WO2022133589A1 - Formed hashish-based consumer products - Google Patents

Formed hashish-based consumer products Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022133589A1
WO2022133589A1 PCT/CA2021/051852 CA2021051852W WO2022133589A1 WO 2022133589 A1 WO2022133589 A1 WO 2022133589A1 CA 2021051852 W CA2021051852 W CA 2021051852W WO 2022133589 A1 WO2022133589 A1 WO 2022133589A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
hashish
product
cross
length
section
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CA2021/051852
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Todd NEAULT
Renato Devien DURBANO
James Mcmillan
Jordan Smith
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Hexo Operations Inc.
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Publication of WO2022133589A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022133589A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
    • A24B15/00—Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes, e.g. in liquid form
    • A24B15/10—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes
    • A24B15/16—Chemical features of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes of tobacco substitutes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
    • A24B15/00—Chemical features or treatment of tobacco; Tobacco substitutes, e.g. in liquid form
    • A24B15/18—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes
    • A24B15/28—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances
    • A24B15/30—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances by organic substances
    • A24B15/302—Treatment of tobacco products or tobacco substitutes by chemical substances by organic substances by natural substances obtained from animals or plants
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D1/00—Cigars; Cigarettes
    • A24D1/20—Cigarettes specially adapted for simulated smoking devices
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K36/00—Medicinal preparations of undetermined constitution containing material from algae, lichens, fungi or plants, or derivatives thereof, e.g. traditional herbal medicines
    • A61K36/18—Magnoliophyta (angiosperms)
    • A61K36/185—Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons)
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P1/00—Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24F—SMOKERS' REQUISITES; MATCH BOXES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES
    • A24F40/00—Electrically operated smoking devices; Component parts thereof; Manufacture thereof; Maintenance or testing thereof; Charging means specially adapted therefor
    • A24F40/20—Devices using solid inhalable precursors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
    • A61K9/0012—Galenical forms characterised by the site of application
    • A61K9/007—Pulmonary tract; Aromatherapy
    • A61K9/0073—Sprays or powders for inhalation; Aerolised or nebulised preparations generated by other means than thermal energy

Definitions

  • This application generally relates to the field of manufactured hashish-based consumer products and methods of manufacturing.
  • Hashish is a concentrated derivative of the dried resin glands, known as trichomes, of mature and unpollinated female cannabis plants.
  • Hash contains the same active ingredients as marijuana - including cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol and others - although at higher concentrations than the un-sifted buds or leaves from which dried marijuana is made, which leads to higher potency.
  • the trichomes may be removed from the plant material by mechanical means, with various techniques known in the art.
  • kief a powder appearance
  • hash the color and pliability of which can vary widely based on the source material, the extraction method, and the production conditions.
  • dry-sift pressed hashish is usually solid
  • water-purified hashish - often called bubble hashish - can be a paste-like substance with varying cohesion and stickiness in addition to being in powder form or pressed into bricks.
  • the color of a hashish product is most commonly light to dark brown, but can also vary from transparent to yellow, tan, black, or red.
  • Hand or mechanical presses are often used to produce hash products.
  • Such hand-rolled products are not only of inconsistent size and shape with inconsistent doses of cannabinoid, but are messy and time-consuming to produce, and lead to loss of product material.
  • the challenge of consistently and homogeneously distributing components within a product unit and across batches has limited the development of hash within the legal cannabis industry.
  • the present disclosure relates to a hashish product comprising a substantially homogeneous cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes, the hashish product having an elongated body shape having a length, and the elongated body having a substantially uniform cross-section along at least a portion of the length.
  • Implementations of the hashish product can include one or more of the following features:
  • the elongated body has a cross-section width at one location along the at least portion of the length, wherein the at least portion of the length has an average-cross section width, and wherein a ratio of the cross-section width I average cross section is from about 0.90 to about 1.10.
  • the cross-section has a width of from about 1 mm to about 20 mm.
  • the cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes comprises a detectable molecule, wherein the a first level of the detectable molecule in a discreet portion of the product is within 15% of a second level of the detectable molecule, and wherein the second level is an average level of the detectable molecule in the hashish product or in a batch of hashish products.
  • the first level of the detectable molecule is within 10%, or within 5% of the second level of the detectable molecule.
  • the detectable molecule is detected in at least 90 vol.%, or in at least 95 vol.%, or in at least 99%, or in 100% of the hashish product.
  • the hashish product is configured to be loaded into a smoking device.
  • the smoking device is a heat-not-burn device.
  • the length is from about 40 mm to about 300 mm, or about 40 mm to about 100 mm, or preferably about 50 mm.
  • the hashish product is configured for being loaded into a heat-not-burn device mounting component.
  • the heat-not-burn device mounting component is a mounting tube or a cartridge.
  • the hashish product is configured to be loaded into a rolling medium or wrapper to form a smoking article.
  • the rolling medium or wrapper is made from a material selected from paper, hemp, cordia palm leaf, tendu leaf, flower petal, banana leaves, flax, sisal, rice straw, cannabis leaves, and esparto.
  • the smoking article is a cannabis cigarette-like or cigar-like smoking article.
  • the hashish product comprises a cannabinoid content of from about 5 wt.% to about 90 wt.%.
  • the cannabinoid is one or more of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), and any combinations thereof.
  • THC tetrahydrocannabinol
  • CBD cannabidiol
  • CBG cannabigerol
  • CBN cannabinol
  • the hashish product has a weight of from about 0.2g to about 20g.
  • the isolated cannabis trichomes are from one or more strain(s) of cannabis plant.
  • the hashish product includes one or more additional components.
  • the one or more additional components comprises one or more cannabinoid(s), one or more terpene(s), one or more flavonoid(s), water, one or more flavoring agent(s), one or more non-toxic coloring agent(s), or any combinations thereof.
  • the one or more additional components is substantially homogenously distributed throughout the cohesive mass.
  • the hashish product includes two or more elongated bodies adhered to each other along at least a portion of the length of each elongated body, the elongated bodies being capable of separation from one another.
  • the hashish product includes two or more elongated bodies twisted around each other along at least a portion of the length of each elongated body, the elongated bodies being capable of untwisting from one another.
  • At least one of the elongated bodies has a composition that is different from a composition of another one of the elongated bodies.
  • the cross-section is an annulus and the shape is a tube.
  • the present disclosure also relates to a method for making a hashish product, comprising providing isolated cannabis trichomes, mixing the isolated cannabis trichomes under conditions sufficient to obtain a substantially homogeneous cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes, and retrieving at least a portion of the cohesive mass through an extrusion die to obtain a hashish product comprising the substantially homogeneous cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes, having an elongated body shape having a length, and the elongated body having a substantially uniform cross section along at least a portion of the length.
  • Implementations of the method can include one or more of the following features:
  • the elongated body has a cross section width at one location along the at least portion of the length, wherein the at least portion of the length has an average cross section width, and wherein a ratio of the cross-section width I average cross-section is from about 0.90 to about 1.10. the ratio of the cross-section width I average cross section is from about 0.95 to about 1.05.
  • the cross-section has a width of from about 1 mm to about 20 mm.
  • the cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes comprises a detectable molecule, wherein the a first level of the detectable molecule in a discreet portion of the product is within 15% of a second level of the detectable molecule, and wherein the second level is an average level of the detectable molecule in the hashish product or in a batch of hashish products.
  • the first level of the detectable molecule is within 10%, or within 5% of the second level of the detectable molecule.
  • the detectable molecule is detected in at least 90 vol.%, or in at least 95 vol.%, or in at least 99%, or in 100% of the hashish product.
  • the hashish product is configured to have at least a portion thereof mounted to a smoking device.
  • the smoking device is a heat-not-burn device.
  • the length is from about 40 mm to about 300 mm, or 40 mm to about 100 mm, or preferably about 50 mm.
  • the hashish product is configured to have at least a portion thereof loaded into a heat- not-burn device mounting component.
  • the heat-not-burn device mounting component is a mounting tube or a cartridge.
  • the hashish product is configured to have at least a portion thereof loaded into a rolling medium or wrapper to form a smoking article.
  • the rolling medium or wrapper is made from a material selected from paper, hemp, cordia palm leaf, tendu leaf, flower petal, banana leaves, flax, sisal, rice straw, cannabis leaves, and esparto.
  • the smoking article is a cannabis cigarette-like or cigar-like smoking article.
  • the hashish product comprises a cannabinoid with a cannabinoid content of from about 5 wt.% to about 90 wt.%.
  • the one or more cannabinoid(s) is selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), and any combinations thereof.
  • THC tetrahydrocannabinol
  • CBD cannabidiol
  • CBG cannabigerol
  • CBN cannabinol
  • the hashish product has a weight of from about 0.2g to about 20g.
  • the isolated cannabis trichomes are from one or more strain(s) of cannabis plant.
  • the method further includes incorporating one or more additional components prior to, simultaneously with, or following the mixing step.
  • the one or more additional components comprises one or more cannabinoid(s), one or more terpene(s), one or more flavonoid(s), water, one or more flavoring agent(s), one or more non-toxic coloring agent(s), or any combinations thereof.
  • the one or more additional components is substantially homogenously distributed throughout the cohesive mass by the mixing step.
  • the one or more additional component(s) is substantially homogenously distributed along the length by the mixing step.
  • the hashish product is a first hashish product
  • retrieving at least an additional portion of the cohesive mass through the extrusion die to obtain a second hashish product having an elongated body shape having a length, and shaping the first and second hashish products along at least a portion of their respective length to form a compounded hashish product.
  • the second hashish product has a composition that is different from a composition of the first hashish product.
  • the cross-section is an annulus and the shape is a tube.
  • the mixing includes applying compression and shear forces to the cannabis trichomes via a plurality of interpenetrate helicoidal surfaces within an elongated enclosure.
  • the interpenetrate helicoidal surfaces are on at least one screw, the method further comprising adjusting a rotational speed of the at least one screw and a temperature within the elongated enclosure to obtain the cohesive mass.
  • the present disclosure also relates to a hashish product comprising a substantially homogeneous cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes, the hashish product comprising an elongated body shape having a length, and the elongated body having a substantially uniform cross-section along at least a portion of the length, wherein the product is made with the method as described herein.
  • FIGS. 1A and 1B show a non-limiting flowchart example of a process for making a hashish product in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIGS. 2A and 2B show various cross-sections of hashish products produced with the methods of FIGS. 1A and 1B.
  • FIG. 3 shows various compounded hashish products that can be produced with the hashish products of FIG. 2A.
  • FIG. 4 shows various hashish products in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure that are configured to be loaded into a heat-not -burn device.
  • FIGS. 5A-5C show various hashish products in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure that are loaded into a rolling medium for smoking by a user.
  • FIGS. 6A-6C show various hashish products in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure that are loaded into a rolling medium for smoking by a user.
  • FIGS. 7A-7C show examples of the partitioning of a test sample.
  • FIG. 8 shows various hashish products in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure that are twisted around each other and capable of untwisting from one another.
  • the present inventors have developed hashish products, and methods of manufacturing same, composed of a substantially homogeneous cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes with a substantially uniform cross-section along at least a portion of the length of the elongated body of the product.
  • Embodiments as disclosed herein can advantageously ensure uniform and homogeneous distribution of hashish components, leading to a hashish product with even and predictable distribution of cannabinoids throughout a unit of product or across batches of product.
  • the herein described homogeneity characteristics may allow, for example, improvement in the textural consistency, pliability and/or crumbliness of the hashish product. This in turn, may reduce I minimize quality control failures during large-scale manufacturing of the hashish product (e.g., quality control based on textural consistency, pliability and/or crumbliness).
  • hashish products with increased homogeneity deliver consistent amounts of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and the like to the user during each use, thus providing a more consistently reproducible user experience. Additionally, it is believed that the reduced crumbliness may lead to better segmentation during use of the hashish product thereby resulting in reduction of waste material during use. Further, the method of manufacture described herein may result in substantially fewer quality failures (e.g., based on textural consistency, pliability and/or crumbliness) and/or reduce waste materials during manufacturing of the hashish product, which is advantageous in the context of large-scale industrial production.
  • the reduction of waste materials during manufacturing can be achieved with the process described herein in that this process avoids the need to form the product manually, which involved unavoidable loss of product.
  • the process also provides improved inventory management as it allows for the use of various strains of cannabis plants when making kief, which leads to less wasted materials that would require disposal thereof in other circumstances where one cannot do so.
  • Hashish products [0029]
  • the hashish product of the present disclosure comprises a substantially homogeneous cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes.
  • the term “cannabis trichomes” generally refers to crystal-shaped outgrowths or appendages (also called resin glands) on cannabis plants typically covering the leaves and buds. Trichomes produce hundreds of known cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that make cannabis strains potent, unique, and effective.
  • the term “cannabis plant(s)”, encompasses wild type Cannabis (including but not limited to the species species Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis) and also variants thereof, including cannabis chemovars (or “strains”) that naturally contain different amounts of the individual cannabinoids.
  • Cannabis strains have been bred to produce minimal levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive constituent responsible for the high associated with it and other strains have been selectively bred to produce high levels of THC and other psychoactive cannabinoids.
  • Cannabis plants produce a unique family of terpeno-phenolic compounds called cannabinoids, some of which produce the “high” one experiences from consuming marijuana.
  • isolated cannabis trichomes refers to trichomes that have been separated from cannabis plant material plant using any method known in the art.
  • the isolated cannabis trichomes may be obtained by a chemical separation method or may be separated by manual processes like dry sifting or by water extraction methods. Such methods are known in the art, and as such will not be further described here. Because of inherent limitations to existing separation methods, some plant matter or other foreign matter can be present in isolated cannabis trichomes.
  • Other methods for obtaining isolated cannabis trichomes include, but are not limited to solvent-less extraction methods, including but not limited to mechanical separation of trichomes from the plant, such as by sieving through a screen by hand or in motorized tumblers (see for example WO 2019/161509), or by submerging the cannabis plants in icy water (see for example US2020/0261824, which is herein incorporated by reference) and agitating to separate the trichomes from the plant and drying the trichomes.
  • solvent-less extraction methods including but not limited to mechanical separation of trichomes from the plant, such as by sieving through a screen by hand or in motorized tumblers (see for example WO 2019/161509), or by submerging the cannabis plants in icy water (see for example US2020/0261824, which is herein incorporated by reference) and agitating to separate the trichomes from the plant and drying the trichomes.
  • solvent-less extraction methods including but not limited to mechanical separation of trichomes from the plant,
  • Isolated cannabis trichomes obtained by mechanical separation of trichomes from the cannabis plant material is typically referred to as “kief” (also “keef” or “kif”) and has a powdery appearance.
  • the moisture content may be fully or partially removed, often using heat and the finished kief is subsequently pressed or formed to obtain a hashish product.
  • some residual plant material remains in the finished kief and thus in the resulting hashish product.
  • the isolated cannabis trichomes is in the form of kief.
  • the isolated cannabis trichomes forming the hashish product of the present disclosure may originate from one or more than one strain of cannabis plant. It is known amongst consumers of hashish and other cannabis products that using isolated cannabis trichomes produced from more than one strain of cannabis plant allows a user to tune the psychoactive and/or entourage effect obtained by consuming the product.
  • the mixing of cannabis plant strains may also allow adjustment of the final concentration of a component of the product, for example but not limited to the cannabinoid content. Additionally, use of more than one strain allows for improved product and waste management - important in commercial production.
  • the term “substantially homogeneous” means that the cohesive mass generally has the same proportions of one or more detectable molecule throughout any given sample, allowing for slight measured variations throughout the cohesive mass, e.g., ⁇ 10% variations; such slight variations within the cohesive mass will be deemed to be “substantially homogeneous” for the purposes of the present disclosure.
  • the one or more detectable molecule is detectable using quantitative methods.
  • the detectable molecule may be a component of the isolated cannabis trichomes that is detectable using any suitable technique, such as for example Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography/ Flame Ionization Detection (GC/FID), infra-red spectrum (IR) spectroscopy, ultra-violet spectrum (LIV) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and the like.
  • GC/MS Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectrometry
  • HPLC High Pressure Liquid Chromatography
  • GC/FID Gas Chromatography/ Flame Ionization Detection
  • IR infra-red spectrum
  • LIV ultra-violet spectrum
  • Raman spectroscopy Raman spectroscopy
  • Other techniques may be used, for example by heating a test sample to a temperature near water ebullition point (100 °C) for a given time sufficient to evaporate substantially all water contained in the sample and then measuring the sample weight loss that corresponds to the moisture content initially present in the sample.
  • Other techniques may involve measuring water activity, for example using a capacitive hygrometer (e.g., the AqualabTM 4TE (Meter, USA)) using the chilled- mirror dew point technique, or may involve measuring water content, for example using a moisture analyzer (e.g., MA160 Infrared Moisture Analyzer (Sartorius AG, Germany) using the loss on drying technique (e.g., USP NF 731 Loss On Drying method).
  • a moisture analyzer e.g., MA160 Infrared Moisture Analyzer (Sartorius AG, Germany
  • the loss on drying technique e.g., USP NF 731 Loss On Drying method.
  • the detectable molecule may be one or more of the following: a cannabinoid, a terpene, a flavonoid, chlorophyll, water, or any combination thereof.
  • chlorophyll is a green photosynthetic pigment found in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria; its presence in the hashish product can be due to residual cannabis plant matter found in the product and/or may be added to the isolated cannabis trichomes in the form of an exogenous detectable molecule.
  • the water content of the hashish may be due to residual moisture in the kief or to the addition of water during the productions process.
  • the detectable molecule can be detected in at least 90 vol.%, or in at least 95 vol.%, or in at least 99%, or in 100% of the hashish product depending on specific implementations of the present disclosure.
  • the levels (or contents) of the detectable molecule in the hashish product of the present disclosure is substantially homogeneous, such that the hashish product includes a first detectable molecule content in a first portion thereof and a second detectable molecule content in a second portion thereof, where the first detectable molecule content and the second detectable molecule content are substantially identical.
  • the first detectable molecule content and the second detectable molecule content are present in a ratio first I second detectable molecules of from 0.90 to 1 .10, including any ranges therein or any values therein.
  • the ratio may be of from 0.90 to 1.05, or from 0.90 to 1.00, or from 0.95 to 1.15, or from 0.95 to 1.10, or from 0.95 to 1.05, or from 0.95 to 1.00, or from 1.00 to 1.15, or from 1.00 to 1.15, or from 1.00 to 1.10, or from 1.00 to 1.05, or any value within any of these ranges, such as for example about 0.90, or about 0.95, or about 1.00, or about 1.05, or about 1.10.
  • the first portion can be a core portion and the second portion can be a peripheral portion.
  • the detectable molecule content and the ratio of first I second detectable molecules can be determined based on the detectable molecule distribution test described later in this text.
  • the hashish product of the present disclosure contains one or more cannabinoid(s) in an amount (the “cannabinoid content”) sufficient for the user to experience a desired effect when consuming the product.
  • the hashish product may comprise from about 5 wt.% to about 90 wt.% cannabinoid, for example up to about 60 wt.%, or up to about 50 wt.%, or up to about 40 wt.%, or up to about 30 wt.%.
  • cannabinoid generally refers to any chemical compound that acts upon a cannabinoid receptor such as CB1 and CB2.
  • a cannabinoid may include endocannabinoids (produced naturally by humans and animals), phytocannabinoids (found in cannabis and some other plants), and synthetic cannabinoids (manufactured artificially, for example cannabinoids produced in yeast, for example as described in WO WO2018/148848).
  • phytocannabinoids include, but are not limited to, cannabichromanon (CBCN), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabicitran (CBT), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabicyclovarin (CBLV), cannabidiol (CBD, defined below), cannabidiol monomethylether (CBDM), cannabidiol-C4 (CBD-C4), cannabidiorcol (CBD-C1), cannabidiphorol (CBDP), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabifuran (CBF), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabigerol monomethylether (CBGM), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), cannabinodiol (CBND), cannabinodivarin (CBVD), cancann
  • Cannabidiol means one or more of the following compounds: A2-cannabidiol, A5- cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-5-cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); A4- cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-4-cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); A3- cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-3-cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); A3, 7- cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methylenecyclohex-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); A2- cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3
  • Tetrahydrocannabinol means one or more of the following compounds: A8- tetrahydrocannabinol (A8-THC), A8-tetrahydrocannabivarin (A8-THCV), A9-cis- tetrahydrocannabinol (cis-THC), A9-tetrahydrocannabinol (A9-THC), A9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA-A), A10-tetrahydrocannabinol (A10-THC), A9-tetrahydrocannabinol-C4 (THC-C4), A9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid-C4 (THCA-C4), synhexyl (n-hexyl-A3THC).
  • THC means one or more of the following compounds: A9-tetrahydrocannabinol and A
  • Suitable synthetic cannabinoids include, but are not limited to, naphthoylindoles, naphthylmethylindoles, naphthoylpyrroles, naphthylmethylindenes, phenylacetylindoles, cyclohexylphenols, tetramethylcyclopropylindoles, adamantoylindoles, indazole carboxamides, quinolinyl esters, and combinations thereof.
  • a cannabinoid may be in an acid form or a non-acid form, the latter also being referred to as the decarboxylated form since the non-acid form can be generated by decarboxylating the acid form.
  • the cannabinoid can be in its acid, its non-acid form, or be a mixture of both acid and non-acid forms.
  • the hashish product of the present disclosure may include one or more cannabinoid(s), such as THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, or any combinations thereof, in similar or different amounts.
  • cannabinoid(s) such as THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, or any combinations thereof, in similar or different amounts.
  • the hashish product of the present disclosure comprises an elongated body shape with a substantially uniform cross-section along at least a portion of the length of the body.
  • the term “elongated body” is well-understood in the art, though generally indicates that the length of the body is greater than the width of its cross-section.
  • the cross-section of the elongated body may be any desired shape.
  • the cross-section may have a simple solid shape such as, but not limited to a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, rectangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, or any other polygonal shape.
  • the shape of the cross-section may be a more complex shape such as, but not limited to a logo or any other more complex design such as a leaf.
  • the cross-section can be solid or hollow.
  • the cross section may be an annulus.
  • the hashish product may be formed to have a shape that is elongated, curved, shell-like, or some other shape.
  • the cross-section may be an annulus and the resulting shape of the elongated hashish product is a tube; in another example, the cross section may be a circle and the resulting shape of the elongated hashish product is a cylinder.
  • the elongated body of the hashish product has a substantially uniform cross-section along at least a portion of its length.
  • substantially uniform it is meant that the width of the cross-section remains relatively constant along at least the portion of the length of the elongated body.
  • the substantially uniform cross-section comprises a cross-section having a width that is within a 10% margin, preferably 5% margin, more preferably within a 2% margin of an average cross-section width along a portion of the length of the elongated body or along the entire length of the elongated body.
  • the elongated body comprises a cross-section width at one location along the at least portion of the length which can be characterized as representing a ratio of from about 0.90 to about 1.10, of from about 0.95 to about 1.05, or from about 0.98 to about 1.02 when compared to an average cross-section width of the full length of the body or of the at least portion of the length of the body, where the ratio is cross-section width I average cross-section.
  • the width (also referred to as the “diameter”) of the cross-section of the hashish product may depend on the application for its use.
  • the hashish product may have a cross-section along at least a portion of its length having a width of from about 1 mm to about 20 mm, including any ranges there inbetween or any values therein. For example, a width of from about 1 mm to about 10 mm.
  • the cross-section width at one location along at least portion of the length of the elongated body of the hashish product may have a value of x +/- 10%, e.g., from 9 mm to 11 mm.
  • the width of the crosssection may be from about 1 mm to about 5 mm.
  • the length of the hashish product may depend on the application for its use and/or the form of the compounded hashish product produced.
  • the hashish product may have a length of from about 40 mm to about 500 mm, including any ranges there in-between or any values therein, or even more in some embodiments.
  • the hashish product may have a length of from about 40 mm to about 300 mm, or about 40 mm to about 100 mm, or about 50 mm.
  • the hashish product may have a length of about 40 mm, or about 50 mm, or about 60 mm, or about 70 mm, or about 80 mm, or about 90 mm, or about 100 mm, or about 110 mm, or about 120 mm, or about 130 mm, or about 140 mm, or about 150 mm, or about 160 mm, or about 170 mm, or about 180 mm, or about 190 mm, or about 200 mm, or about 210 mm, or about 220 mm, or about 230 mm, or about 240 mm, or about 250 mm, or about 260 mm, or about 270 mm, or about 280 mm, or about 290 mm, or about 300 mm, or about 310 mm, or about 320 mm, or about 330 mm, or about 340 mm, or about 350 mm, or about 360 mm, or about 370 mm, or about 380 mm, or about 390 mm, or about 400 mm, or about 40 mm
  • the weight of the hashish product of the present disclosure will be dependent on the shape and width of the cross-section and the length of the elongated body. In some embodiments, the length of the elongated body may be determined by the intended use of the product.
  • the hashish product may have a weight of from about 0.2g to about 20.0g, including any ranges there in-between or any values therein, or even more in some embodiments. For example, the hashish product may have a weight of from about 1.0 g to about 3.0 g, or about 3.0 g to about 15.0 g.
  • the hashish product may have a weight of about 0.2g, about 0.5g, about 1.0g, about 1.25g, about 1.5g, about 1.75g, about 2.0g, about 2.25g, about 2.75g, about 3.0g, about 3.5g, about 4.0g, about 4.5g, about 5.0g, about 5.5g, about 6.0g, about 6.5g, about 7.0g, about 7.5g, about 8.0g, about 8.5g, about 9.0g, about 9.5g, about 10.0g, about 10.5g, about 11.0g, about 11.5g, about 12.0g, about 12.5g, about 13.0g, about 13.5g, about 14.0g, about 14.5g, about 15.0g, about 15.5g, about 16.0g, about 16.5g, about 17.0g, about 17.5g, about 18.0g, about 18.5g, about 19.0g, about 19.5g, or about 20.0g or a range defined by any of the recited values.
  • the weight thereof when the hashish product is intended to form a cigarettelike smoking article, the weight thereof may be of from about 1g to about 3g, including any ranges there in-between or any values therein.
  • the hashish product may have a weight of about 1 ,0g, about 1 ,25g, about 1 ,5g, about 1 ,75g, about 2.0g, about 2.25g, about 2.75g, or about 3.0g.
  • a hashish product intended to form a cigarette-like smoking article may have a weight which is suitable for that purpose other than those values listed here.
  • the weight thereof when the hashish product is intended to form a cigar-like smoking article, the weight thereof may be larger, e.g., of from about 3.0g to about 15.0g, including any ranges there in-between or any values therein.
  • the hashish product may have a weight of about 3.0g, about 3.5g, about 4.0g, about 4.5g, about 5.0g, about 5.5g, about 6.0g, about 6.5g, about 7.0g, about 7.5g, about 8.0g, about 8.5g, about 9.0g, about 9.5g, about 10.0g, about 10.5g, about 11.0g, about 11.5g, about 12.0g, about 12.5g, about 13.0g, about 13.5g, about 14.0g, about 14.5g, or about 15.0g.
  • a hashish product intended to form a cigar-like smoking article may have a weight which is suitable for that purpose other than those values listed here.
  • the hashish product when the hashish product include notches or contains multiple servings (as described later in this text), the hashish product may have a total weight of from about 0.2 g to about 20 g, including any ranges there in-between or any values therein.
  • the hashish product may have a total weight of 0.2g, about 0.5g, about 1 ,0g, about 1 ,5g, about 2.0g, about 2.5g, about 3.0g, about 3.5g, about 4.0g, about 4.5g, about 5.0g, about 5.5g, about 6.0g, about 6.5g, about 7.0g, about 7.5g, about 8.0g, about 8.5g, about 9.0g, about 9.5g, about 10.0g, about 10.5g, about 11.0g, about 11.5g, about 12.0g, about 12.5g, about 13.0g, about 13.5g, about 14.0g, about 14.5g, about 15.0g, about 15.5g, about 16.0g, about 16.5g, about 17.0g, about 17.5g, about 18.0g, about 18.5g, about 19.0g, about 19.5g, or about 20.0g.
  • Each serving in the multiple servings may be portioned from the hashish product such that each serving may have a suitable weight, for example of from about 0.2g to about 5g.
  • a hashish product intended to include notches or contains multiple servings may have a total weight or a weight for each single unit that is suitable for that purpose other than those values listed here.
  • a variability of about +/- 10% on the measured weight between hashish product units in a batch of hashish products, or between the measured weight of a first portion of the hashish product and an average weight of the hashish product can be acceptable to the manufacturer.
  • the hashish product according to the present disclosure may also comprise one or more additional component.
  • the one or more additional component may be added to alter the characteristics of the hashish product, such as cannabinoid content, potency, entourage effect, odor, color, consistency, texture, pliability, and the like.
  • the one or more additional component may be incorporated during the process to produce the hashish product and thus may be substantially homogeneously distributed throughout the hashish product, or the additional component may be substantially homogenously distributed along the length of the hashish product, for example as a coating.
  • substantially homogeneously distributed it is meant that the amount of the one or more additional component is uniform throughout or along the length (as applicable) of the hashish product.
  • the one or more additional component may be any suitable food grade and/or non-toxic composition or component known in the art.
  • suitable additional components may include, but are not limited to one or more cannabinoid, one or more terpene (also referred to herein as a “terpene blend”), one or more flavonoid, water, one or more flavouring agent, one or more colouring agent, or any combination of any noted additional components.
  • water could be added in the form of steam, liquid or in combination.
  • the one or more additional component may be a cannabinoid.
  • the cannabinoid may be extracted from any suitable source material including, but not limited to, cannabis or hemp plant material (e.g., flowers, seeds, and trichomes) or may be manufactured artificially (for example cannabinoids produced in yeast, as described in WO WO2018/148848).
  • Cannabinoids can be extracted from a cannabis or hemp plant material according to any procedure known in the art.
  • a “crude extract” containing a cannabinoid may be obtained by extraction from plant materials using for example aliphatic hydrocarbons (such as propane, butane), alcohols (such as ethanol), petroleum ether, naphtha, olive oil, carbon dioxide (including supercritical and subcritical CO2), chloroform, or any combinations thereof.
  • the crude extract may then be “winterized”, that is, extracted with an organic solvent (such as ethanol) to remove lipids and waxes (to produce a “winterized extract”), as described for example in US 7,700,368, US 2004/0049059, and US 2008/0167483, which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
  • the method for obtaining the cannabinoid may further include purification steps such as a distillation step to further purify, isolate or crystallize one or more cannabinoids, which is referred to in the art and herein as a “distillate”; US 2016/0346339, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a process for extracting cannabinoids from cannabis plant material using solvent extraction followed by filtration, and evaporation of the solvent in a distiller to obtain a distillate.
  • the distillate may be cut with one or more terpenes.
  • the crude extract, the winterized extract or the distillate may be further purified, for example using chromatographic and other separation methods known in the art, to obtain an “isolate”.
  • Cannabinoid extracts may also be obtained using solvent-less extraction methods; for example, cannabis plant material may be subjected to heat and pressure to extract a resinous sap (“rosin”) containing cannabinoids; methods for obtaining rosin are well- known in the art.
  • rosin resinous sap
  • Other relevant methods to the formation of hashish are described in US 63/025,863, US 63/073,549, and US 62/948576, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • the one or more additional component may be a terpene.
  • terpene generally refers to a class of chemical components comprised of the fundamental building block of isoprene, which can be linked to form linear structures or rings. Terpenes may include hemiterpenes (single isoprenoid unit), monoterpenes (two units), sesquiterpenes (three units), diterpenes (four units), sesterterpenes (five units), triterpenes (six units), and so on. At least some terpenes are expected to interact with, and potentiate the activity of, cannabinoids.
  • terpenes originating from cannabis plant may be used, including but not limited to aromadendrene, bergamottin, bergamotol, bisabolene, borneol, 4-3-carene, caryophyllene, cineole/eucalyptol, p-cymene, dihydroj asmone, elemene, farnesene, fenchol, geranylacetate, guaiol, humulene, isopulegol, limonene, linalool, menthone, menthol, menthofuran, myrcene, nerylacetate, neomenthylacetate, ocimene, perillylalcohol, phellandrene, pinene, pulegone, sabinene, terpinene, terpineol, 4-terpineo
  • terpenes include nerolidol, phytol, geraniol, alpha-bisabolol, thymol, genipin, astragaloside, asiaticoside, camphene, beta-amyrin, thujone, citronellol, 1 ,8-cineole, cycloartenol, hashishene, and derivatives thereof. Further examples of terpenes are discussed in US Patent Application Pub. No. US2016/0250270, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
  • the hashish product of the present disclosure may contain one or more terpene(s).
  • the one or more terpene(s) may originate from the hashish, from an additional component, or both.
  • the hashish product of the present disclosure may include the one or more terpene(s) in an amount (the “terpene content”) sufficient for the user to experience a desired entourage effect when consuming the product.
  • the hashish product may comprise from about 0.5 wt.% to about 15 wt.% terpene, for example up to about 15 wt.%, or up to about 10 wt.%, or up to about 5 wt.%, or up to about 4 wt.%, or up to about 3 wt.%, or up to about 2 wt.%, or up to about 1 wt.%.
  • the one or more terpene(s) may include hashishene. Without wishing to be bound by theory, hashishene is believed to be a terpene produced by rearrangement of myrcene that may be found in hashish after mechanical processing, and that may be responsible for the typical desirable “hashish flavour”.
  • the one or more additional component may be a flavonoid.
  • flavonoid refers to a group of phytonutrients comprising a polyphenolic structure. Flavonoids are found in diverse types of plants and are responsible for a wide range of functions, including imparting pigment to petals, leaves, and fruit. Any suitable flavonoid may be used in the hashish product of the present invention.
  • flavonoids originating from a cannabis plant may be used, including but not limited to: apigenin, cannflavin A, cannflavin B, cannflavin C, chrysoeril, cosmosiin, flavocannabiside, homoorientin, kaempferol, luteolin, myricetin, orientin, quercetin, vitexin, and isovitexin.
  • the one or more additional component may be a flavoring agent.
  • Any suitable flavoring agent known in the art may be used.
  • the flavoring agent may be selected from the group consisting of extracts of cinnamon, monk fruit, cucumber, mint, orange, lime, citrus, cookie dough, chocolate, vanilla, jasmine, lychee, almond, banana, grape, pear, pineapple, pine, oak, apple, pumpkin, grapefruit, watermelon, cotton sugar, durian, longan, taro, sapote, toffee nut, caramel, lotus, mango, mangosteen, coconut, coffee, strawberry, passion fruit, blueberry, raspberry, kiwi, walnut, cocoa, cherimoya, custard apple, papaya, fig, plum, nectarine, peaches, guava, honeydew, jackfruit, kumquat, loquat, palm, pomelo, persimmon, quince, and tamarind, or any combinations thereof
  • flavoring agents include, but are not limited to, mint oils, Wintergreen, clove bud oil, cassia, sage, parsley oil, marjoram, lemon, orange, propenyl guaethol, heliotropine, 4- cis-heptenal, diacetyl, methyl-p-tert-butyl phenyl acetate, methyl salicylate, ethyl salicylate, 1- menthyl acetate, oxanone, a-irisone, methyl cinnamate, ethyl cinnamate, butyl cinnamate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl acetate, methyl anthranilate, iso-amyl acetate, iso-amyl butyrate, allyl caproate, eugenol, eucalyptol, thymol, cinnamic alcohol, octanol, oc
  • the one or more additional component may be a coloring agent (also called “colorant”).
  • a coloring agent also called “colorant”.
  • Any suitable coloring agent known in the art may be used.
  • the coloring agent may be any suitable food grade and/or non-toxic colorant or coloring agent known in the art.
  • the one or more additional component may include a combination of any one of the above examples of additional components.
  • the hashish product as described herein may be packaged following its production or may be further formed or shaped.
  • a three-dimensional shape can be constructed using a single elongated hashish product.
  • the elongated body of the hashish product may be wound on itself into a spiral shape, which can be wide and flat circular shape or a triangular spiral.
  • the hashish products can be formed into a multi-strand shape using two or more hashish products.
  • two hashish products may be adhered to each other along the length of their elongated bodies; such adherence can be reversible, such that at least a portion of the elongated bodies can be separated from each other.
  • multiple elongated bodies may be twisted around each other along their lengths and may be capable of being untwisted from one another, at least in part; in such an embodiment, and without wishing to be limiting, the elongated bodies of two, here, four, five, or six hashish products may be twisted together.
  • Other more complex multi-strand shapes can be formed, such as braiding three or more strands together.
  • the elongated bodies of the hashish products in a multi-strand shape may be of the same composition or different compositions.
  • the hashish products may be produced from cannabis trichomes isolated from specific plant(s) or cannabis strain(s) that are different, the hashish products may contain different additional components, or the hashish products may be of different physical characteristics (colour, cross section shape, cross section size, etc.). Other differences between strands are also possible.
  • the hashish product of the present disclosure may be processed to form a smoking article. It will be apparent that such processing may be performed at the manufacturing site or by an end-user.
  • the hashish product or at least portion thereof may be processed to form a smoking article by loading same into a rolling medium or wrapper.
  • the smoking article may be a cannabis (hashish) cigarette.
  • the rolling medium or wrapper may be any suitable rolling medium or wrapper known in the art, for example cigarette-type rolling paper or cigar-like wrapper.
  • the rolling medium or wrapper can be made with a material such as paper, hemp, cordia palm leaf, tendu leaf, flower petal, banana leaves, flax, sisal, rice straw, cannabis leaves, esparto, and the like, and may be transparent, colored and/or flavored.
  • the rolling medium or wrapper may also further include an additive on one of its surfaces (internal or external), such as kief, terpenes, cannabis distillate, and the like.
  • the hashish product or at least portion thereof may, if desired, be loaded into the rolling medium or wrapper along with other smokable cannabis products, such as cannabis flower, kief, cannabis distillate, cannabis rosin (a solid form of resin produced by heating fresh liquid resin to vaporize the volatile liquid terpene component), cannabis resin, cannabis wax, cannabis shatter (a translucent butane hash oil extract that looks like amber and has a consistency almost like hard candy butter) or other smokable materials, such as tobacco leaves.
  • smokable cannabis products such as cannabis flower, kief, cannabis distillate, cannabis rosin (a solid form of resin produced by heating fresh liquid resin to vaporize the volatile liquid terpene component), cannabis resin, cannabis wax, cannabis shatter (a translucent butane hash oil extract that looks like amber and has a consistency almost
  • the hashish product or the at least portion thereof may have a length that is configured to be approximately that one of a standard cannabis cigarette length.
  • the length of the hashish product or the at least portion thereof may be from about 40 mm to about 300 mm, such as 40 mm to about 300 mm, or from about 50 mm to about 140 mm, or from about 60 mm to about 130 mm, or from about 70 mm to about 120 mm, or from about
  • the hashish product or at least portion thereof may be processed to have a hollow core such that loading same into the rolling medium or wrapper (as described above) forms a smoking article with a corresponding hollow core.
  • the hollow core of the hashish product or at least portion thereof can be obtained from a variety of approaches.
  • a die with a specific configuration can be used in combination with an extruder apparatus to obtain an elongated body having a hollow core.
  • the hollow core can have a diameter that is from about 10% to about 80% of the cross-section diameter of the elongated body of the hashish product, including any ranges therein or any values therein.
  • the hollow core can have a diameter representing approximately 20%, 30%, 40% 50%, 60%, 70% or 80% of the cross-section diameter of the hashish product.
  • the hashish product may have a hollow core that extends over at least a portion of the full length of the hashish product.
  • the hashish product may have a hollow core that extends over from about 10% to about 100% of the full length of the elongated body of the hashish product, including any ranges therein or any values therein.
  • the hollow core can extend over approximately 20%, 30%, 40% 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% of the full length of the elongated body of the hashish product.
  • the hashish product or at least portion thereof may be processed for mounting to a smoking device, for example to a heat-not-burn device.
  • a smoking device for example to a heat-not-burn device.
  • Such devices are known in the art and one aim of such heated smoking articles is to reduce known harmful smoke constituents of the type produced by the combustion and pyrolytic degradation of smoking material in conventional cigarettes.
  • an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from a heat source to a physically separate aerosol-forming substrate or material, which may be located within, around or downstream of the heat source.
  • volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-forming substrate by heat transfer from the heat source and entrained in air drawn through the smoking article.
  • the hashish product or at least a portion thereof may be mounted to a suitable mounting element for use in such smoking device, such as a mounting cartridge or tube, alone or along with other smokable cannabis products and/or smokable materials, such as those described previously.
  • the hashish product or the at least portion thereof may have a length that is from about 40 mm to about 100 mm, such as 40 mm to about 90 mm, or from about 40 mm to about 80 mm, or from about 40 mm to about 70 mm, or from about 40 mm to about 60 mm, or about 50 mm (e.g., 2 inches).
  • the hashish product of the present disclosure may be produced by mechanically mixing the components thoroughly to provide a substantially homogeneous resinous mixture.
  • mechanically mixing or “mechanical mixing”, it is meant mixing using any suitable mechanical means.
  • the mechanical means may be a plurality of interpenetrate helicoidal surfaces within an elongated enclosure or barrel, an example of which is an extruder apparatus.
  • An extruder is a machine used to perform the extrusion process. Manufacturing by extrusion occurs when a material (usually pellets, dry powder, rubber, plastic, metal bar stock or food) is heated and pushed through a die assembly.
  • a die is a mold that shapes the heated material as it is forced through a small opening from the inside of the extruder to the outside.
  • the extruder can mix the ingredients while heating and propelling the extrudate through the die to create the desired shape.
  • An extruder can have a single extruder screw or twin extruder screws, and can be configured to have one or more mixing zones, one or more temperature zones, and one or more input zones.
  • the input zones are used for introduction of material, for example introduction of the isolated cannabis trichomes as well as introduction of additional components (e.g., cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, water, flavoring agents, coloring agents, etc.).
  • additional components e.g., cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, water, flavoring agents, coloring agents, etc.
  • water could be added in the form of steam, liquid or in combination.
  • the mixing zones apply compression and shear forces to the input materials, blending until they are homogenized.
  • the extruder die assembly may perform a variety of functions: it may form or shape the extrudate, it may divide the extrudate into multiple extrudates, it may inject an additive substance into the extrudate, and it may compress and reduce the cross-sectional area of the extrudate.
  • the mechanical mixing can be applied to the isolated cannabis trichomes within the extruder under conditions sufficient to obtain a cohesive, continuous, and substantially homogenous resinous mixture.
  • the conditions or variables that can be modified during production include temperature, screw rotation speed, and pressure.
  • the present disclosure relates to hashish products including substantially homogenous cohesive mass of isolated trichomes with an elongated body shape.
  • Various methods for making a hashish product are described, and broadly include providing isolated cannabis trichomes, mixing the isolated cannabis trichomes under conditions sufficient to obtain a substantially homogenous cohesive mass, and retrieving at least a portion of the cohesive mass through an extrusion die to obtain a hashish product comprising a substantially homogeneous cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes having an elongated body shape having a length, and the elongated body having a substantially uniform cross-section along at least a portion of the length.
  • FIG. 1 A shows a non-limiting example of a process 100 for producing a hashish product.
  • the production process 100 includes providing isolated cannabis trichomes at step 110.
  • the trichomes may have been isolated from a single cannabis plant strain or from a plurality of cannabis plant strains that may have different respective cannabinoid concentrations and/or terpene blends, for example. It is known amongst consumers of hashish and other cannabis products that using isolated cannabis trichomes produced from more than one strain of cannabis plant may allow a user to tune the psychoactive and/or entourage effect obtained by consuming the product.
  • the mixing of cannabis plant strains may also allow adjustments to the final concentration of a component of the product, for example but not limited to the cannabinoid content. Additionally, use of more than one strain allows for improved product and waste management - important in commercial production.
  • the isolated cannabis trichomes can be kief.
  • the isolated cannabis trichomes are mechanically mixed under conditions sufficient to obtain a substantially homogenous and resinous mixture.
  • conditions may include temperature, mixing speed, and pressure, which may be varied to alter the characteristics of the hashish product.
  • the characteristics that are altered may include, but without being limited to, ductility (i.e., characteristic that defines the level of malleability of the hashish product), hardness or resistance to localized deformation (i.e., characteristic that determines how easy it is to cut or separate the hashish product), toughness (i.e. , characteristic that determines the likelihood that the hashish product deforms rather than fractures under an applied force), color, tactual characteristics, and the like.
  • the conditions may include submitting the isolated trichomes to a thermal treatment (heating) such that the isolated trichomes undergo heating up to, for example but without being limited to a temperature of less than 120 °C. For example, less than 90 °C, or less than 85 °C, or at least 80 °C. For example, a temperature of from about 30°C to about 120°C, such as from about 40°C to about 65°C.
  • the heating may be performed while mixing to form the substantially homogenous cohesive mass.
  • the conditions may include submitting the isolated trichomes to a pressure while mixing and/or heating at values of from about 5 psi to about 250 psi, including any ranges therein or any value therein.
  • the pressure may include a pressure in the range of about 0.5 to about 15 US tons (about 7.7 to about 233 psi), or about 1 to about 15 US tons (about 15.5 to about 233 psi), or about 1 to about 10 (about 15.5 to about 155psi), or about 2 to about 8 US tons (about 31 psi to about 124 psi), or any value within such ranges.
  • a given pressure value may be selected depending on the die that is used to form the hashish product, as described elsewhere in this text. Additionally, a nonlimiting example, the pressure may be performed for a time period ranging from about 0.5 (30 seconds) to about 30 minutes, including any value within such range. For example, a period of about 20 minutes, 10 minutes, 5 minutes, 4 minutes, or less.
  • the mixing includes applying compression and shear forces to the isolated trichomes via a plurality of interpenetrate helicoidal surfaces within an elongated enclosure.
  • the elongated enclosure is an extruder device having at least one screw.
  • the mixing shear and compressive forces can be controlled by modulating the rotational speed of at least one of the screws within the extruder.
  • the extruder screw rotation per minute (rpm) can be selected to perform the mixing step 120 at a value of for example from 15 to 1000 rpm, such as from 20 to 500 rpm, or from 25 to 450 rpm, or from 30 to 400 rpm, or from 45 to 450 rpm including any value within any of these ranges.
  • the pressure applied by the extruder screw can be accompanied by heat in order to enhance mixing of the isolated trichomes, extract the resinous content of the trichomes and obtain a heated, cohesive, continuous and substantially homogenous resinous mixture.
  • the heating and mixing in step 120 can continue until a desired level of homogeneity is obtained. For example, step 120 can continue for a minimum time, e.g., 30 minutes, 20 minutes, 10 minutes, or less. In some embodiments, the heating and mixing step 120 continues until the desired level of homogeneity is determined by testing samples of mass retrieved from the process.
  • the residence time within the extruder barrel is directly related to the length of the barrel and the rotational speed of the single screw.
  • the components can travel through the length of the barrel, and then be redirected to the inlet (rather than proceed through the die).
  • the mixture is passed to the die assembly. At least a portion of the cohesive mass is retrieved as it passes through the die assembly, step 130. In some instances, the retrieving step is repeated as indicated by arrow 135.
  • the die can be configured to impart a pre-determined shape to the cohesive mass.
  • the size and shape imparted to the hashish product may be any desired shape, which will be determined by the size and shape of the perforations in the die.
  • the hashish product may be shaped into an elongated product with a cross-section that is a circle, a triangle, rectangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, or any other polygonal shape; a logo or any other more complex design such as a leaf.
  • the cross-section can be solid or include a hollow portion.
  • the hashish product may be formed to have a shape that is elongate, curved, shell-like, or other shape like pasta.
  • Optional step 140 includes incorporating one or more additional component at one or more steps during the process 100.
  • one or more additional component can be added to the trichomes prior to, simultaneously with, or following step 110, or prior to, simultaneously with, or following the mixing and heating step 120. Multiple additional components may be added in a single step or may be added separately in one or more consecutive steps or at different times or points along the process 100.
  • the one or more additional components added in optional step 140 are beneficially uniformly distributed in each hashish product.
  • the one or more additional components can be one of those previously described, such as a cannabinoid, a terpene, a flavonoid, water, a flavoring agent, a non-toxic coloring agent, or any combinations thereof.
  • the one or more additional components is advantageously substantially homogenously distributed throughout the cohesive mass and substantially homogenously distributed along the length of the hashish product.
  • a process 150 includes additional steps that can follow step 130 of the process 100 in FIG. 1A.
  • the retrieved cohesive mass may be subjected to a transverse cutting operation to cut it.
  • the shape and size of the resulting hashish product will be dependent on the shape of the die and how the product is cut.
  • the solid (or semi-solid) material of the cohesive mass may be cut according to a pre-determined cutting pattern, a pre-determined weight, or a pre-determined length to obtain smaller units of hashish product for a pre-determined packaging size.
  • the finished hashish product may be of a size that is suitable for multiple portions of hashish (that is, a user may remove a desired portion size for each use) or may be a size suitable for a single use (that is, a ready-to-use single-use product).
  • the cut hashish product can be further shaped and formed, if desired.
  • the further shaping and forming can be for ease of use, or to make an interesting experience for the consumer, as discussed in more detail below.
  • the hashish product can then proceed to subsequent steps required for commercialization; for example, the hashish product can be packaged in a step 180.
  • each of the hashish products generally has an elongated body and a length, with the elongated body having a substantially uniform cross-section along at least a portion of the length, with various cross-sections possible.
  • the cross-section 210 is a circle and the resulting shape of the elongated hashish product 215 is an elongated cylinder, or “snake”.
  • cross-sections include a triangle 220, and a square 230. Any other simple solid cross-section is also possible, e.g., a rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, or any other polygonal shape. More complex designs are also possible, such as a leaf, a star, or logo. Cross-sections that are not solid are also possible.
  • the cross-section 240 is an annulus and the resulting shape of the elongated hashish product 245 is an elongated tube surrounding a hollow core 250.
  • Each of the elongated hashish products such as elongated hashish product 215 and 245 has a length L.
  • the length L is configured to be approximately that of a standard cannabis cigarette length, for example from about 40 mm to about 300 mm.
  • the elongated hashish products such as 215 and 245 are ready-to-use products. The user can simply load the elongated hashish product 215, 245 into a rolling medium or wrapper (e.g., cigarette paper) to obtain a hashish smoking article ready to be smoked by the user.
  • a rolling medium or wrapper e.g., cigarette paper
  • the user or manufacturer can load the elongated hashish product 215, 245 along with one or more components into the rolling medium or wrapper; for example, dry cannabis particles or trim can be additionally loaded into the rolling medium to form the hashish smoking article.
  • the manufacturer can load the elongated hashish product 215, 245 into rolling medium or wrapper to obtain the hashish smoking article before packaging the prepared products (step 180 of FIG. 1 B).
  • the hashish products beneficially have cross-sections that are substantially uniform along at least a portion of the length of the elongated body. This uniformity is in shape, but can also be in content and/or in mass of the hashish product.
  • each hashish product 215 in a batch of hashish products can have a cross-section 225 in a first portion Ai thereof having a width x that is +/- 10% from an average width y over the entire length of the hashish product 215 or from all hashish products in the batch.
  • the average width y is e.g. 10 mm
  • the cross-section 225 has a width x that is 10 mm +/- 10%, i.e., from 9 mm to 11 mm, as shown in FIG. 2B.
  • the first portion Ai in each hashish product 215 in the batch of hashish products can also have a cannabinoid content z that is +/- 10% from an average cannabinoid content over the entire length of the hashish product 215 or from all hashish products in the batch.
  • the average cannabinoid content v is e.g. 30 wt.%
  • the first portion Ai has a cannabinoid content z that is 30 wt.% +/- 10%, i.e., from 27 wt.% to 33 wt.%, as shown in FIG. 2B.
  • the first portion Ai in each hashish product 215 in the batch of hashish products can also have a weight m that is +/- 10% from an average weight w over the entire length of the hashish product 215 or from all hashish products in the batch.
  • the average weight w e.g. 5.0g
  • the first portion Ai has a weight m that is 5.0g +/- 10%, i.e., 4.5g to 5.5g, as shown in FIG. 2B.
  • FIG. 3 shows examples of different three-dimensional shapes that can be constructed using the single elongated hashish products 215, 245.
  • step 170 of shaping the cut elongated hashish product can involve creating one or more of these more elaborate shapes.
  • the elongated tube, cylinder or “snake” of the elongated hashish products 215, 245 is wound on itself into a spiral shape 310.
  • the spiral shape can be, for example, a wide and flat circular “tree-stump” type shape, or can be shaped in other ways, such as into a triangular spiral 320.
  • pieces of the spiral such as spiral shape 310 or triangular spiral 320 can be unwound from the remaining portion of the spiral, so that a user can unwind a portion of hashish product and leave the remaining amount of hashish intact in the spiral.
  • the elongated hashish product 215 (or elongated hashish product 245) can be loaded into a device 410, e.g., a smoking device or a heat-not-burn device.
  • a device 410 e.g., a smoking device or a heat-not-burn device.
  • the elongated hashish product 215 (or elongated hashish product 245) can be affixed to a mounting component 420 (either by the manufacturer or by the user).
  • the mounting component 420 can be a mounting cartridge or tube that is loaded with the elongated hashish product 215 (or elongated hashish product 245); alternatively, the mounting component 420 can be a rolling medium (e.g., cigarette paper).
  • the elongated hashish product 215 (or elongated hashish product 245) together with the mounting component 420 forms a heatable elongated hashish product 405 that is suitable to be mounted to the heat-not-burn device 410.
  • Each of the heatable elongated hashish products 405 can have a length L2.
  • the length L2 is configured so that the heatable elongated hashish product 405 sits within the mounting receiving cavity 415 within the heat-not-burn device 410.
  • the length L2 is configured to be approximately from about 40 mm to about 100 mm, such as 40 mm to about 90 mm, or from about 40 mm to about 80 mm, or from about 40 mm to about 70 mm, or from about 40 mm to about 60 mm, or about 50 mm (e.g., 2 inches).
  • the heatable elongated hashish products 405 are ready-to-use products.
  • FIG. 5A illustrates an embodiment of the hashish product of the present disclosure that is configured to be loaded into a rolling medium or wrapper to form a smoking article.
  • An elongated hashish product such as elongated hashish product 215 from FIG.
  • the rolling medium or wrapper 500 may be any suitable rolling medium or wrapper known in the art, as discussed above.
  • the elongated hashish product 215 may have a length L that is configured to be approximately that of a standard cannabis cigarette length or equivalent to the length of the rolling medium or wrapper 500.
  • the length L can be from about 40 mm to about 300 mm.
  • the rolling medium or wrapper 500 has been wrapped around the elongated hashish product 215 to form a smoking article 520 that is ready to use by a user.
  • FIG. 5B the rolling medium or wrapper 500 has been wrapped around the elongated hashish product 215 to form a smoking article 520 that is ready to use by a user.
  • the elongated hashish product 215 was loaded into the rolling medium or wrapper 500 along with other additives shown as a layer 515 (e.g., smokable cannabis products, or tobacco leaves) to form a smoking article 530 that is ready to use by a user.
  • a layer 515 e.g., smokable cannabis products, or tobacco leaves
  • FIG. 6A illustrates an embodiment of the hashish product of the present disclosure that is configured to be loaded into a rolling medium or wrapper to form a smoking article with a hollow core.
  • An elongated hashish product such as elongated hashish product 245 from FIG. 2A having a length L and a hollow core 250 (e.g., a hashish product with an annular cross-section) is loaded into a rolling medium or wrapper 600.
  • the rolling medium or wrapper 600 may also be any suitable rolling medium or wrapper known in the art, as discussed above.
  • the elongated hashish product 245 may have a length L that is configured to be approximately that one of a standard cannabis cigarette length or equivalent to the length of the rolling medium or wrapper 600.
  • the length L can be from about 50 mm to about 300 mm.
  • the rolling medium or wrapper 600 has been wrapped around the elongated hashish product 245 to form a smoking article 620, which is ready to use by a user.
  • the elongated hashish product 245 was loaded into the rolling medium 600 along with one or more additives shown as a layer 615 (e.g., smokable cannabis products, or tobacco leaves) to form a smoking article 630 that is ready to use by a user.
  • a layer 615 e.g., smokable cannabis products, or tobacco leaves
  • the elongated hashish product 245 has a hollow core 250 that extends over the full length of the elongated hashish product 245, with a hollow diameter that is approximately 50% of the diameter of the cross-section over the entire length of the hashish product, although other arrangements are also possible. It is believed that the hollow core 250 may allow for more airflow, more even and smooth burn rate and a much smoother user experience when drawing on the cannabis cigarette 620 or 630. [0097] In some embodiments, during the retrieving step 130, cutting step 160, or shaping step 170, notches can be formed along the length of the elongate body. The notches can be at regular intervals, such as between 40 mm and 300 mm, including any values therein.
  • the notches can be shaped to denote specific quantities of hashish product.
  • each notched portion can represent a length of hashish product that easily is loaded into a single rolling medium or wrapper (e.g., rolled in a single cigarette paper).
  • Each notched portion can be a contents indicator; for example, each notched portion can indicate a fixed weight, amount of THC or other cannabinoid content, etc.
  • the notches can be configured to assist a user in removing the denoted portion of hashish product from the remaining shape (e.g., the spiral shape 310 or triangular spiral 320).
  • elongated bodies that are formed from the cohesive mass (step 160) can be formed into a multi-strand shape using two or more elongated bodies to form a compounded or composite product.
  • cohesive mass e.g., a combination of elongated bodies
  • composite refers to a compounded product where one elongated body forming the product has a composition that is different from another elongated body.
  • a compounded product such as shaped product 330 shown in FIG. 3 can be formed by combining at least two elongated bodies 332, 334 (e.g., cylinders) that are adhered to each other along their length.
  • the adherence can be light, such that at least a portion of the elongated bodies 332, 334 can be separated from each other.
  • Light adherence can be obtained, for example, by minimizing the contact surface between both elongated bodies 332, 334 (e.g., by forming a string having a transverse section with an oblong shape) and/or by reducing their stickiness (e.g., with the addition of a non-toxic coating on an external surface of the elongated bodies 332, 334, such as waxes, polymers, and the like).
  • a non-toxic coating on an external surface of the elongated bodies 332, 334 such as waxes, polymers, and the like.
  • the two or more elongated bodies 810, 820 are twisted around each other along at least a portion of their length forming compounded hashish product 800.
  • the two or more elongated bodies 810, 820 are in contact along at least a portion of their length but are being capable of being untwisted from one another, at least in part.
  • compounded hashish product 800 may include three or more elongated bodies that are formed (e.g., twisted) together.
  • the formation of the multi-strand shape can be more complex than simple twisting, such as braiding three or more strands together. Notches at regular intervals along each elongated body can assist a user in removing the portion of product from the remaining shape, and/or can denote a contents or desired length of product.
  • At least one of the elongated bodies such as elongated bodies 332, 334 in a multi-strand shape such as shaped product 330 can have a composition that is different from a composition of another one of the elongated bodies thus forming a composite product.
  • at least one of the elongated bodies e.g., elongated body 332
  • can have a non-toxic colorant added to the mass of isolated cannabis trichomes e.g., at step 140 in FIG.
  • At least one of the elongated bodies can be made from cannabis trichomes isolated from specific plant(s) or cannabis strain(s) that is different from that of the other elongated bodies, such that the cannabinoid content and/or profile (i.e., relative concentrations of the different cannabinoids and/or terpenes) of that at least that strand in the shaped product 330 is different than the others (e.g., elongated body 334). Other differences between strands are also possible.
  • a cooling step may be performed to cool down the cohesive mass to obtain a solid or semi-solid hashish product, either prior to passing through the die, after passing through the die, prior to cutting, after cutting, or any combination thereof.
  • the present disclosure thus describes methods that make it possible to produce hashish products at a high rate and at a lower cost.
  • the hashish products thus produced may be designed to have different shapes while retaining a homogeneous distribution of its constituents, which was not possible with the previous methods (e.g., hand rolling or pressing).
  • the hashish products having elongated bodies that are described herein can provide a more pleasant user experience when handling same. For example, when the hashish products are shaped into compounded hashish products, these can be easily handled at moment of their consumption, in particular due to the low level of adhesion between different elongated bodies forming the compounded product.
  • Hashish products are typically used for recreational and/or medicinal uses.
  • hashish products can be used to achieve a desired effect in a user, such as a psychoactive effect, a physiological effect, or a treatment of a condition.
  • a psychoactive effect it is meant a substantial effect on mood, perception, consciousness, cognition, or behavior of a subject resulting from changes in the normal functioning of the nervous system.
  • physiological effect it is meant an effect associated with a feeling of physical and/or emotional satisfaction.
  • treatment of a condition it is meant the treatment or alleviation of a disease or condition by absorption of cannabinoid(s) at sufficient amounts to mediate the therapeutic effects.
  • treating is used herein to mean obtaining a desired pharmacologic and/or physiologic effect.
  • the effect may be prophylactic, in terms of completely or partially preventing a disease, condition, or symptoms thereof, and/or may be therapeutic in terms of a partial or complete cure for a disease or condition and/or adverse effect, such as a symptom, attributable to the disease or disorder.
  • Treatment covers any treatment of a disease or condition of a mammal, such as a dog, cat or human, preferably a human.
  • the disease or condition is selected from the group consisting of pain, anxiety, an inflammatory disorder, a neurological disorder, a psychiatric disorder, a malignancy, an immune disorder, a metabolic disorder, a nutritional deficiency, an infectious disease, a gastrointestinal disorder, and a cardiovascular disorder.
  • the disease or condition is pain.
  • the disease or condition is associated with the feeling of physical and/or emotional satisfaction.
  • the “effective amount” administered and rate and time-course of administration will depend on the desired effect associated with a feeling of physical and/or emotional satisfaction in the subject.
  • a hashish product was produced using dry sift kief in a hot melt extrusion device.
  • a batch of 270 g of dried isolated trichomes was mixed thoroughly and placed into the hopper of an ETP1 Lab Extruder (The Bonnot Company, USA).
  • the extruder was operated at a temperature of 40°C and a filling auger speed of 10 RPM , with increases of 5 RPM approximately every 45 seconds.
  • the processing time for the batch was 5 minutes.
  • a cohesive mass was retrieved from the extruder.
  • the detectable molecule content and/or distribution into the hashish product can be assessed using a detectable molecule distribution test.
  • a hashish product is segmented along several axes using a cutting blade to obtain peripheral and core portions and the detectable molecule content is determined thereafter. Note that for the purpose of the present description, this test procedure will be referred to as a “detectable molecule distribution test”.
  • test samples A predetermined number of hashish product samples to be simultaneously tested (herein referred as “test samples”), which are all made in a single batch or individually but in a sufficiently controlled environment such as to ensure a high degree of uniformity between the samples are provided.
  • test samples are conditioned for 1 h at a temperature of 20°C and at a humidity level of 40%. • Each test sample is tested by placing same on a support surface. For test samples that are not spherical, the test samples are placed on the support surface in an orientation such that the same side of the test samples will face up, if applicable.
  • a single blade can then be used to slice the test sample to obtain at least two portions thereof. o For example, in embodiments where the test sample is voluminous enough (e.g., may include 2g or more of mass and/or may have a size of sufficient dimensions), the single blade can be used to slice test sample 700 along two 2 lines 720, 730 along a longitudinal axis thereof, substantially parallel to each other, as shown in FIG. 7A.
  • the single blade can then be used to slice the test sample 700 along two 2 lines 740, 750 along a transverse axis thereof, substantially parallel to each other.
  • the single blade can then be used to slice the test sample 700 along 1 line 710 substantially parallel to lines 720, 730, and closer to the outer edge of test sample 700.
  • the crossing of axes 720, 730 with 740, 750 produce a second portion B whereas the crossing of axes 740, 750 with 710 produces a first portion A.
  • the first portion is shown as a peripheral portion and the second portion is shown as a core portion, the person of skill will readily understand that portions from other subsections of the test sample are also possible.
  • the single blade can be used to slice the test sample 700 along a longitudinal line 760 to obtain a first portion A and a second portion B, as shown in FIG. 7B.
  • the single blade can be used to slice the test sample 700 along a transverse line 770 to obtain a first portion A and a second portion B, as shown in FIG. 7C.
  • the detectable molecule content of each of the first and second portions A, B is then determined, for example using USP NF 731 Loss On Drying method to quantify water content, or any other suitable technique I equipment for another detectable molecule.
  • the detectable molecule content distribution is reported for each assay as per the following ratio B/A.
  • a ratio of ⁇ 0.90 or > 1 .10 is considered a failure; in other words, variability of > 10% in the detectable molecule content between two portions of the test sample indicates a failure of the test.
  • the detectable molecule content of various portions from the same test sample can be obtained as per variations of the above-described procedure in order to determine the detectable molecule content at various location in the test sample and, thus, determine the detectable molecule content distribution in the test sample.
  • the distribution of the detectable molecule in the hashish product is substantially homogeneous, and the detectable molecule can be detected in at least 90 vol.% of the hashish product.
  • the levels (or contents) of the detectable marker in the hashish product is such that the first marker content (in a first portion of the hashish product) and the second marker content (in a second portion of the hashish product) are present in a ratio first I second markers of from 0.90 to 1.10.

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Abstract

The present disclosure relates to hashish products comprising a cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes comprising an elongated body shape having a length, the elongated body having a substantially uniform cross section along at least a portion of the length, and methods for manufacturing same.

Description

FORMED HASHISH-BASED CONSUMER PRODUCTS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application serial number 63/128,651 filed on December 21 , 2020. The contents of the above-referenced document are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This application generally relates to the field of manufactured hashish-based consumer products and methods of manufacturing.
BACKGROUND
[0003] With stage-wise legalization of cannabis-based consumer products in Canada and eventually in various other areas in the world, advancements in extraction technology, industrial scale production and accessibility to a wide variety of forms have accelerated in order to fulfill emerging demands.
[0004] Hashish (or hash) is a concentrated derivative of the dried resin glands, known as trichomes, of mature and unpollinated female cannabis plants. Hash contains the same active ingredients as marijuana - including cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol and others - although at higher concentrations than the un-sifted buds or leaves from which dried marijuana is made, which leads to higher potency. The trichomes may be removed from the plant material by mechanical means, with various techniques known in the art.
[0005] Separated trichomes have a powder appearance (referred to as “kief’) and is pressed to obtain blocks of hash, the color and pliability of which can vary widely based on the source material, the extraction method, and the production conditions. For example, dry-sift pressed hashish is usually solid, whereas water-purified hashish - often called bubble hashish - can be a paste-like substance with varying cohesion and stickiness in addition to being in powder form or pressed into bricks. The color of a hashish product is most commonly light to dark brown, but can also vary from transparent to yellow, tan, black, or red. [0006] Hand or mechanical presses are often used to produce hash products. However, hand presses are too small and inefficient for commercial volume production, while mechanical presses lead to variability of the finished hash product and an inconsistent product batch-over-batch. Furthermore, obtaining the desirable pliability and hardness requires a significant amount of “art” that is hardly reproduceable and the skills of the individual play a key role in defining the quality of the finished product - characteristics that are undesirable when designing and implementing industrial scale procedures.
[0007] Additionally, current methods, particularly rolling by hand, of producing hash cannot ensure thorough mixing of the hashish components, and thus cannot ensure uniform and homogeneous distribution of hashish components. This leads to a hashish product with uneven and unpredictable distribution of cannabinoids throughout a unit of product, or across batches of product, which leads to an inconsistent user experience. Additionally, difficulties in thoroughly mixing hashish components can lead to a lack of uniform texture, consistency, and color in the hashish product, which can be off-putting to a user and can signal other inconsistencies in the product. These disadvantages are particularly true in instances where long, thin hashish tubes are hand-rolled. Such hand-rolled products are not only of inconsistent size and shape with inconsistent doses of cannabinoid, but are messy and time-consuming to produce, and lead to loss of product material. The challenge of consistently and homogeneously distributing components within a product unit and across batches has limited the development of hash within the legal cannabis industry.
[0008] Considering the above, it would be desirable to be provided with a hashish product and systems or methods for making same that would at least partially alleviate some of the disadvantages of the existing technologies.
SUMMARY
[0009] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter.
[0010] As embodied and broadly described herein, the present disclosure relates to a hashish product comprising a substantially homogeneous cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes, the hashish product having an elongated body shape having a length, and the elongated body having a substantially uniform cross-section along at least a portion of the length.
[0011] Implementations of the hashish product can include one or more of the following features:
• the elongated body has a cross-section width at one location along the at least portion of the length, wherein the at least portion of the length has an average-cross section width, and wherein a ratio of the cross-section width I average cross section is from about 0.90 to about 1.10.
• the ratio of the cross-section width I average cross-section is from about 0.95 to about 1.05.
• the ratio of the cross-section width I average cross-section is from about 0.98 to about 1.02.
• the cross-section has a width of from about 1 mm to about 20 mm.
• the cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes comprises a detectable molecule, wherein the a first level of the detectable molecule in a discreet portion of the product is within 15% of a second level of the detectable molecule, and wherein the second level is an average level of the detectable molecule in the hashish product or in a batch of hashish products.
• the first level of the detectable molecule is within 10%, or within 5% of the second level of the detectable molecule.
• the detectable molecule is detected in at least 90 vol.%, or in at least 95 vol.%, or in at least 99%, or in 100% of the hashish product.
• the hashish product is configured to be loaded into a smoking device.
• the smoking device is a heat-not-burn device.
• the length is from about 40 mm to about 300 mm, or about 40 mm to about 100 mm, or preferably about 50 mm. the hashish product is configured for being loaded into a heat-not-burn device mounting component.
• the heat-not-burn device mounting component is a mounting tube or a cartridge.
• the hashish product is configured to be loaded into a rolling medium or wrapper to form a smoking article.
• the rolling medium or wrapper is made from a material selected from paper, hemp, cordia palm leaf, tendu leaf, flower petal, banana leaves, flax, sisal, rice straw, cannabis leaves, and esparto.
• the smoking article is a cannabis cigarette-like or cigar-like smoking article.
• the hashish product comprises a cannabinoid content of from about 5 wt.% to about 90 wt.%.
• the cannabinoid is one or more of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), and any combinations thereof.
• the hashish product has a weight of from about 0.2g to about 20g.
• the isolated cannabis trichomes are kief.
• the isolated cannabis trichomes are from one or more strain(s) of cannabis plant.
• the hashish product includes one or more additional components.
• the one or more additional components comprises one or more cannabinoid(s), one or more terpene(s), one or more flavonoid(s), water, one or more flavoring agent(s), one or more non-toxic coloring agent(s), or any combinations thereof.
• the one or more additional components is substantially homogenously distributed throughout the cohesive mass.
• the one or more additional components is substantially homogenously distributed along the length. the hashish product includes two or more elongated bodies adhered to each other along at least a portion of the length of each elongated body, the elongated bodies being capable of separation from one another.
• the hashish product includes two or more elongated bodies twisted around each other along at least a portion of the length of each elongated body, the elongated bodies being capable of untwisting from one another.
• at least one of the elongated bodies has a composition that is different from a composition of another one of the elongated bodies.
• the cross-section is an annulus and the shape is a tube.
• the cross-section is a circle and the shape is a cylinder.
• the cross-section is a polygon.
• the hashish product is an extruded hashish product.
[0012] As embodied and broadly described herein, the present disclosure also relates to a method for making a hashish product, comprising providing isolated cannabis trichomes, mixing the isolated cannabis trichomes under conditions sufficient to obtain a substantially homogeneous cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes, and retrieving at least a portion of the cohesive mass through an extrusion die to obtain a hashish product comprising the substantially homogeneous cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes, having an elongated body shape having a length, and the elongated body having a substantially uniform cross section along at least a portion of the length.
[0013] Implementations of the method can include one or more of the following features:
• the elongated body has a cross section width at one location along the at least portion of the length, wherein the at least portion of the length has an average cross section width, and wherein a ratio of the cross-section width I average cross-section is from about 0.90 to about 1.10. the ratio of the cross-section width I average cross section is from about 0.95 to about 1.05.
• the ratio of the cross-section width I average cross section is from about 0.98 to about 1.02.
• the cross-section has a width of from about 1 mm to about 20 mm.
• the cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes comprises a detectable molecule, wherein the a first level of the detectable molecule in a discreet portion of the product is within 15% of a second level of the detectable molecule, and wherein the second level is an average level of the detectable molecule in the hashish product or in a batch of hashish products.
• the first level of the detectable molecule is within 10%, or within 5% of the second level of the detectable molecule.
• the detectable molecule is detected in at least 90 vol.%, or in at least 95 vol.%, or in at least 99%, or in 100% of the hashish product.
• the hashish product is configured to have at least a portion thereof mounted to a smoking device.
• the smoking device is a heat-not-burn device.
• the length is from about 40 mm to about 300 mm, or 40 mm to about 100 mm, or preferably about 50 mm.
• the hashish product is configured to have at least a portion thereof loaded into a heat- not-burn device mounting component.
• the heat-not-burn device mounting component is a mounting tube or a cartridge.
• the hashish product is configured to have at least a portion thereof loaded into a rolling medium or wrapper to form a smoking article. the rolling medium or wrapper is made from a material selected from paper, hemp, cordia palm leaf, tendu leaf, flower petal, banana leaves, flax, sisal, rice straw, cannabis leaves, and esparto.
• the smoking article is a cannabis cigarette-like or cigar-like smoking article.
• the hashish product comprises a cannabinoid with a cannabinoid content of from about 5 wt.% to about 90 wt.%.
• the one or more cannabinoid(s) is selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), and any combinations thereof.
• the hashish product has a weight of from about 0.2g to about 20g.
• the isolated cannabis trichomes are kief.
• the isolated cannabis trichomes are from one or more strain(s) of cannabis plant.
• the method further includes incorporating one or more additional components prior to, simultaneously with, or following the mixing step.
• the one or more additional components comprises one or more cannabinoid(s), one or more terpene(s), one or more flavonoid(s), water, one or more flavoring agent(s), one or more non-toxic coloring agent(s), or any combinations thereof.
• the one or more additional components is substantially homogenously distributed throughout the cohesive mass by the mixing step.
• the one or more additional component(s) is substantially homogenously distributed along the length by the mixing step.
• the hashish product is a first hashish product, and retrieving at least an additional portion of the cohesive mass through the extrusion die to obtain a second hashish product having an elongated body shape having a length, and shaping the first and second hashish products along at least a portion of their respective length to form a compounded hashish product.
• the second hashish product has a composition that is different from a composition of the first hashish product.
• the cross-section is an annulus and the shape is a tube.
• the cross-section is a circle and the shape is a cylinder.
• the cross-section is a polygon.
• the mixing includes applying compression and shear forces to the cannabis trichomes via a plurality of interpenetrate helicoidal surfaces within an elongated enclosure.
• the interpenetrate helicoidal surfaces are on at least one screw, the method further comprising adjusting a rotational speed of the at least one screw and a temperature within the elongated enclosure to obtain the cohesive mass.
• heating while mixing, wherein the heating and mixing step is performed with an extruder.
[0014] As embodied and broadly described herein, the present disclosure also relates to a hashish product comprising a substantially homogeneous cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes, the hashish product comprising an elongated body shape having a length, and the elongated body having a substantially uniform cross-section along at least a portion of the length, wherein the product is made with the method as described herein.
[0015] All features of exemplary embodiments which are described in this disclosure and are not mutually exclusive can be combined with one another. Elements of one embodiment can be utilized in the other embodiments without further mention. Other aspects and features will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying Figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] A detailed description of specific exemplary embodiments is provided herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0017] FIGS. 1A and 1B show a non-limiting flowchart example of a process for making a hashish product in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIGS. 2A and 2B show various cross-sections of hashish products produced with the methods of FIGS. 1A and 1B.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows various compounded hashish products that can be produced with the hashish products of FIG. 2A.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows various hashish products in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure that are configured to be loaded into a heat-not -burn device.
[0021] FIGS. 5A-5C show various hashish products in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure that are loaded into a rolling medium for smoking by a user.
[0022] FIGS. 6A-6C show various hashish products in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure that are loaded into a rolling medium for smoking by a user.
[0023] FIGS. 7A-7C show examples of the partitioning of a test sample.
[0024] FIG. 8 shows various hashish products in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure that are twisted around each other and capable of untwisting from one another.
[0025] In the drawings, exemplary embodiments are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments and are an aid for understanding.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate the principles of the invention. The invention is described in connection with such embodiments, but the invention is not limited to any embodiment. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. These details are provided for the purpose of non-limiting examples and the invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all these specific details. For clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the invention is not unnecessarily obscured.
[0027] The present inventors have developed hashish products, and methods of manufacturing same, composed of a substantially homogeneous cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes with a substantially uniform cross-section along at least a portion of the length of the elongated body of the product.
[0028] Embodiments as disclosed herein can advantageously ensure uniform and homogeneous distribution of hashish components, leading to a hashish product with even and predictable distribution of cannabinoids throughout a unit of product or across batches of product. Without being bound by any theory, it is believed that the herein described homogeneity characteristics may allow, for example, improvement in the textural consistency, pliability and/or crumbliness of the hashish product. This in turn, may reduce I minimize quality control failures during large-scale manufacturing of the hashish product (e.g., quality control based on textural consistency, pliability and/or crumbliness). It is also believed that hashish products with increased homogeneity deliver consistent amounts of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and the like to the user during each use, thus providing a more consistently reproducible user experience. Additionally, it is believed that the reduced crumbliness may lead to better segmentation during use of the hashish product thereby resulting in reduction of waste material during use. Further, the method of manufacture described herein may result in substantially fewer quality failures (e.g., based on textural consistency, pliability and/or crumbliness) and/or reduce waste materials during manufacturing of the hashish product, which is advantageous in the context of large-scale industrial production. The reduction of waste materials during manufacturing can be achieved with the process described herein in that this process avoids the need to form the product manually, which involved unavoidable loss of product. The process also provides improved inventory management as it allows for the use of various strains of cannabis plants when making kief, which leads to less wasted materials that would require disposal thereof in other circumstances where one cannot do so.
Hashish products [0029] The hashish product of the present disclosure comprises a substantially homogeneous cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes.
[0030] As used herein, the term “cannabis trichomes” generally refers to crystal-shaped outgrowths or appendages (also called resin glands) on cannabis plants typically covering the leaves and buds. Trichomes produce hundreds of known cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that make cannabis strains potent, unique, and effective.
[0031] As used herein, the term “cannabis plant(s)”, encompasses wild type Cannabis (including but not limited to the species species Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis) and also variants thereof, including cannabis chemovars (or “strains”) that naturally contain different amounts of the individual cannabinoids. For example, some Cannabis strains have been bred to produce minimal levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive constituent responsible for the high associated with it and other strains have been selectively bred to produce high levels of THC and other psychoactive cannabinoids. Cannabis plants produce a unique family of terpeno-phenolic compounds called cannabinoids, some of which produce the “high” one experiences from consuming marijuana.
[0032] As used herein, the term “isolated cannabis trichomes” refers to trichomes that have been separated from cannabis plant material plant using any method known in the art. For example, and without wishing to be limiting in any manner, the isolated cannabis trichomes may be obtained by a chemical separation method or may be separated by manual processes like dry sifting or by water extraction methods. Such methods are known in the art, and as such will not be further described here. Because of inherent limitations to existing separation methods, some plant matter or other foreign matter can be present in isolated cannabis trichomes.
[0033] Other methods for obtaining isolated cannabis trichomes include, but are not limited to solvent-less extraction methods, including but not limited to mechanical separation of trichomes from the plant, such as by sieving through a screen by hand or in motorized tumblers (see for example WO 2019/161509), or by submerging the cannabis plants in icy water (see for example US2020/0261824, which is herein incorporated by reference) and agitating to separate the trichomes from the plant and drying the trichomes. The details of various methods for separating trichomes from the cannabis plant are well-known in the art. Isolated cannabis trichomes obtained by mechanical separation of trichomes from the cannabis plant material is typically referred to as “kief” (also “keef” or “kif”) and has a powdery appearance. The moisture content may be fully or partially removed, often using heat and the finished kief is subsequently pressed or formed to obtain a hashish product. Typically, some residual plant material remains in the finished kief and thus in the resulting hashish product. In preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, the isolated cannabis trichomes is in the form of kief.
[0034] The isolated cannabis trichomes forming the hashish product of the present disclosure may originate from one or more than one strain of cannabis plant. It is known amongst consumers of hashish and other cannabis products that using isolated cannabis trichomes produced from more than one strain of cannabis plant allows a user to tune the psychoactive and/or entourage effect obtained by consuming the product. The mixing of cannabis plant strains may also allow adjustment of the final concentration of a component of the product, for example but not limited to the cannabinoid content. Additionally, use of more than one strain allows for improved product and waste management - important in commercial production.
[0035] As used herein, the term “substantially homogeneous” means that the cohesive mass generally has the same proportions of one or more detectable molecule throughout any given sample, allowing for slight measured variations throughout the cohesive mass, e.g., < 10% variations; such slight variations within the cohesive mass will be deemed to be “substantially homogeneous” for the purposes of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the one or more detectable molecule is detectable using quantitative methods. For example, and without wishing to be limiting in any manner, the detectable molecule may be a component of the isolated cannabis trichomes that is detectable using any suitable technique, such as for example Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography/ Flame Ionization Detection (GC/FID), infra-red spectrum (IR) spectroscopy, ultra-violet spectrum (LIV) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and the like. Other techniques may be used, for example by heating a test sample to a temperature near water ebullition point (100 °C) for a given time sufficient to evaporate substantially all water contained in the sample and then measuring the sample weight loss that corresponds to the moisture content initially present in the sample. Other techniques may involve measuring water activity, for example using a capacitive hygrometer (e.g., the Aqualab™ 4TE (Meter, USA)) using the chilled- mirror dew point technique, or may involve measuring water content, for example using a moisture analyzer (e.g., MA160 Infrared Moisture Analyzer (Sartorius AG, Germany) using the loss on drying technique (e.g., USP NF 731 Loss On Drying method).
[0036] For example, the detectable molecule may be one or more of the following: a cannabinoid, a terpene, a flavonoid, chlorophyll, water, or any combination thereof. As is known in the art, chlorophyll is a green photosynthetic pigment found in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria; its presence in the hashish product can be due to residual cannabis plant matter found in the product and/or may be added to the isolated cannabis trichomes in the form of an exogenous detectable molecule. Similarly, the water content of the hashish may be due to residual moisture in the kief or to the addition of water during the productions process.
[0037] For example, the detectable molecule can be detected in at least 90 vol.%, or in at least 95 vol.%, or in at least 99%, or in 100% of the hashish product depending on specific implementations of the present disclosure.
[0038] Alternatively or additionally, the levels (or contents) of the detectable molecule in the hashish product of the present disclosure is substantially homogeneous, such that the hashish product includes a first detectable molecule content in a first portion thereof and a second detectable molecule content in a second portion thereof, where the first detectable molecule content and the second detectable molecule content are substantially identical. For example, the first detectable molecule content and the second detectable molecule content are present in a ratio first I second detectable molecules of from 0.90 to 1 .10, including any ranges therein or any values therein. For example, the ratio may be of from 0.90 to 1.05, or from 0.90 to 1.00, or from 0.95 to 1.15, or from 0.95 to 1.10, or from 0.95 to 1.05, or from 0.95 to 1.00, or from 1.00 to 1.15, or from 1.00 to 1.15, or from 1.00 to 1.10, or from 1.00 to 1.05, or any value within any of these ranges, such as for example about 0.90, or about 0.95, or about 1.00, or about 1.05, or about 1.10. For example, the first portion can be a core portion and the second portion can be a peripheral portion. The detectable molecule content and the ratio of first I second detectable molecules can be determined based on the detectable molecule distribution test described later in this text.
[0039] In one embodiment, the hashish product of the present disclosure contains one or more cannabinoid(s) in an amount (the “cannabinoid content”) sufficient for the user to experience a desired effect when consuming the product. For example, the hashish product may comprise from about 5 wt.% to about 90 wt.% cannabinoid, for example up to about 60 wt.%, or up to about 50 wt.%, or up to about 40 wt.%, or up to about 30 wt.%.
[0040] As used herein, the term “cannabinoid” generally refers to any chemical compound that acts upon a cannabinoid receptor such as CB1 and CB2. A cannabinoid may include endocannabinoids (produced naturally by humans and animals), phytocannabinoids (found in cannabis and some other plants), and synthetic cannabinoids (manufactured artificially, for example cannabinoids produced in yeast, for example as described in WO WO2018/148848). Examples of suitable phytocannabinoids include, but are not limited to, cannabichromanon (CBCN), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabicitran (CBT), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabicyclovarin (CBLV), cannabidiol (CBD, defined below), cannabidiol monomethylether (CBDM), cannabidiol-C4 (CBD-C4), cannabidiorcol (CBD-C1), cannabidiphorol (CBDP), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabifuran (CBF), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabigerol monomethylether (CBGM), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), cannabinodiol (CBND), cannabinodivarin (CBVD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabinol methylether (CBNM), cannabinol propyl variant (CBNV), cannabinol-C2 (CBN-C2), cannabinol-C4 (CBN-C4), cannabiorcol (CBN-C1), cannabiripsol (CBR), cannabitriol (CBO), cannabitriolvarin (CBTV), cannabivarin (CBV), dehydrocannabifuran (DCBF), A7-cis-iso tetrahydrocannabivarin, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, defined below), A9-tetrahydrocannabionolic acid B (THCA-B), A9- tetrahydrocannabiorcol (THC-C1), tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THCVA), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), ethoxy-cannabitriolvarin (CBTVE), trihydroxy-A9- tetrahydrocannabinol (triOH-THC), 10-ethoxy-9hydroxy-A6a-tetrahydrocannabinol, 8,9- dihydroxy-A6a-tetrahydrocannabinol, 10-oxo-A6a-tetrahydrocannabionol (OTHC), 3, 4,5,6- tetrahydro-7-hydroxy-a-a-2-trimethyl-9-n-propyl-2, 6-methano-2H-1-benzoxocin-5-methanol (OH-iso-HHCV), A6a,10a-tetrahydrocannabinol (A6a,10a-THC), A8-tetrahydrocannabivarin (A8- THCV), A9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol (A9-THCP), A9-tetrahydrocannabutol (A9-THCB), derivatives of any thereof, and combinations thereof. Further examples of suitable cannabinoids are discussed in at least WO2017/190249 and U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. US2014/0271940, which are each incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
[0041] Cannabidiol (CBD) means one or more of the following compounds: A2-cannabidiol, A5- cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-5-cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); A4- cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-4-cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); A3- cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-3-cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); A3, 7- cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methylenecyclohex-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); A2- cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-2-cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); A1- cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-l-cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol); and A6- cannabidiol (2-(6-isopropenyl-3-methyl-6-cyclohexen-l-yl)-5-pentyl-l,3-benzenediol). In a preferred embodiment, and unless otherwise stated, CBD means A2-cannabidiol.
[0042] Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) means one or more of the following compounds: A8- tetrahydrocannabinol (A8-THC), A8-tetrahydrocannabivarin (A8-THCV), A9-cis- tetrahydrocannabinol (cis-THC), A9-tetrahydrocannabinol (A9-THC), A9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA-A), A10-tetrahydrocannabinol (A10-THC), A9-tetrahydrocannabinol-C4 (THC-C4), A9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid-C4 (THCA-C4), synhexyl (n-hexyl-A3THC). In a preferred embodiment, and unless otherwise stated, THC means one or more of the following compounds: A9-tetrahydrocannabinol and A8-tetrahydrocannabinol.
[0043] Examples of suitable synthetic cannabinoids include, but are not limited to, naphthoylindoles, naphthylmethylindoles, naphthoylpyrroles, naphthylmethylindenes, phenylacetylindoles, cyclohexylphenols, tetramethylcyclopropylindoles, adamantoylindoles, indazole carboxamides, quinolinyl esters, and combinations thereof.
[0044] A cannabinoid may be in an acid form or a non-acid form, the latter also being referred to as the decarboxylated form since the non-acid form can be generated by decarboxylating the acid form. Within the context of the present disclosure, where reference is made to a specific cannabinoid, the cannabinoid can be in its acid, its non-acid form, or be a mixture of both acid and non-acid forms.
[0045] In some embodiments, the hashish product of the present disclosure may include one or more cannabinoid(s), such as THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, or any combinations thereof, in similar or different amounts.
[0046] The hashish product of the present disclosure comprises an elongated body shape with a substantially uniform cross-section along at least a portion of the length of the body. The term “elongated body” is well-understood in the art, though generally indicates that the length of the body is greater than the width of its cross-section. The cross-section of the elongated body may be any desired shape. For example, the cross-section may have a simple solid shape such as, but not limited to a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, rectangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, or any other polygonal shape. Alternatively, the shape of the cross-section may be a more complex shape such as, but not limited to a logo or any other more complex design such as a leaf. The cross-section can be solid or hollow. For example, the cross section may be an annulus. As a result of the combination of the shape of the cross section and its elongated body, the hashish product may be formed to have a shape that is elongated, curved, shell-like, or some other shape. For example, the cross-section may be an annulus and the resulting shape of the elongated hashish product is a tube; in another example, the cross section may be a circle and the resulting shape of the elongated hashish product is a cylinder.
[0047] The elongated body of the hashish product has a substantially uniform cross-section along at least a portion of its length. By the term “substantially uniform”, it is meant that the width of the cross-section remains relatively constant along at least the portion of the length of the elongated body. In some embodiments, the substantially uniform cross-section comprises a cross-section having a width that is within a 10% margin, preferably 5% margin, more preferably within a 2% margin of an average cross-section width along a portion of the length of the elongated body or along the entire length of the elongated body. In other words, the elongated body comprises a cross-section width at one location along the at least portion of the length which can be characterized as representing a ratio of from about 0.90 to about 1.10, of from about 0.95 to about 1.05, or from about 0.98 to about 1.02 when compared to an average cross-section width of the full length of the body or of the at least portion of the length of the body, where the ratio is cross-section width I average cross-section.
[0048] As would be understood by a person of skill in the art, the width (also referred to as the “diameter”) of the cross-section of the hashish product may depend on the application for its use. In some embodiments, the hashish product may have a cross-section along at least a portion of its length having a width of from about 1 mm to about 20 mm, including any ranges there inbetween or any values therein. For example, a width of from about 1 mm to about 10 mm. For example, a width of about 1 mm, or about 1.5 mm, or about 2.0 mm, or about 2.5 mm, or about 3.0 mm, or about 3.5 mm, or about 4.0 mm, or about 4.5 mm, or about 5.0 mm, or about 5.5 mm, or about 6.0 mm, or about 6.5 mm, or about 7.0 mm, or about 7.5 mm, or about 8.0 mm, or about 8.5 mm, or about 9.0 mm, or about 9.5 mm, or about 10.0 mm, or even more in some embodiments. With respect to the ratio of the cross-section width at one location along at least portion of the length of the elongated body of the hashish product discussed above, the reader will thus understand that when the average cross-section width has a value of x, e.g., 10 mm, then the cross-section width at one location along at least portion of the length may have a value of x +/- 10%, e.g., from 9 mm to 11 mm. In one non-limiting example, the width of the crosssection may be from about 1 mm to about 5 mm.
[0049] As would be understood by a person of skill in the art, the length of the hashish product may depend on the application for its use and/or the form of the compounded hashish product produced. The hashish product may have a length of from about 40 mm to about 500 mm, including any ranges there in-between or any values therein, or even more in some embodiments. For example, the hashish product may have a length of from about 40 mm to about 300 mm, or about 40 mm to about 100 mm, or about 50 mm. For example, the hashish product may have a length of about 40 mm, or about 50 mm, or about 60 mm, or about 70 mm, or about 80 mm, or about 90 mm, or about 100 mm, or about 110 mm, or about 120 mm, or about 130 mm, or about 140 mm, or about 150 mm, or about 160 mm, or about 170 mm, or about 180 mm, or about 190 mm, or about 200 mm, or about 210 mm, or about 220 mm, or about 230 mm, or about 240 mm, or about 250 mm, or about 260 mm, or about 270 mm, or about 280 mm, or about 290 mm, or about 300 mm, or about 310 mm, or about 320 mm, or about 330 mm, or about 340 mm, or about 350 mm, or about 360 mm, or about 370 mm, or about 380 mm, or about 390 mm, or about 400 mm, or about 410 mm, or about 420 mm, or about 430 mm, or about 440 mm, or about 450 mm, or about 460 mm, or about 470 mm, or about 480 mm, or about 490 mm, or about 500 mm, or any range defined by any of the recited values.
[0050] The weight of the hashish product of the present disclosure will be dependent on the shape and width of the cross-section and the length of the elongated body. In some embodiments, the length of the elongated body may be determined by the intended use of the product. The hashish product may have a weight of from about 0.2g to about 20.0g, including any ranges there in-between or any values therein, or even more in some embodiments. For example, the hashish product may have a weight of from about 1.0 g to about 3.0 g, or about 3.0 g to about 15.0 g. For example, the hashish product may have a weight of about 0.2g, about 0.5g, about 1.0g, about 1.25g, about 1.5g, about 1.75g, about 2.0g, about 2.25g, about 2.75g, about 3.0g, about 3.5g, about 4.0g, about 4.5g, about 5.0g, about 5.5g, about 6.0g, about 6.5g, about 7.0g, about 7.5g, about 8.0g, about 8.5g, about 9.0g, about 9.5g, about 10.0g, about 10.5g, about 11.0g, about 11.5g, about 12.0g, about 12.5g, about 13.0g, about 13.5g, about 14.0g, about 14.5g, about 15.0g, about 15.5g, about 16.0g, about 16.5g, about 17.0g, about 17.5g, about 18.0g, about 18.5g, about 19.0g, about 19.5g, or about 20.0g or a range defined by any of the recited values.
[0051] In one non-limiting example, when the hashish product is intended to form a cigarettelike smoking article, the weight thereof may be of from about 1g to about 3g, including any ranges there in-between or any values therein. For example, the hashish product may have a weight of about 1 ,0g, about 1 ,25g, about 1 ,5g, about 1 ,75g, about 2.0g, about 2.25g, about 2.75g, or about 3.0g. The reader will appreciate that a hashish product intended to form a cigarette-like smoking article may have a weight which is suitable for that purpose other than those values listed here.
[0052] In another example, when the hashish product is intended to form a cigar-like smoking article, the weight thereof may be larger, e.g., of from about 3.0g to about 15.0g, including any ranges there in-between or any values therein. For example, the hashish product may have a weight of about 3.0g, about 3.5g, about 4.0g, about 4.5g, about 5.0g, about 5.5g, about 6.0g, about 6.5g, about 7.0g, about 7.5g, about 8.0g, about 8.5g, about 9.0g, about 9.5g, about 10.0g, about 10.5g, about 11.0g, about 11.5g, about 12.0g, about 12.5g, about 13.0g, about 13.5g, about 14.0g, about 14.5g, or about 15.0g. The reader will appreciate that a hashish product intended to form a cigar-like smoking article may have a weight which is suitable for that purpose other than those values listed here.
[0053] For example, when the hashish product include notches or contains multiple servings (as described later in this text), the hashish product may have a total weight of from about 0.2 g to about 20 g, including any ranges there in-between or any values therein. For example, the hashish product may have a total weight of 0.2g, about 0.5g, about 1 ,0g, about 1 ,5g, about 2.0g, about 2.5g, about 3.0g, about 3.5g, about 4.0g, about 4.5g, about 5.0g, about 5.5g, about 6.0g, about 6.5g, about 7.0g, about 7.5g, about 8.0g, about 8.5g, about 9.0g, about 9.5g, about 10.0g, about 10.5g, about 11.0g, about 11.5g, about 12.0g, about 12.5g, about 13.0g, about 13.5g, about 14.0g, about 14.5g, about 15.0g, about 15.5g, about 16.0g, about 16.5g, about 17.0g, about 17.5g, about 18.0g, about 18.5g, about 19.0g, about 19.5g, or about 20.0g. Each serving in the multiple servings may be portioned from the hashish product such that each serving may have a suitable weight, for example of from about 0.2g to about 5g. The reader will appreciate that a hashish product intended to include notches or contains multiple servings may have a total weight or a weight for each single unit that is suitable for that purpose other than those values listed here.
[0054] In some cases, a variability of about +/- 10% on the measured weight between hashish product units in a batch of hashish products, or between the measured weight of a first portion of the hashish product and an average weight of the hashish product can be acceptable to the manufacturer.
[0055] The hashish product according to the present disclosure may also comprise one or more additional component.
[0056] In some embodiments, the one or more additional component may be added to alter the characteristics of the hashish product, such as cannabinoid content, potency, entourage effect, odor, color, consistency, texture, pliability, and the like. In some embodiments, the one or more additional component may be incorporated during the process to produce the hashish product and thus may be substantially homogeneously distributed throughout the hashish product, or the additional component may be substantially homogenously distributed along the length of the hashish product, for example as a coating. By “substantially homogeneously distributed”, it is meant that the amount of the one or more additional component is uniform throughout or along the length (as applicable) of the hashish product.
[0057] For example, the one or more additional component may be any suitable food grade and/or non-toxic composition or component known in the art. As will be recognized by those of skill in the art, the toxicity of each type of additional component may be dependent on the method of consumption of the hashish product. For example, in applications where smoke I vapor produced by the hashish product is to be inhaled, suitable additional components may include, but are not limited to one or more cannabinoid, one or more terpene (also referred to herein as a “terpene blend”), one or more flavonoid, water, one or more flavouring agent, one or more colouring agent, or any combination of any noted additional components. The person of skill will readily appreciate that water could be added in the form of steam, liquid or in combination.
[0058] For example, the one or more additional component may be a cannabinoid. The cannabinoid may be extracted from any suitable source material including, but not limited to, cannabis or hemp plant material (e.g., flowers, seeds, and trichomes) or may be manufactured artificially (for example cannabinoids produced in yeast, as described in WO WO2018/148848). Cannabinoids can be extracted from a cannabis or hemp plant material according to any procedure known in the art. For example and without wishing to be limiting, a “crude extract” containing a cannabinoid may be obtained by extraction from plant materials using for example aliphatic hydrocarbons (such as propane, butane), alcohols (such as ethanol), petroleum ether, naphtha, olive oil, carbon dioxide (including supercritical and subcritical CO2), chloroform, or any combinations thereof. Optionally, the crude extract may then be “winterized”, that is, extracted with an organic solvent (such as ethanol) to remove lipids and waxes (to produce a “winterized extract”), as described for example in US 7,700,368, US 2004/0049059, and US 2008/0167483, which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. Optionally, the method for obtaining the cannabinoid may further include purification steps such as a distillation step to further purify, isolate or crystallize one or more cannabinoids, which is referred to in the art and herein as a “distillate”; US 2016/0346339, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a process for extracting cannabinoids from cannabis plant material using solvent extraction followed by filtration, and evaporation of the solvent in a distiller to obtain a distillate. The distillate may be cut with one or more terpenes. The crude extract, the winterized extract or the distillate may be further purified, for example using chromatographic and other separation methods known in the art, to obtain an “isolate”. Cannabinoid extracts may also be obtained using solvent-less extraction methods; for example, cannabis plant material may be subjected to heat and pressure to extract a resinous sap (“rosin”) containing cannabinoids; methods for obtaining rosin are well- known in the art. Other relevant methods to the formation of hashish are described in US 63/025,863, US 63/073,549, and US 62/948576, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0059] For example, the one or more additional component may be a terpene. As used herein, the term “terpene” generally refers to a class of chemical components comprised of the fundamental building block of isoprene, which can be linked to form linear structures or rings. Terpenes may include hemiterpenes (single isoprenoid unit), monoterpenes (two units), sesquiterpenes (three units), diterpenes (four units), sesterterpenes (five units), triterpenes (six units), and so on. At least some terpenes are expected to interact with, and potentiate the activity of, cannabinoids. Any suitable terpene may be used in the hashish product of the present invention. For example, terpenes originating from cannabis plant may be used, including but not limited to aromadendrene, bergamottin, bergamotol, bisabolene, borneol, 4-3-carene, caryophyllene, cineole/eucalyptol, p-cymene, dihydroj asmone, elemene, farnesene, fenchol, geranylacetate, guaiol, humulene, isopulegol, limonene, linalool, menthone, menthol, menthofuran, myrcene, nerylacetate, neomenthylacetate, ocimene, perillylalcohol, phellandrene, pinene, pulegone, sabinene, terpinene, terpineol, 4-terpineol, terpinolene, and derivatives thereof. Additional examples of terpenes include nerolidol, phytol, geraniol, alpha-bisabolol, thymol, genipin, astragaloside, asiaticoside, camphene, beta-amyrin, thujone, citronellol, 1 ,8-cineole, cycloartenol, hashishene, and derivatives thereof. Further examples of terpenes are discussed in US Patent Application Pub. No. US2016/0250270, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. The hashish product of the present disclosure may contain one or more terpene(s). The one or more terpene(s) may originate from the hashish, from an additional component, or both. In some embodiments, the hashish product of the present disclosure may include the one or more terpene(s) in an amount (the “terpene content”) sufficient for the user to experience a desired entourage effect when consuming the product. For example, the hashish product may comprise from about 0.5 wt.% to about 15 wt.% terpene, for example up to about 15 wt.%, or up to about 10 wt.%, or up to about 5 wt.%, or up to about 4 wt.%, or up to about 3 wt.%, or up to about 2 wt.%, or up to about 1 wt.%. For example, the one or more terpene(s) may include hashishene. Without wishing to be bound by theory, hashishene is believed to be a terpene produced by rearrangement of myrcene that may be found in hashish after mechanical processing, and that may be responsible for the typical desirable “hashish flavour”.
[0060] For example, the one or more additional component may be a flavonoid. The term “flavonoid” as used herein refers to a group of phytonutrients comprising a polyphenolic structure. Flavonoids are found in diverse types of plants and are responsible for a wide range of functions, including imparting pigment to petals, leaves, and fruit. Any suitable flavonoid may be used in the hashish product of the present invention. For example, flavonoids originating from a cannabis plant may be used, including but not limited to: apigenin, cannflavin A, cannflavin B, cannflavin C, chrysoeril, cosmosiin, flavocannabiside, homoorientin, kaempferol, luteolin, myricetin, orientin, quercetin, vitexin, and isovitexin.
[0061] For example, the one or more additional component may be a flavoring agent. Any suitable flavoring agent known in the art may be used. For example, and without wishing to be limiting, the flavoring agent may be selected from the group consisting of extracts of cinnamon, monk fruit, cucumber, mint, orange, lime, citrus, cookie dough, chocolate, vanilla, jasmine, lychee, almond, banana, grape, pear, pineapple, pine, oak, apple, pumpkin, grapefruit, watermelon, cotton sugar, durian, longan, taro, sapote, toffee nut, caramel, lotus, mango, mangosteen, coconut, coffee, strawberry, passion fruit, blueberry, raspberry, kiwi, walnut, cocoa, cherimoya, custard apple, papaya, fig, plum, nectarine, peaches, guava, honeydew, jackfruit, kumquat, loquat, palm, pomelo, persimmon, quince, and tamarind, or any combinations thereof. Other examples of suitable flavoring agents include, but are not limited to, mint oils, Wintergreen, clove bud oil, cassia, sage, parsley oil, marjoram, lemon, orange, propenyl guaethol, heliotropine, 4- cis-heptenal, diacetyl, methyl-p-tert-butyl phenyl acetate, methyl salicylate, ethyl salicylate, 1- menthyl acetate, oxanone, a-irisone, methyl cinnamate, ethyl cinnamate, butyl cinnamate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl acetate, methyl anthranilate, iso-amyl acetate, iso-amyl butyrate, allyl caproate, eugenol, eucalyptol, thymol, cinnamic alcohol, octanol, octanal, decanol, decanal, phenylethyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, a-terpineol, linalool, limonene, citral, neral, geranial, geraniol nerol, maltol, ethyl maltol, anethole, dihydroanethole, carvone, menthone, beta -damascenone, ionone, gamma -decalactone, gamma -nonalactone, y-undecalactone, and any combinations thereof.
[0062] For example, the one or more additional component may be a coloring agent (also called “colorant”). Any suitable coloring agent known in the art may be used. For example, and without wishing to be limiting, the coloring agent may be any suitable food grade and/or non-toxic colorant or coloring agent known in the art.
[0063] The reader will readily understand that in embodiments of the present disclosure, the one or more additional component may include a combination of any one of the above examples of additional components.
[0064] The hashish product as described herein may be packaged following its production or may be further formed or shaped. In some embodiments, a three-dimensional shape can be constructed using a single elongated hashish product. For example, and without wishing to be limiting, the elongated body of the hashish product may be wound on itself into a spiral shape, which can be wide and flat circular shape or a triangular spiral. In other embodiments, the hashish products can be formed into a multi-strand shape using two or more hashish products. For example, and without wishing to be limiting, two hashish products may be adhered to each other along the length of their elongated bodies; such adherence can be reversible, such that at least a portion of the elongated bodies can be separated from each other. In another example, multiple elongated bodies may be twisted around each other along their lengths and may be capable of being untwisted from one another, at least in part; in such an embodiment, and without wishing to be limiting, the elongated bodies of two, here, four, five, or six hashish products may be twisted together. Other more complex multi-strand shapes can be formed, such as braiding three or more strands together.
[0065] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the elongated bodies of the hashish products in a multi-strand shape may be of the same composition or different compositions. For example, the hashish products may be produced from cannabis trichomes isolated from specific plant(s) or cannabis strain(s) that are different, the hashish products may contain different additional components, or the hashish products may be of different physical characteristics (colour, cross section shape, cross section size, etc.). Other differences between strands are also possible.
[0066] The hashish product of the present disclosure may be processed to form a smoking article. It will be apparent that such processing may be performed at the manufacturing site or by an end-user.
[0067] For example, the hashish product or at least portion thereof may be processed to form a smoking article by loading same into a rolling medium or wrapper. The smoking article may be a cannabis (hashish) cigarette. The rolling medium or wrapper may be any suitable rolling medium or wrapper known in the art, for example cigarette-type rolling paper or cigar-like wrapper. The rolling medium or wrapper can be made with a material such as paper, hemp, cordia palm leaf, tendu leaf, flower petal, banana leaves, flax, sisal, rice straw, cannabis leaves, esparto, and the like, and may be transparent, colored and/or flavored. When desired, the rolling medium or wrapper may also further include an additive on one of its surfaces (internal or external), such as kief, terpenes, cannabis distillate, and the like. The hashish product or at least portion thereof may, if desired, be loaded into the rolling medium or wrapper along with other smokable cannabis products, such as cannabis flower, kief, cannabis distillate, cannabis rosin (a solid form of resin produced by heating fresh liquid resin to vaporize the volatile liquid terpene component), cannabis resin, cannabis wax, cannabis shatter (a translucent butane hash oil extract that looks like amber and has a consistency almost like hard candy butter) or other smokable materials, such as tobacco leaves. In this embodiment, the hashish product or the at least portion thereof may have a length that is configured to be approximately that one of a standard cannabis cigarette length. For example, the length of the hashish product or the at least portion thereof may be from about 40 mm to about 300 mm, such as 40 mm to about 300 mm, or from about 50 mm to about 140 mm, or from about 60 mm to about 130 mm, or from about 70 mm to about 120 mm, or from about
80 mm to about 110 mm.
[0068] In a variant, the hashish product or at least portion thereof may be processed to have a hollow core such that loading same into the rolling medium or wrapper (as described above) forms a smoking article with a corresponding hollow core. The hollow core of the hashish product or at least portion thereof can be obtained from a variety of approaches. For example, a die with a specific configuration can be used in combination with an extruder apparatus to obtain an elongated body having a hollow core. In some embodiments, the hollow core can have a diameter that is from about 10% to about 80% of the cross-section diameter of the elongated body of the hashish product, including any ranges therein or any values therein. For example, the hollow core can have a diameter representing approximately 20%, 30%, 40% 50%, 60%, 70% or 80% of the cross-section diameter of the hashish product. In some embodiments, the hashish product may have a hollow core that extends over at least a portion of the full length of the hashish product. For example, the hashish product may have a hollow core that extends over from about 10% to about 100% of the full length of the elongated body of the hashish product, including any ranges therein or any values therein. For example, the hollow core can extend over approximately 20%, 30%, 40% 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% of the full length of the elongated body of the hashish product.
[0069] In another embodiment, the hashish product or at least portion thereof may be processed for mounting to a smoking device, for example to a heat-not-burn device. Such devices are known in the art and one aim of such heated smoking articles is to reduce known harmful smoke constituents of the type produced by the combustion and pyrolytic degradation of smoking material in conventional cigarettes. Typically, in heat-not-burn device, an aerosol is generated by the transfer of heat from a heat source to a physically separate aerosol-forming substrate or material, which may be located within, around or downstream of the heat source. During smoking, volatile compounds are released from the aerosol-forming substrate by heat transfer from the heat source and entrained in air drawn through the smoking article. As the released compounds cool, they condense to form an aerosol that is inhaled by the user. Examples of heat-not-burn devices which may be suitable for mounting the hashish product of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, the Omura™ (Omura), iQOS™ (Philip Morris International), Gio™ (British American Tobacco), and PAX™ (PAX Labs). In such an embodiment, the hashish product or at least a portion thereof may be mounted to a suitable mounting element for use in such smoking device, such as a mounting cartridge or tube, alone or along with other smokable cannabis products and/or smokable materials, such as those described previously. The hashish product or the at least portion thereof may have a length that is from about 40 mm to about 100 mm, such as 40 mm to about 90 mm, or from about 40 mm to about 80 mm, or from about 40 mm to about 70 mm, or from about 40 mm to about 60 mm, or about 50 mm (e.g., 2 inches).
Extrusion processes overview
[0070] The hashish product of the present disclosure may be produced by mechanically mixing the components thoroughly to provide a substantially homogeneous resinous mixture. By the term “mechanically mixing” or “mechanical mixing”, it is meant mixing using any suitable mechanical means. The mechanical means may be a plurality of interpenetrate helicoidal surfaces within an elongated enclosure or barrel, an example of which is an extruder apparatus.
[0071] An extruder is a machine used to perform the extrusion process. Manufacturing by extrusion occurs when a material (usually pellets, dry powder, rubber, plastic, metal bar stock or food) is heated and pushed through a die assembly. A die is a mold that shapes the heated material as it is forced through a small opening from the inside of the extruder to the outside. Using a system of barrels or cylinders containing interpenetrate helicoidal surfaces, e.g., screw pumps or extruder screws, the extruder can mix the ingredients while heating and propelling the extrudate through the die to create the desired shape.
[0072] An extruder can have a single extruder screw or twin extruder screws, and can be configured to have one or more mixing zones, one or more temperature zones, and one or more input zones. The input zones are used for introduction of material, for example introduction of the isolated cannabis trichomes as well as introduction of additional components (e.g., cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, water, flavoring agents, coloring agents, etc.). The person of skill will readily appreciate that water could be added in the form of steam, liquid or in combination. The mixing zones apply compression and shear forces to the input materials, blending until they are homogenized. The extruder die assembly may perform a variety of functions: it may form or shape the extrudate, it may divide the extrudate into multiple extrudates, it may inject an additive substance into the extrudate, and it may compress and reduce the cross-sectional area of the extrudate. [0073] The mechanical mixing can be applied to the isolated cannabis trichomes within the extruder under conditions sufficient to obtain a cohesive, continuous, and substantially homogenous resinous mixture. The conditions or variables that can be modified during production include temperature, screw rotation speed, and pressure.
Manufacturing hashish products
[0074] The present disclosure relates to hashish products including substantially homogenous cohesive mass of isolated trichomes with an elongated body shape. Various methods for making a hashish product are described, and broadly include providing isolated cannabis trichomes, mixing the isolated cannabis trichomes under conditions sufficient to obtain a substantially homogenous cohesive mass, and retrieving at least a portion of the cohesive mass through an extrusion die to obtain a hashish product comprising a substantially homogeneous cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes having an elongated body shape having a length, and the elongated body having a substantially uniform cross-section along at least a portion of the length.
[0075] FIG. 1 A shows a non-limiting example of a process 100 for producing a hashish product. The production process 100 includes providing isolated cannabis trichomes at step 110. The trichomes may have been isolated from a single cannabis plant strain or from a plurality of cannabis plant strains that may have different respective cannabinoid concentrations and/or terpene blends, for example. It is known amongst consumers of hashish and other cannabis products that using isolated cannabis trichomes produced from more than one strain of cannabis plant may allow a user to tune the psychoactive and/or entourage effect obtained by consuming the product. The mixing of cannabis plant strains may also allow adjustments to the final concentration of a component of the product, for example but not limited to the cannabinoid content. Additionally, use of more than one strain allows for improved product and waste management - important in commercial production. The isolated cannabis trichomes can be kief.
[0076] At step 120, the isolated cannabis trichomes are mechanically mixed under conditions sufficient to obtain a substantially homogenous and resinous mixture. For example, such conditions may include temperature, mixing speed, and pressure, which may be varied to alter the characteristics of the hashish product. The characteristics that are altered may include, but without being limited to, ductility (i.e., characteristic that defines the level of malleability of the hashish product), hardness or resistance to localized deformation (i.e., characteristic that determines how easy it is to cut or separate the hashish product), toughness (i.e. , characteristic that determines the likelihood that the hashish product deforms rather than fractures under an applied force), color, tactual characteristics, and the like.
[0077] In some examples, the conditions may include submitting the isolated trichomes to a thermal treatment (heating) such that the isolated trichomes undergo heating up to, for example but without being limited to a temperature of less than 120 °C. For example, less than 90 °C, or less than 85 °C, or at least 80 °C. For example, a temperature of from about 30°C to about 120°C, such as from about 40°C to about 65°C. The heating may be performed while mixing to form the substantially homogenous cohesive mass.
[0078] In some examples, the conditions may include submitting the isolated trichomes to a pressure while mixing and/or heating at values of from about 5 psi to about 250 psi, including any ranges therein or any value therein. For example, the pressure may include a pressure in the range of about 0.5 to about 15 US tons (about 7.7 to about 233 psi), or about 1 to about 15 US tons (about 15.5 to about 233 psi), or about 1 to about 10 (about 15.5 to about 155psi), or about 2 to about 8 US tons (about 31 psi to about 124 psi), or any value within such ranges. The person of skill will readily understand that a given pressure value may be selected depending on the die that is used to form the hashish product, as described elsewhere in this text. Additionally, a nonlimiting example, the pressure may be performed for a time period ranging from about 0.5 (30 seconds) to about 30 minutes, including any value within such range. For example, a period of about 20 minutes, 10 minutes, 5 minutes, 4 minutes, or less.
[0079] In a practical implementation, the mixing includes applying compression and shear forces to the isolated trichomes via a plurality of interpenetrate helicoidal surfaces within an elongated enclosure. Preferably, the elongated enclosure is an extruder device having at least one screw. The mixing shear and compressive forces can be controlled by modulating the rotational speed of at least one of the screws within the extruder. In such embodiments, the extruder screw rotation per minute (rpm) can be selected to perform the mixing step 120 at a value of for example from 15 to 1000 rpm, such as from 20 to 500 rpm, or from 25 to 450 rpm, or from 30 to 400 rpm, or from 45 to 450 rpm including any value within any of these ranges. In such embodiment, the pressure applied by the extruder screw can be accompanied by heat in order to enhance mixing of the isolated trichomes, extract the resinous content of the trichomes and obtain a heated, cohesive, continuous and substantially homogenous resinous mixture. In such embodiment, the heating and mixing in step 120 can continue until a desired level of homogeneity is obtained. For example, step 120 can continue for a minimum time, e.g., 30 minutes, 20 minutes, 10 minutes, or less. In some embodiments, the heating and mixing step 120 continues until the desired level of homogeneity is determined by testing samples of mass retrieved from the process.
[0080] In embodiments where the heating and mixing step 120 are performed in a single screw extruder, the residence time within the extruder barrel is directly related to the length of the barrel and the rotational speed of the single screw. To increase mixing time of the components within the barrel, the components can travel through the length of the barrel, and then be redirected to the inlet (rather than proceed through the die).
[0081] Once sufficiently processed to form a substantially homogenous and resinous mixture in step 120, the mixture is passed to the die assembly. At least a portion of the cohesive mass is retrieved as it passes through the die assembly, step 130. In some instances, the retrieving step is repeated as indicated by arrow 135. The die can be configured to impart a pre-determined shape to the cohesive mass. The size and shape imparted to the hashish product may be any desired shape, which will be determined by the size and shape of the perforations in the die. For example, and without wishing to be limiting in any manner, the hashish product may be shaped into an elongated product with a cross-section that is a circle, a triangle, rectangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, or any other polygonal shape; a logo or any other more complex design such as a leaf. The cross-section can be solid or include a hollow portion. In another example, the hashish product may be formed to have a shape that is elongate, curved, shell-like, or other shape like pasta.
[0082] Optional step 140 includes incorporating one or more additional component at one or more steps during the process 100. For example, one or more additional component can be added to the trichomes prior to, simultaneously with, or following step 110, or prior to, simultaneously with, or following the mixing and heating step 120. Multiple additional components may be added in a single step or may be added separately in one or more consecutive steps or at different times or points along the process 100. The one or more additional components added in optional step 140 are beneficially uniformly distributed in each hashish product. The one or more additional components can be one of those previously described, such as a cannabinoid, a terpene, a flavonoid, water, a flavoring agent, a non-toxic coloring agent, or any combinations thereof. In whatever combination, the one or more additional components is advantageously substantially homogenously distributed throughout the cohesive mass and substantially homogenously distributed along the length of the hashish product.
[0083] Referring to FIG. 1 B, a process 150 includes additional steps that can follow step 130 of the process 100 in FIG. 1A. At step 160 the retrieved cohesive mass may be subjected to a transverse cutting operation to cut it. The shape and size of the resulting hashish product will be dependent on the shape of the die and how the product is cut. The solid (or semi-solid) material of the cohesive mass may be cut according to a pre-determined cutting pattern, a pre-determined weight, or a pre-determined length to obtain smaller units of hashish product for a pre-determined packaging size. The finished hashish product may be of a size that is suitable for multiple portions of hashish (that is, a user may remove a desired portion size for each use) or may be a size suitable for a single use (that is, a ready-to-use single-use product).
[0084] At step 170, the cut hashish product can be further shaped and formed, if desired. The further shaping and forming can be for ease of use, or to make an interesting experience for the consumer, as discussed in more detail below.
[0085] Finally, following any of steps 160, 170 as well as any other not shown post-production steps (such as cooling, or other steps), the hashish product can then proceed to subsequent steps required for commercialization; for example, the hashish product can be packaged in a step 180.
Hashish products
[0086] Referring to FIG. 2A, various hashish products can be made with the herein described processes. Each of the hashish products generally has an elongated body and a length, with the elongated body having a substantially uniform cross-section along at least a portion of the length, with various cross-sections possible. For example, and by way of illustration the cross-section 210 is a circle and the resulting shape of the elongated hashish product 215 is an elongated cylinder, or “snake”.
[0087] Other possible cross-sections include a triangle 220, and a square 230. Any other simple solid cross-section is also possible, e.g., a rectangle, pentagon, hexagon, or any other polygonal shape. More complex designs are also possible, such as a leaf, a star, or logo. Cross-sections that are not solid are also possible. For example, the cross-section 240 is an annulus and the resulting shape of the elongated hashish product 245 is an elongated tube surrounding a hollow core 250.
[0088] Each of the elongated hashish products such as elongated hashish product 215 and 245 has a length L. In some embodiments, the length L is configured to be approximately that of a standard cannabis cigarette length, for example from about 40 mm to about 300 mm. In such configurations, the elongated hashish products such as 215 and 245 are ready-to-use products. The user can simply load the elongated hashish product 215, 245 into a rolling medium or wrapper (e.g., cigarette paper) to obtain a hashish smoking article ready to be smoked by the user. In some embodiments, the user or manufacturer can load the elongated hashish product 215, 245 along with one or more components into the rolling medium or wrapper; for example, dry cannabis particles or trim can be additionally loaded into the rolling medium to form the hashish smoking article. Alternatively, the manufacturer can load the elongated hashish product 215, 245 into rolling medium or wrapper to obtain the hashish smoking article before packaging the prepared products (step 180 of FIG. 1 B).
[0089] The hashish products beneficially have cross-sections that are substantially uniform along at least a portion of the length of the elongated body. This uniformity is in shape, but can also be in content and/or in mass of the hashish product.
[0090] For example, in terms of shape uniformity, each hashish product 215 in a batch of hashish products can have a cross-section 225 in a first portion Ai thereof having a width x that is +/- 10% from an average width y over the entire length of the hashish product 215 or from all hashish products in the batch. For example, when the average width y is e.g. 10 mm, then the cross-section 225 has a width x that is 10 mm +/- 10%, i.e., from 9 mm to 11 mm, as shown in FIG. 2B.
[0091] For example, in terms of content uniformity, the first portion Ai in each hashish product 215 in the batch of hashish products can also have a cannabinoid content z that is +/- 10% from an average cannabinoid content over the entire length of the hashish product 215 or from all hashish products in the batch. For example, when the average cannabinoid content v is e.g. 30 wt.%, then the first portion Ai has a cannabinoid content z that is 30 wt.% +/- 10%, i.e., from 27 wt.% to 33 wt.%, as shown in FIG. 2B. [0092] For example, in terms of mass uniformity, the first portion Ai in each hashish product 215 in the batch of hashish products can also have a weight m that is +/- 10% from an average weight w over the entire length of the hashish product 215 or from all hashish products in the batch. For example, when the average weight w e.g. 5.0g, then the first portion Ai has a weight m that is 5.0g +/- 10%, i.e., 4.5g to 5.5g, as shown in FIG. 2B.
[0093] FIG. 3 shows examples of different three-dimensional shapes that can be constructed using the single elongated hashish products 215, 245. In such instances, step 170 of shaping the cut elongated hashish product can involve creating one or more of these more elaborate shapes. In one example, subsequent to being cut, the elongated tube, cylinder or “snake” of the elongated hashish products 215, 245 is wound on itself into a spiral shape 310. The spiral shape can be, for example, a wide and flat circular “tree-stump” type shape, or can be shaped in other ways, such as into a triangular spiral 320. In use, pieces of the spiral such as spiral shape 310 or triangular spiral 320 can be unwound from the remaining portion of the spiral, so that a user can unwind a portion of hashish product and leave the remaining amount of hashish intact in the spiral.
[0094] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the elongated hashish product 215 (or elongated hashish product 245) can be loaded into a device 410, e.g., a smoking device or a heat-not-burn device. Prior to use, the elongated hashish product 215 (or elongated hashish product 245) can be affixed to a mounting component 420 (either by the manufacturer or by the user). The mounting component 420 can be a mounting cartridge or tube that is loaded with the elongated hashish product 215 (or elongated hashish product 245); alternatively, the mounting component 420 can be a rolling medium (e.g., cigarette paper). The elongated hashish product 215 (or elongated hashish product 245) together with the mounting component 420 forms a heatable elongated hashish product 405 that is suitable to be mounted to the heat-not-burn device 410. Each of the heatable elongated hashish products 405 can have a length L2. In some embodiments, the length L2 is configured so that the heatable elongated hashish product 405 sits within the mounting receiving cavity 415 within the heat-not-burn device 410. In some embodiments, the length L2 is configured to be approximately from about 40 mm to about 100 mm, such as 40 mm to about 90 mm, or from about 40 mm to about 80 mm, or from about 40 mm to about 70 mm, or from about 40 mm to about 60 mm, or about 50 mm (e.g., 2 inches). In some configurations, the heatable elongated hashish products 405 are ready-to-use products. [0095] FIG. 5A illustrates an embodiment of the hashish product of the present disclosure that is configured to be loaded into a rolling medium or wrapper to form a smoking article. An elongated hashish product such as elongated hashish product 215 from FIG. 2A having a length L is placed on a rolling medium or wrapper 500. The rolling medium or wrapper 500 may be any suitable rolling medium or wrapper known in the art, as discussed above. In this embodiment, the elongated hashish product 215 may have a length L that is configured to be approximately that of a standard cannabis cigarette length or equivalent to the length of the rolling medium or wrapper 500. For example, the length L can be from about 40 mm to about 300 mm. In FIG. 5B, the rolling medium or wrapper 500 has been wrapped around the elongated hashish product 215 to form a smoking article 520 that is ready to use by a user. In FIG. 5C, the elongated hashish product 215 was loaded into the rolling medium or wrapper 500 along with other additives shown as a layer 515 (e.g., smokable cannabis products, or tobacco leaves) to form a smoking article 530 that is ready to use by a user.
[0096] FIG. 6A illustrates an embodiment of the hashish product of the present disclosure that is configured to be loaded into a rolling medium or wrapper to form a smoking article with a hollow core. An elongated hashish product such as elongated hashish product 245 from FIG. 2A having a length L and a hollow core 250 (e.g., a hashish product with an annular cross-section) is loaded into a rolling medium or wrapper 600. The rolling medium or wrapper 600 may also be any suitable rolling medium or wrapper known in the art, as discussed above. In this embodiment, the elongated hashish product 245 may have a length L that is configured to be approximately that one of a standard cannabis cigarette length or equivalent to the length of the rolling medium or wrapper 600. For example, the length L can be from about 50 mm to about 300 mm. In FIG. 6B, the rolling medium or wrapper 600 has been wrapped around the elongated hashish product 245 to form a smoking article 620, which is ready to use by a user. In FIG. 6C, the elongated hashish product 245 was loaded into the rolling medium 600 along with one or more additives shown as a layer 615 (e.g., smokable cannabis products, or tobacco leaves) to form a smoking article 630 that is ready to use by a user. In the embodiments shown, the elongated hashish product 245 has a hollow core 250 that extends over the full length of the elongated hashish product 245, with a hollow diameter that is approximately 50% of the diameter of the cross-section over the entire length of the hashish product, although other arrangements are also possible. It is believed that the hollow core 250 may allow for more airflow, more even and smooth burn rate and a much smoother user experience when drawing on the cannabis cigarette 620 or 630. [0097] In some embodiments, during the retrieving step 130, cutting step 160, or shaping step 170, notches can be formed along the length of the elongate body. The notches can be at regular intervals, such as between 40 mm and 300 mm, including any values therein. The notches can be shaped to denote specific quantities of hashish product. For example, each notched portion can represent a length of hashish product that easily is loaded into a single rolling medium or wrapper (e.g., rolled in a single cigarette paper). Each notched portion can be a contents indicator; for example, each notched portion can indicate a fixed weight, amount of THC or other cannabinoid content, etc. In addition to or instead of acting as markers, the notches can be configured to assist a user in removing the denoted portion of hashish product from the remaining shape (e.g., the spiral shape 310 or triangular spiral 320).
[0098] In some examples, elongated bodies that are formed from the cohesive mass (step 160) can be formed into a multi-strand shape using two or more elongated bodies to form a compounded or composite product. For the purpose of this specification, the term “compounded” refers to a product that includes a combination of parts, e.g., a combination of elongated bodies, whereas the term “composite” refers to a compounded product where one elongated body forming the product has a composition that is different from another elongated body.
[0099] For example, a compounded product such as shaped product 330 shown in FIG. 3 can be formed by combining at least two elongated bodies 332, 334 (e.g., cylinders) that are adhered to each other along their length. The adherence can be light, such that at least a portion of the elongated bodies 332, 334 can be separated from each other. Light adherence can be obtained, for example, by minimizing the contact surface between both elongated bodies 332, 334 (e.g., by forming a string having a transverse section with an oblong shape) and/or by reducing their stickiness (e.g., with the addition of a non-toxic coating on an external surface of the elongated bodies 332, 334, such as waxes, polymers, and the like).
[0100] Referring to FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the two or more elongated bodies 810, 820 are twisted around each other along at least a portion of their length forming compounded hashish product 800. The two or more elongated bodies 810, 820 are in contact along at least a portion of their length but are being capable of being untwisted from one another, at least in part. In some examples, compounded hashish product 800 may include three or more elongated bodies that are formed (e.g., twisted) together. The formation of the multi-strand shape can be more complex than simple twisting, such as braiding three or more strands together. Notches at regular intervals along each elongated body can assist a user in removing the portion of product from the remaining shape, and/or can denote a contents or desired length of product.
[0101] In some embodiments, at least one of the elongated bodies such as elongated bodies 332, 334 in a multi-strand shape such as shaped product 330 (or such as elongated bodies 810, 820 in a multi-strand shape such as shaped product 800) can have a composition that is different from a composition of another one of the elongated bodies thus forming a composite product. For example, at least one of the elongated bodies (e.g., elongated body 332) can have a non-toxic colorant added to the mass of isolated cannabis trichomes (e.g., at step 140 in FIG. 1A) so that at least that strand in the shaped product 330 is a different colour than the others (e.g., elongated body 334). In another example, at least one of the elongated bodies can be made from cannabis trichomes isolated from specific plant(s) or cannabis strain(s) that is different from that of the other elongated bodies, such that the cannabinoid content and/or profile (i.e., relative concentrations of the different cannabinoids and/or terpenes) of that at least that strand in the shaped product 330 is different than the others (e.g., elongated body 334). Other differences between strands are also possible.
[0102] The reader will understand that the process 100 and/or the process 150 may include a number of steps prior to or following the steps shown. For example, a cooling step may be performed to cool down the cohesive mass to obtain a solid or semi-solid hashish product, either prior to passing through the die, after passing through the die, prior to cutting, after cutting, or any combination thereof.
[0103] The present disclosure thus describes methods that make it possible to produce hashish products at a high rate and at a lower cost. In addition, the hashish products thus produced may be designed to have different shapes while retaining a homogeneous distribution of its constituents, which was not possible with the previous methods (e.g., hand rolling or pressing). Further, the hashish products having elongated bodies that are described herein can provide a more pleasant user experience when handling same. For example, when the hashish products are shaped into compounded hashish products, these can be easily handled at moment of their consumption, in particular due to the low level of adhesion between different elongated bodies forming the compounded product. Use of hashish products
[0104] Hashish products are typically used for recreational and/or medicinal uses. For example, hashish products can be used to achieve a desired effect in a user, such as a psychoactive effect, a physiological effect, or a treatment of a condition. By “psychoactive effect”, it is meant a substantial effect on mood, perception, consciousness, cognition, or behavior of a subject resulting from changes in the normal functioning of the nervous system. By “physiological effect”, it is meant an effect associated with a feeling of physical and/or emotional satisfaction. By “treatment of a condition”, it is meant the treatment or alleviation of a disease or condition by absorption of cannabinoid(s) at sufficient amounts to mediate the therapeutic effects.
[0105] The terms “treating”, “treatment” and the like are used herein to mean obtaining a desired pharmacologic and/or physiologic effect. The effect may be prophylactic, in terms of completely or partially preventing a disease, condition, or symptoms thereof, and/or may be therapeutic in terms of a partial or complete cure for a disease or condition and/or adverse effect, such as a symptom, attributable to the disease or disorder. “Treatment” as used herein covers any treatment of a disease or condition of a mammal, such as a dog, cat or human, preferably a human.
[0106] In certain embodiments, the disease or condition is selected from the group consisting of pain, anxiety, an inflammatory disorder, a neurological disorder, a psychiatric disorder, a malignancy, an immune disorder, a metabolic disorder, a nutritional deficiency, an infectious disease, a gastrointestinal disorder, and a cardiovascular disorder. Preferably the disease or condition is pain. In other embodiments, the disease or condition is associated with the feeling of physical and/or emotional satisfaction.
[0107] In the context of recreational use, the “effective amount” administered and rate and time-course of administration, will depend on the desired effect associated with a feeling of physical and/or emotional satisfaction in the subject.
[0108] In the context of health and wellness use, the “effective amount” administered, and rate and time-course of administration will depend on the nature and severity of the disease or condition being treated and typically also takes into consideration the condition of the individual subject, the method of administration and the like. EXAMPLES
[0109] The following examples describe exemplary modes of making and practicing certain compositions that are described herein. The examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the compositions and methods described herein.
[0110] In this example, a hashish product was produced using dry sift kief in a hot melt extrusion device. A batch of 270 g of dried isolated trichomes was mixed thoroughly and placed into the hopper of an ETP1 Lab Extruder (The Bonnot Company, USA). The extruder was operated at a temperature of 40°C and a filling auger speed of 10 RPM , with increases of 5 RPM approximately every 45 seconds. The processing time for the batch was 5 minutes. A cohesive mass was retrieved from the extruder.
[0111] The hashish product obtained using the above methodology had uniform color throughout and was slightly pliable immediately upon extrusion.
Example 2 - Detectable molecule distribution test
[0112] The detectable molecule content and/or distribution into the hashish product can be assessed using a detectable molecule distribution test. In this test, a hashish product is segmented along several axes using a cutting blade to obtain peripheral and core portions and the detectable molecule content is determined thereafter. Note that for the purpose of the present description, this test procedure will be referred to as a “detectable molecule distribution test”.
[0113] The test procedure is as follows:
• A predetermined number of hashish product samples to be simultaneously tested (herein referred as “test samples”), which are all made in a single batch or individually but in a sufficiently controlled environment such as to ensure a high degree of uniformity between the samples are provided.
• The test samples are conditioned for 1 h at a temperature of 20°C and at a humidity level of 40%. • Each test sample is tested by placing same on a support surface. For test samples that are not spherical, the test samples are placed on the support surface in an orientation such that the same side of the test samples will face up, if applicable. A single blade can then be used to slice the test sample to obtain at least two portions thereof. o For example, in embodiments where the test sample is voluminous enough (e.g., may include 2g or more of mass and/or may have a size of sufficient dimensions), the single blade can be used to slice test sample 700 along two 2 lines 720, 730 along a longitudinal axis thereof, substantially parallel to each other, as shown in FIG. 7A. The single blade can then be used to slice the test sample 700 along two 2 lines 740, 750 along a transverse axis thereof, substantially parallel to each other. The single blade can then be used to slice the test sample 700 along 1 line 710 substantially parallel to lines 720, 730, and closer to the outer edge of test sample 700. The crossing of axes 720, 730 with 740, 750 produce a second portion B whereas the crossing of axes 740, 750 with 710 produces a first portion A. In this embodiment, while the first portion is shown as a peripheral portion and the second portion is shown as a core portion, the person of skill will readily understand that portions from other subsections of the test sample are also possible. o For example, in embodiments where the test sample 700 is smaller in mass or size than the previous embodiment, the single blade can be used to slice the test sample 700 along a longitudinal line 760 to obtain a first portion A and a second portion B, as shown in FIG. 7B. Alternatively, the single blade can be used to slice the test sample 700 along a transverse line 770 to obtain a first portion A and a second portion B, as shown in FIG. 7C.
• The detectable molecule content of each of the first and second portions A, B is then determined, for example using USP NF 731 Loss On Drying method to quantify water content, or any other suitable technique I equipment for another detectable molecule. The detectable molecule content distribution is reported for each assay as per the following ratio B/A. A ratio of < 0.90 or > 1 .10 is considered a failure; in other words, variability of > 10% in the detectable molecule content between two portions of the test sample indicates a failure of the test. [0114] The detectable molecule content of various portions from the same test sample can be obtained as per variations of the above-described procedure in order to determine the detectable molecule content at various location in the test sample and, thus, determine the detectable molecule content distribution in the test sample.
[0115] The distribution of the detectable molecule in the hashish product is substantially homogeneous, and the detectable molecule can be detected in at least 90 vol.% of the hashish product.
[0116] The levels (or contents) of the detectable marker in the hashish product is such that the first marker content (in a first portion of the hashish product) and the second marker content (in a second portion of the hashish product) are present in a ratio first I second markers of from 0.90 to 1.10.
OTHER EMBODIMENTS
[0117] In addition, although described primarily in the context of methods and systems, other implementations are also contemplated, as instructions stored on a non-transitory computer- readable medium, image processing, and/or control features for example.
[0118] Other examples of implementations will become apparent to the reader in view of the teachings of the present description and as such, will not be further described here.
[0119] Note that titles or subtitles may be used throughout the present disclosure for convenience of a reader, but in no way these should limit the scope of the invention. Moreover, certain theories may be proposed and disclosed herein; however, in no way they, whether they are right or wrong, should limit the scope of the invention so long as the invention is practiced according to the present disclosure without regard for any particular theory or scheme of action.
[0120] All references cited throughout the specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
[0121] Reference throughout the specification to “some embodiments”, and so forth, means that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, and/or characteristic) described in connection with the invention is included in at least one embodiment described herein, and may or may not be present in other embodiments. In addition, it is to be understood that the described inventive features may be combined in any suitable manner in the various embodiments.
[0122] It will be understood by those of skill in the art that throughout the present specification, the term “a” used before a term encompasses embodiments containing one or more to what the term refers. It will also be understood by those of skill in the art that throughout the present specification, the term “comprising”, which is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, un-recited elements or method steps.
[0123] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions will control.
[0124] As used in the present disclosure, the terms “around”, “about” or “approximately” shall generally mean within the error margin generally accepted in the art.
[0125] Although various embodiments of the disclosure have been described and illustrated, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the present description that numerous modifications and variations can be made. The scope of the invention is defined more particularly in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A hashish product comprising a substantially homogeneous cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes, the hashish product comprising an elongated body shape having a length, and the elongated body having a substantially uniform cross-section along at least a portion of the length.
2. The hashish product according to claim 1 , wherein the elongated body has a cross-section width at one location along the at least portion of the length, wherein the at least portion of the length has an average cross section width, and wherein a ratio of the cross-section width I average cross-section is from about 0.90 to about 1.10.
3. The hashish product according to claim 2, wherein the ratio of the cross-section width I average cross section is from about 0.95 to about 1.05.
4. The hashish product according to claim 3, wherein the ratio of the cross-section width I average cross-section is from about 0.98 to about 1.02.
5. The hashish product of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cross-section has a width of from about 1 mm to about 20 mm.
6. The hashish product of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes comprises a detectable molecule, wherein the a first level of the detectable molecule in a discreet portion of the product is within 15% of a second level of the detectable molecule, and wherein the second level is an average level of the detectable molecule in the hashish product or in a batch of hashish products.
7. The hashish product of claim 6, wherein the first level of the detectable molecule is within 10%, or within 5% of the second level of the detectable molecule.
8. The hashish product of claim 6 or 7, wherein the detectable molecule is detected in at least 90 vol.%, or in at least 95 vol.%, or in at least 99%, or in 100% of the hashish product.
9. The hashish product according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the hashish product is configured to be loaded into a smoking device.
10. The hashish product according to claim 9, wherein the smoking device is a heat-not-burn device.
11. The hashish product according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the length is from about 40 mm to about 100 mm, preferably about 50 mm.
12. The hashish product according to any one of claims 9 to 11 , wherein the hashish product is configured for being loaded into a heat-not-burn device mounting component.
13. The hashish product according to claim 12, wherein the heat-not-burn device mounting component is a mounting tube or a cartridge.
14. The hashish product according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the hashish product is configured to be loaded into a rolling medium or wrapper to form a smoking article.
15. The hashish product according to claim 14, wherein the rolling medium or wrapper is made from a material selected from paper, hemp, cordia palm leaf, tendu leaf, flower petal, banana leaves, flax, sisal, rice straw, cannabis leaves, and esparto.
16. The hashish product according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the length is from about 40 mm to about 300 mm.
17. The hashish product according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the smoking article is a cannabis cigarette-like or cigar-like smoking article.
18. The hashish product according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the hashish product comprises a cannabinoid content of from about 5 wt.% to about 90 wt.%.
19. The hashish product according to claim 18, wherein the cannabinoid is one or more of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), and any combinations thereof.
20. The hashish product according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the hashish product has a weight of from about 0.2g to about 20g.
21. The hashish product according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the isolated cannabis trichomes are dry-sift kief.
22. The hashish product according to any one of claims 1 to 21 , wherein the isolated cannabis trichomes are from one or more strain(s) of cannabis plant.
23. The hashish product according to any one of claims 1 to 22, comprising one or more additional components.
24. The hashish product according to claim 23, wherein the one or more additional components comprises one or more cannabinoid(s), one or more terpene(s), one or more flavonoid(s), water, one or more flavoring agent(s), one or more non-toxic coloring agent(s), or any combinations thereof.
25. The hashish product according to claim 24, wherein the one or more additional components is substantially homogenously distributed throughout the cohesive mass.
26. The hashish product according to claim 24, wherein the one or more additional components is substantially homogenously distributed along the length.
27. The hashish product according to any one of claims 1 to 26, comprising two or more elongated bodies adhered to each other along at least a portion of the length of each elongated body, the elongated bodies being capable of separation from one another.
28. The hashish product according to any one of claims 1 to 26, comprising two or more elongated bodies twisted around each other along at least a portion of the length of each elongated body, the elongated bodies being capable of untwisting from one another.
29. The hashish product according to claim 27 or 28, wherein at least one of the elongated bodies has a composition that is different from a composition of another one of the elongated bodies.
30. The hashish product according to any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the cross-section is an annulus and the shape is a tube.
31. The hashish product according to any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the cross-section is a circle and the shape is a cylinder.
32. The hashish product according to any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the cross-section is a polygon.
33. The hashish product according to any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein the hashish product is an extruded hashish product.
34. A method for making a hashish product, the method comprising: a) providing isolated cannabis trichomes; b) mixing the isolated cannabis trichomes under conditions sufficient to obtain a substantially homogeneous cohesive mass of the isolated cannabis trichomes; and c) retrieving at least a portion of the cohesive mass through an extrusion die to obtain a hashish product comprising the substantially homogeneous cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes and having an elongated body shape having a length, the elongated body having a substantially uniform cross section along at least a portion of the length.
35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the elongated body has a cross section width at one location along the at least portion of the length, wherein the at least portion of the length has an average cross section width, and wherein a ratio of the cross section width I average cross section is from about 0.90 to about 1.10.
36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the ratio of the cross section width I average cross section is from about 0.95 to about 1.05.
37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the ratio of the cross section width I average cross section is from about 0.98 to about 1.02.
38. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 37, wherein the cross-section has a width of from about 1 mm to about 20 mm.
39. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 38, wherein the cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes comprises a detectable molecule, wherein the a first level of the detectable molecule in a discreet portion of the product is within 15% of a second level of the detectable molecule, and wherein the second level is an average level of the detectable molecule in the hashish product or in a batch of hashish products.
40. The method according to claim 39, wherein the first level of the detectable molecule is within 10%, or within 5% of the second level of the detectable molecule.
41. The method according to claim 39 or 40, wherein the detectable molecule is detected in at least 90 vol.%, or in at least 95 vol.%, or in at least 99%, or in 100% of the hashish product.
42. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 41 , wherein the hashish product is configured to have at least a portion thereof loaded into a smoking device.
43. The method according to claim 42, wherein the smoking device is a heat-not-burn device.
44. The method according to claim 42 or 43, wherein the length is from about 40 mm to about 100 mm, preferably about 50 mm.
45. The method according to any one of claims 42 to 44, wherein the hashish product is configured to have at least a portion thereof loaded into a heat-not-burn device mounting component.
46. The method according to claim 45, wherein the heat-not-burn device mounting component is a mounting tube or a cartridge.
47. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 41 , wherein the hashish product is configured to have at least a portion thereof loaded into a rolling medium or wrapper to form a smoking article.
48. The method according to claim 47, wherein the rolling medium or wrapper is made from a material selected from paper, hemp, cordia palm leaf, tendu leaf, flower petal, banana leaves, flax, sisal, rice straw, cannabis leaves, and esparto.
49. The method according to claim 47 or 48, wherein the length is from about 40 mm to about 300 mm.
50. The method according to any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein the smoking article is a cannabis cigarette-like or cigar-like smoking article.
51. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 50, wherein the hashish product comprises a cannabinoid content of from about 5 wt.% to about 90 wt.%.
52. The method according to claim 51 , wherein the cannabinoid is one or more of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), and any combinations thereof.
53. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 52, wherein the hashish product has a weight of from about 0.2g to about 20g.
54. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 53, wherein the isolated cannabis trichomes are dry-sift kief.
55. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 54, wherein the isolated cannabis trichomes are from one or more strain(s) of cannabis plant.
56. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 55, further comprising incorporating one or more additional components prior to, simultaneously with, or following the mixing step.
57. The method according to claim 56, wherein the one or more additional components comprises one or more cannabinoid(s), one or more terpene(s), one or more flavonoid(s), water, one or more flavoring agent(s), one or more non-toxic coloring agent(s), or any combinations thereof.
58. The method according to claim 57, wherein the one or more additional components is substantially homogenously distributed throughout the cohesive mass by the mixing step.
59. The method according to claim 57, wherein the one or more additional components is substantially homogenously distributed along the length by the mixing step.
60. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 59, wherein the hashish product is a first hashish product, the method further comprising: retrieving at least an additional portion of the cohesive mass through the extrusion die to obtain a second hashish product having an elongated body shape having a length, and shaping the first and second hashish products along at least a portion of their respective length to form a compounded hashish product.
61. The method according to claim 60, wherein the second hashish product has a composition that is different from a composition of the first hashish product.
62. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 61 , wherein the cross-section is an annulus and the shape is a tube.
63. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 61 , wherein the cross-section is a circle and the shape is a cylinder.
64. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 61 , wherein the cross-section is a polygon.
65. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 64, wherein the mixing includes applying compression and shear forces to the isolated trichomes via a plurality of interpenetrate helicoidal surfaces within an elongated enclosure.
66. The method according to claim 65, wherein the interpenetrate helicoidal surfaces are on at least one screw, the method further comprising adjusting a rotational speed of the at least one screw and a temperature within the elongated enclosure to obtain the cohesive mass.
67. The method according to any one of claims 34 to 66, further comprising heating while mixing, wherein the heating and mixing are performed with an extruder.
68. A hashish product comprising a substantially homogeneous cohesive mass of isolated cannabis trichomes, the hashish product comprising an elongated body shape having a length, and the elongated body having a substantially uniform cross-section along at least a portion of the length, wherein the product is made with the method of any one of claims 34 to 67.
PCT/CA2021/051852 2020-12-21 2021-12-20 Formed hashish-based consumer products WO2022133589A1 (en)

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WO2010056940A2 (en) * 2008-11-17 2010-05-20 Xyleco, Inc. Processing biomass
WO2015065544A1 (en) * 2013-10-29 2015-05-07 Biotech Institute, Llc Breeding, production, processing and use of specialty cannabis
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