Cannabis, specifically the cannabinoids and terpenes within, is known as an alternative medicine that provides potential relief for many health conditions — such as pain, autoimmune diseases, and even cancer.
Current and ongoing research points toward cannabis as a potential medicine for cancer patients, which begs the question of which cannabis-based product is recommended for individuals experiencing cancer and cancer-related symptoms?
Meet full extract cannabis oil — better known as FECO.
Read along to learn what FECO is, how to make full extract cannabis oil, the difference between RSO and FECO, and ultimately, how to safely consume FECO at home.
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What is FECO?
First and foremost — what’s FECO?
FECO, or full extract cannabis oil, is a full-spectrum concentrate that contains all of the essential compounds that make cannabis unique.
In other words, FECO contains:
- Cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD
- Terpenes
- Plant lipids
Overall, FECO contains the very essence of the cannabis plant. Furthermore, FECO is typically a dark and viscous liquid that may appear daunting at first. However, you will soon find out why many medical marijuana patients prefer FECO over other marijuana extracts, such as RSO.
How to Make FECO At Home In 5 Easy Steps
There’s nothing better than crafting your own FECO, considering it takes only five simple steps.
If you’re ready to create your first batch of FECO, here’s a shopping list to have prepared for steps one through five:
- Dried cannabis flowers*
- Large/tall mason jar
- Wide mouth mason jar
- Blender
- Crockpot
- Grain alcohol, such as Everclear
- Cheesecloth bag
- Organic/vegan capsules
- Plastic syringe
Once you have all of these materials — it’s time to make your own full extract cannabis oil in five easy steps.
* The amount of dried cannabis you’ll need depends on the amount of FECO you intend to make. To get 20 grams of cannabis oil, use 140 grams (5 ounces) of dried flowers and 1.5 liters (0.4 gallons) of Everclear.
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Step One – Grind 
First, use your blender to grind the cannabis flowers.
Next, pour the ground cannabis into the large/tall mason jar.
You must make sure the ground cannabis doesn’t overflow from the jar. You should always leave a quarter of the jar empty to accommodate the incoming alcohol.
Step Two – Soak
Next, pour the grain alcohol into the jar until all of the cannabis material is submerged. To get the most out of your labor, pour a small amount of alcohol into the blender to remove every last trichome and pour it back into the mason jar.
Use a long-handled spoon and gently stir the mixture for 2-5 minutes.
Once done, cap the jar and store it in the freezer for two hours or a minimum of 45 minutes.
Step Three – Strain 
After 2 hours in the freezer — remove the large mason jar back to the workbench.
Place the cheesecloth bag over the wide mouth opening of your second mason jar. Slowly pour the alcohol and cannabis mixture into the cheesecloth bag.
Once the bulk of the cannabis mixture drips into the wide-mouth mason jar, use your hands to squeeze out the remaining liquid. Due to the alcohol, we recommend using latex gloves during this process.
Once complete, discard the cannabis plant material and move on to step four.
Step Four – Evaporate
Now, bring out the crockpot and fill it with warm water.
Place the wide-mouth mason jar into the crockpot. The water line should be at the same level as the FECO within the jar. This method is known as the double boiler technique, protecting the FECO from overheating.
Regardless, you must be careful during this step. The cannabis mixture within the mason jar contains alcohol, which is extremely flammable if it comes in contact with fire. Therefore, exercise a multitude of safety measures, such as:
- Adequately ventilate the room
- Have a fire extinguisher nearby
- Do not inhale the fumes
Bring the water to a boil and allow the FECO to cook for 3-4 hours. You must make sure to keep a constant watch on the FECO to ensure everything is going smoothly.
As the alcohol evaporates from the heat — the FECO will become thick and viscous like syrup.
After 3-4 hours — the FECO will be dark and thick. Even if you tilt the jar, the FECO within will barely budge.
Step Five – Store
Lastly — it’s time to store your FECO.
Use a long-handled plastic syringe to pull out the FECO and place it into organic and vegan capsules.
Once you fill all your capsules — you’re done! All that’s left to do now is consume the capsules and determine the right serving size for your needs.
How to Consume the Oil At Home
As with anything medical-related, we recommend that you consult a medical professional who can assist you in pinpointing the ideal strain, serving size, and consumption method. Furthermore, a medical professional will help you determine if you may consume FECO in conjunction with your current medications to avoid unwanted reactions.
FECO is an oil that you may consume in several ways, such as:
- Orally
- Apply topically
- Suppositories
Remember, FECO contains THC, which provides psychoactive effects. Unless experienced, you should always consume FECO with another individual present.
If it’s your first time consuming FECO — begin with a tiny dose and increase the amount as needed after three hours. FECO may take upwards of 1-2-hours to produce effects when eaten or applied topically.
What is the difference between FECO and RSO?
Lastly, it’s time to learn the difference between RSO and FECO.
RSO and FECO are both full-spectrum cannabis extracts. However, the primary difference between the two is that RSO is typically extracted with Naptha or isopropyl alcohol. Overall, it’s not recommended to consume anything derived from Naphtha or isopropyl alcohol because it’s not food-grade.
Alternatively, FECO uses food-grade alcohol and is safe to eat or apply to the skin. With this in mind, we recommend FECO over RSO because it utilizes food-grade alcohol for extraction.
Individualize Your Protocol
You don’t need to do this alone. A Medical Cannabis Oncology Nurse (RN) can guide you through and personalize your protocol – from the comfort of home!
* 1:1 online consultation
* A detailed treatment protocol that considers any medications you are on and your health goals
* Follow up via email
READ NEXT: How to Choose the Best Cannabis Product for Medical Use?>>
