Many cannabis producers have moved beyond using solvent extractions to isolate cannabinoids and other desirable compounds from cannabis plants. However, there are still plenty of concentrate products available that involve the use of hydrocarbons—such as butane and propane—ethanol, or carbon dioxide to pull THC, CBD, terpenes, and more from raw cannabis plants.
While efforts are made to remove these solvents, it’s likely that some amount will end up in the final product. In regulated markets, there are specified levels of solvents that are allowed in products sold or prescribed to consumers.
But when it comes to products that are not regulated, such as those sold illicitly, it can be difficult to know how much of a solvent remains. That’s why it’s always important to get your cannabis products from a legal, licensed store.
When consumed at high levels, these solvents could pose health risks, some of which aren’t entirely established. In this article we’ll look at the regulations surrounding residual solvents and the risks these substances might pose to human health as a result of overconsumption.
Restrictions on solvent levels
Knowing that the presence of some residual solvents in cannabis products is inevitable, relevant authorities impose limits on the levels allowed for each type of solvent.
Solvents are classified in three divisions: Class 1, 2, and 3. Class 3 solvents have low toxic potential and are the only ones recommended for use in the production of cannabis extracts. However, it’s possible that some Class 1 and 2 solvents can end up in final products, often as contaminants of Class 3 solvents. For example, benzene, toluene, and xylenes (known collectively as BTX) are found in natural gas, from which butane is sourced.
This explains why you’ll find some pretty harmful substances on residual solvent lists. For example, in Colorado, benzene, a Class 1 solvent, is allowed at a level of up to two parts per million (ppm).
We discuss state-by-state regulations for residual solvents in a separate article, but as an example, here are acceptable levels for Colorado:
Acceptable levels of residual solvents in Colorado
| Substance | Acceptable limits per gram |
|---|---|
| Butanes | <5,000 ppm |
| Heptanes | <5,000 ppm |
| Benzene | <2 ppm |
| Toluene | <890 ppm |
| Hexane | <290 ppm |
| Total Xylenes | <1 ppm |
Canada, where cannabis products were legalized across the country in 2018, has its own set of regulations.
Health implications of ingesting common solvents
The main solvents used in cannabis extraction are carbon dioxide, butane, and ethanol. When it comes to consumption, extracts are most often vaporized, via a vape pen or dabbing, but they can also be incorporated into edibles. Less commonly, extracts are smoked, for example, by topping a bowl with wax or dipping a joint in concentrate.
While residual carbon dioxide is not a concern, excess butane or ethanol could pose health risks, depending on levels and method of consumption.
Butane
Butane offers a relatively simple and inexpensive method to extract a large percentage of THC and other desirable compounds from cannabis plants. But it has been the subject of much controversy when it comes to what is considered a safe amount. Some naysayers argue that long-term consumption of butane by ingestion or vaporization has not been studied widely enough to confidently say it’s safe at any level.
Regulators appear to disagree and in many regions, butane is allowed at the seemingly high level of 5,000 ppm. However, illegal products could contain much higher levels.
So what harm can it do? According to studies, at high enough levels, butane inhalation can cause cardiac damage and organ failure, among other serious negative effects. While these risks are associated with direct inhalation of the solvent rather than practices such as dabbing, the latter may be harmful to health.
A 2019 study investigating an 18-year-old’s lung injury that resulted from frequent and prolonged inhalation of butane hash oil found: “There is a likely probability that a high level of inhaled butane also contributed to her symptoms.”
It should be noted that in this case, the patient confirmed that the butane hash oil was purchased illegally. This indicates that the product contained an unknown level of butane which could have been well above what should be allowed in a regulated product.
Ethanol
In California, the maximum level of ethanol allowed is 1,000 ppm for medical cannabis goods meant for inhalation and 5,000 ppm for other medical cannabis-infused goods. Ingesting ethanol in these small amounts is unlikely to cause harm, even over a prolonged period.
However, according to this 2018 report (involving multiple studies conducted on animal or human subjects), ethanol inhalation could be more risky, potentially causing cravings, tolerance, and dependence. That said, studies tend to examine levels of ethanol exposure far higher than you would ever find in vape oil.
Other solvents
Some other potentially harmful solvents end up in cannabis products because they are contaminants of the main Class 3 solvents used in extraction or because they are used to clean equipment used in the production process.
Here are a few that may find their way into a final product:
- Benzene: This is a known carcinogen that affects bone marrow. It is allowed, albeit at very low levels, in some cannabis products.
- Xylenes: In vaporized form, xylenes can cause depression of the central nervous system. Depending on the level of exposure of these Class 2 solvents, symptoms can include nausea, headache, dizziness, and vomiting, among other symptoms.
- Hexane: This Class 2 solvent can have similar effects as xylenes on the central nervous system if inhaled at high enough levels.
How to decide if a cannabis product is safe
To avoid risks associated with solvents, one option is to stick with solventless extracts such as rosin and bubble hash. But if you do go with a solvent-extracted product, the only real way to tell if it’s safe to consume is to purchase a legal, licensed, regulated product.
Regulated producers use high-quality solvents that minimize the risk of contaminants like benzene and xylenes ending up in your product. Plus, they use proper equipment to remove solvents post-processing. Finally, products are tested using rigorous methods such as headspace analysis and meet standards set by state regulators.
If you’re unsure what to look for when purchasing cannabis products, check out our state-by-state guide to cannabis packaging and labeling laws. If you’re purchasing north of the border, Canada has its own packaging and labeling guide.
