I think most of us have at moment where we are eating
something or see a food product and that little light bulb comes on and we
think, “I bet this would make a great edible”. Well, the idea is the easy part,
figuring out how to turn that idea into a real product is the challenge. Let’s
discuss some of the considerations one must think of when starting the journey
of creating a cannabis edible
First here are the product regulations in a nutshell
• A maximum allowable amount of
10mg THC per package
• No regulated limits on CBD
• Products must be shelf-stable –
cannot require refrigeration or freezing
• No added caffeine
• No nicotine or added alcohol
• Must be in child-resistant
packaging
If you can meet all of these regulations, then you are ready
to move onto the next considerations
Typical Forms of Cannabis used in the Development of
Edibles
Crude Extract – lower purity range, more of a
combination of THC and CBD, more “cannabis flavour,” must use more ingredient
to achieve target total mg, therefore, having more of a flavour impact on the
product.
Distillate – higher purity as most plant materials
and terpenes have been removed, less of a “cannabis” taste. It can have
primarily THC or CBD distillate with small percentages of the other present. Do
not need as much ingredient to achieve target total mg.
Isolate – a solid crystalline powder that contains
99% purity. The most commonly used isolate is CBD isolate because it allows for
products to be made with no THC.
For a cannabis edible you are looking at using a distillate
or isolate but it is not as easy as throwing it into your product and calling
it a day.
Carriers for Cannabis
Cannabis distillate is quite difficult to work with on its
own as it is very thick and sticky at room temperature. For best results, one
should heat distillate to between 60-70ºC. In this temperature range,
distillate becomes more fluid. For best homogeneity results in the product,
distillate should be mixed with a carrier to ensure it is distributed
throughout the product evenly.
THC and CBD are both fat-soluble, meaning they mix the best
with fats and oils. If you are creating a product with a fat or oil in it, the
ideal first step is to mix the cannabis into the fat. If you are not creating a
product with a fat or oil (e.g. beverage), you need to find a non-fat based
carrier that aids in combining the distillate with a non-fat matrix.
Fat based carrier – ensuring the distillate and fat
are at the same temperature when combining is very important. If the carrier is
cooler than the distillate, it will immediately seize up when combining with
the cooler fat. A sufficient mixing time is required to ensure the distillate
has been properly distributed throughout the fat.
Non-fat based carrier – since the distillate is going
into a water-soluble product, an emulsion or stable suspension must be created
to disperse the distillate into the product evenly. Various methods can be
trialed to achieve this:
• High shear mixing with carrier
and emulsifier
• Nano-emulsions with oil and
water—this requires special equipment
• Sprayed dried water-soluble
emulsions–this creates a dry product
• Encapsulation
The most suitable method depends on the product you are
developing, the costing, production capabilities and the cannabis’s final efficacy. So, choose wisely.
Considerations During Processing
But, wait there is more. How this product is produced can
affect many different aspects of the cannabis and final product.
Homogeneity – during the processing of the product
you are creating, it is very important to ensure the cannabis is mixed
properly, so it is homogeneous throughout the final product. The method of
incorporation of the cannabis will determine the length of time required for
mixing. For example, if you are adding distillate straight to a fat, it will
take longer to incorporate than if you are adding an emulsion to water.
Heat – THC and CBD degrade in the presence of heat
over time. When developing a product, it is important to consider the
processing parameters if heat is involved. Ideally, the cannabis should be
exposed to the least amount of heat for the shortest amount of time possible to
minimize degradation but still achieve product stability. If exposed to heat,
additional testing should be completed to ensure it has not degraded the THC
level to below the specifications.
Acid – exposure to acids can cause THC and CBD to
degrade, which can affect the potency. If you are creating a low pH product,
you should ensure cannabis degradation is not occurring. This is an important
consideration as cannabis edible products may fall in the high acid range due
to the requirement of shelf stability.
Packaging Considerations
Now you have everything sorted with the product you must
take some time to figure out the proper packaging.
Regulations state that all products must be in a
child-resistant (CR) package. As in all product development, when determining
the packaging, it is important to consider how it will affect the product. For
example, light and oxygen can affect the product over time, but these can be
minimized with the proper packaging. You also want to ensure the packaging does
not interact with the cannabis, which could cause potencies to be affected.
Stability and Shelf Life
Finally, one of the last thing to consider is the life span
of the product.
Edible products must uphold food safety and quality over
time, similarly to non-cannabis food products, however, with the addition of
maintaining cannabis potency. The cannabis itself can degrade over time, so the
shelf life studies for edibles must also ensure the potency of the product remains
within the specifications for the duration of the product’s shelf life.
Yes, this is all A LOT! But, that is why the folks at Bloom
Labs are here. We can help you take that idea and turn it into reality with our
product development services. Take a peek at our website and if you have any
questions don’t hesitate to reach out.
https://bloomlabs.ca/product-development/