Popular among users who want a highly potent product, cannabis concentrates are extracted from the plant and contain high amounts of THC, CBD, and other compounds. Concentrates come in a wide variety of textures and production methods, all with an end result that’s more potent that traditional flower. 

Types of cannabis concentrates

“Cannabis concentrates” is a broad term encapsulating many different product types. They’ve evolved over the years, from homemade concentrates (think finger hash rolled from kief) to top quality, innovative extracts with dialed in effects. There are several different ways to create cannabis concentrates, with all falling into one of two popular categories: solvent-based or solventless. 

Solvent-based extraction methods work by dissolving cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds in a liquid (solvent) that evaporates, leaving only a highly concentrated substance. Popular solvent-based extraction methods include Butane Hash Oil (BHO), which uses butane to dissolve the plant’s resin, creating popular concentrates like shatter, badder, and live resin; CO2 extraction, which uses pressurized carbon dioxide as a solvent; and ethanol extraction, which uses alcohol to strip the compounds from the plant. 

Popular solventless methods include ice water/bubble hash, which works by submerging cannabis flower into freezing water with ice to cause the resin glands to break off; and rosin, which uses heat and pressure to strip the compounds from the plant.

Solvent-based concentrates:

Here’s a closer look at popular solvent-based cannabis concentrates:

• Crumble: A dry, crumbly concentrate that feels similar to a dry cookie 

• Badder: A soft, flexible concentrate with a golden brown hue

• Shatter: A fragile, glass-like concentrate that easily shatters

• Sauce: A viscous, terpene-rich liquid with a strong aroma. This concentrate often includes THCa crystalline and terpene-rich liquid, known as “diamonds and sauce.”

Solventless cannabis concentrates:

Here’s a closer look at popular solventless cannabis concentrates:

• Rosin: A sticky, aromatic concentrate with a rich flavor and full-plant effects

• Kief: A dust-like collection of sifted trichomes, often found in the bottom of a grinder

• Bubble hash: Available in several subtypes, bubble hash is most commonly available in a range of textures from loose, powdery form to full-melt substance

Fresh-frozen live concentrates

A popular concentrate type has emerged in both the solventless and solvent-based cannabis space: “live” concentrates. Live resin and live rosin are both terpene-rich cannabis concentrates made from fresh-frozen flower. The plant is flash-frozen right after harvest to maintain its freshness and natural compounds. 

Live resin extraction uses solvents while live rosin extraction relies on heat and pressure. These are often preferred by users who want an experience that’s as close to the plant as possible. Live resin and live rosin both preserve the original terpene and cannabinoid profiles to deliver a potent, aromatic, and flavorful experience. 

You may see live resin sauce, live rosin crumble, live resin shatter, live rosin badder, etc. on a label. This “live” description simply means the plant was flash frozen immediately after harvest to preserve the plant’s natural compounds. 

How to use cannabis concentrates 

Cannabis concentrate use goes back centuries, from early hashish use in the middle ages to old school hash and hot knives. In recent decades, dabbing has become one of the most popular ways to use cannabis concentrates. 

Dabbing cannabis concentrates

Dabbing cannabis concentrates involves heating and inhaling vaporized cannabis extracts with a tool called a dab rig. Dab rigs resemble bongs but are typically smaller with tighter airflow. 

To dab cannabis concentrates, you need to add water to your dab rig’s chamber. Then, heat your titanium or quartz dabber with a torch. Once the dabber is hot, you need to use it to grab a small amount of cannabis concentrate (much less than the amount of flower you’d add to a bong). Once you’ve applied your concentrate, it should begin to vaporize. Use the mouthpiece to slowly inhale the vapor. 

If you’re new to dabbing, it’s a good idea to start with a very small amount of cannabis concentrate. Dabbing is much more intense than smoking weed in the traditional manner. 

Vaporizing concentrates

You can also use portable dab/wax pens to consume cannabis concentrates. They contain small heating chambers where you can load your preferred extract and vape on the go. 

Many dry herb vaporizers now contain concentrate chambers, too. This allows users to switch between vaping dry herbs and vaping concentrates with a quick swap. 

Adding cannabis concentrate to joints and bowls

Some people like to top off their joints or bowls with a little bit of cannabis concentrate. You can find infused pre-rolls, which follow the same format, in many dispensaries. 

Adding cannabis concentrate to your joint or next bowl can take the experience to the next level, though you can expect the inhale to feel more harsh than with flower alone. 

How to store cannabis concentrates

Like storing cannabis flower, you need to store cannabis concentrates with care to keep them fresh and potent. The best way to prevent terpene loss and general degradation is to keep your cannabis concentrates in a dark, cool, and dry place. A dark cabinet or drawer that stays cool and is away from windows and electronics is a great place to store your concentrates for a couple of weeks. 

Some people like to keep their concentrates in the refrigerator for short-term storage. This can work well so long as the container is tightly sealed to prevent any moisture leakage. Be sure to check that the container doesn’t advise against refrigeration, too. 

For long-term storage, the freezer is a safe place for many cannabis concentrates. Just avoid freezing and thawing repeatedly, as this can quickly lead to loss of potency. Keep them away from other food, too, as they tend to absorb nearby odors. When it’s time to use your frozen cannabis concentrates, let them thaw gradually rather than heating them up rapidly.

How to choose the right cannabis concentrates

The right cannabis concentrates for your needs will depend on several factors. Here’s how to choose:

1. Consider your tolerance and experience level: If you are new to cannabis concentrates, wax and budder concentrates may offer more manageable dosing options. 

2. Preferred consumption method: Do you plan to dab your concentrates or do you want to consume while on the go? 

3. Flavor preferences: Do you care about the flavor or just want something that’s potent and effective? Those who want to maximize the flavor experience should use live resin or live rosin as it captures the natural flavor and aroma of the plant at harvest time.

4. Extraction method: Some people are strictly solventless concentrate users because they want a pure experience free of any chemicals. Others opt for solvent-based because they provide high potencies at a reasonable price. Your choice is entirely up to you. 

Endless options with cannabis concentrates

As we’ve highlighted in this guide, there are endless options with cannabis concentrates. You can choose solventless or solvent-based options. You can have thick and crumbly substances or viscous, syrupy liquids. Dab rigs, dab pens, and even joints can all be used as consumption methods depending on your preference. 

As a general rule, cannabis concentrates are generally significantly more potent than flower. If you’re new to using them, be sure to start low and go slow.