Cannabis concentrates are just what they sound like, concentrated cannabis. This potent, pungent variety of cannabis products boasts impressively high THC levels ranging between 50 to 90% or higher. Some cannabis concentrates have THC levels of 99%! Many medical cannabis patients rely on cannabis concentrates.
The world of cannabis concentrates has evolved over the last decade. It wasn’t long ago that the only way you could pretty much enjoy concentrates was hot knifing. Today there are a plethora of different dabbing devices ranging from propane-heated nails and bangers to electronic dabbing devices. There are portable bongs and pens, making the days of cheap globes on even cheaper batteries a thing of the past.
When it comes to cannabis concentrates, you’ll have to be a little specific about what you want or what you’re looking for. If you’re not sure, try it all. This will help you determine your favorite. Cannabis concentrates come in a wide variety of different textures and are created using a variety of different techniques for extraction. Let’s start out by looking at how cannabis concentrates are made.
How Cannabis Concentrates Are Made
Cannabis concentrates are made in several different ways and produce different results. In order to make cannabis concentrates, an extraction method must be chosen. During extraction, cannabis buds have essential compounds like THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, and others separated from the plant material. This process is done by using a solvent for extraction as well as utilizing solventless extraction methods.
· Closed loop extraction- solvent is passed over plant material, then collected to be passed over the plant material several times for maximum extraction. Closed-loop extraction systems are very expensive, costing thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars. This method for extracting cannabis is commonly utilized by professional extraction facilities.
· Open loop extraction- solvent is passed through an open-end tube containing plant material and a filter on the open end. This is a common black market method and can be very dangerous as gases can escape creating a potential risk for explosion and fire.
Solvent Extraction
This type of extraction is performed using a solvent of choice. Once the solvent is chosen, it is then washed over ground-up cannabis buds before passing through a filtration screen where a sticky, resinous oil is left behind. This oil is then purged to help remove leftover impurities using a vacuum oven.
· Butane extraction BHO (butane honey oil)
· Propane extraction PHO (propane honey oil)
· Hexane HHO (hexane honey oil)
Solventless Extraction
This type of extraction technique utilizes a different method for extraction rather than butane, propane, or hexane. Some people prefer these methods for their purity. When a solventless extraction is done, it most commonly utilizes CO2 for the extraction process.
· CO2- is used in conjunction with a closed-loop extraction system.
· Ice water Extraction- ice water is used to break trichomes from cured cannabis.
· Heat and Pressure- a combination of the two is used to extract or “squish” plant resins from cannabis.
Now that you know how cannabis concentrates are extracted let’s go over some of the different types of cannabis concentrates.
Different Types of Cannabis Concentrates
When it comes to cannabis concentrates, consumers have all kinds of options. Let’s take a look at some of the most common cannabis concentrates and learn a little bit about them.
Shatter
Shatter is typically high in THC and has a consistency similar to thin glass or peanut brittle. Sometimes it is pliable and can be stretched or twisted. When this occurs, it is commonly referred to as snap-and-pull. Shatter typically has high THC, averaging between 75 to 90% THC.
Wax
Wax has a consistency similar to candle wax when it’s warm yet solid. Some people prefer wax as it is easier to work with than shatter. Some even say the taste profile is more flavorful. Wax averages a THC percentage of 55 to 80%.
Budder
Budder has a creamy consistency similar to butter. Unlike wax or shatter, this type of concentrate doesn’t break off into little pieces. It is very easy to work with using a dab tool. Budder is known to carry flavorful terpene profiles while also housing potent THC levels of around 60 to 80%.
Sauce
Sauce is a gooey oily liquid type of concentrate. It is often times added to other dabs because of its exquisite flavor profile. Sauce has a rich terpene profile and normally has a strong THC percentage of around 70% or higher.
Diamonds
Diamonds or THC crystals are a chunky diamond-like looking variety of cannabis concentrate made using a unique extraction, temperature, and purge technique. The crystals can be broken apart using a dab tool. Diamonds are often placed into sauce. This particular variety of cannabis concentrate often comes in with extremely high levels of THC that average 90% or more.
Crumble
Crumble is a variety of cannabis concentrate that is both potent and flavorful. It has a consistency similar to wax but also in line with bubble hash. Crumble is dry as far as concentrates go and can be difficult to work with using a dab tool. It is common to slightly heat a dab tool in order to make crumble easier to work with. Most crumble has an average THC level between 55-80%.
Distillate
Distillate is a thick sticky oil containing THC and or CBD. Unlike the other varieties of cannabis concentrate, this one comes in a syringe. It can be used like other concentrates. Many people enjoy this variety of concentrate for its ease of application. It’s also known to be flavorful and potent, with an average THC level of 70 to 85%.
Rosin
Rosin is typically produced using heat and pressure without any kind of solvent. It is considered to be a purer product than ones made using other methods of extraction and is also a little more expensive.
Live Resin
Live resin is made from freshly harvested cannabis instead of cured cannabis, like other forms of cannabis concentrates are made. Fresh plant material is flash frozen and then extracted using one of several different solvent-based extraction techniques, or it can be pressed like rosin.
Why Do People Choose Cannabis Concentrates?
Cannabis concentrates are a choice for many cannabis consumers, especially medical cannabis patients, because of their ability to work exceptionally well at helping control symptoms associated with pain, anxiety, stress, nausea, and other conditions.
The extremely high levels of cannabinoids found in cannabis concentrate work exceptionally well for individuals who suffer from chronic pain. Unlike cannabis edibles or cannabis topicals, cannabis concentrates work extremely fast.
Of course, this particular method of cannabis consumption isn’t for everyone. If you’re new to cannabis concentrates, remember to go slow. A dab will do. In most cases, a dib (tiny dab) will be sufficient to experience the effects of the concentrate without creating an uncomfortable coughing experience.
Medical cannabis may be just the thing you need if you’re looking for some help fighting one or more of the many medical conditions, so many people face today. Perhaps it’s time for you to become a medical cannabis patient.
Disclaimer:The information, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other material contained in this article, is for informational purposes only. No material from this article is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking a new healthcare regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
