What is CBD Distillate? Everything You Need to Know

CBDNerds Staff
Authored: Jul 7, 2019
Updated: Aug 21, 2019
What is CBD Distillate? Everything You Need to Know

Many people within the cannabis industry have claimed that CBD distillate is the future of cannabis as a whole. Yet, so many consumers remain unaware of what it is and how it works. This is understandable considering CBD distillate was just introduced only a few years ago. To put it simply, it’s an extraction process that works differently from current extraction techniques used within the market. And there’s a reason it’s catching so much attention.


Throughout this article, we’re going to review everything you need to know about CBD distillate. At the end, we invite you to ask further questions.


What is CBD Distillate?

Distillation is an extraction process that requires two distinct steps:


1. Cleaning a type of liquid through a procedure of heating and cooling.
2. Pinpointing the most important traits of something (in our case, the CBD of the hemp plant) and extracting it.


One of the main reasons professionals have been looking into distillation in comparison to other extraction process is it provides the consumer with a purer and cleaner concentrate of CBD.¹ In effect, the CBD distilled is also more potent and can be better used for the potential medical benefits research is currently looking into.


Furthermore, through the cannabis distillation, professionals will have the ability to extract the purest forms of various cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabigerol (CBG). This is important for continuing medical research as each cannabinoid can help treat specific diseases or illnesses. For example, THC is better at curing nausea or vomiting in comparison to CBG.²  Therefore, with the right extraction process, doctors may be able to one day prescribe people with nausea a supplement solely containing THC, to offer them maximum relief and fewer side effects.


What Are Current CBD Extraction Methods?

There are currently two forms of extraction common within the cannabis industry:³


1. Solvent - By using chemical liquids, such as butane or alcohol, and applying them to the cannabis plant, you can extract various cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. For the most part, solvents are used in the marijuana industry to create THC concentrates such as wax.

2. Pressure or Rising Extraction - By taking the cannabis plant’s matter, you can use pressure or rinsing extraction methods as a way to pinpoint specific cannabinoids and terpenes. For the most part, this extraction technique is used primarily in the hemp industry to create various CBD products on the market.


Unfortunately, both methods aren’t considered pure extraction methods for cannabis products. More often than not, they leave residual solvents or plant matter in the products purchased by the consumer. And though these aren’t very hazardous, they don’t offer the consumer the purest cannabinoid science can extract.


How Does CBD Distillate Work?

CBD Distillate

Before we explain CBD distillate, it’s important to note that cannabidiol (CBD) is nothing more than a molecule found in the cannabis plant. Some consumers are misled to believe that a product of CBD oil (tinctures) are a liquid form of CBD. But no liquid form of CBD exists. Rather, CBD oil is an oil base with the CBD molecule placed in it.


The extraction process targets the molecule from the cannabis plant material. And in order to gain the purest CBD, extraction procedures must not only target and separate cannabidiol from other cannabinoids but also refine them.


The process of distillation for cannabinoids is as follows:

1. CBD is extracted using traditional solvent or solventless methods.

2. Contaminants of the cannabis concentrate are then extracted (such as fats or lipids).

3. The CBD is then extracted again with ethanol and placed in a freezing environment for 1 to 2 full days. This process is known as winterization and will rid the CBD of any remaining contaminants.

4. In the process of winterization, the ethanol will then be removed from the extract through a filtration method.

5. The extract then goes through a heating process known as decarboxylation. This is a vital stage as it activates the many therapeutic benefits CBD is known for.

6. The CBD will then enter a distillation or fractional distillation chamber numerous times for the sake of purifying the extract.

7. Once all is complete, the lab will have produced its final product: the purest molecule form of CBD which is a sappy product similar to honey.


It should be noted, not every distillation lab works the same and some have processes of their own which may not exactly match the one we mentioned above. Without proper regulations surrounding the cannabis industry, there is no current standard.


Frequently Asked Questions Concerning CBD Distillate

Is there a difference between CBD isolate and CBD distillate?

Yes! CBD isolate is 100% cannabidiol while CBD distillate contains around 80% cannabidiol and 20% of terpenes, other cannabinoids, and more.


What products are CBD distillates put in?

Almost every product currently available on the market can contain CBD distillate. Most of the time, a company will have a lab that specializes in a specific extraction process, whether it be solvent, solventless, or distillate.


The final CBD molecule can then be placed into the following:

  • Dabbing (mostly used for THC distillate)
  • Edibles
  • Oils
  • Topicals 
  • Vape juice


Are there any cons to CBD distillate?

Unfortunately, there is one main concern surrounding CBD distillates. Through the extraction process, you may lose some terpenes or other cannabinoids that often work well with cannabidiol. If you want a CBD product that makes use of all the benefits in the hemp plant, you'll want to keep an eye out for full-spectrum products.


What are the pros of CBD Distillate?

The biggest pro is through the distillation process, you’re receiving the purest form of CBD available on the market. With that, you’re also receiving the most potent CBD. To top it off, CBD distillate is one of the cleanest extraction methods. As mentioned, other extraction methods aren’t really hazardous to the consumer. However, those who use cannabidiol on a regular basis may want to seek out a company that uses a cleaner, more refined extraction method.


Your Questions

Still have questions concerning CBD distillate? We invite you to ask them in the comments section below. If you also have further or new information surrounding CBD distillate, we’d also love to hear from you.



Reference Sources

1. PubChem: Cannabidiol
2. British Journal of Pharmacology: Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids
3. psi: Cannabis/Hemp Extraction Equipment
4. Cannabis Industry Journal: Distillation Of Your Cannabis Extract: Ignorance Is Not Bliss
5. FDA: FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products

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