Cannabis concentrates have been taking a colorless, new appearance at different dispensaries and that too at various corners of the world.
After an entire decade of its popularity, cannabis extracts like CRC wax, specially created for dabbing, have simply evolved from traditional open-blasted Butane extraction methods to a highly technical closed-loop system as well as pressing methods that are solventless.
Perhaps one of the latest types of concentrates is a white, pale yellow, or clean shade of Butane hash oil that has been made with a possess known as CRC or, in better words, color remediation column.
So, what’s really CRC wax, or extraction, in general? Stay tuned to find out more!
So, What Is CRC?
Before we find out what is CRC wax, let’s find out what CRC is.
Simply put, CRC basically stands for ‘Color Remediation Column.’ – it is a kind of cannabis extract that’s made with the help of a method known as column chromatography. Initially, it began for removing dark-colored substances that are usually left over from various low-quality extraction since color extracts in lighter shades are often associated with very high quality.
The basic idea? To enhance the general aesthetics of cannabis extracts simply to sell the same better.
It has managed to become a primary practice utilized by illicit and legal manufacturers to simply boost the appearance of these extracts. The product has managed to evolve and is now simply used for removing unwanted flavors, pesticides, and even unwanted byproducts.
CRC is generally utilized with hash oil made from Butane – the color of any low-quality hash oil easily changes from dark brown or black to white or even light gold when it finally undergoes CRC.
But, What Is CRC Extraction?
So, what is CRC extraction? It’s a simple post-extraction process that uses technology to enhance the basic appearance of different cannabis concentrates and extracts.
Plus, Column chromatography actually works by simply using a plain column (often known as a steel cylinder) and subsequently packing the same with a nice filtration medium.
The most common mediums for filtration include,
- Activated charcoal/carbon (easily paired with a nice activated silica gel for withdrawing chlorophyll.)
- Activated bleaching earth (utilized for removing colors.)
- Bentonite clay (utilized for removing impurities and colors.)
- Magnesol (utilized for removing impurities and colors.)
- Sand (used for removing impurities.)
- Activated silica gel (used for removing darker shades from different extracts.)
- Diatomaceous earth (used for creating a proper filtration process.)
- T5 clay (for removing impurities and colors.)
Cannabis concentrates are then pushed via filtering mediums which result in the basic removal of different color-impacting pollutants or even various other impurities. Impurities and pollutants that can get eliminated depending on the medium of filtration includes,
- Carotene,
- Lycopene,
- Xanthophyll,
- Pheophytins,
- Lipids, and
- Chlorophyll.
Perhaps, one of the only downsides of CRC extracts is how it tends to strip concentrates of their basic terpene content. One of the ways to find out if a concentrate or extract has undergone extraction is its smell.
It might smell of different chemicals or might even be small, excessively earthy, or fruity, which is indicative of the terpene infused – simply to restore the actual flavor profile.
Is CRC Wax Bad For You?
Now that you have a fair idea about the primary CRC wax meaning, the question that arises here is whether or now CRC wax is bad for you.
Any manufacturer using CRC wax will simply say that it happens to be safe, while advocates of cannabis consumption will tend to disagree.
The debate is basically rooted in the simple fact that most cannabis lab tests that are done to find whether or now a product is perfect for safe consumption don’t really test for CRC filtration mediums currently.
Subsequently, cannabis concentrates can easily get approved for sale in spite of containing different contaminants hailing from basic CRC filtration.
Why Do People Say CRC Wax Is Bad For You?
There are many people who are confident that CRC wax is bad for you. We will tell you why these people feel so!
- There are absolutely zero regulations and even testing for these filtration mediums in the final product.
- Several long-term studies indicate that different miners who actually inhaled diatomaceous earth and bentonite clay experienced serious respiratory damage.
- Naturally, vaping extracts containing bentonite clay in trace amounts could actually cause respiratory harm.
- Bentonite clay actually contains elevated percentages of lead.
- Inhaling silica gel can even lead to respiratory damage.
- Manufacturers also claim that while the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) did deem the filtration materials safe and it’s being used because it does not impact the user’s stomach, the same approval does not pertain to any inhaled products that can actually impact the lung tissues.
- When different CRC manufacturers end up pushing too much of extracts via filtration mediums at once, it does not work accurately and ends up resulting in contaminants – that too in the final products.
- Activated carbon hailing from various natural sources is capable of releasing carcinogenic metabolites like benzopyrenes.
- To not switch activated carbon mediums can also result in the same carbon simply breaking down as well as releasing different heavy metals upon being overused.
In reality, when any manufacturer ends up doing CRC extraction properly, these concentrates actually come out, and that too with very few contaminants.
If you actually worry about any type of contaminants inside your cannabis concentrates, then simply ask a professional budtender whether or not the product you were about to purchase actually underwent CRC – plus what filtration mediums were actually used.
How To Use CRC Wax
So, the CRC wax extracts are quite versatile, even though they can be a little life-threatening. I am just kidding! But I was serious about the versatility. The extracts can be consumed in a dab rig, in joints, bowls, etc. So you can really play around with it as per your preference.
Apart from that, CRC extracts are very potent and can be used in edibles. However, if you are considering using the extract in edibles, you can start by using simple recipes like brownies, cookies, smoothies, etc.
However, if you want to use your CRC extract to its fullest potential, then I will suggest that you opt for something smart and precise like Ardent FX precision decarboxylator. The decarboxylator activates between 97 to 100% of the cannabinoids present in the wax. This is why, the device is preferred by many CRC wax enthusiasts. The device primarily focuses on decarboxylating the bud so that you can get the best high.
Key Takeaway
- Color remediation column or CRC is a process used in the cannabis industry in order to eliminate impurities and enhance the visual appeal of cannabis extracts.
- The overall debate surrounding CRC wax is whether it is safe for consumption. As of now, cannabis labs lack the pieces of equipment that can detect residual filtration mediums. Hence, it is absolutely impossible to detect whether or not CRC-processed extracts are safe or not. This is the primary reason why CRC wax is approached cautiously by many.
- Even though research on CRC wax is few and far between, scientists have confirmed that some of the materials like bentonite clay and diatomaceous earth are not good for the health. Research shows that both items can be quite harmful to the respiratory system. And this is why CRC wax runs into questions.
- The best way to buy your CRC wax or CRC extracts by asking your budtender about the kind of filtration methods were employed. If you do not like the answer, you can easily shift your preferences.
And It’s A Wrap!
And it’s a wrap on CRC extraction, CRC wax, and related information. Now the question is – do you think it’s bad for you? If you think it’s bad for you, then why do you think so?
Tell us what you think in the comments below – while sharing your thoughts, feel free to share your experiences related to the same as well.
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