How to Choose the Best Cannabis Concentrates

Of all the types of cannabis out there, concentrates are one of the most versatile and varied. When choosing any cannabis product, you need to consider several factors such as personal preferences, CBD content, THC level, and method of consumption, and weed concentrates are no exception.

If you want a clean and smooth high, you’ll want to try cannabis concentrates. Concentrates have various types and forms. Compared to other cannabis products, they offer the highest potency derived from the cannabis flower. Before trying concentrates, you need to understand what they are and how you can enjoy them. Read on to find out everything you should know about cannabis concentrates.

Cannabis concentrates include high amounts of cannabinoids which are responsible for the effects you feel. They also contain terpenes with the cannabis aroma, taste, flavor, and other cannabis compounds. Due to such high levels of cannabinoids, they have an average THC level of 54%-69%. Some concentrates have been reported to have 90% THC levels.

Cannabis concentrates are usually consumed through dabs. Small parts of concentrates can be vaped from a dab rig, a vaporizer, or a pipe – glass water pipes are created explicitly for vaping concentrates. Cannabis concentrates are made using two different processes: solvent extraction and solventless extraction. Solvent extraction utilizes chemicals like butane or carbon dioxide. It helps separate the essential compounds: cannabinoids and terpenes. Solventless extraction involves separating the cannabinoids and terpenes using heat and pressure instead of chemicals.Cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in humans, a system that was only discovered in 1988. We’ll cover more around the ECS later in this guide.

The Cannabis plant is grown and bred in various subvarieties, which gives each distinguishing features like varying appearances and effects. The effects of cannabis on humans is largely thanks to terpenes, which are the aromatic compounds essential oils are made from.

All extracts are concentrates, but not all concentrates are extracts. The biggest difference between the two is how the trichomes are collected.

Extracts are a form of concentrate derived using solvents like alcohol and carbon dioxide. These wash off the trichomes of the cannabis plant. Some examples of extracts are Butane Hash Oil, CO2 extracted cannabis wax and Rick Simpson Oil. They vary in texture and are known as shatter, badder, budder, and crumble.

Concentrates derived without using these solvents are produced using mechanical means to separate and collect trichomes. Rosin, dry sift, and kief are all concentrates made without solvents.

There are two significant cannabinoids found in cannabis: CBD and THC. Each has unique properties, producing different effects and offering varying potency levels.

CBD offers a non-psychoactive property popular in wellness products. It has healing, calming, and anti-inflammatory properties. On the other hand, THC has a psychoactive element that produces a happy, euphoric experience. The THC level and potency can vary depending on the plant strain.

Terpenoids or terpenes are aromatic components of oils in the cannabis flower. It is essential to retain the terpenes so that the end product has the aromas, flavors, and benefits of the original flower.

It’s crucial to consider the texture, potency level, aroma, aesthetics, extraction process, and taste before buying cannabis concentrate. While the texture does not affect the taste and potency level of the concentrate, it influences how you consume it.

Cannabis concentrates have high THC levels, which give a solid high. If you’re a beginner, you should start with cannabis concentrates with the lowest THC levels and slowly increase them as your body gets used to them.

The color and consistency of a concentrate tell you a lot about a product’s quality and production process. If the texture and color of the concentrate are consistent, then it’s pure.

Aroma is an essential factor to consider when buying a cannabis concentrate. The best cannabis concentrates have a familiar earthy aroma. If the smell is not very strong, the concentrate is, in most likelihood, made from an inferior quality plant.

Each cannabis concentrate has a unique quality and potency level. There are two main categories of concentrates: solvent based and solventless. When you visit a dispensary, you must talk to the budtenders about the kind of effect you’re seeking so that they can guide you to the perfect strain.

Concentrates differ in terms of the strain type, the concentrated form, and how the concentrate makes a difference. The different types of concentrates are:

Shatter: The word ‘shatter’ is derived from its glass-like consistency as it often breaks into tiny pieces when broken apart. It’s considered among the purest forms of concentrated marijuana and has a transparent or amber color. It has a solid, smooth, and sticky texture. When touched, it feels like thin sheets. The Butane Hash Oil extraction process creates shatter. It also undergoes an additional filtration process to ensure that the final product is pure and potent. Shatter provides a hard-hitting high.

Wax: This concentrate has the consistency of candle wax. Dabbing tools are used to handle specific concentrates. Wax is yellow and can be consumed using a rig or vaporizer.
Rosin: Rosin is made without solvents, different than shatter and wax. Heat and pressure are applied to the marijuana buds or kief. Due to the absence of solvents, rosin has many aromas and terpenes, making it a favorite among terpene lovers.

Oil: Oil concentrates are produced with CO2 instead of butane. Cannabis oils are used in vape pen cartridges or syringes and have a vivid taste. This is because the extraction process by CO2 saves more terpenes as it does not require high temperatures. Oil is commonly found in the CBD variety and is often used to make edibles.

Hash: Hash is a form of concentrates without a complicated extraction process. Hash is made by compressing kief into small greenish disks or pucks. Other hash forms are made using ice water and sifting through screens to collect the concentrated cannabis extract. Hash is one of the more potent concentrates containing up to 90% THC. It creates a sense of intense euphoria among users. Hash has medicinal uses, such as treating chronic pain, nausea, and inflammation. You can consume Hash oil by dabbing, applying it to the skin, smoking, or vaporizing it.

Butane Hash Oil (BHO): Butane Hash Oil is also known as hydrocarbon extract. These are cannabis concentrates that use butane and propane as a pressurized chemical solvent. BHO extracts have different potency levels. Dabbing is the most common way of consuming a BHO product form.

Distillate Oil: Distillate Oil is also called crude extract because it maintains a high level of terpenes throughout the process. THC or CBD only remains if it’s further refined. This pure form has little to no flavor. It’s usually used in edibles, topical products, and vape pens. Terpenes are often added to the oil to give it the cannabis flavor and effect.

Crumble: When the temperature and moisture levels are increased during the extraction process, some waxes are left with a drier texture. This creates the crumble or honeycomb texture which resembles a beehive.

Live Resin: Live Resin uses frozen plant material to maintain its profile. This process ensures that the terpenes are preserved. Live Resin is widely sought after because of its strong aroma and flavor. However, the texture varies; it can be hard, waxy, or sticky. Medical use of Live Resin helps treat patients suffering from stress, pain, and nausea. It can be consumed by dabbing or vaping and should be stored in an air-tight container in a cool space. If you don’t plan on using it for some time, leave it in the fridge. Like most other concentrates, it will lose its aroma and flavor profile if you leave it out in the open.

While hash oil or honey oil resembles a gooey liquid wax, budder and wax are soft solids with a lip balm-like texture. Shatter is a hard, amber-colored solid. Hash oil and wax are consumed using vape pens, while solids are usually heated on titanium, quartz, or ceramic platform.

Cannabis in any form can cause adverse effects if not used correctly. Solvent-based products are potent, with an average THC level of 54-69%. Sometimes the THC level exceeds 80%. Non-solvent-based extraction methods lead to THC levels between 39% and 60%. Since dabbers often inhale the entire quantity in a breath, the concentrates deliver copious amounts of THC.

The more a person is exposed to high concentrations of THC, the higher their tolerance will become to the psychoactive compound. In such high doses, it’s possible that consumption will lead increased anxiety and agitation.

One method to try is called “dabbing”. This consumption method involves the use of a dab rig which is similar to a bong. Take a small amount of the concentrate and put it on a small surface called a nail. It’s shaped like a bucket and can withstand high temperatures. Next, heat the concentrate and inhale the vapor for immediate and intense effects.

Another popular method of consuming concentrates is bowl topping. The concentrate is added to the cannabis flower that’s placed in a bowl (smoking device). It gives an extra kick without becoming too overwhelming for the user, especially if you are trying it for the first time. Bubble Hash is usually the preferred choice for bowl topping due to its combustion properties.

Alternatively, if you smoke a joint or a blunt, you can sprinkle the concentrate within the joint when rolling. This method is known as “twaxing”.

Store concentrates in a cool and dark place. Remember that the concentrate’s aroma, weight, and potency will decrease over time. If you have shatter, place it on parchment paper in a sealed bag. For other concentrates, put them in jars. If you are not going to use the concentrate within a week, it is best to store them in a refrigerator or freezer.

If you’re searching for hand-crafted, high-quality cannabis concentrates, look no further than Body and Mind. We carry a range of products, including concentrates, to meet your needs. When purchasing your concentrates from us, you can use the help of our expert budtenders, who help you choose the most suitable product for your needs.

At Body and Mind, our concentrates are in their purest forms. Besides concentrates, we have everything from pre-rolls and infused gummies to a large range of flower. Our flower has a diverse range of colors, complex aromas, and strain lineage. No matter what your preferences are, we’ve got you covered.

We have multiple dispensaries across the states in California, Ohio, Arkansas, and Michigan. You can drop by our stores or place an order online.