How is CBG oil made?

CBG oil is made in five broad steps. Hemp is harvested when its CBG content is highest, then dried and ground. A solvent, usually supercritical CO2 or ethanol, extracts the cannabinoids. The crude extract is refined, and the CBG is finally diluted in a carrier oil and tested. Because most hemp contains far less CBG than CBD, growers increasingly use varieties bred for high CBG.

Cannabigerol (CBG) is quickly becoming recognised as one of the most talked-about cannabinoids in today’s hemp and cannabis market. As interest grows, so does curiosity about how CBG oil is extracted, with much attention placed on the methods and steps that make this process possible.

Key Takeaways

• CBG, sometimes called the “Mother of all Cannabinoids,” is the non-acidic form of cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), which serves as the starting point for other cannabinoids.
• The best time to harvest plants for higher CBG content is usually around six weeks into the eight-week flowering cycle of young cannabis plants.
• CO2 and ethanol are the main solvents used for CBG extraction. CO2 is often preferred for its efficiency and the quality of the final extract.
• The extraction process generally includes chilling, extraction, filtration, solvent removal, decarboxylation, distillation, and chromatography.

What is CBG Oil?

The CBG extraction process, step by step

CBGA: Bri; Hbf878. CC BY-SA 4.0.

1. Harvesting: Young cannabis plants are collected since they contain more CBG than fully mature plants.
2. Drying: The plants are dried to reduce excess moisture.
3. Grinding: Once dry, the material is ground into a fine powder.
4. Extraction: The powder undergoes solvent extraction using either CO2 or ethanol.
5. Purification: The extracted oil is refined to remove unwanted elements.
6. Concentration: The oil is then concentrated to enhance its strength.
7. Testing: The final extract is tested to verify quality and safety standards.

CO2 vs. Ethanol Extraction

CO2 extraction is widely considered the most effective way to produce CBG oil, as it results in a clean, high-quality extract with very little solvent residue. Ethanol extraction, while still common, can sometimes yield less refined results with higher levels of leftover solvents.

From crude extract to CBG oil

A crude extract still contains plant waxes, fats and chlorophyll. Producers remove these and can then concentrate the cannabinoids further. A distillate keeps CBG together with other cannabinoids from the plant, while an isolate is CBG purified on its own, usually by chromatography and crystallisation. Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBG oils are made from extracts or distillates, and CBG isolate oils from the purified compound.

The concentrate is then mixed with a carrier oil, such as hemp seed oil or MCT oil, to reach the strength on the label. At Formula Swiss we use CO2 extraction only, and every production batch of our oils is tested.

Challenges in CBG Production

Producing CBG remains expensive because it is naturally present in small amounts in most cannabis strains, and harvest timing must be precise to capture higher concentrations. Plant breeders are actively developing varieties with higher CBG content to make the process more practical and cost-effective.

Conclusion

As the cannabis and hemp industries move forward, CBG oil is gaining attention for its unique role among cannabinoids. While its extraction process is detailed and requires careful handling, the results highlight the growing significance of this compound within the wider field of cannabinoid research and product development.