Method for manufacturing medicated chewing gum without cooling

Abstract

An improved method for manufacture of chewing gums containing active ingredient(s) that preserves the efficacy of the active ingredient(s) by avoiding exposure to high heat and extreme cold during milling that can otherwise degrade the active's efficacy. A chewing gum base is used, along with one or more therapeutically-active ingredients, one or more sweeteners (alcohol-based and/or natural), and one or more flavorings and optional flavor modifiers. The method generally comprises heating the gum base in ovens to melt the gum base. Separately, the active ingredient(s), sweeteners and flavorings are combined in a mixer. The melted gum base is added to the mixer and cools to produce a particulate mixture. As mixing continues the mass cools to room temperature and forms granular pieces. The granular pieces are ground into a powder at room temperature, mixed at room temperature with tableting excipients, and tableted. Several variations on the foregoing are also described.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing chewing gum including at least one therapeutically active ingredient, comprising the steps of: placing one or more gum base(s) in a container with a sugar alcohol in an oven and heating said container until said gum base(s) melts to an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F.; mixing in a commercial mixer one or more active ingredient(s), sugar alcohol(s), and flavorings within a range of from 3 to 7 minutes, wherein the one or more one or more active ingredients(s) comprise cannabidiol in a range from 0.5% to 10%, sugar alcohols in a range of 48.4% to 68.8%, and flavorings in a range from 9% to 11%, based on a percent of total weight of the chewing gum; adding the melted gum base into the mixer and mixing within a range of from 2 to 6 minutes until a homogeneous mass is produced, wherein the gum base is in a range from 20% to 40% based on a percent of total weight of the chewing gum; conditioning said homogenous mass for at least 6 hours at a temperature not greater than 75 deg F. and 60% relative humidity; milling the dried mass into particulates at room temperature using a mesh screen of appropriate particle size ranging between 0.10 inch to 0.30 inch; mixing the particulates with lubricants in an orbital or planetary mixer within a range of from 2 to 4 minutes; and tableting the powder by a tablet press.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said one or more active ingredient(s) are provided in powdered form.

3. A process for manufacturing chewing gum containing a therapeutically-active ingredient, comprising: a first step of obtaining a quantity of a gum base; a second step of heating the gum base in an oven to an elevated temperature; a third step of obtaining one or more active ingredients and mixing said active ingredient(s) together in a mixer; a fourth step adding said heated gum base into the mixer while said elevated temperature exceeds a temperature of the mixer; a fifth step of mixing said combined gum base and active ingredient(s) in a mixer; and a sixth step of granulating said mixed gum base and active ingredient(s) by continuing said fifth step during cooling of said mixed gum base/active ingredients until said combined gum base and active ingredient(s) form granules, comprising: active ingredients(s) in a range from 0.5% to 20%, sugar alcohols in a range of 48.4% to 68.8%, flavorings in a range from 9% to 11%, and a gum base in a range from 20% to 40% based on a percent of total weight of the chewing gum; whereby said process avoids exposure of said granulated gum base and active ingredient(s) to excessive heat, cold and excess milling to thereby sustain efficacy of said one or more active ingredients.

4. The process of claim 3, wherein said first step of obtaining a quantity of a gum base comprising a gum base with at least one elastomer, at least one binder, at least one plasticizer, at least one tiller, and at least one antioxidant.

5. The process of claim 3, wherein said second step of heating the gum base in an oven to an elevated temperature comprises heating to an internally measured temperature within a range of between 140-160 deg F.

6. The process of claim 3, wherein said second step of heating the gum base in an oven to an elevated temperature comprises melting said gum base.

7. The process of claim 3, wherein said third step comprises mixing said active ingredient(s) together in a mixer at room temperature.

8. The process of claim 3, wherein said sixth step of granulating a mixed gum base and active ingredient(s) comprises continuing mixing during cooling of said mixed gum base/active ingredients to room temperature.

9. The process of claim 8, wherein said sixth step of granulating said mixed gum base and active ingredient(s) comprises continuing mixing into granules.

10. The process of claim 3, wherein said third step of obtaining one or more active ingredients comprises obtaining one or more active ingredients in raw powder form.

11. The process according to claim 3, wherein said one or more active ingredient(s) comprise cannabidiol, caffeine or chitosan.

12. The process according to claim 11, wherein said one or more active ingredient(s) comprise cannabidiol in a range from 0.5% to 10% based on a percent of total weight of the chewing gum.

13. The process according to claim 11, wherein said one or more active ingredient(s) comprise chitosan in a range from 0.5% to 20% based on a percent of total weight of the chewing gum.

14. The process according to claim 11, wherein said one or more active ingredient(s) comprise caffeine in a range from 0.5% to 10% based on a percent of total weight of the chewing gum.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram of a first embodiment of the method for manufacturing chewing gum according to the invention, suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in powder form.

(3) FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram of a second embodiment of a method for manufacturing chewing gum according to the invention, likewise suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in powder form.

(4) FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram of a third embodiment of the method for manufacturing chewing gum according to the invention, suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

(5) FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram of a fourth embodiment of the method for manufacturing chewing gum according to the invention, suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

(6) FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram of a fifth embodiment of the method for manufacturing chewing gum according to the invention, suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

(7) FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a sixth embodiment of the method for manufacturing chewing gum according to the invention, suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

(8) FIG. 7 is a process flow diagram of a seventh embodiment of the method for manufacturing chewing gum according to the invention, suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

(9) FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a eighth embodiment of the method for manufacturing chewing gum according to the invention, suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(10) Reference will now be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

(11) For purposes of description, the term “active” is herein defined as the ingredient or ingredients that provide a therapeutic effect. In the present invention active(s) may be provided in either powder or oil form. An active in oil form is defined as a free flowing liquid, semi-solid, or paste that is lipid-based and not water soluble. In the case of a semi-solid or paste, when heated to a maximum temperature of 140 deg F., the material changes to an oil. Active ingredients in oil form can include hemp oil, THC resin, any cannabinoid oil, as well as pharmaceutical actives, botanicals and essential oils.

(12) The invention generally is an improved method for manufacture of chewing gums containing active ingredients that preserves the efficacy of the active ingredient(s) by avoiding exposure to high heat and extreme cold, mainly during milling, that can otherwise degrade the active's efficacy. A suitable chewing gum base is used comprising one or more constituents including elastomers for elasticity, resins to act as hinders and softeners, plasticizers to render the elastomer soft to ensure thorough blending of the gum base, fillers contributing to the overall texture, and antioxidants to prevent oxidation of the gum base and flavors during shelf life.

(13) Generally, the method comprises initially heating the gum base in ovens to melt the gum base to an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F. Ingredients, including one or more active ingredient(s), are combined in a mixer. The melted gum base is added to the mixer and cools to produce a particulate mixture. The temperature of the gum base exceeds that of the mixer when first introduced, but as mixing continues it cools quickly to room temperature and forms rock-sized granular pieces. These granular pieces are then conditioned for a period of time, which allows the granular pieces to dry slightly and complete the crystallization process. Preferably, the pieces are conditioned for at least 6 hours at a temperature not greater than 75 deg. F. and 60% relative humidity. Next, the pieces are ground into a powder at room temperature, mixed at room temperature with tableting excipients, and tableted. This avoids extreme heating or cooling of the active ingredient(s) and preserves the efficacy.

(14) The active ingredients may be provided in raw powder or oil form, and the present application suggests two alternative methods one suited for the powder form and one for the oil form. When the active ingredient(s) is in oil form, the oil can be mixed directly into the other powder ingredients and tableted, and there is no need for spray-drying the oil onto a powder carrier for tableting as with the prior art methods. This direct mixing delivers more active ingredient with less weight thus making the tableting process more efficient and less expensive.

(15) FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of the method for manufacturing chewing gum according to an embodiment of the invention suited for active ingredient(s) in powder form.

(16) At step 105 one or more different gum base(s) are placed in trays lined with a sugar alcohol and the trays are placed in an oven. The gum base is melted until it reaches an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F. Temperature may be measured with a commercial food thermometer.

(17) At step 100, in a commercial mixer, preferably a double Z-blade mixer (for example, a Winkworth® double blade Z blender), the active ingredients), the sugar alcohols, flavors and flavor modifiers are added and mixed approximately 3 to 7 minutes.

(18) At step 110 the melted gum base is added into the mixer and mixed until a homogeneous mass is produced. The mixing time may vary within a range of from 2 to 6 minutes.

(19) At step 120 the mass is removed from the blender and conditioned in trays for a minimum of 6 hours at a temperature not greater than 75 deg F. and 60% relative humidity.

(20) At step 130, after the conditioning period, the gum is milled into particulates at room temperature using a hammer mill that forces the particulates through a mesh screen of appropriate predetermined particle size ranging between 0.10 inch to 0.30 inch with an optimal size of 0.24 inch.

(21) Optionally, at step 135 other active ingredients, flavor modifiers, or the like may be added.

(22) At step 140 the resulting powder is placed in an orbital or planetary mixer and the flow agents and tablet lubricants are added. The powder is blended for approximately 2 to 4 minutes.

(23) At step 150 the powder is tableted using standard tablet punches on any suitable commercial tablet press.

(24) The foregoing method entirely avoids exposure of the active ingredient to high heat or extreme cold during milling that would otherwise degrade the active's efficacy.

(25) FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of the method for manufacturing chewing gum according to another embodiment of the invention, also suited for active ingredient(s) in powder form.

(26) At step 205 one or more different gum base(s) are placed in trays lined with a sugar and the trays are placed in an oven. The gum base is melted until it reaches an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F.

(27) At step 200, in a commercial mixer, preferably a double Z-blade mixer (for example, a Winkworth® double blade Z blender), the active ingredient(s), the sugars, flavors and flavor modifiers are added and mixed approximately 3 to 7 minutes.

(28) At step 210 the melted gum base is added into the mixer and mixed until a homogeneous mass is produced. The mixing time may vary within a range of from 2 to 6 minutes.

(29) At step 220 the mass is removed from the blender and conditioned in trays for a minimum of 6 hours at a temperature not greater than 75 deg F. and 60% relative humidity.

(30) At step 230, after the conditioning period, the gum is milled into particulates at room temperature using a hammer mill that forces the particulates through a mesh screen of appropriate particle size ranging between 0.10 inch to 0.30 inch with an optimal size of 0.24 inch.

(31) Optionally, at step 235 other active ingredients, flavor modifiers, or the like may be added.

(32) At step 240 the resulting powder is placed in an orbital or planetary mixer and the flow agents and tablet lubricants are added. The powder is blended for approximately 2 to 4 minutes.

(33) At step 250 the powder is tableted using standard tablet punches on any suitable commercial tablet press.

(34) The foregoing method entirely avoids exposure of the active ingredient to high heat or extreme cold during milling that would otherwise degrade the active's efficacy.

(35) FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing chewing gum according to an alternate embodiment of the invention suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

(36) At step 305 a pre-mix consisting of the active(s) and a portion of the sweeteners comprising approximately 9 to 13% of one or more sugar alcohols (see Table 1, 3, 5, 6 below) are mixed in a suitable commercial orbital mixer. These ingredients are mixed approximately 3 to 9 minutes, until a homogeneous mix is obtained.

(37) Separately, at step 300 in a double blade Z blender, the balance of the sweeteners (the remaining 87-91% of the sugar alcohol(s), plus the flavors and flavor modifiers are added and mixed approximately 3 to 7 minutes.

(38) At step 310 the premix containing the active oil(s) is added to the blender and is mixed approximately 2 to 5 minutes.

(39) At step 315 one or more different gum base(s) are placed in trays lined with a sugar alcohol and the trays are placed in an oven. The gum base is melted until it reaches an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F.

(40) At step 320 the melted gum base is added into the mixer and mixed until a homogeneous mass is produced. The mixing time may vary within a range of from 2 to 6 minutes.

(41) At step 330 the mass is removed from the blender and conditioned in trays for a minimum of 6 hours at a temperature not greater than 75 deg F. and 60% relative humidity.

(42) At step 340, after the conditioning period, the gum is milled into particulates at room temperature using a hammer mill that forces the particulates through a mesh screen of appropriate pre-determined particle size ranging between 0.10 inch to 0.30 inch with an optimal size of 0.24 inch.

(43) Optionally, at step 345 flavor modifiers may be added.

(44) At step 350 the resulting powder is placed in an orbital or planetary mixer and the flow agents and tablet lubricants are added. The powder is blended for approximately 2 to 4 minutes.

(45) At step 360 the powder is tableted using standard tablet punches on any suitable commercial tablet press.

(46) As above this method entirely avoids exposure of the active ingredient to high heat or extreme cold during milling that would otherwise degrade the active's efficacy.

(47) FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing chewing gum according to an alternate embodiment of the invention suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

(48) At step 405 a pre-mix consisting of the active(s) and a portion of the sweeteners comprising approximately 9 to 13% of one or more sugars (see Tables 2, 4 below) are mixed in a suitable commercial orbital mixer. These ingredients are mixed approximately 3 to 9 minutes, until a homogeneous mix is obtained.

(49) Separately, at step 400 in a double blade Z blender, the balance of the sugars (the remaining 87-91%), plus flavors and flavor modifiers are added and mixed approximately 3 to 7 minutes.

(50) At step 410 the premix containing the active oil(s) is added to the blender and is mixed approximately 2 to 5 minutes.

(51) At step 415 one or more different gum base(s) are placed in trays lined with a sugar and the trays are placed in an oven. The gum base is melted until it reaches an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F.

(52) At step 420 the melted gum base is added into the mixer and mixed until a homogeneous mass is produced. The mixing time may vary within a range of from 2 to 6 minutes.

(53) At step 430 the mass is removed from the blender and conditioned in trays for a minimum of 6 hours at a temperature not greater than 75 deg F. and 60% relative humidity.

(54) At step 440, after the conditioning period, the gum is milled into particulates at room temperature using a hammer mill that forces the particulates through a mesh screen of appropriate particle size ranging between 0.10 inch to 0.30 inch with an optimal size of 0.24 inch.

(55) Optionally, at step 445 flavor modifiers may be added.

(56) At step 450 the resulting powder is placed in an orbital or planetary mixer and the flow agents and tablet lubricants are added. The powder is blended for approximately 2 to 4 minutes.

(57) At step 460 the powder is tableted using standard tablet punches on any suitable commercial tablet press.

(58) As above this method entirely avoids exposure of the active ingredient to high heat or extreme cold during milling that would otherwise degrade the active's efficacy.

(59) FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing chewing gum according to an alternate embodiment of the invention suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

(60) At step 505 a pre-mix consisting of the active(s) and a portion of the total sweeteners, e.g., approximately 9 to 13% of one or more of sugar alcohol, microcrystalline cellulose, dextrose, modified starch, starch derivatives or other liquisolid system (see Table 1, 3, 5, 6 below) are mixed in a suitable commercial orbital mixer. These ingredients are mixed approximately 3 to 9 minutes, until a homogeneous mix is obtained.

(61) Separately, at step 500 in a double blade Z blender, the balance of the sugar alcohols (the remaining 87-91% of the sugar alcohol(s), plus the entirety of the flavors and flavor modifiers are added and mixed approximately 3 to 7 minutes.

(62) At step 510 the premix containing the active oil(s) is added to the blender and is mixed approximately 2 to 5 minutes.

(63) At step 515 one or more different gum base(s) are placed in trays lined with a sugar alcohol and the trays are placed in an oven. The gum base is melted until it reaches an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F.

(64) At step 520 the melted gum base is added into the mixer and mixed until a homogeneous mass is produced. The mixing time may vary within a range of from 2 to 6 minutes.

(65) At step 530 the mass is removed from the blender and conditioned in trays for a minimum of 6 hours at a temperature not greater than 75 deg F. and 60% relative humidity.

(66) At step 540, after the conditioning period, the gum is milled into particulates at room temperature using a hammer mill that forces the particulates through a mesh screen of appropriate particle size ranging between 0.10 inch to 0.30 inch with an optimal size of 0.24 inch.

(67) Optionally, at step 545 flavor modifiers may be added.

(68) At step 550 the resulting powder is placed in an orbital or planetary mixer and the flow agents and tablet lubricants are added. The powder is blended for approximately 2 to 4 minutes.

(69) At step 560 the powder is tableted using standard tablet punches n any suitable commercial tablet press.

(70) As above this method entirely avoids exposure of the active ingredient to high heat or extreme cold during milling that would otherwise degrade the active's efficacy.

(71) FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing chewing gum according to an alternate embodiment of the invention suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

(72) At step 600 in a double blade Z blender, the sugar alcohols, flavors and flavor modifiers are added and mixed approximately 3 to 7 minutes, and the active oil(s) is added to the blender and is mixed approximately 2 to 5 minutes.

(73) At step 605 one or more different gum base(s) are placed in trays lined with a sugar alcohol and the trays are placed in an oven. The gum base is melted until it reaches an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F.

(74) At step 610 the melted gum base is added into the mixer and mixed until a homogeneous mass is produced. The mixing time may vary within a range of from 2 to 6 minutes.

(75) At step 620 the mass is removed from the blender and conditioned in trays for a minimum of 6 hours at a temperature not greater than 75 deg F. and 60% relative humidity.

(76) At step 630, after the conditioning period, the gum is milled into particulates at room temperature using a hammer mill that forces the particulates through a mesh screen of appropriate particle size ranging between 0.10 inch to 0.30 inch with an optimal size of 0.24 inch.

(77) At step 635 a pre-mix consisting of the active(s) and approximately 9 to 13% of a portion of the sweeteners, e.g., one or more of sugar alcohol, microcrystalline cellulose, dextrose, modified starch, starch derivatives or other liquisolid systems (see Table 1, 3, 5, 6 below) are mixed in a suitable commercial orbital or planetary mixer. These ingredients are mixed approximately 3 to 9 minutes, until a homogeneous mix is obtained.

(78) At step 640 the resulting powder is placed in an orbital or planetary mixer, the flow agents and any flavor modifiers are added. The powder is blended for approximately 3 to 8 minutes.

(79) At step 650 the milled gum powder is placed in an orbital or planetary mixer and the pre-mix and tablet lubricants are added. The powder is blended for approximately 3 to 5 minutes.

(80) At step 660 the powder is tableted using standard tablet punches on any suitable commercial tablet press.

(81) As above this method entirely avoids exposure of the active ingredient to high heat or extreme cold during milling that would otherwise degrade the active's efficacy.

(82) FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing chewing gum according to an alternate embodiment of the invention suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

(83) At step 700 in a double blade Z blender, the sugar alcohols, flavors and flavor modifiers are added and mixed approximately 3 to 7 minutes.

(84) At step 705 one or more active oil(s) is/are added to the blender and are mixed approximately 2 to 5 minutes.

(85) At step 710 one or more different gum base(s) are placed in trays lined with a sugar alcohol and the trays are placed in an oven. The gum base is melted until it reaches an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F.

(86) At step 720 the melted gum base is added into the mixer and mixed until a homogeneous mass is produced. The mixing time may vary within a range of from 2 to 6 minutes.

(87) At step 730 the mass is removed from the blender and conditioned in trays for a minimum of 12 hours.

(88) At step 740, after the conditioning period, the gum is extruded through a die to form the desired shape of the gum.

(89) Optionally, at step 750 a coating of a sugar alcohol can be applied to the gum piece.

(90) FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing chewing gum according to an alternate embodiment of the invention suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

(91) At step 800 a pre-mix consisting of the active(s) and a portion of the total sweeteners, e.g., approximately 9 to 13% of one or more of sugar alcohol, liquid flavors, microcrystalline cellulose, dextrose, modified starch, starch derivatives or other liquisolid system (see Table 1, 3, 5, 6 below) are mixed in a suitable commercial orbital mixer. These ingredients are mixed approximately 3 to 9 minutes, until a homogeneous mix is obtained.

(92) Separately, at step 805 in a double blade Z blender, the balance of the sugar alcohols (the remaining 87-91% of the sugar alcohol(s), plus the flavors and flavor modifiers are added and mixed approximately 3 to 7 minutes.

(93) At step 810 the premix containing the active oil(s) is added to the blender and is mixed approximately 2 to 5 minutes.

(94) At step 815 one or more different gum base(s) are placed in trays lined with a sugar alcohol and the trays are placed in an oven. The gum base is melted until it reaches an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F.

(95) At step 820 the melted gum base is added into the mixer and mixed until a homogeneous mass is produced. The mixing time may vary within a range of from 2 to 6 minutes.

(96) At step 830 the mass is removed from the blender and conditioned in trays for a minimum of 12 hours.

(97) At step 840, after the conditioning period, the gum is extruded through a die to form the desired shape of the gum.

(98) Optionally, at step 845 a coating of a sugar alcohol can be applied to the gum piece.

(99) As above this method entirely avoids exposure of the active ingredient to high heat or extreme cold that would otherwise degrade the active's efficacy.

(100) The following examples provide specific ingredient listings including a range of acceptable weight % and preferred weight % for ingredients used in the above-described processes for manufacturing particular gums having maximum efficacy.

Example 1

(101) Chitosan Chewing Gum

(102) The foregoing method of FIG. 1 has been used successfully to produce a tableted gum with a powdered active ingredient, for example chitosan, using the relative amounts of constituents (sugar alcohol, gum base, flavoring, active ingredient/chitosan, tableting lubricants and powder flow agents, and sweeteners) as shown in Table 1:

(103) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Weight % Optimal Range Weight % A sugar alcohol or a blend of sugar alcohols 42.4-75.3 64.0 that can include one or more of the following: sorbitol, isomalt, xylitol, maltitol, mannitol or erythritol Gum Base 20.0-30.0 25.7 Flavoring in liquid and powder  2.0-12.0 3.3 Active ingredient(s) - chitosan  1.0-20.0 2.5 Tableting lubricants and powder flow agents 1.5-5.0 4.0 Intensive sweeteners 0.2-0.6 0.5 Total 100.0

Example 2

(104) Caffeine Chewing Gum

(105) The foregoing method of FIG. 2 has been used successfully to produce a tableted gum with a powdered active ingredient, for example caffeine, using the relative amounts of constituents (sugar, gum base, flavoring, active ingredient/caffeine, tableting lubricants and powder flow agents, and sweeteners) as shown in Table 2:

(106) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Weight % Optimal Range Weight % A sugar or a blend of sugars that can include 55.0-70.0 59.6 one or more of the following: dextrose, sucrose, fructose, glucose Gum Base 20.0-30.0 21.2 Flavoring in liquid and powder  8.0-15.0 9.8 Active ingredient(s) - caffeine  1.0-10.0 4.7 Tableting lubricants and powder flow agents 2.6-5.0 3.7 Intensive sweeteners 0.2-1.5 1.0 Total 100.0

Example 3

(107) Hemp Oil Chewing Gum

(108) The foregoing method of FIG. 3 has been used successfully to produce a tableted gum with an oil-form active ingredient, for example concentrated hemp oil that delivers cannabidiol (CBD) or with a resinous oil that delivers tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The relative amounts of constituents (sugar alcohol, gum base, flavoring, active ingredient/hemp oil, tableting lubricants and powder flow agents, and sweeteners) as shown in Table 3:

(109) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Weight % Optimal Range Weight % A sugar alcohol or a blend of sugar alcohols 48.4-68.8 57.8 that can include one or more of the following: sorbitol, isomalt, xylitol, maltitol, mannitol or erythritol Gum Base 20.0-30.0 28.5 Flavoring in liquid and powder  9.0-11.0 6.9 Active ingredient(s) - hemp oil  0.5-10.0 2.5 Tableting lubricants and powder flow agents 1.5-5.0 3.8 Intensive sweeteners 0.2-0.6 0.5 Total 100.0

Example 4

(110) Hemp Oil Chewing Gum

(111) The foregoing method of FIG. 4 has been used successfully to produce a tableted gum with an oil-form active ingredient, for example concentrated hemp oil that delivers cannabidiol (CBD) or with a resinous oil that delivers tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The relative amounts of constituents (sugars, gum base, flavoring, active ingredient/hemp oil, tableting lubricants and powder flow agents, and sweeteners) as shown in Table 4:

(112) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Weight % Optimal Range Weight % A sugar or a blend of sugars that can include 53.0-70.0 62.9 one or more of the following: dextrose, sucrose, fructose, glucose Gum Base 20.0-30.0 28.6 Flavoring in liquid and powder 2.5-4.5 3.6 Active ingredient(s) - hemp oil  0.5-10.0 0.9 Tableting lubricants and powder flow agents 1.5-5.0 3.5 Intensive sweeteners 0.2-0.6 0.5 Total 100.0

Example 5

(113) Hemp Oil Chewing Gum

(114) The foregoing method of FIG. 5 has been used successfully to produce a tableted gum with an oil-form active ingredient, for example concentrated hemp oil that delivers cannabidiol (CBD) or with a resinous oil that delivers tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The relative amounts of constituents (sugar alcohol, cellulose/starch derivatives, gum base, flavoring, active ingredient/hemp oil, tableting lubricants and powder flow agents, and sweeteners) as shown in Table 5:

(115) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Weight % Optimal Range Weight % A sugar alcohol or a blend of sugar alcohols 48.4-68.8 57.8 that can include one or more of the following: sorbitol, isomalt, xylitol, maltitol, mannitol or erythritol and one or more of the following: microcrystallinc cellulose, dextrose, modified starch, starch derivatives or other liquidsolid system. Gum Base 20.0-30.0 28.5 Flavoring in liquid and powder  5.0-11.0 6.9 Active ingredient(s) - hemp oil  0.5-10.0 2.5 Tableting lubricants and powder flow agents 1.5-5.0 3.8 Intensive sweeteners 0.2-0.6 0.5 Total 100.0

Example 6

(116) Hemp Oil Chewing Gum

(117) The foregoing method of FIG. 6 has been used successfully to produce a tableted gum with an oil-form active ingredient, for example concentrated hemp oil that delivers cannabidiol (CBD) or with a resinous oil that delivers tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The relative amounts of constituents (sugar alcohol, cellulose/starch derivatives, gum base, flavoring, active ingredient/hemp oil, tableting lubricants and powder flow agents, and sweeteners) as shown in Table 6:

(118) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Weight % Optimal Range Weight % A sugar alcohol or a blend of sugar alcohols 45.0-65.0 56.0 that can include one or more of the following: sorbitol, isomalt, xylitol, maltitol, mannitol or erythritol and one or more of the following: microcrystallinc cellulose, dextrose, modified starch, starch derivatives or other liquisolid system. Gum Base 20.0-30.0 28.5 Flavoring in liquid and powder  5.0-11.0 9.0 Active ingredient(s) - hemp oil  0.5-10.0 2.5 Tableting lubricants and powder flow agents 1.5-5.0 3.5 Intensive sweeteners 0.2-0.6 0.5 Total 100.0

Example 7

(119) Hemp Oil Chewing Gum

(120) The foregoing method of FIG. 7 has been used successfully to produce a gum with an oil-form active ingredient, for example concentrated hemp oil that delivers cannabidiol (CBD) or with a resinous oil that delivers tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The relative amounts of constituents (sugar alcohol, cellulose/starch derivatives, gum base, flavoring, active ingredient/hemp oil, and sweeteners) as shown in Table 7:

(121) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Weight % Optimal Range Weight % A sugar alcohol or a blend of sugar alcohols 45.0-65.0 55.5 that can include one or more of the following: sorbitol, isomall, xylitol, maltitol, mannitol or erythritol Gum Base 25.0-40.0 33.0 Flavoring in liquid and powder  5.0-11.0 8.0 Active ingredient(s) - hemp oil  0.5-10.0 3.0 Intensive sweeteners 0.2-0.6 0.5 Total 100.0

Example 8

(122) Hemp Oil Chewing Gum

(123) The foregoing method of FIG. 8 has been used successfully to produce a gum with an oil-form active ingredient, for example concentrated hemp oil that delivers cannabidiol (CBD) or with a resinous oil that delivers tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The relative amounts of constituents (sugar alcohol, cellulose/starch derivatives, gum base, flavoring, active ingredient/hemp oil, and sweeteners) as shown in Table 8:

(124) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Weight % Optimal Range Weight % A sugar alcohol or a blend of sugar alcohols 45.0-65.0 55.5 that can include one or more of the following: sorbitol, isomalt, xylitol, maltitol, mannitol or erythritol and one or more of the following: liquid flavor, microcrystalline cellulose, dextrose, modified starch, starch derivatives or other liquisolid system. Gum Base 25.0-40.0 33.0 Flavoring in liquid and powder  5.0-11.0 8.0 Active ingredient(s) - hemp oil  0.5-10.0 3.0 Intensive sweeteners 0.2-0.6 0.5 Total 100.0

(125) It should now be apparent that the above described method preserves the efficacy of the active ingredient(s) by avoiding exposure to high heat during mixing, or to extreme cold during milling, either of which can degrade the active's efficacy. Moreover, the active ingredient(s) even when provided in oil form can be mixed directly into the other powder ingredients and tableted, rather than spray-dried onto a powder carrier for tableting as with the prior art methods.

(126) The foregoing disclosure of embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims, and by their equivalents.