Why I prefer physical extractions (dry screen and ice water) over solvent extractions (BHO, QWISO, CO2, N2) extractions.
1) safety
2) separation of trichome heads by size
3) legal under 215
I could write all day about each of these but I'll briefly elaborate.
1) Safety: The danger of all solvents, especially bho, is the risk of fires and explosions during extraction. People have been dying from trying to make bho for many years, it happened just a few months ago. An explosion is reported almost every week, and that is just the big ones that make the news. If people don't die they sometimes just lose their hands, a local man has been in a coma for the past couple months. He is a friend of a friend, its a small world ey? Obviously smaller pan fires and explosions are hidden because of the illegality of the extraction. I could post dozens of news reports of this happening, but its really not needed. BHO explosions are happening to medical marijuana patients, this info also makes the news.
2) Separation of trichome heads by size.
I could write an entire thesis on this working with Steep Hill Lab. To sum it up: small trichomes are different than large trichomes chemically, medium being the preference for smoking. The article in July 2011 Kush Magazine, on hash, that I worked on with Steep Hill, clearly shows that the different bags have different chemical analysis, and thats just looking at three compounds of the hundreds of cannabinoids, terpenoids, and flavonoids that combine synergistically to create what we call "high". Terpenoids act as agonists and antagonists to modulate the high, this is just becoming known.
I will clearly pose the hypothesis here and now that the medium sized trichomes (73 to 120 microns) have the highest terpene to weight levels. This is why the 73 to 120 grades are the most melty, oily, and flavorful.
Here is an example. Sour D 73 and 45. The 73 is Amber, the 45 is Red. They are different chemically, and its not just a slight difference in THC.
3) Legal under 215.
Fact is ice water extraction, dry screening, cooking oils/fats are all legal under 215. BHO is not, it actually carries a felony charge in the state, same charge as a meth lab.
Quote:
Sorry to hear about your troubles. Concentrated cannabis is legal under California's medical cannabis law, but police officers, public defenders, and judges sometime do not know what to do. ASA can help your public defender. Have a look at our legal FAQ at (link removed) Answer the question be be directed to the topic concerning concentrated cannabis. You can also email legalsupport@americansforsafea ccess.org
Concentrated cannabis or hashish is included within the meaning of “marijuana” as that term is used in the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.~ PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL State of California BILL LOCKYER Attorney General October 21, 2003
Here's a copy of the ATTORNEY GENERAL's reprort No.03_411.pdf
http://www.hmsllc.org/No.03_411.pdf
again bottom page #1 =
CONCLUSION
Concentrated cannabis or hashish is included within the meaning of
“marijuana” as that term is used in the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.
On the next 6 pages the ATTORNEY GENERAL explain why with leagle citations!
All from here, I hope the mods allow this link:
http://safeaccessnow.org/punbb/viewtopic.php?id=2196
Then we get to this from ASA:
Quote:
BUT HASH OIL IS NOT LEGAL - as of Aug. 2008 =
"Hash Oil" & "Honey Oil" ie anything that uses a solvent for chemical extration (Butain and so forth) is illegal. People v. Bergan 2nd Court of Appeals, Div. 1, Aug 2008. Mechanical speration (silk screen, ice bag and also non-chemical lipids; butter, cooking oil) are still legal for valiad medical cannabis patients. Solvents made "oils" are not. Items made with a solvent, can be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for three, five, or seven years and by a fine” up to $50,000.
Here's the full case:
http://www.hmsllc.org/bergan1.pdf
Basicaly if its NOT made with a silk screen (KEIF) or ice bags (HASH) or butter or vegy oil (Olive oil et al) "Non-chemical lipids" - it is against the law - and is under 'drug manufactoring." The Bergan dission is quite clear on this and goes into the verious methods and which ones are okay and which ones (Solvent derived) are not!
Note: Cold CO2 extration method is NOT mentioned I don't know where that would fall.
http://safeaccessnow.org/punbb/viewtopic.php?id=2711
rize up!
