With the rising demand for natural supplements that support everyday well-being, many Canadians are turning to CBD oil, derived from industrial-grade hemp, for stress relief, better sleep, and improved balance.
At the same time, some curious users have begun to ask: How is CBD oil actually made? What goes into the process that allows it to offer potential wellness support over time? At CBDNorth, we believe in complete transparency with our CBD users and thus, ensure that they know everything about our products before purchasing them.
Here’s a guide explaining how CBD oil is made, step by step, from farm to bottle, utilizing industry-leading methods that prioritize quality, purity, and safety.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is a natural extract made from parts of the hemp plant that’s rich in Cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating hemp cannabinoid that’s widely believed to have therapeutic properties. CBD has shown potential to support wellness, leading to well-rounded relaxation for mind and body, without causing the euphoric “high” that hemp products are generally associated with.
How does it work? Well, CBD oil is a fast-acting supplement of CBD that’s often taken sublingually. It bypasses the digestive process and quickly enters the bloodstream to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid receptors, which play a key role in regulating various cognitive functions, including mood, sleep, pain, and discomfort.
The interaction does not involve any binding action, which is why CBD’s effects are considered gentler and non-psychotropic. In Canada, legal CBD oils are made from industrial hemp that contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight, to further ensure purity and safety.
What is CBD Oil Made From?
Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa) used for CBD oil production in Canada is not the same as recreational cannabis. It’s bred to be low in THC but high in CBD, aligning with legal standards across the country. Here’s what goes into quality CBD oil:
- Hemp Biomass: This includes the upper parts of the plant (flowers, leaves, and stalk) where CBD and cannabinoid-rich trichomes are most abundant.
- Organic Plant Material: Many responsible producers, including CBDNorth, prioritize extracting CBD from organic and sustainably grown hemp, free from pesticides and synthetic additives.
- Carrier Oils: CBD extracts are ultimately blended with a food-safe carrier oil, such as MCT oil or hemp seed oil, to enhance absorption and dosage accuracy of the finished CBD oil product.
Hemp seed oil is often the best natural carrier for CBD oil as it’s rich in essential fatty acids like Omega-3 and Omega-6, which not only support overall wellness but also help your body absorb CBD more efficiently.
That said, it’s important to understand that hemp seed oil and CBD oil are not the same thing. Hemp seed oil is made by cold-pressing the seeds of the hemp plant, which contain little to no CBD or other cannabinoids. In contrast, CBD oil is derived from the flowers, leaves, and stalks of the hemp plant, where cannabinoids like CBD are most concentrated.
How Is CBD Oil Made?
Turning raw hemp into high-quality CBD oil involves several precision steps. From growing the right strain of hemp to extracting, refining, and testing the final product, each phase impacts quality, safety, and potency. Here’s how it’s done.
Cultivation of Hemp
Cannabis plants cultivated for CBD oil production must meet strict regulatory criteria, especially in Canada. Farmers must select hemp strains bred specifically for high CBD content and minimal THC levels, usually under 0.3%, to stay legally compliant.
Ideal growing conditions include well-drained soil, good sunlight exposure, and minimal humidity. Many Canadian hemp farms favour eco-conscious practices, such as organic farming, to avoid synthetic chemicals and opt for crop rotation to maintain soil health.
These environmentally responsible approaches result in cleaner extracts than expected of a standard CBD oil product.
Related Post: How to grow cannabis
Harvesting and Drying
Post-cultivation, timing the harvest is vital, as CBD concentration peaks at specific stages of the flowering cycle in hemp plants. The process can be done manually or mechanically, depending on the farm scale.
After harvesting the CBD-rich hemp, the plant’s relevant parts are dried to remove moisture, prevent mold, and stop bacterial growth. Methods of drying hemp include:
- Hanging Dry: This is the traditional drying method that involves hanging the hemp plants upside down in temperature-controlled environments.
- Screen Drying: Ideal for large batches. Hemp plants are spread out evenly on mesh screens.
- Forced Air Drying: Quick and scalable, using ventilation trailers to dry hemp plants without overheating.
The final “cure” phase allows remaining chlorophyll and moisture to exit the plant, preserving and further concentrating the CBD content.
CBD Extraction Methods
Extracting CBD from hemp materials is where the technique really comes in. Different methods yield different qualities of CBD extract. However, their goal is the same: to separate CBD and other beneficial compounds while removing unwanted plant matter. Here’s a breakdown of the most commonly used CBD extraction methods in the industry today:
CO₂ Extraction (Supercritical Method)
CO₂ extraction is widely regarded as the most advanced and precise method for extracting CBD. It uses pressurized carbon dioxide at supercritical temperatures and pressures, where CO₂ behaves like both a gas and a liquid. This state allows it to efficiently pass through the hemp plant material, extracting cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds without introducing toxic solvents.
- Pros: Solvent-free, leaves no residue, allows for high cannabinoid preservation.
- Cons: High equipment cost and requires skilled supervision.
- Use: This method is popular among premium Canadian CBD producers due to its purity and efficiency.
Ethanol Extraction
Ethanol extraction involves soaking hemp plant material in food-grade ethanol, which acts as a solvent to pull out cannabinoids, terpenes, and other phytochemicals. After washing, the mixture is filtered to drain out the plant material, and the ethanol is evaporated, leaving behind the concentrated CBD extract.
- Pros: Fast, effective, suitable for large-scale production.
- Cons: Can extract chlorophyll, giving the final product a bitter taste unless further refined.
- Use: Producers often use ethanol extraction for making full-spectrum CBD oils.
Oil Infusion Method
The oil infusion method is one of the oldest and simplest techniques for making CBD oil. It begins with decarboxylation, where the hemp flower is heated to activate cannabinoids like CBD. The activated plant material is then infused into a carrier oil (such as hemp seed oil, MCT oil, or olive oil) at low, controlled temperatures for several hours.
- Pros: Safe, simple, suitable for home use.
- Cons: Low potency and shorter shelf life due to the natural decay of oil.
- Use: Common for DIYers, but not typically used in commercial production.
Hydrocarbon Extraction
Hydrocarbon extraction uses solvents such as butane, propane, or hexane to separate cannabinoids and terpenes from hemp. It’s a method often used in the cannabis industry to produce high-potency concentrates like shatter, wax, or live resin.
- Pros: Yields compound-rich extracts.
- Cons: Higher risk of residual solvents if not properly purged. Safety regulations apply.
- Use: This method is generally avoided in Canadian CBD oil production due to stricter safety regulations and consumer expectations for clean products.
Winterization and Filtration
After extraction, producers often need to filter out fats, waxes, and other plant impurities. This happens through a process called winterization. The extract is mixed with ethanol, then frozen for several hours or days. As it chills, undesired compounds solidify and are filtered out, leaving a purer, more potent CBD oil behind.
Distillation and Purification
To achieve therapeutic-grade oil, further purification is performed through distillation. Short-path or fractional distillation involves boiling the oil to isolate specific compounds based on their unique boiling points. For CBD isolate oil or THC-free broad-spectrum oils, chromatography can be used to separate cannabinoids with high precision.
CBD Oil Formulation
Next, concentrated CBD extract is mixed with a carrier oil, such as hemp seed oil or MCT oil, for dosing accuracy and improved absorption. These oils are a popular choice due to their stability and ability to support absorption within the body.
It is in this step that natural flavours like peppermint or citrus might be added to the final product, depending on the user’s preferences. Formulations are carefully measured to ensure each product delivers consistent strength per dose.
Lab Testing and Quality Control
Before hitting the shelves, reputed brands like CBDNorth send every batch of CBD oil for third-party lab testing to check for:
- CBD and THC content accuracy
- Pesticide and heavy metal presence
- Residual solvents
- Microbial contaminants
As transparent producers, we also offer Certificates of Analysis (COAs) so you can verify the purity and safety of your CBD oil.
Bottling and Packaging
At CBDNorth, good packaging isn’t just about looks; it’s about providing clear, trustworthy information to Canadian customers who value quality CBD made close to home. So, you’ll find our final formulations filled into dark glass bottles to prevent damage from light.
Labels shall include batch numbers, ingredient lists, dosage directions, and legal disclaimers, all in full compliance with the regulations of Health Canada.
Types of CBD
CBD oils can be categorized into full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate products based on their composition after processing. Each type offers different benefits depending on your health goals or THC sensitivity. Let’s understand how each of them is made.
How Full-Spectrum CBD Is Made
Full-spectrum CBD oil is made by extracting all beneficial compounds from the hemp plant, including cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and trace amounts of THC (under 0.3%).
The extract is minimally refined to preserve the plant’s natural profile, supporting the entourage effect, where compounds work synergistically to enhance their effects. It’s the most natural and holistic form of CBD oil.
How Broad-Spectrum CBD Is Made
Broad-spectrum CBD starts as full-spectrum extract but goes through extra processing, typically chromatography, to remove all detectable THC.
It retains other cannabinoids and terpenes, allowing users to experience the entourage effect without THC and its psychoactive effects. These are ideal for those avoiding THC due to sensitivity, workplace policies, or personal preference.
How CBD Isolate Is Made
CBD isolate is produced through extensive refinement of hemp extract to remove everything except pure cannabidiol.
What’s left is a crystalline powder that is 99 %+ pure CBD, with no THC, terpenes, or other cannabinoids. It’s flavourless, odourless, and a suitable option for those seeking precise CBD intake without other hemp compounds.
Final Thoughts: Quality Indicators in CBD Oil
High-quality CBD oil begins with clean, organically grown hemp and is transformed into transparent, lab-tested formulations. However, there’s a lot in between. Everything from the extraction method and carrier oil used to how carefully the product is refined and bottled plays a role in its overall quality and effectiveness.
At CBDNorth, we prioritize ethical sourcing, rigorous third-party testing, and CO₂ extraction because you deserve nothing less. Choosing a trusted Canadian brand like ours for CBD oil Canada helps ensure you’re getting the purity, potency, and safety needed for a truly practical and sustainable wellness routine.
FAQs on How Is CBD Oil Made
To prepare CBD oil, CBD is extracted primarily from the flowers, leaves, and sometimes stalks of an industrial-grade hemp plant, where CBD-rich trichomes are most densely located. Plus, industrial hemp in Canada contains less than 0.3% THC for a purer and non-psychotropic experience.
Yes. CO₂ methods yield the cleanest results because they use no harsh solvents and allow precise extraction of beneficial compounds without residues. Contrarily, methods like ethanol and hydrocarbon require further filtration to reach the same premium quality.
Yes, it’s possible through the oil infusion extraction method. Some individuals decarboxylate ground hemp flowers by baking it at low heat, then slowly heat it in a carrier oil (like hemp seed or coconut oil) for several hours. Straining the mixture results in the final CBD oil product. However, the formulation is often low-quality and low-potency.
You’ll need to decarboxylate the hemp, perform a high-quality extraction (CO₂ or ethanol), and purify the output through winterization and distillation.
CBD oil comes from hemp flowers and contains cannabinoids like CBD as well as traces of THC, depending on the product. Hemp seed oil is pressed from the seeds and contains nutritional fats but no CBD or any other cannabinoid.
