If you’re new to cannabis (or returning after a break), the topic of cannabis concentrates may be a head-scratcher. We wouldn’t blame you if this new product seems a far cry from whole-plant flower. Indeed, cannabis concentrates are the newest and most radical form of marijuana products to hit the market. And when it comes to how to use concentrates, one thing’s for sure: They’re not for everyone, and beginners certainly need a thorough introduction before deciding to dive in.
That’s because concentrates pack extremely high potency compared to good old-fashioned cannabis flower. That said, they also offer an unparalleled experience and the potential for some truly out-of-this-world flavors. If you’ve been wondering: “What is THC concentrate?”—today’s post will tell you everything you need to know.
What Is THC Concentrate? An Introduction
Since bursting onto the cannabis scene in the late 1990s, cannabis concentrates have been a game changer. Potent, portable, and shelf stable, concentrates encompass a large family of products that have truly revolutionized the cannabis experience.
While concentrates can appear in any number of variations—including wax, shatter, badder, budder, live resin, and others still—there are some common elements to all of them. First and foremost, when it comes to discovering the best way to smoke concentrates, the answer is “a little at a time.” Because many concentrates boast a THC content exceeding 70% or more, they deliver an extremely high dose of this intoxicating cannabinoid. For those of us who are not used to such potency, we recommend treading lightly so your experience with concentrates doesn’t provoke unwanted temporary side effects such as dizziness, paranoia, and a racing heart.
Obviously, we’d like to help you avoid all these negative effects. But before we dive into the topic of how to use concentrates, let’s talk a little about the major formulations.
How to Use Concentrates: The Solvent Question
When it comes to understanding cannabis concentrates, the first question is often whether they’ve been produced with solvents or not. In this usage, we’re using the word “solvents” to describe the products used to separate the “active ingredients” such as potent cannabinoids and aromatic terpenes from the cannabis flower. And while all solvents are carefully and completely removed from the finished product, some people feel there’s a qualitative difference between solvent-based and solventless cannabis concentrates.
For what it’s worth, here at Exclusive we feel that each type has its pros and cons. We go out of our way to source the very best-quality concentrates—solvent-based and solventless—we can find.
Three of the most popular solventless products include rosin, kief, and hash. Let’s run down all three of them:
- Rosin: Rosin is the simplest concentrate, made by applying gentle heat and pressure to cannabis flower. Requiring little in terms of equipment, it’s a popular—and relatively safe—type of concentrate to make at home.
- Kief: Made by mechanically separating the cannabinoid-filled trichomes that coat ultra-fresh cannabis flower, kief can be consumed on its own or sprinkled atop flower in joints, pipes, or blunts.
- Hash: Made from pressed kief, hash (or hashish) is the first known true cannabis concentrate. And despite its age, it’s still a potent—and flavorful!—way to experience concentrates.
Then there’s the topic of solvent-based concentrates, sometimes known as extracts. Because these concentrates involve the use of flammable compounds, they’re made in laboratories using specialized equipment and careful techniques. In exchange, they offer a vast range of textures, consistencies, and flavors. Here are two of the most popular types.
- BHO: Thought to be the first modern extract, BHO is short for “butane hash oil.” This extract preserves much of the flower’s flavorful terpenes and potent cannabinoids, BTO is often made into “shatter,” a concentrate that comes in dried, candy-like shards. Another popular format is “wax,” known for a gooey consistency that’s easy to work with.
- Live Resin: Relatively new on the market, these concentrates preserve an extremely high proportion of terpenes, making them exceptionally flavorful. There’s also a solventless version known as “live rosin.”
Alongside these popular formats you’ll find many others, including “batter,” “budder,” “crumble,” “sugar,” and others still. Next time you visit one of our Michigan dispensaries, ask one of our knowledgable budtenders for expert advice on the specific qualities of each.
Best Way to Smoke Concentrates: A Matter of Preference
As we hinted earlier, the simplest way to use a cannabis concentrate is to crumble, spread, or sprinkle a little on a joint or a bowl. Or, for a more focused experience, many experienced users turn to a dab rig, a specialized piece of equipment made especially for enjoying cannabis concentrates. They’re akin to a vaporizer in that they heat the cannabis concentrate to the point at which the volatile cannabinoids and terpenes vaporize, producing a clean mist that tends to be easier on our lungs and airways than the smoke produced by burning cannabis.
The simplest dab rigs are nothing more than a “nail” or a “banger,” both of which are akin to a bowl in practical terms, plus a heating element such as a butane torch or an e-nail, and finally a pipe to draw the vaporized concentrate through.
Alternatively, there are more refined high-tech devices such as the G Pen Connect Vaporizer. Employing a ceramic heating element that eliminates the hassle of an exposed nail and torch, it delivers high-quality vapor production within five seconds of activation.
For those interested in a peak experience, serious tools such as the Puffco Peak Pro offer a seamless and intuitive experience for beginners while allowing more seasoned pros to dial in the exact experience they’re looking for with customizable controls.
Concentrate vs Flower High: A Word of Caution
Again, when compared with flower cannabis extract is highly potent. While the strongest flower typically boasts a THC percentage in the high 20% range and sometimes even more, cannabis concentrates can easily reach the 90% range in terms of THC potency. So be sure to approach them with respect and caution, as the effects can be surprisingly intense and long-lasting.
We hope today’s post deepens your knowledge and sparks your curiosity about cannabis concentrates. If you have any other questions about these fascinating cannabis products—or any other marijuana-related topics—don’t hesitate to ask. We’re here to help!
