An In-Depth Essay Inspired by the ICBC Expert Panel
I. Introduction: The Extraction Crossroads
At the 2024 International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) in Berlin, a globally diverse panel of cannabis industry leaders convened to dissect a vital and evolving domain: cannabis extraction. Extraction is not merely a technical step in cannabis processing; it is a pivotal economic, scientific, and cultural bridge. It connects the plant to the final product, the cultivator to the clinician, and ancient traditions to cutting-edge innovation.
Moderated by Germany’s Michael Knodt, a leading advocate for cannabis reform in Europe, the panel made one thing clear: extraction is not just about equipment—it is a strategic decision that determines success or failure in a highly regulated, competitive, and dynamic industry.
II. The Players: A Globally Representative Panel
The panel brought together seasoned professionals from across four continents, each representing a unique link in the cannabis value chain:
- Nick Brousianos – CEO of Canabreeze, a vertically integrated operation active in over 12 countries, specializing in CO₂ extraction.
- Steve Fuhr – Founder of SciPhy Systems, focusing on large-scale ethanol and hydrocarbon extraction as well as membrane-based purification systems.
- Serge Korovitsyn – Head of LabCradle Laboratories, a veteran in R&D and educational programs for solvent-based cannabis extraction.
- Yogesh Jhamtani – CEO of Buffalo Extraction Systems, delivering automated, compliance-driven extraction systems worldwide.
Together, their perspectives reflected the industry’s transition from small-batch craftsmanship to pharmaceutical-grade global scalability.
III. Extraction Methods: Context Over Convention
A key consensus among the panelists was that there is no universally superior extraction method. Instead, the ideal technique depends on the regulatory landscape, intended product, available resources, and target market.
- CO₂ Extraction
- Favored in pharmaceutical markets for its clean process and EU-GMP compliance.
- Involves high capital expenditure.
- Best suited for API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient)
- Ethanol Extraction
- Highly efficient and cost-effective but may degrade terpene profiles.
- Appropriate for producing broad-spectrum distillates.
- Improved through membrane-based dewaxing and decoloring.
- Hydrocarbon Extraction
- Preserves terpenes and cannabinoids well.
- Offers versatile product output (e.g., wax, shatter, live resin).
- Preferred in recreational and craft markets.
- Solventless (Dry Sift / Ice Water Hash / Rosin)
- Delivers premium full-spectrum products without chemicals.
- Labor-intensive and requires top-tier starting material.
- Appeals to boutique markets with educated consumers.
IV. Technological Disruption: Membranes, Sustainability, and Speed
Beyond methodology, the panel spotlighted membrane technology as a revolutionary shift in extraction science:
- Enables dewaxing, decoloring, and solvent recovery at ambient temperatures.
- Preserves acidic cannabinoids like THCA and CBDA.
- Achieves in hours what traditional systems require days to do.
- Operates with 5% of the energy used by conventional cryo-ethanol or falling-film methods.
- Recognized by North American utility companies with energy efficiency rebates.
This paradigm shift towards sustainable, high-throughput, and pharma-compatible systems may soon define best practices across the EU and beyond.
V. Strategic Realities: Compliance, Cost, and Risk
The most sobering insights came from market veterans reflecting on the mistakes of North America’s green rush:
- Overbuilding and overcapitalizing led to widespread failures, especially with expensive CO₂ systems.
- Companies that prioritized speed over compliance or scale over strategy often faltered.
The key takeaways were:
- Align extraction methods with business objectives and market regulations.
- Avoid overinvestment in high-capex systems unless medically mandated.
- Optimize for operational efficiency (OPEX) over sheer capacity.
- Let compliance be a tool, not a trap
VI. Morocco’s Opportunity: Heritage Meets Innovation
A pivotal moment came when a Moroccan entrepreneur asked how to align the country’s cannabis industry with global standards. The response was both heartfelt and strategic:
- Morocco is already globally renowned for its hashish, particularly from the Rif Mountains.
- Rather than mimic Western models, Morocco should refine and elevate its solventless techniques (dry sift, rosin).
- Combine traditional methods with modern post-processing (CO₂, ethanol) to maximize cannabinoid yield.
- Use Morocco’s natural advantages—sunlight, fertile land, and geographic proximity to Europe—to export crude extract for refinement in GMP facilities abroad.
Morocco’s path forward lies in preserving legacy while embracing precision.
VII. Solventless Extraction: The Artisanal Edge
The discussion closed with a nod to solventless extraction, a rising niche in the premium cannabis sector:
- Dry sift was preferred for its recyclability and purity.
- Rosin pressing retains full-spectrum profiles with high terpene content.
- Though labor-intensive, solventless products appeal to a quality-over-quantity consumer base that values:
- Full-spectrum effectiveness
- Clean label production
- Ethical craftsmanship
As EU laws evolve, solventless may become the preferred method for small, high-value producers.
VIII. Strategy Over Speculation: The Way Forward
The panel’s final message was clear: extraction is not just a technical decision—it is a strategic compass. Choosing the right method, system, and process can define your market position, regulatory future, and long-term viability.
Strategic Insights:
- Start with the end in mind. Know whether your market is medicinal, recreational, or wellness-driven.
- Respect regulations, but stay agile. Compliance is a moving target.
- Modernize heritage. Cultural extraction practices can be your competitive edge if refined with science.
- Value trumps volume. Focus on margin-rich SKUs, not mass production.
- Unite the value chain. Align growers, extractors, and product developers early and often.
IX. Conclusion: Extraction as Industry Mirror
Cannabis extraction encapsulates the essence of the global cannabis industry—layered, dynamic, and evolving.
- It is at once a rigorous science and a time-honored craft.
- It operates within strict regulatory frameworks while navigating unpredictable market realities.
- It mirrors the delicate balancing act between capital investment and compliance, cultural heritage and technological advancement, efficiency and excellence.
In its complexity lies its power—a reflection of where the industry has been, and a preview of where it’s headed.
As new markets—seek their place in the global cannabis economy, their extraction strategies will define not just their products, but their national cannabis identities.
“The gold isn’t just in the cannabinoids. It’s in how you extract them—ethically, efficiently, and authentically.”
