Researcher claims it is possible to make cannabis extraction method safer, more precise, and reliable

Concerned about the composition of cannabis-based oils, pharmacist Jéssica da Silva Dias decided to conduct the Study of the Chemical Composition of Extracts and Phytotherapies Involving Genetic Variations of the Cannabaceae Family. The research began on July 12 and the tests are being conducted at the Department of Chemistry of the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM). According to the researcher, what is already known: it is possible to make the extraction method of the plant safer, more precise, and reliable. 

• The study aims to improve quality control in the extraction of Cannabis sativa and quantify the amount of cannabinoids present in each bottle of oil.

Jéssica is supervised by chemistry professor Marcelo Barcellos da Rosa and has the support of the Department of Chemistry at UFSM. The three varieties of flowers Easy Sativa, Purple Dream, and CBD Mazar, along with some samples, are provided by the Medicinal Cannabis Association (ASCAMED) for the study.

Partnership with association enables research

According to the researcher, the idea was never to pursue a master's degree with the plant, but after learning about ASCAMED's work, she decided to take on the challenge. “Cannabis has great therapeutic potential and needs to be explored much more. I never imagined working with the plant, but the benefits and improvement in people's quality of life made me want to study this plant,” Jéssica reports.

Along with her fascination for the plant, the researcher has a significant concern for its medicinal and continuous use. For her, it is of utmost importance that the patient identifies the exact composition of the oil present in the bottle on the label.

“This study produced at UFSM will directly assist the analysis and quality control work of ASCAMED's medications. We will have a more precise and reliable extraction process,” comments the association's social director, Júlia Silvester. 

Analysis phase of the research

In the initial phase, the research is analyzing the components present in the marijuana flower. First, Jéssica dries, grinds, and sieves the cannabis, leaving the plant in “crumbs,” which are placed in a bottle along with the solvent (methanol or ethanol) and subjected to an ultrasound process.

According to Jéssica, the team is looking for a solvent with better capacity to extract the highest possible concentration of substances from cannabis (THC and CBD). From this discovery, it will be possible to generate quality control of cannabis oils, quantifying the exact percentage of cannabinoids present in each bottle of oil.  

It is worth noting that cannabis is not a plant classified by the National System for the Management of Genetic Heritage and Associated Traditional Knowledge (SisGen), remaining in a sort of legal “limbo.” According to Marcelo, movements are underway to protect the university and its researchers.

“All cannabis projects at UFSM are already accredited by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). Now, UFSM is forming a committee with researchers studying cannabis to formally register the studies with the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa),” reports the professor.