Exploring the World of Cannabis Concentrates

Concentrates have taken the cannabis world by storm, offering potent, flavorful, and versatile options for weed connoisseurs. Whether you’re a seasoned cannabis user or just dipping your toes into the world of marijuana, concentrates offer a different experience altogether. Let’s explore a bit deeper and understand what they are, how they’re made, and how to use cannabis concentrates to elevate your experience. Today, we’re going to break down the essentials of concentrates, from extraction methods to consumption techniques.

What Are Concentrates?

Concentrates are the raw extracted compounds that give marijuana its magic. They contain high levels of cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) and terpenes, but have minimal plant matter. These products can range in consistency, from sticky oils to crumbly waxes and crystalline forms. Their potency can reach up to 80% THC or higher. For context, cannabis flower typically contains between 15-25% THC. Plus, the community of cannabis consumers have discovered how to use cannabis concentrates in a variety of ways, making it a truly versatile cannabis product.

Types of Cannabis Concentrates

Concentrates come in many different forms, each with its own texture, flavor profile, and potency. Some of the most popular types of cannabis extracts include:

Shatter has a translucent, amber appearance and is highly potent, offering a clean and intense high. Shatter is typically used in dabbing or vaporization.
Wax has a soft, waxy consistency. It comes in several subtypes, including budder (creamy, butter-like texture) and crumble (a drier, more brittle wax).
Live Resin is one of the more flavorful concentrates, thanks to its terpene-rich profile. It’s made from fresh, flash-frozen cannabis plants, which preserves more of the terpenes and cannabinoids.
Rosin is a solventless concentrate made by applying heat and pressure to cannabis flower or hash. Rosin is often favored by those who want a pure product without any residual solvents.
CO2 Oil is made using CO2 as the solvent during extraction. This results in a clean and potent oil commonly found in premium pre-filled vape cartridges.
Distillate is a highly refined concentrate of a specific cannabinoid, most often THC. Distillates are often used in edibles and vape cartridges.
Crystalline concentrates appear as pure, crystallized forms of cannabinoids. They are typically used for dabbing or as an additive to other cannabis products.

How Are Cannabis Concentrates Made?

The production of concentrates is a fascinating art. It involves extracting the potent cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant. There are two primary methods of extraction:

Solvent-Based Extraction

This method uses solvents like butane, propane, or CO2. The solvents strip the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material. After the extraction, the solvent is purged, leaving behind a highly potent concentrate. Popular solvent-based concentrates include shatter, wax, live resin, and distillate.

Solventless Extraction

Solventless concentrates are made without chemicals. It relies on physical processes like heat and pressure to extract the cannabinoids. Rosin and kief are examples of solventless concentrates. They are generally considered purer since no chemicals are involved in their production.

How to Use Cannabis Concentrates

There are many ways to enjoy concentrates. The method of consumption depends on your preference and experience level. Let’s look at some of the most popular techniques:

Dabbing: One of the most popular methods for consuming concentrates. It requires a dab rig which is a special type of water pipe. The dab rig is used to vaporize the concentrate at a high temperature. This provides an intense and fast-acting high. For those new to concentrates, it is advisable to start with a small amount. Dabbing brings on a quick effect and can be quite overwhelming. New users are often caught off-guard.
Vaporizing: Enjoy cannabis concentrates without the harsh smoke of combustion. You can use either portable or desktop models. Some vaporizers are designed specifically for concentrates. Others can handle both flower and concentrates with different settings or attachments.
Vape Cartridges: Sleep pods pre-filled with an oil concentrate, vape cartridges are convenient and discreet to use. They’re designed to be attached to a battery for use, known as a vape pen. It is an excellent option for those who would like to consume concentrates on the go.
Topping Off Flower: Some users prefer to sprinkle a small amount of concentrate, such as kief or wax, on top of cannabis flower before smoking. This boosts the potency and effects of the flower, offering a more intense experience.
Edibles: Concentrates like distillates are often used in edibles because of their potency and lack of flavor. Cannabis edibles can be made into small precise doses. You can either buy cannabis edibles or make them yourself.

Why Choose Cannabis Concentrates?

There are many reasons why you should use concentrates. Concentrates are pure extract, offering a high that hits harder and faster than flower. Let’s look at some of the benefits of using concentrates:

Potency: Concentrates can have THC levels up to 80-90%. They deliver a stronger and faster-acting high than the traditional cannabis flower.
Flavor: Concentrates like live resin and rosin are prized for their rich terpene profiles. This ensures that they retain their flavor more than other cannabis products do.
Versatility: You can learn how to use cannabis concentrates in a variety of ways. From dabbing to vaping to incorporating them into edibles, concentrates can be consumed in numerous discrete ways.
Purity: Solventless concentrates provide a clean, chemical-free option, especially for those seeking a pure form of cannabis.

Try Concentrate For Yourself

Concentrates are an exciting and potent way to experience the best the cannabis plant has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a stronger high, more flavor, or a versatile product, concentrates provide something for everyone. If you’re new to concentrates, start with a small dose. Over time, you can gradually increase the dosage to find the right amount for you. Enjoy experimenting and discovering what you like best, from the type of cannabis concentrate to the method you use to take it.

One last tip: Never forget to prioritize quality, especially when purchasing concentrates. Cheap concentrates can have dangerous contaminants and solvents left inside the final product. Good quality concentrates may cost you a bit more, but they’re safer, purer, and more potent. If you have questions about what concentrate to get, contact us.

Happy dabbing!