The narrative review by Pourseyed Lazarjani et al. (2023) provides a comprehensive overview of the various drying and extraction methods used for medicinal cannabis. The authors discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method, and provide guidance on the selection of the most suitable method for various types of cannabis products and applications.**Drying methods**The first step in processing medicinal cannabis is to dry the plant material. This is important to prevent mold growth and to preserve the cannabinoids and terpenes. The most common drying methods are:* **Air drying:** This is the simplest and most traditional drying method. The plant material is hung in a well-ventilated area and allowed to dry for several days or weeks.* **Oven drying:** This is a faster drying method, but it is important to use a low temperature (around 110°F) to avoid degrading the cannabinoids and terpenes.* **Microwave drying:** This is the fastest drying method, but it is also the most difficult to control. If the plant material is not heated evenly, it can damage the cannabinoids and terpenes.**Extraction methods**Once the plant material is dry, it can be extracted to isolate the cannabinoids and terpenes. The most common extraction methods are:* **Solvent extraction:** This is the most efficient extraction method, but it is also the most complex and expensive. It involves using a solvent, such as ethanol or butane, to dissolve the cannabinoids and terpenes. The solvent is then removed using a process called evaporation or distillation.* **Solventless extraction:** This is a less efficient extraction method, but it is also less complex and expensive. There are a variety of solventless extraction methods, such as rosin pressing and ice water extraction. These methods use physical means, such as heat and pressure, to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes.**Selection of the most suitable method**The selection of the most suitable drying and extraction methods depends on a number of factors, including:* The type of cannabis product being produced: For example, some products, such as flower, are typically dried using air drying, while other products, such as concentrates, are typically dried using oven drying or microwave drying.* The desired quality of the product: Solvent extraction is the most efficient extraction method, but it can also produce lower quality products if the solvent is not removed properly. Solventless extraction is less efficient, but it can produce higher quality products.* The cost of the process: Solvent extraction is more expensive than solventless extraction.**Conclusion**The review by Pourseyed Lazarjani et al. (2023) provides a valuable resource for anyone interested in the processing and extraction of medicinal cannabis. The authors discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method, and provide guidance on the selection of the most suitable method for various types of cannabis products and applications.

According to a narrative review published in the Journal of Cannabis Research, solvent extraction is the most common method for extracting medicinal cannabis ¹. Solventless methods such as dry sieve and water extraction are also known to extract entire trichomes ¹. Hydrocarbon extraction methods can be used to avoid unwanted water and pigments such as chlorophyll ¹. Ethanol can extract flavonoids, while carbon dioxide can be manipulated to extract specific cannabinoids ².

Regarding the drying process, hang-drying is the most convenient method; however, it may be substituted by freeze-drying in the near future ¹.

I hope this information is helpful!

Learn more:

1. jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com2. jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com3. europepmc.org4. extractionmagazine.com