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 a temperature of about 100° C.-200° C. in a sealed container or a sealed vessel under a pressure of about 2 bar-22 bar 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.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein before the extracting step, 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 occur concurrently.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cannabis is suspended in the solvent by stirring or agitation and wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting 80%-100% ethanol, ethylene glycol, isopropanol, and combinations thereof.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cannabis is completely submerged in the solvent which is in the sealed container or sealed vessel.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the time period is about 15 minutes-75 minutes and wherein the temperature is about 130° C. to about 180° C., or the temperature is about 150° C. to about 170° C.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the microwaves have a frequency of about 2.45 GHz and a wavelength of about 1.22×10 8 nm.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cannabis resin is subjected to winterization for the removal of waxes.
9. The method of claim 2 , wherein the cannabis is dried cannabis.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cannabis is from 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.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cannabis remains in contact with the solvent during the decarboxylating step.