How Our CBD Oil Is Made
The quality of a CBD product starts in the field and ends in the laboratory. At Dr. Gosar, the entire process – from growing the hemp to the final extract – is in our hands. Here is a brief overview of how our oil is made.
1. Our Own Hemp Cultivation
We use exclusively our own industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L. var. sativa) with organic certification. Because we grow the hemp ourselves, we have complete control over the quality of the plant material – the foundation for obtaining a high-quality extract.
2. Drying and Storage of Hemp
We have our own drying facility with a drying capacity of approximately 3 m³ of hemp flowers in 3–4 days. For drying, we use warm air supplied from bottom to top with the help of fans and heaters. This method ensures an even flow of air through the plant material, so the hemp dries evenly without the need for mixing. Once the hemp is properly dried and contains no more than 10% moisture, we store it in airtight 120-litre drums, where it remains until further processing.
3. Extraction
For hemp extraction, we use exclusively 95–100% ethanol. Since cannabinoids are concentrated primarily on the surface of the hemp flowers, the extraction takes only a few minutes. We add only enough ethanol to cover the plant material. We do not grind the hemp before extraction, thereby reducing the extraction of unwanted substances from inside the plant material. This means significantly fewer other substances, such as chlorophyll, carotenoids, phospholipids, sugars and other polar compounds, are extracted into the ethanol, which can give the final product a bitter aftertaste. Because we use exclusively high-quality hemp with a high cannabinoid content, less biomass is required to obtain the desired amount of extract. Consequently, fewer unwanted substances are also extracted into the ethanol, which we further remove in subsequent processes using activated carbon, calcium bentonite and filtration. For better extraction efficiency, after the process is completed we also use a centrifuge, which more effectively separates the ethanol extract from the plant material. With a carefully selected purification process, we remove unwanted compounds to the extent that we retain the desired spectrum of naturally occurring compounds, while at the same time achieving a cleaner extract and a more pleasant taste of the final product. You can view the differences between CO2 and ethanol extraction here.
4. Low-Temperature Vacuum Distillation
We obtain the concentrated extract through a process of low-temperature vacuum distillation, in which the reduced pressure enables ethanol to evaporate at lower temperatures. The device we use for this process is called a rotavapor, or rotary evaporator. Lower temperatures and reduced oxygen exposure help protect sensitive cannabinoids, terpenes and other naturally occurring compounds that could degrade or change more quickly at higher temperatures and with longer exposure.
5. Decarboxylation
We also carry out the decarboxylation of cannabinoids under vacuum at a temperature of 125 °C and with continuous stirring using a rotavapor in an oil bath. The process takes approximately 60 minutes, or until CO₂ is no longer released. During this process, acidic forms of cannabinoids, such as CBDA, CBGA and THCA, are converted into neutral forms, such as CBD, CBG and THC. Decarboxylation can also affect the sensory properties of the final extract and contribute to a less pronounced acidic taste of the product.
6. Full Spectrum, Without Additives
The result is a natural full-spectrum extract – without added CBD isolate and without synthetic CBD. More about the difference can be found in the guide Full spectrum, broad spectrum or isolate?
7. Filling and Quality Control
The extract is then prepared into finished products – drops, resin and cosmetics. The entire process, from field to laboratory, can also be viewed; see the video presentation, gallery and certificates.
Why This Matters to the Customer
- Traceability: we know where every ingredient comes from.
- Naturalness: full spectrum without synthetics.
- Expertise: the products are developed by dr. Borut Gosar, PhD in biotechnology.
References in the Field of Industrial Hemp Processing
We have carried out industrial hemp processing for various companies, farms, cooperatives and other organizations from Slovenia and abroad.
Our clients include:
- EKOKOR d.o.o.
- CANNA d.o.o.
- Žiga Klemenc, holder of supplementary agricultural activity
- Mitja Krevh, holder of supplementary agricultural activity
- ZADRUGA KONOPKO, z.o.o.
- KONOPLJARC – Blaž Jarc s.p.
- OPG OLIVER
- EKO MIT d.o.o.
- Association of Organic Fruit Producers
- KANABINOIDI, d.o.o.
- Primož Križelj, holder of supplementary agricultural activity
- JEMACOR d.o.o.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is low temperature important?
Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can degrade sensitive cannabinoids and terpenes, especially in the presence of oxygen.
Do you add CBD isolate?
No. All our products containing up to 10% cannabinoids are 100% full spectrum, without isolate and synthetic CBD.