Cannabis Concentrates & Extracts Explained
You may have heard about cannabis concentrates and extracts but aren’t sure where to start. The high potency of concentrates can be an intimidating factor in exploring this way of partaking in cannabis. While marijuana flower generally contain a THC factor between 10% - 25%, concentrates can go up to 80% and even 100% (at which point they are called isolates).
But once empowered with the right information, you’ll find that there’s nothing to be afraid of. Read on to deep-dive into the world of concentrates and open up a whole new range of possibilities in partaking in the bud.
What Are Cannabis Concentrates & Extracts?
Cannabis concentrates and extracts all start with the humble marijuana flower. The flower goes through an extraction process called purging. Purging isolates the chemicals responsible for producing the euphoric effects you know and love. Once isolated into a concentrate, the chemicals (cannabinoids and terpenes) can create other forms of potent cannabis products.
There are two main extraction methods used in creating concentrates: solvent and solventless processes. Both are effective, though some people prefer solventless extraction because they consider it to be the more natural. Both extraction methods are regulated and conducted in a controlled environment.
-
This process of purging requires adding a substance to the marijuana flower, like ethanol, propane, or butane. This method extracts cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant to produce a concentrated solution. This solution then creates products like crumble, live resin, sauce, budder, shatter or wax.
Solvents that can mix with water are called polar, while solvents that don’t mix well with water are called non-polar. Choosing the right solvent depends on the desired concentrate end-product. For example, ethanol solvents are ideal to use to create cannabis tinctures, but CO2 fluid is preferred to make cannabis oil. -
This method of extraction uses heat, pressure and filtration to purge the chemicals needed to make concentrates. You may have heard of dry sift/dry sieve methods versus ice water/bubble hash extraction.
The dry method requires rubbing dried cannabis over a sieve to isolate the flower’s resin glands, where the plant’s chemicals are stored. The result is kief, and you may have seen it as crumbly whitish powder that you can sprinkle over a pre-roll or over a bowl.
The ice water method mixes ice water with marijuana flower before carefully filtering it. After drying the resin glands, it’s ready to consume or transform into other products such as hash.
Variations of Cannabis Concentrates & Extracts
Now that you know how concentrates are made, let’s explore the different types of concentrates you can get your hands on at your local dispensary.
CBD
CBD is the short version of cannabidiol. Even if THC is the most common compound in marijuana flowers, it’s possible to produce plants with high levels of CBD instead. This compound is not intoxicating like THC. In fact, once extracted, it’s used to treat medical ailments like pain, depression and insomnia. At your dispensary, you’ll find CBD in edibles, oils or even vape products.
CBN
CBN, or cannabinol, is also a non-intoxicating compound that occurs in older marijuana flower once exposed to air or light. As THC ages, it transforms into CBN. It produces antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits, among others. You’ll find CBN as edibles, and though some claim that is can be used as a sleep aid, this effect has not been scientifically proven.
THC
THC is the short version of tetrahydrocannabinol. It is essentially the cannabinoid that gets you high. Most marijuana flowers are THC-dominant, and range from 10% to 30% in concentration. Once extracted as a concentrate, the potency of THC increases dramatically and is generally equated to a more intense effect.
CBG
CBG is the easier-to-remember acronym for cannabigerol. It is yet another type of non-intoxicating cannabinoid. It can reduce inflammation, pain, nausea, and other symptoms. In its natural state, you can find CBG in low-THC and high-CBD varieties of cannabis, like hemp. Although you can buy CBG as oil, it’s a rare and expensive option. Another way to enjoy its benefits is with a CBD oil that contains a wide range of cannabinoids without the THC.
Forms of Cannabis Concentrates & Extracts
As previously mentioned, cannabis concentrates can be transformed into a variety of products for you to enjoy. But what’s the difference between them? Let’s explore some common ones you’ll find at your dispensary.
Wax
It’s no surprise that wax gets its name from resembling, well, wax. It's also known as “butter,” “badder,” “sugar,” “honeycomb,” “cake icing,” and other creatively delicious ways to describe the extract’s hard-but-pliable texture. It is most commonly used for dabbing, but you can add it to bowls, joints and blunt, or even vaporized. In fact, wax can be enjoyed without having to smoke the plant, making it a great option for medical patients.
Shatter
Shatter and wax are very similar chemically and the main difference is only in their texture and appearance. Shatter is solid and translucent (though amber in color) and looks like glass. To make shatter, a solvent like butane is used to strip away the chemicals from the cannabis plant, and then the oil is further transformed. One reason you would reach for shatter is to enjoy its potency in a concentrated, compact form, using a dab ring, or vaporized.
Live Resin
If you enjoy the flavor profiles of your plants, live resin could be a great option for you. It is extracted from flash-frozen fresh flower which preserve terpenes (which make up the plant’s aroma and taste profile). Compared to other extraction processes, this is the tastiest one.
The Benefits of Using Concentrates & Extracts
Concentrates and extracts are a great way to enjoy cannabis in a new and exciting way. There are a wide range of textures, tastes, shapes and forms that you can choose from depending on your needs and the benefits you are looking for.
One advantage of consuming concentrates for medical purposes is that some concentrates are full-spectrum, meaning they have all the cannabinoids and terpenes. When combined, these chemicals work together to give you the entourage effect, which means a more intense result.
Not all concentrates need fancy equipment. Although often dabbed, vaporized or used with a dab rig, you can also go the simple route by buying edibles or adding them to a bowl. If you want to take your concentrate on-the-go, you can also get them as oils in a pre-filled cartridge for quick and easy consumption.
As you probably guessed, the main benefit of reaching for concentrates are their high levels of chemicals. A little goes a long way, so you can enjoy a more intense high. Remember to dose slow and steady and you’re on your way to a great trip.
Shop At Fyreants
Now that you know a little more about cannabis flower, what it is, the endless varieties, and how it is transformed into various products, you can feel more confident next time you walk into your local dispensary. There are no right or wrong questions, only curiosity, and willingness to learn. Enjoy the trip!