I'm not too concerned about CBIS ever breaching this first patent claim since it is so specific. It seems like CBIS would have to be using the very same formula, within a certain parameter, to be held accountable for patent violation. If one asks CBIS how they extract their cannabis oil...does one expect an answer? What are the odds it is identical to the method outlined below?
The specific invention claimed is:
1. A method for producing .DELTA..sup.9 tetrahydrocannabivarin (.DELTA..sup.9 THCV) crystals comprising: i) obtaining an ethanolic solution of a botanical drug substance from cannabis plant material, ii) passing the solution obtained in step i) through a column of activated charcoal, and collecting the eluate, iii) remove solvent from the eluate by rotary evaporation to give a .DELTA..sup.9 THCV enriched fraction, iv) passing a solution of the resulting .DELTA..sup.9 THCV enriched extract through a column packed with Sephadex LH20, eluting with 2:1 chloroform/dichloromethane, v) collecting .DELTA..sup.9 THCV rich fractions and removing solvent by rotary evaporation, vi) re-dissolving the crude .DELTA..sup.9 THCV prepared in step v) in methanol, removing insoluble residue by filtration and removing solvent from the filtrate by rotary evaporation, and vii) re-dissolving the crude .DELTA..sup.9 THCV prepared in step vi) in pentane, removing insoluble residue by filtration and removing solvent from the filtrate by rotary evaporation to give said crystals of .DELTA..sup.9 THCV.
Best Wishes
AI
