Residual Solvents
Residual solvents are byproducts of the processes used to extract cannabinoids and terpenes in the creation of concentrated extracts. The extraction process often utilizes alcohol, butane, or propane. With the rise in popularity of high potency cannabis extracts, it is of utmost importance to have all extracted products tested for residual solvents.
Classes of Solvents
Solvents are broken down into three classes based on health risk:
Class I solvents are to be avoided in cannabis extraction – these include known and suspected carcinogens and environmental hazards.
Class II solvents are not to be used outside of stringent good manufacturing practices – these include animal carcinogens or possible causative agents of other irreversible toxicity, as well as solvents suspected of other significant but reversible toxicities.
Class III solvents have low toxic potential and the only class recommended for use in cannabis extract production – none are known to pose a risk to human health at the levels expected in a cannabis extract.
What residual solvents do you test for?
Methanol
Propane
Pentane
Acetone
Ethyl acetate
Heptane
Butane
Ethyl ether
Isopropanol
Ethanol
Trichloroethylene
Methylene chloride
Chloroform
Benzene
1,2-Dichloroethane
Ethylene oxide
Hexane
Acetonitrile
Toluene
Total Xylenes
What should be tested?
Any concentrated cannabis extract should be tested for residual solvents. This includes shatter, wax, budder, and oil, as well as any product made with extracts.
