I found this extraction method a last year and I was wondering if anybody else used this method of hash/hash oil manufacture.
Isomerization: This method is out of "Dr. Atomic's Marijuana Multiplier," one of those early 70's doper pamphlets. This process assumes you have pure hash oil to begin with.
" Dissolve the hash oil in absolute ethanol or pure methanol in the ratio of one gram extract to ten grams solvent. There must be no water in this solution, as the next step is the addition of one drop of 100% sulfuric acid per gram of extract. Add the acid slowly, drop by drop, stirring slowly and completely, with a long glass stirring rod. Place a Pyrex pot containing the extract-alcohol-acid solution into the refluxing apparatus and reflux for two hours. The acid will not evaporate and will remain in the Pyrex pot. Allow to cool. Take the cooled solution, pour with an equal volume of water and 1/2 volume of petroleum ether into the ether-extraction apparatus (separation funnel). Allow to settle, and drain the ether extract layer. This leaves an ether-extract-acid mix from which the acid must be purged. To accomplish this, pour the ether-extract-solution into four volumes of 5% sodium bicarbonate solution (1 gram bicarb. in 20 grams of water). This will neutralize the acid, releasing CO2 and leaving a solution of sodium sulphate. Allow this to settle into layers, then drain the ether-extract layer. Mix the ether-extract solution with an equal volume of pure water and let it separate. Drain off the ether-extract layer. Evaporate the ether and what remains is hash oil in which all of the cannabinoids have been converted into THC."
I have found this method to work quite well really increasing yield and quality of the final product. I would also recommend that the organic material be soaked for at least a week in alcohol before the extraction. That and buy a coffee grinder and grind your plant material up (>$5 @ a thrift store). Some notes I have on this extraction, I use pharmaceutical grade NaOH rather that baking soda. These instructions do not have to be followed to the dot. I would not recommend this method of extraction to anybody that does not have any training in chemistry (self-taught is cool
) and basic safety procedures.
I have used a water-boiler with a glass bottle holding my plant material. Using one inch hose I attached an two liter bottle with a funnel inside it's neck to the top of the boiling flask (an old vinegar bottle). On top of this I placed Ice to cool the alcohol and allow it to drop back down into the boiler (a cheap reflux condenser!). This isn't the perfect method and some alcohol escapes the reflux condenser so have good ventilation.
The best way I have found to evaporate off the ether (can be substituted for tolulene) is to get a hot plate (outside!) and set a pyrex dish with the hash oil/ether out. Because the ether has a lower vapor point it will evaporate off and leave your lovely oil behind. You can tell it will have a yummy spicy smell when it is done. Scrape out with a razor and enjoy. This method even gets results using only stems so save them up for a rainy day.
When I get some time I might redo this into a nice step by step thing with pics.
Peace,
That one guy.