Cannabis oil is the fourth most popular weed product in Canada, commonly consumed orally. It is one of several cannabis concentrates that Canadians use for quick highs or medical purposes. Recently, MediPharm Labs, a Canadian marijuana producer, shipped concentrated oils to the U.S. for a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Phase 2 clinical trial.
It is the first time a Canadian producer has participated in such a trial in the U.S. The shipment, which occurred on July 28, did not disclose the organization conducting the trial.
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Who is MediPharm Labs?
Founded in 2015, MediPharm Labs specializes in producing purified, pharmaceutical-quality cannabis concentrates and derivatives using a GMP-certified facility with ISO-standard clean rooms. They have invested in expert teams, state-of-the-art technology, and advanced purification methods to deliver precision-dosed products. The company offers wholesale and white-label platforms, formulating, developing, processing, packaging, and distributing extracts globally.
In 2021, they became the only North American company with a GMP license for natural cannabinoid and terpene extraction, granted by Health Canada.
In 2023, they expanded their reach to medical patients in Canada, Australia, and Germany. MediPharm operates in compliance with all applicable laws in its operating countries.
Purpose of the Shipment and Brief Hurdles
The clinical trial in the U.S. selected MediPharm Labs to supply their high-quality oils. Their rigorous extraction processes and advanced practices made them a preferred choice for the trial.
Shipping their products involves a complex process. In the U.S., marijuana is a Schedule I substance, which complicates research and development. MediPharm Labs had to obtain approvals from various regulatory bodies, including the FDA, to import their cannabis concentrate for research.
The process required MediPharm to utilize its GMP Drug Establishment License, provide product stability data, secure FDA Innovative New Drug Approval, and obtain DEA narcotic import approval. These steps began five years ago and involved significant capital investment. They showcased MediPharm’s unique pharmaceutical capabilities and approach.
What Makes THC and CBD Oil Special for Trials?
THC and CBD oils come from the marijuana plant. These oils are known for their potent cannabinoid profile and are available in various forms. That’s why the company sent these products for permissible tests and evaluation.
In a 2022 study from the Frontiers of Pharmacology, researchers looked into different clinical trials for medical cannabis. Some countries, like Israel, Netherlands, and Germany, are among the few that use cannabis extract or oil for studies.
Extraction Process of Oil
Several methods exist for extracting oils from cannabis plant material, each affecting potency differently. Standard methods include supercritical CO2, ethanol, and hydrocarbon extraction. All of these methods effectively extract cannabinoids and terpenes from the marijuana flower.
After extraction, extractors remove residual solvents to ensure the concentrate is safe for consumption. Solvent-based concentrates need to undergo a purging process to eliminate any potentially harmful chemicals. Once purged, the final product is ready for testing and market use.
Different types are available after the extraction:
- THC: Comes from tetrahydrocannabinol-rich cannabis flowers and can be made through several methods using different carriers. Full-spectrum, which includes a range of cannabinoids and terpenes, are also available for purchase.
- Rick Simpson Oil (RSO): Named after its inventor, who created it as a natural remedy for his skin cancer, it is also known as Phoenix Tears. It has a dark amber colour and a sticky, tar-like consistency. It can treat various medical conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, anxiety, depression, and even cancer.
- Butane Hash Oil (BHO): Sticky and light yellow and commonly referred to as honey oils due to its colour. Like smoking marijuana, it is highly effective in relieving stress, anxiety, and pain. It has average THC levels of 60 to 90%.
- CO2 Oil: Produced using CO2 extraction, it comes in various consistencies, can have high levels of cannabinoids, and can be tailored to include specific terpenes.
- CBD: Marketed as a medicinal product due to its lack of psychoactive effects. It offers antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving properties. For those who are hesitant to use tetrahydrocannabinol because of its psychoactive effects, CBD provides a non-psychoactive alternative with therapeutic benefits.
- Hemp: Extracted by pressing hemp seeds, the cold-pressed method produces a greenish, nutty oil commonly used in beauty products.
Product Selection
MediPharm Labs sent a range of extracts with different THC and CBD ratios for trials. These products can offer multiple medical benefits.
- THC-Dominant: High tetrahydrocannabinol levels for studying pain and nausea management.
- CBD-Dominant: Higher CBD content for conditions like epilepsy and anxiety.
- Balanced: Equal tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol ratios to explore broad-spectrum effects.
Aside from liquid extracts, some of the best concentrate options can also give the same benefits:
| Product | Type | Effects/Benefits |
| CBD Tears – Full Spectrum | Full-Spectrum CBD | Enhances therapeutic benefits through the “entourage effect”; may improve mood disorders and anxiety. |
| Premium Shatter – Acapulco Gold | Shatter | Known for motivating and energizing reactions; highly regarded for its quality and rare availability. |
| Gevalia Hash | Hashish | Potent and flavourful; made from Indica and useful for general relaxation and enjoyment. |
| Jaguar Hash | Hashish | Solventless extract with a dark colour; well-reviewed for its effective pain management. |
| White Widow | Budder | A cerebral experience that heightens perception, elevates mood, and boosts energy and focus. May benefit individuals with attention deficit disorders. |
Explore Different Marijuana Concentrates Online
MediPharm Labs’ move to send concentrated oils for U.S. clinical trials is a major step forward in studying marijuana’s medical uses. These trials will offer valuable insights into the safety and effectiveness of concentrate products, possibly leading to new treatment options.
Looking for the best-concentrated forms? From potent shatters to full-spectrum oils, find the right product for pain relief, relaxation, and more at GrassLife. Check out detailed descriptions, compare options, and find the perfect THC concentrates online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the therapeutic benefits of concentrated products?
- Activate receptors in the brain and nerves that help regulate pain. It also targets receptors on immune system cells, which assist in controlling inflammation (swelling) and modulating the immune response.
- Low doses of a CB1-activating substance can enhance antidepressant effects and boost serotonin levels, similar to the effects of SSRI antidepressants.
- Impact symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). They may help suppress neuroinflammation by activating CB2 receptors and provide neuroprotective effects in the central nervous system (CNS) by activating CB1 receptors.
- Activating the endocannabinoid system by adding cannabinoids can lead to a reduction in blood pressure.
- Protect neural cells from dying during the “drying out” period of alcohol withdrawal.
How to consume Oils?
It acts more quickly than edibles but not as fast as inhalation methods like vaping or smoking. It offers various potency options, from CBD-only to those with varying THC levels.
For the fastest effects, take sublingually. Place a drop under your tongue, which is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes. This method bypasses the stomach and increases weed bioavailability (the proportion of cannabinoids that reach your bloodstream). It takes 15 to 30 minutes to take effect.
You can add to food and drinks, similar to using edibles or capsules. While effective, this method results in lower bioavailability because the cannabinoids must pass through the stomach and liver. Ingesting this way can take 30 to 90 minutes to produce effects, but it depends on factors such as your recent meals and metabolism.
What are alternatives to marijuana oils?
There are other concentrated products with THC levels documented to be as high as 90%. Not all concentrates are the same, as they can vary widely in extraction methods, consistency, colour, and appearance.
- Live Resin: Extracted from fresh cannabis flower. The resin’s extraction method preserves terpenes and flavours, which results in a rich taste and deep amber colour.
- Bubble Hash: Produced using ice water. This is solvent-free and used in dab rigs.
- Wax: Sticky wax-like concentrated mass with high potency and variable texture.
- Dry Sift: Made by sieving trichomes. This has a powdery form and is solvent-free.
- Sugar: Granular marijuana concentrate resembling sugar crystals with high potency.
Are solvent-based concentrates safe?
Yes. Extractors remove the solvent using vacuum purging. Vacuum purging, also known as outgassing, is a process used to remove residual butane and propane from cannabis extracts.
Here’s how vacuum purging works: After extracting the crude oil, it is placed in a vacuum chamber. The reduced atmospheric pressure lowers butane and propane’s boiling points, which allows them to evaporate at much lower temperatures. This process removes the solvents without degrading the therapeutic compounds.
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