The marijuana plant has undergone extensive changes over the years and now comes in various forms. From bud to wax, shatter, oil, tinctures, and even vape pens – the options are seemingly endless when it comes to cannabis products. Of all these forms of cannabis, concentrates have become increasingly popular due to their high THC levels. Concentrates come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from simple oils like Rick Simpson oil to highly concentrated extracts like honey oil.
Different types of concentrates can be made using various methods such as closed-loop, CO2 extraction or butane honey oil (BHO). Making your own concentrate requires special equipment and knowledge of solvents. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at how marijuana concentrates are made and discuss the differences between live resin, wax, shatter, earwax, and other types of popular cannabis extracts.
Table of Contents
What are marijuana concentrates?
To comprehend cannabis concentrates, let’s first understand the psychoactive components in cannabis and how concentrates extract these elements from the rest of the plant. Not only can concentrates pack a powerful punch, but they also offer a range of unique tastes and aromas.
- Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are compounds that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, located in the brain and other areas. Scientists have identified a whopping 113 cannabinoids in cannabis. Some of the most fascinating ones include: THC, CBD, CBC, CBN, CBG
- Trichomes
Trichomes are the microscopic, mushroom-shaped compounds found on cannabis plants. These hair-like outgrowths surround the budding marijuana flower and produce the plant’s cannabinoids .
- Terpenes
Terpenes are organic compounds found in plants and even certain animals, giving off different scents, flavors, and colors that we can associate with each one. Specifically for cannabis, terpenes differentiate one strain from another based on their unique aromas and tastes.
How are cannabis concentrates made?
Cannabis extracts and concentrates are becoming more and more popular now that marijuana is becoming legalized in many states. These products are made by extracting the THC from cannabis, creating a concentrated mass of cannabinoids. They can be used to make vape cartridges, waxes, earwax, tinctures, and many other forms of marijuana products. There are two main types of cannabis concentrate:
- Solvent-based extraction
- Solventless extracts.
Solvent-based extraction uses a chemical solvent like butane or propane to extract the plant oils from the parts of cannabis plants including flowers and leaves. This type of extraction usually results in a higher concentration of THC than solventless extracts. The most commonly referred method for making concentrates using solvent-based extraction is butane hash oil (BHO).
Solventless extracts are made without the use of any chemical solvents. Compresses and heats the substance using a combination of heat and pressure to extract essential oils from the plant material. This form of extraction results in a lower concentration of THC, but it also retains more of the original flavor and aroma of the cannabis flower. The most popular forms of solventless extractions include rosin, bubblehash, ice water hash, dry sift, and cold ethanol extraction.
What’s the difference between Solventless concentrates vs. Solvent-Based Extracts
Cannabis concentrates and extracts are often used interchangeably; however, they are two different products.
- Concentrates are made using solventless
- Extracts are made using solvents.
This implies that all extracts are concentrates, but not all concentrates are extracts.
NON-SOLVENT CONCENTRATES
Non-solvent concentrates are produced using only heat and pressure to extract cannabis compounds, unlike extracts that use solvents. But beware! In the world of cannabis, water isn’t a solvent. So, concentrates that include water in their preparation can’t be classified as extracts. Keep this in mind next time you’re shopping for cannabis products.
- KIEF
- Hash
- Charas
- Bubble hash
- Rosin hash
SOLVENT-BASED CONCENTRATES
Solvent-based extraction involves soaking the plant in a chemical solution to dissolve trichomes, which contain most of the cannabinoid content. Once complete, the residue is removed and the solution evaporated, leaving behind pure cannabis extract. This process can utilize various chemicals, but requires careful consideration to ensure the purity and safety of the final product.
- BHO & PHO
- CO2 Oil
- Alcohol
How to Consume Cannabis Concentrates
There are different methods of consuming cannabis concentrates, and each method requires specific tools and equipment. The most common methods are dabbing, vaping, Making topicals, and adding to edibles.
Smoking remains the most popular form of ingestion by use of water or oil pipes as well as rolling papers. Vaping with vape cartridges has become increasingly popular due to its convenience and portability. Edibles like gummies, chocolates, and brownies are another popular way to consume cannabis products. Tinctures and topicals can also be used as an alternate route of consumption.
- Dabbing involves using a dab rig, which is a specialized pipe that heats up the concentrate to create vapor.
- Vaping, on the other hand, uses a vaporizer to heat up the concentrate, producing a concentrated vapor that is inhaled.
- Adding cannabis concentrates to edibles involves mixing it into food or drink to create a potent cannabis-infused product.
- Topical options for concentrates offer targeted relief without the high feeling commonly associated with cannabis use. This innovative method is perfect for those looking for pain relief without psychoactive effects.
So Many Cannabis Concentrates, How to decode the concentrates name
When browsing cannabis concentrates or extracts, it’s typical to see
- The input material list first
- Followed by the extraction method
- And sometimes the resulting texture.
This information is key to understanding what you’re consuming and helps you make an informed decision.
Input material
Cannabis concentrate-making starts with the cannabis flower buds, leaves, and stems – combinedly known as the input material. By tweaking this material, experts can control the resulting cannabinoid and terpene profile to create mouth-watering flavors and super potent substances.
- Nug run refers to flower that has been dried and cured
- Trim run refers to dried leaves.
- Whole plant means that the entire plant was utilized.
- Live Resin, which refers to flash frozen cannabis as opposed to dried varieties.
Different strains of cannabis contain unique properties, making them ideal for different needs.
Texture
The texture description can be confusing, we get it. This element of the product name specifies the concentrate’s appearance and texture, but not necessarily how it’ll taste or make you feel. That said, let’s clarify some of the texture descriptions you can expect when browsing concentrates:
- Budder and badder have soft, buttery textures that come in shades of yellow and orange. It’s great for spreading on a joint or blunt or for use in a dab rig.
- Crumble, on the other hand, has a more brittle consistency, but with the same color range as budder/badder.
- Crystalline is crystalized cannabinoid ranging in size from small rocks to powder, and generally a white to pale yellow color.
- Sauce is gooey with deep golden to mustard-like colors
- Shatter is brittle and glass-like, coming in a range of colors from golden yellow to bright amber.
- Sugar concentrates have syrupy textures and colors ranging from bright yellow to amber.
Conclusion
Exploring the world of cannabis concentrates can be a complex journey through science and flavor. However, it is an enriching experience that uncovers the most captivating aspects of cannabis. By highlighting and amplifying the effects and flavors, familiar strains can become new and exciting experiences. This is where the boundaries of cannabis’ highs and benefits are pushed to unprecedented levels. Come and discover the countless possibilities that this world has to offer.