Cold Sieving: Traditional Extraction, Pharmaceutical Standards

Preserving therapeutic integrity through low-impact processing

Demetra Green Labs relies on a time-honored extraction process rooted in Moroccan tradition: cold sieving, also known as “dry sift.” This technique, long used by hashmakers in the Rif Mountains, has been refined and standardized in our facilities to meet pharmaceutical-grade expectations.

Far from being outdated or rudimentary, cold sieving offers unique advantages in preserving the full chemical expression of the cannabis plant — without solvents, without heat, and without compromising bioactivity.

The process: minimal intervention, maximum preservation

Our cold sieving workflow begins with carefully dried Beldia plant material, harvested by hand and handled under controlled humidity. The dried cannabis is passed through a series of fine mesh sieves — using gentle mechanical movement or manual agitation — to separate the trichomes (resin glands) from the rest of the plant structure.

These trichomes contain the plant’s most valuable components:

• Cannabinoids (such as CBD, CBG, and THC in acidic and neutral forms)
• Terpenes responsible for therapeutic synergy and scent
• Flavonoids and secondary metabolites contributing to anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects

By avoiding heat, pressure, or solvents at this stage, we protect:

• Volatile terpenes, which are easily degraded under high temperatures
• Acidic cannabinoid forms (CBDA, THCA), essential for full-spectrum medical formulations
• The plant’s natural biochemical balance

The resulting product is a loose, golden-brown resin powder — rich, stable, and highly concentrated.

Why cold sieving meets pharmaceutical demands

While most modern extraction facilities rely on ethanol or supercritical CO₂ to extract cannabinoids, these methods, while efficient, require post-processing steps that may strip out minor actives, introduce solvent traces, or alter terpene ratios.

Cold sieving, on the other hand, offers:

• No solvent residue
• No decarboxylation or chemical modification
• Full-spectrum output with intact entourage effect
• Stability for further conversion (via ethanol, CO₂, or formulation blending)
• Clean pharmacological profiles that pass analytical tests with minimal processing

At Demetra Green Labs, every batch of sieved resin undergoes:

• Microbial and contaminant screening
• Cannabinoid and terpene profiling
• Water activity and oxidation stability tests
• Heavy metal and pesticide clearance

Only compliant resin is accepted for formulation or export.

Applications: from raw resin to finished product

Our cold-sieved resin serves as the base input for multiple product lines, including:

• Medical oil formulations, where it is infused into carrier oils post-decarboxylation
• Softgel capsules and tablet forms, using standardized cannabinoid ratios
• Topical applications (creams, balms) for anti-inflammatory use
• Further extraction via ethanol or CO₂ to isolate target compounds
• Research & development platforms for labs seeking solventless models

This approach offers our partners:

• An authentic, clean, traceable extract
• Flexibility in downstream processing
• Reduced regulatory barriers due to low risk of chemical contamination

A bridge between tradition and modernity

Cold sieving is more than a production method — it is a philosophy of extraction. It respects the integrity of the plant and aligns with the growing demand for natural, minimally processed inputs in medicine and cosmetics.

By combining Moroccan heritage with GACP-compliant workflows, Demetra Green Labs delivers a product that is not only powerful and clean, but also culturally rooted and scientifically validated.

In a world moving toward transparency, traceability, and sustainability, cold sieving represents the intersection of history and precision.