# Isolate

> An isolate is a concentrate refined to one cannabinoid at very high purity, often 99% or more, usually a white crystalline powder such as CBD or THCA isolate.

- Canonical: https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/isolate.html
- Also written: CBD isolate, THCA isolate, cannabinoid isolate, crystalline isolate, crystalline, 99% isolate
- Glossary category: Processing · Evidence: Established
- Status: Draft: awaiting expert review · Updated: 2026-10-31
- Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), attribute "GenetixBay cannabis glossary"

An isolate is a single [cannabinoid](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/cannabinoid.md) separated from every other compound in the plant, typically by crystallisation from a refined extract. [CBD](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/cbd.md) isolate and [THCA](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/thca.md) isolate are the common forms; both are white or off-white crystalline solids when pure. Isolates have essentially no [terpenes](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/terpene.md), flavonoids or minor cannabinoids, so they have little smell or taste.

## In practice

Manufacturers use isolates where exact dosing and no flavour are wanted, or as a starting material for other products. A [COA](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/coa.md) for a good isolate reads 98-99%+ of the target compound with little else. THCA isolate is also the basis of some "diamonds" products. Semi-synthetic cannabinoids such as [delta-8](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/delta-8-thc.md) [THC](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/thc.md) and HHC are commonly made by chemically converting CBD isolate. GenetixBay defines the product only; no processing details.

## Don't confuse with

- **Distillate**: an oil, usually 80-95% of the target cannabinoid with other compounds present.
- **Diamonds**: large THCA [crystals](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/trichome.md) grown in terpene-rich sauce; chemically similar, different product style.
- **Full-spectrum**: retains much of the plant's chemistry.

## Related terms

[Distillate](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/distillate.md), [Diamonds](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/diamonds.md), [CBD](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/cbd.md), [THCA](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/thca.md), [Entourage effect](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/entourage-effect.md)