Ever wonder how to tell if the cannabis products you are buying are any good? Not sure about buying at all because you’re not sure what to look for and worried that you’ll get a product that simply doesn’t deliver?

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First off, let’s talk about the two different types of basic cannabis oil:

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F.E.C.O (Full Extraction Cannabis Oil) also known as RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) – The most concentrated form of cannabis oil that can be extracted. Extraction methods include: alcohol extraction. CO2 Extraction, Butane Extraction, etc.

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Cannabis Oil (Carrier Oils) – A less concentrated (but still very effective) oil extracted via different carrier oils (coconut oil, olive oil, glycerine, etc.). Good quality carrier cannabis oils are packed full of omegas, terpenoids, flavonoids, cannabinoids, vitamins and minerals following a thorough extraction process.

Important: If not specified, always ask what solvent was used to make your product.

 

**Unfortunately, there have been reports of solvents like petrol, acetone and paraffin being used to make F.E.C.O, which of course, can be toxic when ingested. Make sure your supplier is as transparent and open as possible; never be afraid to ask questions, stay informed and do the research.

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There are a few key things to look at before buying cannabis oil to help determine if it is good quality or not:

colour, consistency, smell and taste.

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Colour

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F.E.C.O – A green tinge is expected, but F.E.C.O should always be black (similar to marmite).

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Cannabis Oils – Oils that are clear, light or yellow indicate that the vital step of activation may have been skipped or incorrectly done and are generally less effective. Green oils indicate a similar scenario and are likely to contain larger amounts of chlorophyll, also likely to be less effective. Oils that are dark amber to black in colour indicate that full activation and extraction were achieved, these oils are generally much more effective and contain many more beneficial compounds from the cannabis plant. The darker the oil, the better.

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Consistency 

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F.E.C.O – Should always be thick and sticky. Should have a thicker or similar consistency to marmite. If F.E.C.O is thinner than this, it still contains excess residual solvent (like Isopropyl Alcohol) and results in decreased intake of cannabis and an increased intake of the residual solvent. When warmed, F.E.C.O should become less viscous.

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Cannabis Oils – Should have the same or similar consistency to the carrier oil used to make it.

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Smell

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F.E.C.O – Certain solvents do help with absorption, so a faint “alcohol” smell is okay. If the smell of solvent is overbearing, it is as a result of excess residual solvent still remaining and this leads to a higher intake of the solvent, which can be toxic.

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Cannabis Oils – This oil should never smell like a solvent – it should have a natural, earthy smell. If it smells like a solvent, it is most likely that F.E.C.O was thinned substantially and added to a carrier oil. This means a less effective oil and the chance of ingesting larger amounts of the solvent, which can be toxic.

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Taste

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F.E.C.O – Usually bitter and earthy.

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Cannabis Oils – Should taste natural and earthy, possibly with slight undertones of the carrier oil and Cannabis.

When activated, extracted and produced properly, cannabis oil does not need the aid of other plants or herbs to be effective – it is excellent all on its own.

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Note: The above is based on our own research and feedback from patrons who have tested a variety of cannabis oils.