The Essential Guide to Cannabis Concentrates

In recent years, cannabis concentrates have skyrocketed in popularity. Delivering an unsurpassed level of purity and potency in an efficient and discreet package, this comes as no surprise to cannabis concentrate connoisseurs. But their numerous, creatively-named formulations, unusual new gear, and reputation for being out-of-this-world strong can make marijuana concentrates seem intimidating at first glance.

In this article, we de-mystify cannabis concentrates – describing each type and what to expect from it, as well as popular consumption methods, pros and cons, and our recommendations for today’s best cannabis concentrate brands.

What are Cannabis Concentrates?

Cannabis concentrates are, as the name implies, highly concentrated cannabis extracts that produce incredibly efficient and potent effects. Concentrates are made by separating resin from the cannabis plant, using either a solvent, heat, cold, or pressure. The consistency and potency of cannabis concentrates vary depending on the processing method used, but all of them offer a high concentration of cannabinoids in a very small, quick-onset dose.

Types of Cannabis Concentrate

The sheer number of cannabis concentrate options available may seem overwhelming at first, but each type has a unique set of characteristics and offers a different user experience. Here’s a look at what each type of cannabis concentrate has to offer.

Wax Concentrates

Cannabis wax is a dense, waxy, sticky substance, created by using a butane solvent to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from the marijuana plant at a high temperature. Wax concentrate somewhat resembles cake frosting and can range from light yellow to dark brown. Since the terpenes are well-preserved, cannabis wax concentrates tend to retain a good amount of flavor and aromatics, and they are one of the least pricey concentrate options.

Budder and Badder

Budder and badder are very similar to cannabis wax concentrate. The primary difference is that budder and batter are whipped longer than wax, giving them a somewhat softer consistency. As one might infer from the names, budder’s consistency is similar to butter, and badder’s is similar to cake batter.

Crumble/Honeycomb and Sugar

Crumble (also known as “honeycomb”) and sugar are similar to budder, but more brittle, due to being extracted at a lower temperature. Both of these concentrates resemble clumps of sand or sugar – with crumble being a bit drier than cannabis “sugar.” Both varieties tend to be incredibly flavorful.

Shatter

Shatter is one of the most popular weed concentrates, largely because it’s one of the purest and most potent types on the market – typically upwards of 80% THC. Shatter tends to be slightly sticky and resembles a translucent, amber-colored sheet of broken glass.

Crystalline

Resembling clear or yellow-tinged quartz crystals, crystalline is the purest cannabinoid isolate possible. Since THC doesn’t take a crystalline form, most products advertised as “THC Crystals” are actually THCA isolates – which convert to THC when heated. Crystalline CBD concentrates (often called CBD isolates) are also widely available. These concentrates can be quite potent. However, they lack the full-spectrum “entourage effect” benefits of terpenes and other plant material, and they are virtually flavorless.

Diamonds and Sauce

Sometimes called “terp sauce.” this concentrate is a sticky, syrupy blend of terpenes and THCA cannabinoid crystals. “Diamonds” refers to THCA crystals that remain suspended in the sauce. Sauce is translucent, flavorful, and can range from clear to brown in color.

Live Resin

Somewhere between sauce and wax, live resin is a shiny, sticky, aromatic, and quite potent concentrate solvent extracted from cannabis that was frozen immediately after harvest – preserving the “live” plant compounds and thus delivering the full-spectrum entourage effect and strong, smooth flavor.

Rosin

As with live resin, cannabis rosin is extracted from plants that are immediately frozen upon harvest. The difference is that rosin is extracted using only heat and pressure – no solvents. While this form of extraction does not allow for the targeted isolation of specific compounds, it does offer a completely pure plant extract and retains all of the whole-plant benefits. Thus, cannabis rosin tends to be one of the most expensive concentrate options.

Hash and Bubble Hash

Hash or “hashish” is another solventless and flavorful cannabis extract, created by placing cannabis buds under pressure to extract their resin and trichomes. Ice hash or “bubble hash” is similarly made with extracted trichomes and weed resin, but instead, ice water is used as the separating agent. Hash resembles a sticky powder, which is then pressed into discs or bricks to be sold. Bubble hash’s consistency more closely resembles brown sugar.

How to Use Cannabis Concentrates

• Dab Rig – “Dabbing” is the best-known way of consuming cannabis concentrates. This requires the use of a glass or silicon dab rig, a tabletop device similar to a bong. A butane torch is used to heat a small glass or metal piece (known as a “nail” or a “banger”). Next, the concentrate is added, creating inhalable vapor once the cannabis comes in contact with the hot nail. Popular variations to full-sized dab rigs include mini dab rigs and electric dab rigs, which rely on electricity to heat the nail instead of a handheld torch.

• Dab Pens – For a dabbing experience on the go, or for extra discretion, dab pens are essentially a cross between a dab rig and a vape pen. However, unlike vape pens, dab pens involve placing the concentrate directly on a heated coil inside the pen, instead of inserting a pre-filled cartridge. Both disposable dab pens and multi-use pens are available.
• Vaping – Some portable electronic vape pens are compatible with specific types of cannabis concentrates (a popular example is live resin carts), making them easy to enjoy on the go and with discretion.
• As an Enhancement – Cannabis concentrates are sometimes added to edibles or sprinkled or spread atop pre-rolls or loose flower to boost their potency.

Benefits of Cannabis Concentrates

Here are some of the biggest benefits weed concentrates have over other cannabis formulations:

• • Purity – Cannabis concentrates are known for delivering a “clean” high, as they are composed of no ingredients other than pure plant compounds.

• Fast Onset – The effects of inhaled concentrates can be felt near-instantly, unlike edibles, which can take hours to kick in.
• Flavor – While some concentrates (such as isolates) are virtually flavorless, others, like live rosin or shatter, impart a particularly pure, plant-like flavor that many connoisseurs greatly enjoy.
• Potency – For high efficiency in a small dose, nothing quite compares to cannabis concentrates. Using a tiny amount of product, you can achieve a strong high and/or superb pain relief in a single dose.
• Light Aroma – Unlike smoking flower, dabbing cannabis concentrates won’t fill the room with a lingering, unmistakable odor – which can help you stay discreet if you live with roommates and prevent exposing pets or children to secondhand smoke.
• Discreet and Clean – Cannabis concentrates generally do not require an elaborate stash box, as they are typically packaged in flat plastic bags or small containers that seal in any odor. While dabbing generally does require some equipment setup, there is very little cleanup involved afterward – unlike the aftermath of grinding and rolling your own joints.

Drawbacks of Cannabis Concentrates

For most, the benefits of marijuana concentrate far outweigh the drawbacks, but cannabis extracts aren’t for everyone. Be sure to consider the following before getting started with cannabis concentrates.

• Potency – The potency level of THC concentrates may be unmanageably high for some users. People with a low THC tolerance, those who frequently experience adverse side effects (such as paranoia), and those who must remain relatively “sober” for employment, driving, or parenting purposes may be better off using a less-potent form of weed.
• Expense – Cannabis concentrates tend to be significantly more expensive than other formulations. In addition to the concentrates themselves, the equipment required to properly enjoy them can also involve a high startup cost.
• Learning Curve – The necessity of learning how to use unfamiliar equipment and gauge the dose size of such a potent substance puts some people off of marijuana concentrates. The learning process truly can take some time and may require assistance from a budtender, friend, caregiver, or internet resources to get it right.
• Physical Risk – Smoking any substance, including cannabis concentrates, carries the risk of permanent lung damage. Aside from that, many concentrate consumption methods carry a risk of burning oneself or even causing an explosion. The butane used to heat dab nails can also be a lung irritant.

How to Shop for Cannabis Concentrates

If you’re ready to give cannabis concentrates a try, here’s what to look for when you get to the dispensary.

Concentrate Type

Narrowing down which type of concentrate you’d like to use is a great starting point. Are you looking for the highest potency possible? Do you prefer a sumptuous whole-plant flavor or none at all? What kind of gear do you have (or wish to purchase)? These questions will guide you toward the right cannabis concentrate for you.

Extraction Method

The way a concentrate is extracted from the cannabis plant affects everything from its texture and purity level to the sensory user experience. Some concentrates are made with the use of solvents (including isolates, waxes, and live resin), while others are extracted via solventless methods (including rosin and hash). There are pros and cons to each method. Solvents are necessary to craft pure cannabinoid isolate concentrates and control the cannabinoid and terpene profile of the concentrate. Plus, solvent-extracted concentrates tend to be less expensive. However, solventless concentrates are worth it for those seeking the purest product possible.

Composition

Of course, the most important thing to consider is the cannabinoid and terpene profile of your concentrate. Are you looking for that 90% THC super-high or for a more balanced CBD:THC ratio for pain relief? Terpene profiles can make a difference as well, altering the taste, scent, and to some degree the overall effects of the concentrate. Some brands offer a range of concentrate options made from different strains, which can also deliver significantly different effects.

Price

Since concentrates are generally more expensive than flower, edibles, and other common cannabis mediums, budget-conscious buyers can greatly benefit from researching which concentrate brands are worth the price, or taking advantage of special promotional deals if your local dispensary offers them.

Plant Quality

Look for concentrates made from organically-grown cannabis wherever possible. The cannabis plant is a bio-accumulator, meaning that it soaks up and holds onto chemicals it’s exposed to in its growing environment. Buying organic-equivalent cannabis gives the best shot at a product grown without pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, or other toxic chemicals.

Positive Recommendations

If you’re still not sure where to begin with cannabis concentrates, seek out a second opinion from someone already familiar with them. In-store budtenders can be an invaluable resource, helping you narrow down your choices and understand how to use them. Also, spend some time perusing online reviews to get a feel for which brands consistently get the highest praise from users. To kickstart your concentrate shopping, we’ve included a list of our personal favorite cannabis concentrate brands from all over the US.

Our Favorite Cannabis Concentrates