fair to CO2, he was going by what he had read. Not that he shouldn't have quoted from the source in a more transparent manner. You should be able to pick up a book and trust that the information is reliable. However, most books aren't peer reviewed in the manner that articles in academic journals often are. It's therefore a good idea to use books that include footnotes or bibliographies citing the sources for their information. If you're relying on something like Wikipedia, it's a good idea to check out the references and see if any of them have been published online for you to read. When relying on scientific papers or articles, see if they've been peer reviewed and if not, again check the references. That's not to say that anything else should be dismissed out of hand; it may well contain reliable information but it's not a good idea to depend on it too heavily, without further investigation and/or experimentation.

 

[Gray Wolf]

We've been scoping out sub critical and SCFE CO2 and are closer to doing some experimentation using some loaned equipment. Given the process, it is capable of wonderful things, though none of the CO2 SCFE oil that we've seen to date is yet of the quality of our BHO extracts.

I think it just a matter of time for someone to optimize the results through process refinement and we should start seeing more purdy stuff.

The samples that we've seen thus far, had a lot of plant waxes and still was full of residual CO2.

We have an invite to visit a lab in Washington, which has been working diligently on process development, so my opinion may change soon. They also do sub critical CO2 extracts, which they report have less wax and more monoterpenes.

The wax of course can be removed by winterization, but at further cost to the floral monoterpenes, so it is a balancing act.

 

[gunnaknow]

I've suspected that sub critical might be favorable. The higher pressures and increased solubilities involved with supercritical extraction may lead to the extraction of more impurities besides the lipids, which could prove difficult to remove. I found your recent experimentation with chromatography beads interesting, perhaps it could provide the answer.

 

[co2extractor]

Roflmao. Co2 residues left behiind? Now I know your not having any idea what your talking about in this field. Aesteticly pleasing to look at and complete high are two way different subjects not even related. Perhaps in the looking good department is the only area butane excells and does a better job than co2. Formulas of co solvents can overcome this challenge. The black looking heroin stuff seems to always beat butane though. Ethanol is co solvent of choice for a few reasons. Taste preservation, yield improvements, and to focus on the areas co2 doesnt cover. So it makes for a complete well rounded sap esp when a hot gravity filtration is performed.

We've been scoping out sub critical and SCFE CO2 and are closer to doing some experimentation using some loaned equipment. Given the process, it is capable of wonderful things, though none of the CO2 SCFE oil that we've seen to date is yet of the quality of our BHO extracts.

I think it just a matter of time for someone to optimize the results through process refinement and we should start seeing more purdy stuff.

The samples that we've seen thus far, had a lot of plant waxes and still was full of residual CO2.

We have an invite to visit a lab in Washington, which has been working diligently on process development, so my opinion may change soon. They also do sub critical CO2 extracts, which they report have less wax and more monoterpenes.

The wax of course can be removed by winterization, but at further cost to the floral monoterpenes, so it is a balancing act.

 

[co2extractor]

I STOPED CORRECTING JUST TOO MUCH MISINFORMATION.
-SamS

Dude did you not read when i said hemp husbandry, outdated. Information, but interesting none the less?

 

[co2extractor]

Hey gw let me know what the cost is to operate a batch done from Eden Labs equipment. 3-4oz runs me about $15 in solvents to run a batch. So its quite economical and doesnt hurt to try different thingsto compensate inexperience. What pressures and temperatures will you be seeking?