What is CBD Biomass?

When most people think of CBD products, they imagine pretty little tincture bottles sitting on a shelf or artfully designed preroll cartons with perfectly twisted flower joints. But behind the glossy packaging and creative marketing is a raw material that makes this industry go around: CBD Biomass.

If you’re in the hemp industry, whether directly or indirectly, or just curious about the process of CBD manufacturing, you’ll no doubt see the term pop up if you haven’t already. So, what is CBD biomass exactly? 

That’s precisely what we’re here to explore.

So… What Is CBD Biomass?

In plain terms, CBD biomass is the raw plant material that’s harvested from industrial hemp plants and used to extract CBD. While it might look like farm food, it’s actually a mix of leaves, stems, and CBD trim. Basically, it’s everything that’s left after the buds are removed and cleaned up for sale. 

You won’t find biomass sold in stores for smoking or put on display at your local dispensary. 

Okay, so then what is CBD biomass used for? Well, everything.

It’s processed into oils, isolates, distillates, edibles, and topicals, which then find their way out onto the market. 

The main factor any great CBD manufacturer cares about when it comes to biomass is volume. While it doesn’t necessarily look pretty, it’s a goldmine for manufacturing high-CBD content products at scale. 

What is CBD Trim, and How Is It Different?

CBD trim is all of the other stuff that gets snipped off the hemp flower during the manicuring process. There are some parts of the CBD flower that quite literally don’t make the cut. These might include fan leaves, sugar leaves, and other loose bits. Rather than throwing them away, most manufacturers will collect and save them to repurpose them into the biomass stash.

Trim still has all of the cannabinoids and terpenes we look for in CBD products, just not at the same level as their dense bud counterparts. So, when people ask “What is the difference between CBD trim and bud?” we usually say:

• Bud is the star of the CBD plant. It’s dense, cannabinoid-rich, and extremely aromatic. This is the part of the plant you’ll see for sale.

• Trim is the off-cut. While there are still cannabinoids, their potency is weaker overall. 

So, while we personally love trim for extraction, it’s not the best thing for rolling up or packing a bowl. 

Is Trim the Same as Shake?

Nope! 

Shake is what collects at the bottom of your bag or jar of CBD flower over time. It’s the pile of crumbs in the form of loose flower, often with some stems or leaves mixed in. Essentially, it’s a byproduct of handling and nothing else. 

Trim is made during the production process. It’s intentional, not accidental. Unlike shake, trim is also collected at scale and used as an important element in large-scale commercial production. 

So, what is CBD trim used for? Mostly processing and extraction. Shake? Not much. It’s usually up to the consumer! 

If you’re a buyer, make sure you know the difference between the two, so you don’t end up with something that has a different level of potency or quality than what you’re after. 

What is CBD Biomass from a Production Standpoint?

From a production standpoint, biomass is everything. It’s used in tinctures, topical lotions, you name it. As a large-scale operation, it doesn’t make sense to buy flower by the ounce. Many producers use pounds, and sometimes even tons, of raw material. 

Pure CBD flower wouldn’t cut it. As a producer, CBD biomass is a more efficient route to cannabinoid extraction for high-yield products. Not only is it cheaper and more scalable, but it’s also much easier to process in bulk. 

How Does CBD Biomass Get Processed?

After harvest, hemp plants are typically dried and shredded before any CBD is extracted. From there, the material undergoes one of several processes:

• CO2 extraction: One of the cleanest and most precise forms of extraction, though expensive.

• Ethanol extraction: The ideal method, mostly due to speed and scalability

• Hydrocarbon extraction: While powerful, it’s not super common with the risk of flammability

The goal of processing biomass is to extract all of the good stuff, including CBD, CBG, CBC, and other cannabinoids. The more we’re able to limit our waste, the better it is for the industry and the Earth. 

Who Buys Biomass?

If you’re asking, “What is CBD biomass?” with the intent to purchase it, you’re more than likely in one of four categories:

• Industrial processors, which you already know at this point

• White-label CBD brands looking to source material for their own products

• Supplement companies interested in full-spectrum hemp extract

• Researchers and labs developing new cannabinoid products

As a hemp farmer, the biomass industry provides a way to sell every part of the plant aside from the top-shelf flower. 

If you’re planning on buying biomass as one of the above individuals or companies, it pays to know that not all biomass is created equal. Some things to look for include high cannabinoid content, clean lab results, a proper drying and curing process, and a low stem-to-leaf ratio.

We always recommend asking for a Certificate of Analysis from your seller. If they can’t provide one, move along.

So What is CBD Trim and Why Does Biomass Matter?

So, what is CBD biomass? Well, it’s a major part of just about everything in the CBD industry. It’s the real, raw, and powerful material behind each and every CBD product you see or own. It’s in oils, gummies, extracts, and even those little pet treats your furry friends love so much. 

Best of all, it’s one of the most cost-effective ways for manufacturers to produce high-quality CBD goods at scale, which is why we here at Rogue Origin supply it to buyers all over the country. 

CBD trim is just a little part of it. 

If you’re looking for clean, consistent, and certified CBD from a farm-direct source, make sure to explore our wide range of hemp flower online here at Rogue Origin. Get in touch with our wholesale team to explore bulk options as well.