These days, it has become increasingly complex to understand all the different products that the cannabis plant can make for consumption. Not so long ago, it was flower or hash. With medical cannabis and, more recently, recreational cannabis available in various regions for some years, the range of products is very impressive in number. From distillates like shatter and wax to simply ‘shake’ or kief, the number of different extracts containing the value phytochemicals is abundant. However, one type of extract that has been used for centuries and is still highly effective amongst today's distillates is FECO, which stands for "Full Extract Cannabis Oil," sometimes called "Full Extract Oil" or "Full Spectrum Cannabis Oil" and “Whole Plant Extract”. This type of cannabis oil is known for its full range of active compounds found in the cannabis plant, including the often-lost, volatile compounds. Here, we explain what FECO oil is, why people use FECO and, of course, the benefits of consuming the full spectrum oil.
How To Get FECO
Solvent Extraction
FECO can be made by using a solvent to extract the essential oils from cannabis plant material. It can also be made without solvents, which experienced users generally prefer, as it provides a purer and often richer range of compounds. However, the most common methods, or at least the most common products, use solvents like ethanol or alcohol. The solvent process involves soaking the plant material to extract the cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other beneficial compounds. Solvents effectively help dissolve the trichomes and their oily constituents into the liquid, allowing separation from the plant material. After the extraction, the solvent evaporates, leaving behind a thick, tar-like substance that is the FECO. The problem with this technique is that some of the important volatiles from the plant also evaporate whilst the solvent evaporates. leading to the loss of some important volatiles. However, cannabinoids and terpenes that evaporate at higher temperatures, such as the sesquiterpenes, THC and CBD, remain abundant. This is probably the main advantage of using solvent extraction; it tends to yield a high concentration.
Some users report irritation when consuming FECO from solvent-based extractions. Others claim solvent techniques result in broad-spectrum rather than full spectrum. Heating at any stage will result in the loss of volatile compounds, but the extraction process often involves decarboxylation steps, which, of course, nearly always involve heating. So it’s a bit of a Catch-22, heat to convert the THCA and CBDA to THA and CBD, but risk losing some of the important lower temperature volatiles.
Pressing
Mechanical Pressing is used in numerous other plant species and, again, is an ancient method of obtaining plant oils. It involves using a mechanical press to physically squeeze the oils out of the cannabis plant material. An oil press can be used, like those used for producing olive oil or other plant oils, can be used, but specialized cannabis versions are available and usually work better. The method uses high pressure to release the oils and is highly effective in preserving the full range of terpenes, cannabinoids and other compounds.
Cold Pressing is similar to mechanical pressing but uses lower temperatures to extract the oils. This method helps preserve more of the delicate terpenes and other volatile compounds that can be lost at higher temperatures. Cold pressing is less common but valued for its ability to produce high-quality, very wide-ranging, full-spectrum oil.
Rosin
The rosin technique method utilizes heat and pressure to extract the resin from the dried cannabis plant. This is done using a rosin press, which combines heat plates and high pressure to squeeze the oils out of the cannabis flower. The result is a pure, solvent-free concentrate that retains a wide range of plant chemicals. Live rosin differs as it generally uses freshly harvested cannabis, which is immediately frozen and then treated almost like bubble-hash for extraction using ice and water. Again, due to the cold temperatures, like mechanical vs cold pressing, the live rosin technique generally reports a higher quality product and contains a wider range of volatile compounds.
Water and Ice Extraction AKA Bubble-hash
This easy-to-do method uses dried flower in ice water to separate the trichomes from the plant material. The mixture is agitated, usually through stirring and the trichomes, which break off easier when cold, are collected through a series of fine mesh screens. This can be done at home using the world-famous bubble bags pioneered by the Bubbleman himself. The resulting product can be dried and pressed to obtain a full-spectrum extract.
The techniques above that result in a solid rather than an oil can be treated or mixed with other natural oils, such as coconut oil, to return it to its fully liquid state. This is often used to make edibles and other cooking substances containing a full spectrum extract.
When Is Full Extract Not Full Extract?
FECO differs from other cannabis oils in that it aims to preserve the full spectrum of compounds present in the raw cannabis plant rather than isolating a specific cannabinoid like THC or CBD. This means it may have a broader range of therapeutic effects due to the entourage effect. However, both medicinal cannabis and recreational cannabis products can be labelled full spectrum even when they are produced in a way that excludes some of the important volatiles, rendering it not ‘full’ extract but broad-range extract instead. However, the regulations do not stipulate the compounds to be included; rather, the methodology used is the indicator of whether it gets labelled full spectrum or not.
Uses Of Full Extract Cannabis Oils
Due to its high potency and comprehensive cannabinoid profile, FECO is often used for medicinal purposes, particularly for patients with severe conditions who require a potent dose of cannabis compounds. It is typically consumed orally, using tinctures such as the classic Rick Simpson oil, AKA RSO, but can also be used in other ways, such as topical applications via creams and balms. It can be used in vape devices or even as a capsule in suppository form. Cannabis varieties which are not THC dominant, such as CBD, CBG or THCv varieties, are also used for making FECO products. These differ in that they are not psychoactive and tend to be better for consumers with a low tolerance for THC. However, full extracts can be blended with, for example, distillate. This is often done for vape devices, where THC concentrations of up to 98% can be achieved using full spectrum oils as the carrier. As with any cannabis product, especially one as potent as FECO blended with cannabis concentrates, if made from THC cannabis flower, it's important to start with a low dose and increase gradually to assess tolerance and effects.
Conclusion
The best way to obtain Full Extract Cannabis Oil that truly encompasses a full spectrum of the plant's compounds is through solventless extraction methods. Techniques like mechanical pressing, particularly cold pressing, and the rosin method, especially live rosin, stand out as the most effective. However, for those looking to get FECO at home, bubble hash is a great way to obtain the extract. Heating can be beneficial to decarboxylate cannabinoids, i.e. convert THCA to THC, for example. However, there is then a higher rate of change also than from THC to CBN. This means non-decarboxylated cannabinoids will retain their potency longer, going against the common rhetoric. These cold methods excel in preserving the delicate balance of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other volatile compounds. They avoid the loss of these crucial components that often occurs in solvent-based methods or high-temperature processes.
For those seeking the comprehensive therapeutic benefits attributed to the entourage effect of cannabis, these solventless techniques offer a superior approach to creating FECO that genuinely represents the full chemical profile of the cannabis plant. Additionally, transforming the ‘solid’ extracts into oils by mixing them with natural carriers like coconut oil can maintain their full-spectrum properties while making them more versatile for various applications, such as edibles and topicals. This adaptability enhances the appeal and usability of FECO in various forms, catering to a broader range of consumer needs and preferences.