This article is part of the Mendo Education Series and is intended to help members better understand cannabis products, production methods and member considerations.

For many medical cannabis patients, the focus is often on the product itself; its cultivar, cannabinoid profile, or extraction method. Less visible is the work that happens long before a product reaches the shelf.

In this edition of Behind the Brand, Mendo Medical sat down with Kyle St. Hilaire of Oaziz Extracts to discuss how the Montreal-based licensed processor approaches solventless cannabis, why research and development is central to the company’s philosophy, and how collaboration with cultivators across Canada helps shape the products patients see today.

Although Oaziz has become well known for solventless extracts, the conversation reveals that the company is equally focused on sourcing exceptional genetics, refining extraction techniques, and continually exploring new cultivars through research and development.

Watch the Full Interview

Watch the complete conversation with Kyle St. Hilaire on the Mendo Medical YouTube channel to hear more about Oaziz Extracts, solventless cannabis, and the company’s approach to research, product development, and collaboration with cultivators.

A Quebec Company Built Around Solventless Extraction

Oaziz Extracts is a licensed cannabis processor based in Montreal, Quebec. Rather than cultivating cannabis, the company specializes in solventless extraction while working closely with licensed growers throughout the province and across Canada.

According to St. Hilaire, Oaziz was founded by a group of passionate cannabis professionals with experience both before and after legalization. Today, the company not only develops its own products but also provides contract manufacturing and white-label production for other licensed producers, both in Canada and internationally.

That collaborative approach allows Oaziz to focus on what it does best—transforming carefully selected cannabis into solventless products while supporting cultivators who may not have their own extraction capabilities.

Why Quebec Continues to Stand Out

During the interview, St. Hilaire highlights Quebec’s unique cannabis community as one of the company’s greatest strengths.

Montreal’s multicultural environment and long history within Canada’s cannabis culture have created a diverse network of experienced growers, many of whom have spent years refining their cultivation techniques.Some of these cultivators may primarily serve Quebec’s market, meaning patients elsewhere in Canada may never have encountered their genetics.

One of Oaziz’s goals is to bridge that gap by working with these growers and helping introduce their cultivars to broader Canadian and international markets.

What Quality Means at Oaziz

Quality can mean different things to different companies. For Oaziz, quality begins with preserving the unique characteristics of each cultivar.

Rather than focusing solely on THC percentage, St. Hilaire explains that the company evaluates whether the finished product accurately reflects the flavour and aroma of the original flower. If a cultivar loses those defining characteristics during processing, it may not be released under one of the company’s flagship solventless brands.Instead, it may be used in another formulation that better suits its characteristics.That attention to cultivar expression guides much of the company’s research and product development.

Research & Development Never Stops

Unlike companies that rely on a small number of established cultivars, Oaziz is continually evaluating new genetics.

St. Hilaire describes the company as an R&D-focused organization, constantly sourcing new material from cultivators and assessing how different genetics perform through solventless extraction. Some cultivars produce excellent flavour but may not process well into certain formats. Others may develop entirely new aromatic characteristics during extraction.

This continual experimentation allows the company to introduce new genetics while continuing to produce formulations that patients have come to recognize.

Understanding Temple Ball Hash

One topic that often generates questions from members is Temple Ball hash. Although the name has become increasingly familiar, many people are less familiar with how it is made.

According to St. Hilaire, Temple Ball hash begins with an ice-water extraction process that separates the resin from the plant material without the use of chemical solvents. The resulting material is then worked using heat and pressure to form the traditional Temple Ball shape. Different producers use different techniques, including traditional hand-working methods, but Oaziz has developed its own approach to producing Temple Ball hash while preserving the character of each cultivar.

Why Cultivars Matter

One of the recurring themes throughout the conversation is that not every cultivar behaves the same during extraction. Some genetics produce exceptional flavour. Others may offer different terpene profiles or cannabinoid compositions.

Rather than selecting cultivars based solely on appearance, Oaziz evaluates them based on three primary factors:

• Flavour
• Aroma
• Overall expression after extraction

St. Hilaire notes that appearance alone does not determine quality. Instead, the company focuses on whether the finished product delivers the characteristics that made the original flower stand out in the first place.

What Members Are Asking About Today

As member knowledge continues to grow, so do the conversations surrounding cannabis. St. Hilaire has observed increasing interest in terpene profiles and minor cannabinoids rather than THC percentage alone. He explains that more members are asking questions about cannabinoids such as CBD, CBG, CBC and CBN while also becoming more aware that higher THC levels are not necessarily the only factor they consider when choosing a product.

That growing curiosity is reflected in the broader range of formulations now available throughout the medical cannabis market.

Looking Beyond Canada

Like many Canadian licensed producers and processors, Oaziz has begun expanding into international medical cannabis markets.

According to St. Hilaire, those opportunities allow Canadian companies to introduce their products abroad while supporting continued growth at home. He also notes that export markets present different economic opportunities for cultivators, particularly as Canadian producers continue navigating the costs associated with operating within Canada’s regulated framework.

Changing Perceptions of Canada’s Cannabis Industry

The interview concludes with a discussion about one of the industry’s common misconceptions. St. Hilaire explains that while cannabis products move through provincial distribution systems, they are ultimately developed by licensed producers, processors, cultivators and entrepreneurs – not by government agencies.

As Canada’s legal cannabis industry continues to mature, he believes more legacy operators and experienced cultivators are bringing decades of knowledge into the regulated market.

Learn More About Oaziz Extracts

Throughout the conversation, Kyle St. Hilaire discusses Oaziz’s philosophy around solventless extraction, cultivar selection, and preserving the unique characteristics of each harvest. Members interested in learning more about the products mentioned during the interview can explore Oaziz’s current offerings available through Mendo Medical.

About Kyle St. Hilaire

Kyle St. Hilaire is part of the team at Oaziz Extracts, a Montreal-based licensed cannabis processor specializing in solventless extraction. His work includes research and development, product formulation, sourcing cultivars, and collaborating with licensed cultivators to develop cannabis products for Canadian and international medical markets.

Key Takeaways

• Oaziz Extracts is a Montreal-based licensed processor specializing in solventless cannabis extraction.
• The company collaborates with cultivators rather than growing cannabis itself.
• Research and development drives the evaluation of new cultivars and formulations.
• Oaziz defines quality through cultivar expression, flavour and aroma – not potency alone.
• Temple Ball hash is produced through ice-water extraction followed by heat and pressure.
• Members are increasingly interested in terpenes and minor cannabinoids alongside THC.
• International markets are creating new opportunities for Canadian cannabis producers.

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