If you’re attentive to health-related information regarding hemp oil and vaping, you may have heard of the term “winterizing”. This term is becoming more prevalent in the cannabis community as research on vaping hemp oil is expanding.

We have received an increasing number of questions inquiring if our CBD is winterized. Before we begin to explain winterization, we’d like to confirm that our CBD is winterized. If that’s all you needed, then great! If you’d like to know more, we encourage you to read on.

Winterization is an optional step in the processing of CBD. To understand the winterization process, it is helpful to discuss the process of extracting CBD from the hemp plant.

Extracting CBD from Hemp

CBD, or cannabidiol, is an active compound found in the hemp plant. Through an extraction process, cannabinoids such as CBD are separated from the plant matter in the form of an oil.

Our hemp oil is extracted using the CO2 method. During CO2 extraction, hemp is put under high pressure and low temperatures, which eliminates the need for harsh chemical use. While this is a complex method, it is the cleanest and safest method of extraction and ensures a pure CBD product.

After CO2 extraction, we are left with a hemp oil concentrate. Raw concentrates have a thick, paste-like consistency and contain all the available phytonutrients from the hemp plant.

In this form, we have what is known as full-spectrum hemp oil. From here, the hemp oil can be used in a variety of products or consumed as is. However, CBD can be refined further in a process known as winterization.

What is Winterization?

Winterizing is an extraction process that further purifies a hemp extract. Winterization is not the only method of processing hemp oil but is it, again, a clean and safe method. During this process, the hemp oil is soaked in alcohol and then frozen to separate out the waxes. In the process, winterization also removes additional phytonutrients such as terpenes. The final product has a maple-syrup like consistency and is dark in color.

After winterization, our hemp oil is processed into a CBD isolate. As discussed in a previous blog, CBD isolate is a pure form of CBD. CBD isolate contains no other phytonutrients and is THC-free.

Why is Winterization Important?

Some scientists worry about vaping cuticle wax—the layer of lipids on the outside of many plants. Smoking cannabis burns the wax away, but vaporizers do not get hot enough to do so. If collected in the lungs, cuticle wax could potentially be dangerous. As of now, however, there is limited information on what these problems might look like.

Should I be Vaping Hemp Oil?

More studies need to be performed to fully understand the implications of vaping cuticle wax. As of now, the possibility of health risks may be enough to raise concern. If this is the case, we suggest vaping CBD products that have been winterized, like the Alternate Vape line.

At Alternate Vape, it is our mission to provide the healthiest vaping experience possible. We will continue to present any new information about vaping cuticle wax as new studies are released.