Q&A for How to Make a Medical Marijuana Oil

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  • Question
    Can I use 75 proof vodka as solvent?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    Yes, you can use 75 proof vodka as solvent. However, your yield will likely be much lower.
  • Question
    I used Everclear as a solvent, and the oil did not turn as dark and thick as the demonstrations show. Can I put it back in the rice cooker?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    You can, but it may lose some potency. The difference may simply be due to a different plant type.
  • Question
    About how much oil can 1 ounce of marijuana make?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    It varies, but after some experience, you should be able to get 2-6 grams of oil per ounce of marijuana.
  • Question
    Can you use fresh picked marijuana to make oil?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    Yes, you can use freshly picked marijuana to make the oil. Be aware that fresh buds will take up a greater volume than dried buds, and you should take the volume difference into account.
  • Question
    Is there a recipe to make oil with a low THC content?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    To make oil with low TCH content (or high CBD content), you need to start with marijuana with low THC (or high CBD) content.
  • Question
    After the solvent evaporated, all that was left was a powdery substance. Did I heat for too long?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    That is probably what went wrong. Alternatively, the temperature may have been too high. Go through all your materials and start fresh. Check the temperature frequently.
  • Question
    I suffer from epilepsy and arthritis. I take methotrexate, which is slowly killing me. I would like to try this, but it's not legal in our country. What can I do?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    You don't mention your country, but it is possible that you may be able to get a prescription from your doctor. Ask your doctor to find out if this is possible.
  • Question
    How long will the oil keep?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    If you keep the marijuana oil refrigerated, tightly capped and in a brown or blue bottle (to keep out light), it should be stable for 6-12 months.
  • Question
    What solvents can be used?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    High-proof alcohol is the safest solvent to use when extracting the THC from medical marijuana.
  • Question
    Is medical marijuana good for asthma?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    There are studies indicating that medical marijuana may be helpful in asthma by acting to reduce the spasms and bronchial constrictions. Talk to your doctor first before trying the medical marijuana.
  • Question
    Can you use a crockpot to reduce the mixture?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    A crockpot can be used to reduce the mixture, but prepared to be patient if you use this method. It will take a while.
  • Question
    Can a patient with epilepsy smoke the marijuana instead of using marijuana oil?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    It is possible, but smoking marijuana shares some of the same dangers as smoking cigarettes.
  • Question
    How do you improve the bioavailability of cannabis oil? Can you mix it with olive oil?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    You can mix the cannabis oil with olive oil, although there are no studies on the effect on bioavailability specifically diluted in olive oil.
  • Question
    Can I reuse solvent I used to make another batch or is it good for only one?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    No, you should not re-use the solvent. Use fresh Everclear for every batch.
  • Question
    Can I use Bacardi 151?
    Zora Degrandpre, ND
    Natural Health Doctor
    Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
    Natural Health Doctor
    Expert Answer
    When making medical marijuana oil, I recommend using Everclear or a similar high-proof alcohol.
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