A Comprehensive Guide to Cannabis Concentrates

A Comprehensive Guide to Cannabis Concentrates

Byking_adm on September 7, 2023

Cannabis concentrates are the quintessence of potency. With a rich history and diverse types, these products have soared in popularity among consumers and enthusiasts. If you’ve ever wondered about the ins and outs of these potent derivatives, you’re in the right place.

Introduction to Cannabis Concentrates

Cannabis concentrates represent the essence of the cannabis plant, refined and processed to capture its most potent compounds. These compelling forms have existed for centuries, evolving with technology and consumption preferences.

The Essence of Cannabis

People craft concentrates to preserve the flower’s most active components – cannabinoids like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) and aromatic compounds called terpenes. By isolating these, users can experience intensified effects and flavours.

Historical Roots

The idea of concentrating cannabis isn’t a modern innovation. Hashish, a form of concentrate, has been a staple in Middle Eastern cultures for centuries. However, the drive for higher purity and different consistencies has led to the diverse concentrates we see today.

Purpose and Popularity

The rise in concentrate popularity stems from several factors: 

• For medicinal users, it offers quick and potent relief;
• It’s a different, often more intense, experience for recreational users.

Additionally, the precision involved in making concentrates allows for more predictable dosing than traditional flowers.

The Different Types of Concentrates

The world of cannabis concentrates is diverse, with each type offering a unique consistency, potency, and flavour profile. While there are countless variations, here are some of the most prominent:

Shatter

One of the purest cannabis extracts, shatter is known for its translucent, glass-like appearance. It’s a favourite among many due to its high THC content. Its consistency is similar to hard candy at room temperature, which “shatters” when broken.

Experience

Shatter offers a clean, pure, and exceptionally potent experience. Because of its clarity, many believe it also provides a clearer high, free from the “fogginess” that some experience with other products.

Wax/Budder/Hash

With a consistency ranging from sticky to creamy, wax or hash is more malleable than shatter. This makes it easier to handle for many users.

Experience 

Wax and budder preserve a high terpene content, making them aromatic and flavorful. They often provide a more full-bodied experience than shatter.

Live Resin

One of the most natural forms of concentrate, resin, is made by simply applying heat and pressure to cannabis buds or flowers. No solvents are used, meaning there’s no residual chemical risk.

Experience

Resin carries the genuine flavour of the strain it’s derived from, making it a favourite for those who appreciate the intricate tastes and aromas of cannabis.

Oil

Cannabis oils are versatile. Canna lovers use them in vape cartridges, tinctures or even directly consume them. The process of extracting cannabis oil is quite complicated. Depending on the technology, people can use solvents to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes. 

Experience

The experience with oils can vary based on the extraction method and the strain used. They offer convenience, especially in vape cartridges, and weed connoisseurs admire their discreteness and ease of dosing.

With the wide range of concentrates available, users can select the one that aligns best with their desired experience and consumption method. Whether seeking potency, flavour, or a specific texture, there’s likely a concentrate out there that fits the bill.

Extraction Methods: Solvent-based vs. Solventless

The process of creating cannabis concentrates revolves around extraction methods. Broadly categorized, these methods fall into two camps: solvent-based and solventless. However, you can read more about it in our partner’s Extraction Magazine.

Solvent-based extractions harness chemical solvents, like butane, propane, or CO2, to strip the coveted compounds – THC, CBD, and terpenes – from the cannabis plant. Once the extraction process is complete, the next step is to purge or remove the solvent, leaving behind a concentrated form of cannabis. 

One of the primary concerns surrounding this method is ensuring that all residual solvents are removed, as their presence can pose health risks. However, solvent-based extractions can yield highly potent and pure concentrates when done correctly.

In contrast, solventless extractions steer clear of chemical solvents altogether. Instead, they rely on mechanical methods to obtain concentrates. For instance, resin production involves applying heat and pressure to cannabis material. 

As the name suggests, solventless methods maintain the concentrate’s purity since there’s no potential for residual solvents. This approach often preserves more of the natural flavours of the cannabis plant, resulting in a product that many aficionados believe offers a richer, more authentic experience.

Consuming Concentrates: The Best Methods

The potency and refinement of cannabis concentrates have led to varied methods of consumption, each with its unique appeal and effects. Dabbing is a popular method for vaporizing concentrates on a specially designed “dab rig.” The concentrate, often a small dab of shatter or wax, is placed on a heated surface, typically a nail or banger, and then inhaled. Due to its potency, this method offers an immediate and intense effect, often reserved for experienced users.

On the other hand, vaping involves using specially designed vape pens or mods tailored for concentrate consumption. These devices heat the concentrate to a point where it’s vaporized but not combusted, producing a flavorful and less harsh vapour than traditional smoking. Vaping allows smoke-free consumption, making it an increasingly popular choice among many users.

You can also consume concentrates orally. Some, especially oils, can be taken directly or added to food and beverages to create weed edibles. When consumed this way, the onset of effects is slower but often more prolonged, providing a steady, extended-release of cannabinoids into the system.

Lastly, topicals represent a unique method of concentrate consumption. By infusing concentrates into creams, balms, or lotions, users can apply these products directly to the skin. This method doesn’t produce the traditional “high” associated with cannabis but can offer localized relief, making it a favourite for those seeking therapeutic benefits without psychoactive effects.

Choose Your Concentrate Today

The world of cannabis concentrates is rich and varied, offering consumers myriad choices in production and consumption. Whether one opts for the purity of solventless extracts or the intensity of a dabbed experience, concentrates provide a unique and potent journey into the heart of the cannabis plant.