CRC technology | show

In the past, you could tell the quality of cannabis extracts by their color. Conventional wisdom was “gold is good”; However, since the advent of Color Remediation Column Technology (CRC), this is no longer the case.

The proliferation of new methods of extracting hash and cleaning up dirty extracts means that the old methods of detecting inferior oil are no longer valid.

CRC is a post-extraction filtration method to lighten the color of oil extracts and remove unpleasant odors and possible pesticides.

While some in the industry argue that it’s perfectly safe, others aren’t so sure, and like all new technology, it’s sparked controversy.

One of the main criticisms is that it allows hawkish hash extractors to purify low quality cannabis oil to make it look like a high quality product and then pass it on to unsuspecting customers who may think it is top quality living resin.

Although CRC has been around for several years, it has only received a lot of attention in the last few years.

As with anything new, there’s limited data, and with no tests for CRC contamination, it’s hard to know how safe it is.

What is CRC technology?

Color restoration column technology is not a set method; it is a group of methods. This mainly applies to butane hash oil. The paint sanitation column is often a steel cylinder filled with a filter media.

After extraction, this medium filters the end product and removes impurities.

CRC changes the color of a low-grade hash oil by filtering out the green-brown plant pigment chlorophyll, changing the color from almost black or dark brown to amber or even lighter.

The most commonly used media are activated carbon, bentonite clay, magnesol, diatomaceous earth and silica. A combination of these filter media is often used.

States with legal cannabis programs do not test this and do not require disclosure from the manufacturer or seller. This has created a minefield of products that make customers unsure of what they are buying.

While many consumers don’t care what they buy, many connoisseurs don’t want to be tricked into paying top dollar for extracts that underperform.

CRC removes more than just color

While referred to as a “color” sanitation column, the filtration system used does more than just remove the color. Many experts say manufacturers use CRC to remove residual pesticides and other by-products like off-flavors caused in the first place by processing inferior herbs.

The main reason for this seems to be profit. Clearly, if producers can buy lower-quality marijuana cheaper and process it to simulate higher quality, they can make it more attractive and affordable.

How widespread is CRC

Aside from the fact that many manufacturers have their own methods, CRC is literally everywhere.

Anecdotal evidence from industry insiders suggests that up to 90% of the market uses some form of CRC.

How secure is CRC hash?

The safety data and research on CRC is very thin. But thanks to online discussions and wider awareness, hopefully that will change.

There are some long-term studies on bentonite clay and diatomaceous earth. These found that after years of daily inhalation of high concentrations of this fine sand, the respiratory tract could become damaged, as could silica gel.

Generally recognized as safe is not relevant

Many of the materials used in CRC methods are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, this GRAS label is not relevant as it applies to foods that interact with the stomach. This does not mean that the same materials are safe for inhalation when interacting with lung tissue.

This was evident in many of the EVALI cases involving counterfeit carts allegedly using GRAS substances.

There are some materials, such as bentonite clay, for which the FDA has issued warnings, even though they are GRAS.

The FDA warning for bentonite clay states that high levels of lead could pose a risk of lead poisoning.

CRC not tested

Despite all this, there are no regulations that require checking for CRC media. With industry adopting CRC largely without testing, this could be a serious problem. If, as hash makers claim, CRC is truly safe, then testing for it should not be a cause for concern for the maker and should be celebrated if it can produce a cleaner, safer product. It would also boost consumer confidence.

Additionally, labs could easily filter the oil with a simple 0.45 micron filter to ensure no media was left in the CRC treated oil. However, not all labs are reputable or legal, and the lack of testing means contaminated oil could well be sold to unsuspecting customers.

How to recognize CRC oil/wax

One of the best ways to check if the oil has been CRC treated is with the sniff test. CRC removes terpenes, not that it might not be noticeable with the running distillate, but the lack of terpenes could be a sign that wax has been treated with CRC.

Non-cannabis terpenes may be added to the treated wax, leaving a chalky smell. In addition, if too much CR material is used in a column, it can leave a chemical odor. This can become very evident when the wax is vaporized.

Another test is to look closely at the color. Even high-end extracts have a yellow tint, as mature trichomes have a natural amber color that should carry over into the extract.

CRC is commonly used in BHO cars and wax. To avoid CRC-treated extracts, many people gravitate towards natural or solvent-free extracts — like kief, rosin, live rosin, and bubble hash.

While many CRC products aren’t labeled it’s always worth asking your budtender if they know, most are happy to help if they can. Hopefully that preference will revert to manufacturers as people start asking more about what they’re consuming.