Hemp CBD Biomass: 100,000-125,000 Pounds With ~10% CBD Available!

Our Colorado hemp CBD farm produces the most beautiful flowers. But after the flowers are cultivated, the seeds, stalks, and leaves are also an excellent source of CBD. OilWell CBD has from 100,000 to 125,000 pounds of ~10% hand-shucked hemp available for purchase for use in many of your finished CBD products.

What is Hemp CBD Biomass?

There may be some confusion about what CBD biomass is and which part of the plant it comes from. The correct definition of hemp biomass is the waste products left behind (which includes seeds, stalks, leaves, and flowers) only after the flowers have been extracted for use in other CBD products.

Raw hemp flowers have the most cannabinoids, but the rest of the plant (and flowers after extraction) also contain CBD at a level of about 10-12% on average.

Hemp CBD biomass is processed to make oils, distillate, or isolate – the ingredients that are used to create finished CBD products like tinctures, topicals, cosmetics, pre-rolls, and more. It has a higher level of CBD than hemp biomass used for industrial products, such as fuel, textiles, and construction materials.

The Importance of Sourcing Hemp Biomass From Farms With Sustainable Agriculture Practices

What is Sustainable Agriculture?

Sustainable agricultural practices aim to optimize production while also working to avoid environmental harm, use natural resources more efficiently, and protect the human rights of workers. Hemp is such a miraculous plant that it seems to create sustainability on its own, even without the help of farmers.

Soil degradation is a problem that can threaten the health of food crops when too many nutrients are extracted while cultivating. But hemp is a plant that actually returns a good amount of nutrients to the soil and slows erosion. Hemp is also naturally resistant to diseases, mold and other fungi, and pests, which means that farmers can refrain from using harmful pesticides.

Growing hemp may even help farmers benefit financially since the hemp plant produces high yields in relatively small spaces. Farmers can then make use of the rest of their land for other crops. And because hemp returns nutrients to the soil, more plants can be added immediately after hemp is harvested. Hemp also uses significantly less water than other plants, which is another way it helps to save natural resources.

Bad Practices in Parts of the Industry

Although the hemp industry is generally recognized as one that uses sustainable agricultural practices, a couple of factors are causing some farmers to do more harm than good.

Since the 2018 Farm Bill passed, there’s been an explosive demand for CBD. That has led some companies to turn their attention to producing as much hemp as possible with little regard for the environment. Because the industry is growing so rapidly, some inexperienced companies have tried to meet demand without the necessary infrastructure. Demand is also causing some suppliers to cut corners in order to increase profits.

But along with demand, the focus on the government’s mandate that CBD products not exceed 0.3% THC has led some farmers to destroy crops that contain a higher percentage. Weather and genetics can produce hemp plants that contain more THC than is legally allowed, and farmers have been burning plants that are above the 0.3% threshold. Burning an entire season’s crop is not only wasteful but contributes to air pollution.

Joy Beckerman, who is the former president of the Hemp Industries Association, claims that the 0.3% threshold is arbitrary. She said that, “There is no strong scientific and tested backing to such percentage in hemp.” She went on to suggest that instead of a strict cut-off point, farmers should be allowed to use a margin-of-error method since there are so many variables when it comes to growing plants.

Instead of burning their crops, farmers could instead repurpose their hemp for industrial uses like fabric, construction materials, or fuel. Again, inexperienced farmers and companies may not be aware of the ways they can repurpose, and probably feel threatened due to the federal government’s recommendation to “destroy” hemp plants that exceed 0.3% CBD. In true sustainable fashion, repurposing hemp would allow farmers to generate profit instead of losing an entire season’s income.

When companies act strictly like business owners rather than cultivators using sustainable practices, the CBD industry suffers. At OilWell CBD, we work with only a select number of growers and other partners who carefully tend to their plants in the most responsible manner. When you purchase hemp biomass from us, you can be certain that you’ll get the purest product available.

As we said earlier, hemp is a wonder plant that is naturally resistant to disease and mold, but irresponsible growers and processors – who care more about profit than the integrity of their plants – may turn out products that contain dangerous mold. Our growers and processors do the work to mitigate any mold, and we source directly from these suppliers; there are no intermediaries or “middle-men.”

Which End-User Products are Derived From Hemp CBD Biomass?

Refining hemp CBD biomass produces different kinds of CBD products with various characteristics and potentcies.

Full Spectrum CBD

Full Spectrum CBD is also known as whole plant CBD. It’s the least refined of all end-user products made from CBD hemp biomass, and contains a higher amount of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds. Some people prefer full spectrum CBD because they believe that the whole plant produces a more potent product when all of the compounds work together in what is called an “entourage effect.” The downside to full spectrum CBD is that it has a distinct earthy taste and aroma that may not work well for products where it could interfere with a flavor profile. Full spectrum has the highest level of THC compared to distillates, and a higher degree of impurities.

Broad Spectrum CBD

For those who want a cleaner product with fewer impurities, broad spectrum CBD might fit the bill. It still has cannabinoids and terpenes, but the THC is distilled out. Some say it’s less potent than full spectrum because some of the compounds have been removed, but others report that it’s just as potent as full spectrum because the cannabinoids and terpenes are still present. It does have the same kind of earthy taste and aroma as full spectrum CBD, so that could also be limiting for the kinds of end-user products it creates.

CBD Isolate

Isolates are distilled to remove all impurities, so what you’re left with is a product that’s 99% pure CBD. It’s less potent than full spectrum or broad spectrum CBD, but it’s colorless, odorless, and tasteless, so it’s a natural choice for those who want to infuse CBD in their edibles.

CBD Extraction and Distillation

CBD can be extracted from hemp either with solvents or without them. Solvents commonly used in extraction are carbon dioxide and ethanol. When carbon dioxide is used, it must first be taken from a gaseous state to a liquid one. Once in liquid form, heat and pressure are applied, which work to extract the cannabinoids from the hemp. Ethanol works in a way that’s similar to carbon dioxide, and can be used effectively as a solvent because of its polarity. To extract CBD without solvents requires intense pressure or a kind of rinsing technique.

Using solvents can remove terpenes and some cannabinoids, but ethanol extraction can leave the CBD with a grassy taste due to a chemical reaction that attracts chlorophyll. Carbon dioxide extraction is expensive and is technically difficult to do unless you know a lot about chemistry. Ethanol is highly flammable and could be a big fire risk if not done properly. Also, chlorophyll may not be safe for some populations, and can cause stomach upset or skin irritation.

There are some other ways to extract CBD on a smaller scale by using dry ice or olive oil. Dry ice is often difficult to secure and there’s a high risk of ruining your product if you don’t know exactly how to use this method. While olive oil is readily available, it’s very perishable and is only good for small yields. 

After Extraction: Winterization and Decarboxylation

Winterization is the next step in the process for further purification. It involves placing the previously extracted products into a container with ethanol and putting it in a cold environment for at least two days. The cold causes impurities to solidify and fall to the bottom of the container. Once these impurities have been filtered out, heat is applied to turn the liquid CBD into a vapor and then passes through a tube where the pure distillate drips out. The process is repeated until the desired amount of CBD is achieved.

Decarboxylation takes place next, which uses heat to activate the cannabinoids in the hemp. It takes a lot of heat to activate the cannabinoids, which removes the heat-sensitive terpenes, leaving the product without the grassy taste found in less purified states of CBD distillation.

Distillation

After extraction, winterization, and decarboxylation, CBD can be distilled to refine it even further. When CBD is distilled and refined to 99% purity, it’s known as CBD isolate. 

Why Buy Hemp CBD Biomass Instead of Bulk Ready-Made Ingredients?

If you’re prepared to take on the responsibility of processing your own biomass – either by using your own equipment or turning it over to an extractor and processor – you could save a substantial amount of money by purchasing biomass instead of buying the oils, distillates and isolates.

How Much Does it Cost to Buy CBD/Hemp Biomass?

If you’re looking for smaller quantities of CBD biomass, we charge $20-$30 per pound. But when you buy larger amounts in bulk, we can offer considerable discounts. Get in touch with us to learn more about bulk buying and to see how much you can save.

Why Buy CBD Biomass from Oil Well?

OilWell CBD is the biggest hemp distributor in Houston, and we’ve earned that spot due to our true passion for CBD, our knowledge about the industry, our superior customer service, and our ethical practices. We have a plentiful amount of biomass – from which you can create so many wonderful products – and you can be sure you’ll always get safe, reliable, and potent biomass when you purchase from us.

Get Started With Oil Well Cannabis

When you purchase from OilWell CBD, you can be assured you’ll always receive the highest-quality products and the best customer service. We’re not just in this for the profits. We firmly believe that CBD is transformational and it’s our mission to increase awareness and trial of CBD products. Contact us today to find out how our products can help your business succeed.

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