Decarboxylated cannabis resins, uses thereof and methods of making same
The disclosure relates to decarboxylated cannabis resins and methods of making the decarboxylated cannabis resins by extraction and decarboxylation of cannabinoids from Cannabis species using microwaves and solvents. The disclosure also relates to use of the decarboxylated cannabis resins for making pharmaceutical products comprising same.
1. A method of extracting and decarboxylating cannabinoids from cannabis , the method comprising:
(i) extracting cannabinoids by contacting the cannabis with a solvent thereby forming a cannabis extract;
(ii) decarboxylating the cannabinoids in the cannabis extract by subjecting the cannabis extract to microwaves at temperature of about 100-200° C. in a sealed container for a time period sufficient to form the corresponding decarboxylated cannabinoids in the cannabis extract; and
(iii) removing the solvent from the cannabis extract, thereby producing a cannabis resin;
wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of: 80-100% ethanol, ethylene glycol, isopropanol, and a combination of any of the above.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein before the step (i) of extracting, the cannabis is broken down to produce cannabis of a size and form suitable for extraction.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extracting and decarboxylating steps occur concurrently.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cannabis is completely submerged in the solvent in the sealed container.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the time period is about 15-75 minutes and wherein the temperature is between 130° C. to about 180° C.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the microwaves have a frequency of about 2.45 GHz.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the decarboxylating step (ii) occurs under a pressure of about 2-22 bar.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extracted and decarboxylated cannabinoids are recovered in the form of isolated compounds.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cannabis resin is subjected to winterization for the removal of waxes.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cannabis is dried cannabis.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cannabis is a plant part selected from the group consisting of a trichome, a cannabis female inflorescence, a flower bract, a cannabis stalk, a cannabis leaf, and combinations thereof.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cannabis remains in contact with the solvent during the decarboxylating step.