HOW TO Make full extract cannabis oil (FECO)

The term “cultivar” means “cultivated variety” and is the more appropriate term for the slang word “strain.” Every cultivar will have a different profile of cannabis compounds. The terms chemovar and chemotype describe the cannabinoid profile of individual cultivars.

The guidelines in the chapters on individual cancers are presented in terms of individual dosing for THC, CBD, CBG, and acid cannabinoids. Multiple oils need to be created to follow these guidelines. For example, this could mean creating a THC oil, a THCa oil, a CBD oil, a CBDa oil, a CBD plus CBDa oil, and/or a CBG oil. CBD, CBDa, CBG, and/or THCa could be combined into one oil for convenient daytime dosing. 

The best option for most patients would be to make individual oils. The advantage of dosing THC separately from the non-psychoactive oils is the ability to slowly titrate to the highest tolerable dose of THC incrementally. In contrast, non-psychoactive oils do not need to be titrated slowly. However, once the highest tolerable dose of THC is determined, a mixture of all the cannabinoids can be used at each dose throughout the day and at bedtime. 

The following guidelines are for making oil that combines THC, CBD, and CBG. These directions can be used for making this oil or to create an oil with any one or more of the individual cannabinoids. 

There are also directions for making CBD and CBDa oil using the Magical Butter Machine.

I recommend using at least three unique cannabis cultivars. The oil-making process is the same regardless of the number of cultivars, so there is no reason to skimp on the number of different cultivars from each type of cannabis. 

An acceptable oil could also be made using at least one variety from each of the following categories:

• Type I (High in THC)
• Type II or Type III (CBD with equal or lesser amounts of THC or high in CBD)
• Type IV (High in CBG)

Adding additional cultivars only increases the potential potency of the oil with minimal extra effort. I suggest using as many cultivars as possible. 

A seven-cultivar oil might comprise three Type I cultivars, three Type II or III, and one Type IV cultivar. Regardless of the number of cultivars available, the goal is to ensure both CBD and THC are present in significant ratios and CBG is included in the mix whenever possible. 

When referring to the THC, CBD, and CBG in these varieties, it is assumed the flowers have been decarboxylated. Before they are decarboxylated (heated), the raw flowers actually contain THCa, CBDa, and CBGa. Although acid cannabinoids and decarboxylated cannabinoids have antineoplastic activity, decarboxylated forms are required in all the protocols. 

THC-rich cultivars are the most abundant and widely available in dispensaries worldwide. When selecting THC-rich cultivars, select flowers that have been laboratory-tested for and found to be free of pesticides, mold, and residual solvents. Choose flowers with a THC content of at least 10%. 

Choose cultivars labeled as indica or predominantly indica hybrids, as they will be more relaxing than those labeled sativa. It should be noted, however, that patients with ADD and ADHD may respond paradoxically, as they do with pharmaceutical drugs, and find the varieties labeled “sativa” to be more relaxing.

All CBD-rich cannabis cultivars will contain some THC. Cannabis cultivars exceedingly high in CBD and extremely low in THC may be challenging to find. Ratios of CBD to THC may range from 1:1 to 20:1. They are all acceptable as CBD-rich cultivars. The easiest way to incorporate CBD is to use varieties sold as hemp, which are easier to find because they are legal in most states. 

Well-known and available CBD-rich varieties include; ACDC (20:1), Ringo’s Gift (24:1), Catatonic (5:1 to 1:1), Harlequin (5:2), Harle-Tsu, Canna-Tsu, Sour Tsunami, Pennywise (1:1), and Sweet and Sour Widow (1:1).

CBG flowers may be the most difficult to find. However, CBG varieties have recently been bred as hemp due to the legalization of hemp. They are becoming available in a limited capacity, although they are rarely found on dispensary shelves. Only consider using CBG crystals or isolate when CBG flowers are unavailable.

Some hemp companies produce and sell flowers with up to 22% CBGa. Make sure any hemp or cannabis flowers purchased are laboratory-tested and stated to be free of heavy metals, pesticides, and toxins. Shipping hemp flowers over state lines in the US is a legal gray area. Review your local laws and regulations before attempting to order them. 

FECO can be extracted commercially by professionals using butane or carbon dioxide as a solvent. These methods and solvents should not be used for home extraction.

One of the more popular methods to make cannabis oil at home uses a rice cooker, but I believe there are more efficient ways to make oil. There are several devices designed specifically for making cannabis oil safely at home mentioned here, but there are others that are not mentioned. I have no financial interest in any of the companies that make these devices.

The Magical Butter Machine (MBM) and two devices from ExtractCraft, the Source Turbo, and the EtOH PRO, are good options for making FECO. The manufacturers of these devices provide detailed guides and instructional videos that should be reviewed carefully before use. 

While the MBM can be used to make a FECO alcohol tincture, the MBM method described below is for making an infused oil. The ExtractCraft device makes a concentrated FECO that can be dissolved in oil. Many patients find alcohol tinctures irritating to the mucous membranes of their mouth. Therefore, the process for making alcohol tinctures is not described below.

The MBM is perhaps the simplest, least expensive device and the quickest way to create medicinal oil. Its weakness is that it makes the least potent oil of all the devices discussed. Because this oil is the least potent, more of it is required for antineoplastic purposes, which could make the process more expensive in the long run. 

With the MBM, cannabinoids are infused directly into a carrier oil. While some may prefer coconut oil, I prefer extra virgin olive oil as a cardiologist. Other devices require the cannabinoids first to be extracted using 190-proof alcohol (ethanol) and then dissolved into the carrier oil. The infusion process is less efficient than the extraction process, so oil made with the MBM is less potent than those created with the alcohol extraction method.

The MBM combines a commercial-grade immersion blender with graded heating and timing units. The infusion method is simple: flowers and carrier oil are put into the pot, and the desired mixing time and temperature are set. The slurry this produces is filtered to remove the plant material to produce the final medicine. 

The temperature settings are no heat, 130°F (54°C), 160°F (71°C), 190°F (88°C), and 220°F (105°C). The timer settings are 1, 2, 4, and 8 hours. There is also a button for cleaning/blending.

I recommend using one ounce of flowers to 3-4 cups of carrier oil (up to the “max” line inside the pot) and 2 tablespoons of granular or liquid sunflower lecithin, which enhances the infusion process.

First, run two cycles after pressing the cleaning/blending button and then set the temperature to 220°F (105°C) and the timer button to 2 hours. If the raw flowers have not already been decarboxylated, this time and temperature setting will convert all the THCa to THC and about 50% of the CBDa to CBD. 

The MBM comes with a 190-micron filter bag. That will not filter out all the particulate matter, so I recommend purchasing additional filters with smaller holes. The MBM also separately sells  73-micron and 25-micron filter bags. The 25-micron filter bag is the filter with the smallest holes. The bags can each be stacked halfway on top of each other with the 25-micron filter on the bottom, and the slurry can be filtered through all three bags at once. The full filtering may take several hours or even overnight to complete. 

The resultant oil will essentially be free of particulate matter but can be filtered further by stacking the three MBM filter bags over a commercial fryer oil filter. Ensure the oil is below 100°F (38°C) before using this filter because commercial fryer oil filters do not stand up well to very hot oil. 

When making oil for THCa, do not decarboxylate the flowers and run the MBM at a low temperature, such as four hours at 130°F (54°C). A more efficient infusion might occur at 160°F (71°C) over four hours, but this will likely also convert more THCa to THC. CBGa and CBDa decarboxylate at higher temperatures (240°F/115.5°C) than THCa, so they would likely maintain more of their acid state for four hours at 160°F (71°C). 

If CBDa and/or CBGa flowers are processed in the MBM at 220°F (104°C) for two hours, the resulting oil will contain approximately 50% CBD/CBDa and/or CBG/CBGa. 

This information comes from my experience making oil with the MBM and having it laboratory-tested. It is not the same information included in the MBM owner’s manual. The full MBM instructions are in their owner’s manual and frequently asked questions online. The MBM Facebook group may also provide additional useful information.

Most people will throw out the sludge that remains from the extraction process, but it still contains a small amount of good medicine, so others choose to repurpose it by adding it to foods. Always titrate the amount of edible cannabis before eating a whole dose, as it may still contain enough THC to cause psychoactivity. (See chapter: Sourcing, Dosing & Titration). 

These two devices, manufactured by ExtractCraft, are the most sophisticated of the devices mentioned here but also the most expensive. Both do the extraction under a vacuum, allowing for lower-temperature extractions and preserving more terpenes than the MBM. 

Both devices produce high-quality oil, but the Source Turbo is great for ease of use, and the EtOH PRO is best for making larger quantities. 

It is best to decarboxylate the raw flowers before extraction. When using a Mason jar to decarboxylate, the same jar can be used for the alcohol soak.

These devices also make inhalable concentrates, and the manufacturer recommends a short soak. For medicinal purposes and cancer treatment, longer soaks are required to ensure the extraction of all the antineoplastic compounds in the plant. 

Once the soak is complete, the alcohol is strained and filtered. The Source Turbo only holds a maximum of 300 ml of alcohol wash. The EtOH PRO costs about three times more than the Source Turbo and holds a maximum of 4,000 ml of alcohol wash. 

For demonstration videos, user manuals, and more information, visit the ExtractCraft website. I also recommend joining the ExtractCraft Facebook group for additional help and tips.

190-proof alcohol is highly flammable. Use with caution.

Storing the Cannabis flowers and the alcohol in the freezer for 24 hours before soaking is recommended. Whether to grind the flowers or soak them whole is another decision. 

ExtractCraft recommends not grinding the flowers before soaking. I recommend a soak lasting one hour. Eighty-five percent of the cannabinoids can be recovered with a five-minute soak, and extending the soak to 30 minutes will increase that to approximately 90%. A one-hour soak will capture approximately 95% of the cannabinoids and the other desired compounds. The longer soaks will also make the medicine more potent. However, longer soaks will also extract more chlorophyll. Some people find chlorophyll upsets their stomachs, but in my experience, this is not a common problem. Use a 30-minute soak the first time, and if there is no problem with an upset stomach, extend the soak to one hour.

Although 190-proof Everclear or organic alcohol is readily available in many places, it is not legally available in all states. If that is the case, consider carefully which device is best for you. Using 150-proof or lower-grade alcohol, such as vodka, will create an inferior extract loaded with water that is exceedingly difficult to use. There is no advantage to using 200-proof alcohol because when the container is opened, water from the atmosphere will flow in and lower it from 200-proof to somewhere around 190-proof.

The sale of 190-proof Everclear is banned in the following states; California, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Washington, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Minnesota.

Do not use isopropyl alcohol or denatured alcohol under any circumstances. It is toxic.

Unlike the MBM, which infuses cannabinoids into a carrier oil, The Green Oil Machine (GOM) extracts the cannabinoids using food grade 190 proof alcohol. The alcohol is then distilled off, leaving just the concentrated cannabinoids. The basic process is to soak the cannabis flowers in alcohol to extract the cannabinoids, the alcohol is then reclaimed, and the concentrated cannabinoid extract remains at the bottom of the GOM pot.

Although 190-proof Everclear or organic alcohol is readily available in many places, it is not legally available in all states. If that is the case, this is not the best choice of device. Using the GOM with 150-proof or lower-proof alcohol, such as vodka, will create a very inferior extract that will be loaded with water and exceedingly difficult to use. There is no advantage to using 200-proof alcohol because as soon as the container is opened, water from the atmosphere will flow in and lower it from 200 proof to somewhere around 190 proof.

I do not have personal experience with the Levo II. It is one of the most modern and technologically advanced devices but has the shortcoming of processing smaller amounts than other machines. 

Throughout The Cannabis Cancer Connection I recommend not only oils made from multiple cultivars but also multiple solvents. The methods described in this chapter for home extraction use only alcohol and carrier oils because they are safe for at-home oil production. 

To use oils blended from multiple extractions with other solvents such as carbon dioxide and butane or to blend purchased oils high in different cannabinoids, they will have to be mixed at home into dropper bottles using the following process for blending highly concentrated oils from two syringes: 

• Wash, sterilize, and dry 4-ounce dropper bottles. 
• Add about 3 ounces of high-quality organic extra virgin olive oil to each bottle. 
• Add 1 ml of highly concentrated cannabis oil from each syringe to be blended. 
• Place the dropper into the bottle and screw the cap on tight. 
• Use heat to blend.

At room temperature, the concentrated cannabis oil from the syringes will not dissolve into the olive oil. If needed, this is remedied by putting the dropper bottle on a warming plate at the lowest temperature setting for half an hour or longer. Then swirl the bottle by hand clockwise, then counterclockwise, until the cannabis concentrate diffuses into the olive oil. This may need to be done for several minutes, or the heat may need to be slightly increased on the warmer plate to get the two oils to meld together. 

Once the cannabis concentrate is incorporated into the olive oil, take it off the warmer plate and let it sit at room temperature overnight without opening the bottle. This will allow any terpenes that may have been released during the heating process to be reincorporated back into the oil. Check the next day to make sure the infusion has been maintained. If not, repeat the process at a slightly higher temperature. Once fully incorporated into the olive oil, the concentrate should remain a stable solution at room temperature.

In the pursuit of two extracts from two different solvents, the patient may end up with a dropper bottle of oil extracted with one solvent and a syringe extracted with a second solvent. In this situation, use the above technique to combine the two oils into one dropper bottle. Pour a 2-ounce bottle of cannabis oil into an empty 4-ounce dropper bottle and add 1 ounce of fresh, high-quality organic extra virgin olive oil. Then add 1 milliliter of concentrate from the syringe and follow the guidelines above. This oil will be stronger than the original cannabis oil dropper bottle, so adjust dosing accordingly. 

Infusing more than 1 ml of concentrated oil from the syringe into the olive oil is possible. This can usually be facilitated by heating the syringe and the olive oil before merging them. First, place the dropper bottle with the olive oil on the warmer plate for 30 to 60 minutes. Then boil water and pour it into a cup. Be sure the cap on the syringe is tightly secured and place the syringe into the cup and let it sit for several minutes to warm up. Using this technique, up to 5 ml of the concentrated oil can be merged from the syringe into the 4-ounce bottle containing the extract from the original 2-ounce dropper bottle. Ensure there is enough room in the olive oil bottle to accommodate the additional 5 ml of concentrate. More heat and time will probably make it happen if it does not merge.