Marijuana Seeds

The cannabis material is refluxed in the same manner as was done with the finely-powdered cannabis material previously, except that when processing intact flowers the material is first placed in a cheesecloth bag. The oil is then extracted from the marijuana in the usual manner. The oil is purified by re-extraction with petroleum ether and then isomerized and acetylated. The tars and resins left behind from the ether extraction remain dissolved in the alcohol/water layer in the extraction jug. The alcohol is evaporated and collected in the usual manner, and the water is evaporated in an oil bath at 220°F. The tars and resins thus obtained are mixed with the intensified, purified oil and dissolved in the exact amount of alcohol that the completely dry flowers will absorb. This amount is determined by adding clean alcohol to the dried flowers until they will absorb no more alcohol, but there is none lying in the bottom of the pan. The saturated flowers are then put into a distillation apparatus and all the solvent is removed and collected. This amount of alcohol is then mixed with the purified, intensified oil and the tars and resins.

Before assembling the apparatus, these factors are taken into account: the temperature of the hotplate must be controlled from the outside of the box. This necessitates a variac-type rheostat in the power line to the hotplate. The pail containing the immersion pump which circulates the icewater coolant through the condenser should also be outside the box. There are two small holes in the safety box for the icewater input and return hoses. Although the sink at the left station of the box seems handy for the coolant pump, this would necessitate opening the side panel while the refluxing is in progress to add ice and remove water. The equipment is assembled and operated in this manner: the right side panel is opened, and at station one the boiling flask, condenser, oil bath, and hotplate are assembled as illustrated in Figures 3.1 and 3.2. Each item is secured to the ring stand with adequate clamps. The flask is positioned at least one-half inch above the bottom of the oil bath (semillas cannabis). Electrical connections are not made nor the coolant hoses attached to the condenser yet, as the entire apparatus will be moved over to the center station before beginning.

The oil produced by alcohol extraction and purification with petroleum ether contains tetrahydrocannabinol, two other compounds closely related to THC but non-psychoactive (cannabidiol and cannabinol), and several other

compounds which contribute the taste and smell of the oil. The quality and quantity of the THC in the oil is determined by the quality and potency of the starting material. The oil from very strong cannabis material contains a much higher

percentage of THC than the oil from marijuana or hashish that is less potent. The quality of the THC and the characteristics of the effect (high) are determined by the relative positions of the double bonding in the THC molecule. The higher-rotating forms are more potent than the low-rotating and produce a higher, more psychedelic and spiritual effect. Methods for converting THC from low-to-high-rotating follow. The quantity of cannabidiol in the oil is important,

as it may be converted to THC, thereby increasing the potency of the oil proportionally. Experience has indicated that the quantity of cannabidiol is usually at least equal to the quantity of THC.

“This is where the magic begins,” Bubbleman tells me. This mostly pertains to getting the water out, which is the reason for using cardboard for drying. Bubbleman says, “There are nonactive chemicals that lie dormant as carboxylic-acid chains, which react and turn active once time, oxidation, or pressing with head occurs. By losing the carboxylic acid ring, you activate previously nonactive cannabinoids. You’ll get a much darker color as this happens, as the layer that contains the oils and cannabinoid profile in the head breaks and mixes together.” Basically, this means you have to apply heat and pressure. The simplest way to do this is to use your hands or to place the resin in your shoe to press it into a patty. Bubbleman is a true hash guru who suggests everyone read Robert Connell Clarke’s book Hashish. If you’re a ganja purist like me, you’ll be amazed by cannabinoid worlds you’ve yet to explore. Every grower can utilize Bubblebags to turn trash into stash without having to coat anyone’s lungs black with poisonous impurities. I can envision a time when everyone smokes pure, healthful bubble hash. The cultivation of marijuana and the refinement of its preparations has concerned alchemists and hedonists on this planet for centuries. Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica are both powerful allies. The body of the plant itself serves as a link between the physical plane and a host of Spirits of exceptional wisdom and subtlety. When the plant is ingested, these qualities are manifested in the. mind of the worshipper, unlocking the storehouse of Wisdom within and revealing the hidden springs of pleasure. Smoking or eating the leaves or flowers is usually sufficient to bring about the desired state, although it seems inherent in the nature of Man to search for more concentrated forms of the drug that are stronger, more pleasant to ingest, or more desirable in some other way. Thus in, every culture the technology of that period is applied to the work of the transmutation. As technology has evolved, so have the outward trappings of the operation, even though the principles underlying the operation remain constant throughout time and cultural differences. In primitive situations the refinement is carried on manually, the flowers being separated from the less psychoactive seeds, Stems and leaves.