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 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 decarboxylated cannabinoids in the cannabis resin are then subjected to winterization, and wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of 80%-100% ethanol, ethylene glycol, isopropanol, and combinations thereof.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cannabis remains in contact with the solvent during the decarboxylating step.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the extracting and decarboxylating occur concurrently.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein before the step of extracting, the cannabis is broken down to produce cannabis of a size and form suitable for extraction.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the time period is about 15-75 minutes and wherein the temperature is about 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 occurs under a pressure of about 2-22 bar.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cannabis is a 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.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extracted and decarboxylated cannabinoids are recovered in the form of isolated compounds.
10. The method of claim 4 , wherein prior to the step where the cannabis is broken down, the cannabis is dried.