FSO is a pure, potent and quality cannabis oil. At Friendly Brand, we know a thing or two about FSO since it is one of our specialties! This Friendly blog explores what full spectrum oil is, and how it compares to other cannabis oils like cannabis distillate and RSO. We also discuss what makes Friendly FSO top notch, including an introduction to our new FSO Live Resin offering.
Full-spectrum cannabis oil (FSO) is a cannabis extract derived from the cannabis plant that contains a wide range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds found naturally in the plant. Unlike isolated cannabinoids (such as pure CBD or THC), full-spectrum oil retains the natural balance of compounds found in the plant, including traces of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (cannabidiol), CBG (cannabigerol), and other minor cannabinoids.
The term “full-spectrum” indicates that the cannabis oil contains not just one or two isolated compounds, but a diverse array of cannabinoids and terpenes, which are believed to work synergistically to produce what is commonly referred to as the “entourage effect.” This effect suggests that the various compounds present in the cannabis plant may enhance each other’s therapeutic properties, potentially resulting in greater overall benefits compared to isolated cannabinoids. Friendly FSO is decarboxylated or activated so you will feel the effects when you consume it.
Full-spectrum cannabis oil is often used for medicinal purposes due to its potential to offer a broader range of therapeutic effects compared to products containing only isolated cannabinoids. However, it’s important to note that full-spectrum products may contain high amounts of THC, which could have psychoactive effects. In combination with other cannabinoids, the effects could be strong, so it’s best to start with a low dose if you are new to FSO.
So how does FSO compare to other cannabis oils? The table below shows how it is different or similar to Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), Rosin, and cannabis distillate, all common cannabis concentrates. This includes extraction methods and characteristics of the oil. As mentioned, full-spectrum oil retains the natural balance of compounds found in the plant which is achieved by extraction methods that preserve plant compounds the best.
The difference between FSO and RSO is the method of extraction. RSO has a lot more plant material, which is not easily digested whereas our Friendly FSO contains all the valuable compounds without the additional plant material, making FSO easier to digest.
| Type of Cannabis Oil | Extraction Method | Appearance |
| Full Spectrum Oil (FSO) | Solvent extraction ie. Ethanol, CO2, Butane or Solventless extraction | THC, CBD and minor cannabinoids, thick, sticky dark to golden oil |
| Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) | Solvent extraction ie. Ethanol, CO2, Butane at very high temperatures | Mostly THC, CBD, thick, dark, sticky oil |
| Rosin | Solventless extraction ie. Ice water or heat press | THC, CBD and minor cannabinoids, syrupy to creamy or golden |
| Distillate | Solvent extraction ie. Ethanol, CO2, Butane followed by distillation | Mostly THC or CBD, liquid honey, and yellow or golden |
Solventless and solvent-based cannabis extraction methods differ primarily in the way they extract cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds from the cannabis plant.
1. Solventless Extraction:
Solventless extraction methods involve mechanical or physical processes to separate cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material without the use of solvents like butane, ethanol, or CO2.
One common solventless extraction method is dry-sifting or dry sieving, which involves shaking or tumbling cannabis flowers over a fine mesh screen to separate the trichomes (resin glands containing cannabinoids and terpenes) from the plant material.
Another solventless method is ice water extraction, also known as bubble hash or ice hash. In this method, cannabis plant material is submerged in ice water and agitated, causing the trichomes to separate and sink to the bottom. The mixture is then filtered to collect the trichomes, which are subsequently dried to produce hash.
Rosin pressing is another popular solventless method, where heat and pressure are applied to cannabis flowers or hash to extract cannabinoids and terpenes. The resulting product is called rosin, which can be consumed in various forms such as dabbing or eaten in cannabis edibles.
2. Solvent-based Extraction:
Solvent-based extraction methods use chemical solvents such as butane, ethanol, or CO2 to dissolve cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material.
Butane hash oil (BHO) extraction is a common solvent-based method where butane is used to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis flowers. The resulting solution is then purged of residual solvent to produce concentrates such as shatter, wax, or budder.
Ethanol extraction involves soaking cannabis plant material in ethanol to dissolve cannabinoids and terpenes. The mixture is then filtered, and the solvent is evaporated to produce an extract.
CO2 extraction uses carbon dioxide under high pressure and low temperature to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material. This method is considered safe and efficient, yielding high-quality extracts.
While both solventless and solvent-based extraction methods have their advantages and disadvantages, solventless methods are often favored by consumers seeking a more natural and chemical-free extraction process. However, solvent-based methods can offer higher yields and greater consistency in extract potency.
At Friendly Brand we offer our signature Solventless Cured Resin FSO in a selection of different strains sourced from only the highest quality flower grown in California. And just recently we have a NEW strain specific FSO offering, our Liquid Live FSO which comes from Live Resin.
Friendly Brand FSO is one of the most versatile cannabis products on the market since you can safely consume it in a variety of ways. You can consume it orally by eating it or putting it on your favorite foods such as cookies, fruit or gummies. You can also vaporize or dab it using a rig or vaporizer for immediate effects. Or put it on top of your cannabis flower in a bowl, or add it to your pre–roll or blunt to level up your smoke sesh.
Both are delicious, effective options and if you’re wondering what the difference is, we will explain Cured Resin and Live Resin, so you get an idea.
