Cannabis concentrates and flower are the two primary forms in which cannabis is consumed, each embodying distinct attributes, consumption methods, and effects. While flower refers to the traditional, dried buds of the cannabis plant, concentrates are more refined products derived from extracting potent compounds from the plant. This article provides an in-depth exploration of the differences between these forms, shedding light on their unique qualities and helping users decide which might best suit their needs.
Cannabis Flower: This is the most natural form of cannabis. It includes the dried and cured buds of the cannabis plant, which are typically ground and smoked but can also be vaporized or used in cooking. The flower is appreciated for its variety of strains, each offering different flavors, aromas, and effects due to their unique profiles of cannabinoids and terpenes.
Cannabis Concentrates: Concentrates are made by isolating the potent parts of the cannabis plant, specifically the cannabinoids and terpenes, through various extraction processes. These products are much more potent than flower and are available in many forms, including oils, waxes, shatter, and rosin. They are consumed in smaller quantities but deliver a stronger effect.
Unique Characteristics
Flavor and Aroma
- Flower: Offers a wide range of flavors and aromas which vary significantly between strains. These sensory characteristics are deeply influenced by the plant’s terpene profile.
- Concentrates: While some concentrates are designed to preserve the terpenes and offer a robust flavor and aroma, others might focus purely on cannabinoid content, often resulting in a less flavorful experience compared to flower.
Potency
- Flower: Generally has a lower potency, with THC levels ranging from 10% to 25%. This makes it suitable for users looking for a milder, more manageable high.
- Concentrates: These can have THC concentrations from 50% up to 90% or more. This high potency makes concentrates ideal for medicinal users who require intense symptom relief and seasoned recreational users seeking a more profound experience.
Types of Cannabis Concentrates
Cannabis concentrates represent a specialized category of products derived from the cannabis plant, specifically targeting the extraction of cannabinoids like THC and CBD, along with terpenes, to produce highly potent forms of cannabis. Each type of concentrate has its unique method of production, texture, and usage, catering to different preferences and consumption methods.
Hash
Hash, or hashish, is the oldest known cannabis concentrate. It is traditionally made by collecting the resin or kief from cannabis plants and compressing it into a solid block. There are various methods of making hash, including hand-rubbed, dry-sift, and charas. Each method influences the color, texture, and potency of the hash. The result is a malleable concentrate that can be smoked alone or mixed with flower in pipes, bongs, or rolled into joints.
Oils
Cannabis oils are versatile and widely-used concentrates extracted using solvents such as CO2, ethanol, or hydrocarbons like butane and propane. The extraction process strips away plant material and preserves the active cannabinoids and terpenes. The final product can be refined into various forms, including:
- Full-spectrum oils that maintain the profile of the original plant,
- Broad-spectrum oils that contain a wide range of cannabinoids but no THC,
- CBD oils that are predominantly CBD with trace to zero THC content.
These oils can be used in vape pens, added to edibles, or used sublingually.
Wax
Wax is a concentrate known for its sticky, malleable texture that resembles ear wax. This form is created by purging the solvent from hash oil using a vacuum oven, which agitates the oil under heat to create a solid yet pliable consistency. Wax can vary in texture from soft and pliable (budder) to more crumbly (crumble), each preferred for different methods of consumption such as dabbing or vaporizing.
Shatter
Shatter is named for its hard, brittle texture and glass-like appearance, which can easily shatter into pieces. It is made using butane or CO2 extraction methods, where the extracted oil is processed to remove waxes and fats, resulting in a clear to amber-colored product. Shatter is particularly popular for dabbing due to its clean break and smooth vaporization properties.
Rosin
Rosin is a solventless extract that is gaining popularity for its purity and simplicity in production. It is created by applying heat and pressure to cannabis flowers or hash, which squeezes out the oils containing THC, CBD, and terpenes. The process requires no solvents, making it a cleaner alternative to other concentrates. Rosin can be produced at home using simple tools like a hair straightener, making it accessible for DIY enthusiasts.
Live Resin
Another notable mention is live resin, made from fresh, frozen cannabis flowers instead of dried and cured buds. The use of fresh plant material helps to preserve the original terpene profile of the plant, resulting in a highly aromatic and flavorful concentrate. Live resin is often used in vape cartridges and dab rigs for its robust flavor and aroma.
How are Concentrates Made?
The production of cannabis concentrates is a sophisticated process that isolates the most desirable parts of the cannabis plant—the cannabinoids and terpenes. This process can be broadly categorized into solvent-based and solventless techniques, each employing different methods to extract these potent compounds.
Solvent-Based Extraction
Solvent-based extraction uses chemical solvents to dissolve the psychoactive and medicinal components from the plant material. The choice of solvent and method can vary, influencing the purity, texture, and potency of the final product:
- Butane Hash Oil (BHO): Butane is one of the most common solvents used for extraction due to its efficiency in pulling out valuable cannabinoids and terpenes. The plant material is packed into a column and butane is forced through it, capturing the active ingredients. The resulting mixture is then purged in a vacuum oven to boil off the butane, leaving behind the concentrate. Products such as shatter, wax, and budder are typically made using this method.
- CO2 Extraction: This method uses supercritical carbon dioxide to extract cannabinoids and terpenes. CO2 extraction is known for its ability to pull a wide array of compounds efficiently while leaving behind no residues, making it a cleaner alternative to butane. The process requires expensive, specialized equipment that can control the temperature and pressure needed to convert CO2 into a supercritical state—behaving as both a liquid and gas—which allows it to act as a solvent.
- Ethanol Extraction: Ethanol is a food-grade solvent effective in extracting a full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes but can also extract unwanted substances like chlorophyll, which may require additional post-processing. This method is often used for creating tinctures and can produce large quantities of concentrate at a relatively low cost.
Solventless Extraction
Solventless extraction methods do not use chemical solvents. Instead, they rely on heat, pressure, or filtration to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes:
- Rosin Pressing: Rosin technology has gained popularity for its simplicity and safety. It involves applying heat and pressure to cannabis flowers or hash, squeezing out the oil-rich resin. The process is quick, requires minimal equipment, and produces a pure, potent product that retains a high terpene profile without the risk of residual solvents.
- Dry Sifting: This traditional method involves using screens with varying microns to manually separate the trichomes from the dried plant material. The collected trichomes, or kief, can be pressed into hash or used as is. Dry sifting is appreciated for preserving the natural qualities of cannabis without the use of chemicals.
- Ice Water Extraction: Also known as bubble hash, this method uses ice-cold water and agitation to break trichomes free from the plant. The mixture is then filtered through specially sized bags (bubble bags) that capture the trichomes while letting plant material pass through. The result is a potent concentrate that can be dried and pressed into cakes of hash.
What are the Health Effects of Concentrates?
While cannabis concentrates offer potent therapeutic benefits, they also come with heightened risks due to their elevated THC levels. These elevated levels can produce stronger psychoactive effects, which might not be suitable for all users, particularly those new to cannabis or with lower tolerance. The intense effects can include pronounced anxiety, heightened paranoia, and, in rare instances, psychosis or dissociative episodes. Users of concentrates should start with lower doses and increase gradually to gauge their tolerance and avoid adverse effects.
However, when used responsibly and in controlled doses, concentrates can provide effective relief from chronic pain, severe nausea, and other persistent medical symptoms. They can also be particularly beneficial for medical cannabis users who require quick, intense relief without the drawbacks of inhaling burnt plant material, which can irritate the respiratory system. Moreover, the ability to use smaller doses to achieve desired effects helps in managing intake and reduces the risk of developing a high tolerance over time.
How Are Concentrates Different from Flowers?
The primary distinction between concentrates and flowers is the cannabinoid concentration. Concentrates often have a THC or CBD content that is several times higher per gram than that found in flowers. This makes concentrates particularly effective for users seeking strong and immediate effects, as well as for medical marijuana patients who require precise dosing and strong symptom relief. The concentrated form also means less consumption overall, as a smaller quantity is needed to achieve the desired effect, which can be crucial for medical users who ingest cannabis regularly.
Furthermore, the absence of plant material in concentrates reduces the exposure to tar and potential carcinogens, making it a cleaner option that is easier on the lungs. This can be especially important for those with respiratory issues or those who prefer a smoke-free consumption method. Concentrates also offer versatility in consumption methods, including dabbing, vaping, and incorporation into edibles, each method providing a different onset time and duration of effects.
Marijuana Extracts vs. Flower: Which Gets You Higher?
Concentrates are designed to deliver a more potent dose of cannabinoids, thus providing a more intense and quicker high than flower. This is particularly appealing for those who seek substantial effects from smaller quantities, or for those who use cannabis to manage acute symptoms that require rapid relief. The high from concentrates can be more enveloping and long-lasting, even though it is achieved with less material.
Because of their potency, concentrates are favored in the medicinal cannabis community, where patients may require immediate symptom relief that can’t be achieved as efficiently with flowers. However, recreational users also appreciate the swift onset and profound effects when looking to achieve a significant psychoactive experience.
Concentrate vs. Flower: Which One Is Better?
The choice between concentrate and flower largely depends on the user’s personal preference for potency, ease of use, and the overall experience they seek. Concentrates offer a quick, potent hit that can be more controlled in terms of dosing, making them ideal for users with higher tolerances or those who prefer not to smoke. Flower, on the other hand, might appeal more to those who enjoy the traditional aspects of cannabis consumption including the aroma, the gradual onset of effects, and the ritual of smoking.
Moreover, flower allows for a broader exploration of different strains and their unique effects, which can be an important aspect for enthusiasts interested in the subtleties of flavor and terpene profiles. In contrast, concentrates, while sometimes preserving these profiles, mainly focus on potency and purity, catering to a different user base.
Duration of the High from Concentrate
The duration of the high from concentrates can vary widely, influenced by the type of concentrate, the consumption method, and the individual’s metabolism. Typically, when vaped or dabbed, the high from concentrates is intense and fast-acting but may not last as long as the high from smoked flower, which tends to come on slower but can linger longer. This makes concentrates ideal for a quick, powerful boost of cannabinoids with a shorter duration, suitable for pain relief or managing other symptoms that benefit from immediate attention.
How to Combine Cannabis Concentrates With Flower
Combining cannabis concentrates with flowers can offer the best of both worlds—the flavor and gentler onset of flowers with the potent kick of concentrates. This combination can be achieved by layering concentrates like wax, shatter, or rosin on top of the flower in a joint or bowl, or by mixing them into the flower before vaporizing. This method allows users to customize their cannabis experience, adjusting the balance of flavor and potency to suit their preferences and needs, while also moderating the intensity of the effects for a more controlled and enjoyable experience.
What Benefits Do Concentrates Have Over Flowers?
Cannabis concentrates provide several advantages over traditional flower, each benefiting users in different ways depending on their consumption preferences, health considerations, and efficiency needs.
More potent (generally speaking)
Concentrates are renowned for their high potency, which is primarily due to the concentrated form of cannabinoids and terpenes. This high potency is particularly beneficial for medicinal users who require immediate and effective relief from chronic pain, severe nausea, or other debilitating symptoms. For recreational users, the enhanced potency means achieving desired effects with much smaller quantities, enhancing the efficiency of their consumption.
The concentrated nature also allows for precise dosing, which can be critical for patients managing specific symptoms where consistent and reliable dosing is necessary. This precision helps in maintaining a stable regimen, particularly important in treatments for conditions like epilepsy or chronic pain where dosing consistency can impact the effectiveness of the treatment.
No plant matter
One of the significant advantages of concentrates over flowers is the absence of plant matter. This means that when consumed, especially through vaporization or dabbing, there is less combustion and, consequently, fewer carcinogens and tar are inhaled. For users with respiratory issues or those concerned about the long-term health effects of smoking, concentrates offer a cleaner alternative that reduces exposure to potentially harmful substances found in the smoke of combusted plant material.
Moreover, the cleaner nature of concentrates can lead to a more pleasant and less irritating experience, important for users who may find the smoke from burning plant material too harsh on their throat and lungs.
Can be more discreet
Concentrates offer notable discretion in both the form of consumption and the storage. They tend to produce less odor, especially when vaporized, making them ideal for users who need to consume cannabis without drawing attention. The various forms of concentrates, such as oils, waxes, and shatters, are also easier to store and carry discreetly compared to bulky cannabis flowers.
Additionally, the rapid onset of effects from concentrates can allow users to quickly achieve their therapeutic or recreational needs without prolonged exposure, making it more convenient and discreet, particularly in public or shared spaces.
Can be more cost-effective
Although the initial cost of concentrates can be higher than flower, the efficiency provided by their potent nature often translates to a lower overall cost per use. Since a smaller amount of concentrate is needed to achieve the same effects as a larger amount of flower, users may find that their product lasts longer, extending the intervals between purchases.
For those who regularly use cannabis, especially patients who rely on consistent doses for symptom management, the long-term savings can be substantial, making concentrates a financially viable option over time.
Each form of cannabis—whether concentrated or flower—carries unique advantages and uses, catering to diverse preferences and requirements. The choice between flower and concentrates often depends on several factors, including the desired potency, available consumption equipment, and personal health considerations. These benefits allows users to make informed decisions tailored to their specific needs, whether for ease of use, health reasons, or cost considerations.
