Cannabis Extracts and Concentrates

A Guide to Cannabis Extracts and Concentrates

Cannabis, often known as marijuana or weed, is a plant filled with unique compounds called cannabinoids. Scientists have identified over 100 cannabinoids and hundreds of other compounds, such as flavonoids and terpenes. These are produced in a part of the plant called the trichomes. That is the name of those white little mushroom-shaped hairs on the plant's leaves and buds.  

The most well-known of these cannabinoids are THC (which makes you feel "high") and CBD (which is non-intoxicating and often used for its therapeutic effects).

These compounds can be extracted and concentrated in various forms, making them much more potent than the original plant material. This guide will introduce you to the different types of cannabis extracts and concentrates, explaining how they are made and what they look like.

What Are Cannabis Extracts and Concentrates?

Cannabis extracts and concentrates are products where the plant's active compounds have been isolated and concentrated. These processes remove unwanted plant material, resulting in products that are much stronger than regular cannabis flowers. There are two main categories of extracts: solventless and solvent-based.

• Solventless extracts are made without chemicals and rely on mechanical methods or heat to extract the compounds.
• Solvent-based extracts use solvents (like alcohol, butane, or CO2) to dissolve cannabinoids and separate them from the plant material.

What are Solventless Extracts?

Solventless extracts are made without using chemicals. Instead, they use physical processes like heat, pressure, or sifting to separate the valuable compounds from the cannabis plant.

Kief

• What is it? Kief is a fine powder made of tiny, sticky crystals that cover the cannabis flower.
• How is it made? It's collected by grinding or sifting the cannabis flower. As the plant is handled, the trichomes (the small, crystal-like structures) fall off and can be collected.
• What does it look like? It resembles a light green, powdery substance.

Hash (Dry Sift and Bubble Hash)

• What is it? Hash is a concentrated form of cannabis made by compressing kief or collecting resin from the plant.
• How is it made?
  • Dry Sift Hash: Made by sifting the cannabis through fine screens to separate the trichomes.
  • Bubble Hash: Made using ice water and agitation. The cold temperature causes the trichomes to break off and are collected through filtering.
• What does it look like? Depending on the method used, it can range from a crumbly, dry block to a sticky, dark lump.

Rosin

• What is it? Rosin is a solventless concentrate made by applying heat and pressure to the cannabis plant. A rosin press is typically used, but you can use hair straighteners.
• How is it made? A press is used to squeeze the cannabis material between two heated plates, causing the resin to be extracted.
• What does it look like? Rosin appears as a sticky, sap-like substance, often amber or golden in color.

Charas

• What is it? Charas is a type of hand-rolled concentrate, similar to hash, but traditionally made from live cannabis plants. In Hindu religious practices in India, charas hold significant cultural and religious importance. Devotees of the god Shiva often use charas as part of their spiritual rituals.
• How is it made? It's made by rubbing fresh cannabis flowers between the hands to collect the resin that sticks to the skin, which is then rolled into a ball or lump.
• What does it look like? It has a dark color, like dark chocolate in color, and a sticky appearance.

The solventless extracts like charas, keif, and hash can be broken up and added to bowls or joints to give a potent kick to your cannabis.

What are Solvent-Based Extracts?

Solvent-based extracts use chemicals called solvents to dissolve the cannabinoids and separate them from the plant material. After extraction, the solvents are removed, leaving behind a highly concentrated product.

These extracts come in many forms and are commonly called dabs.

Here's how the process generally works:

1. Dissolving the Cannabinoids: The cannabis plant is soaked or washed with a solvent (like butane, propane, alcohol, or CO2). This solvent dissolves the cannabinoids and terpenes (the aromatic compounds) from the plant.
2. Purification: The solvent-cannabinoid mixture is then filtered to remove plant material and impurities.
3. Solvent Removal: The solvent is evaporated or purged, often using heat or vacuum, to leave behind the concentrated cannabinoids.
4. Post-Processing: The resulting concentrate can be further processed to achieve different textures and consistencies, like shatter, wax, or oil.

Producing dabs at home can pose significant risks, especially when using highly flammable solvents like butane, which can lead to explosions, severe burns, and potentially fatal incidents. Also, homemade dabs or those from untrustworthy sources may contain residual solvents, pesticides, or other hazardous substances.

Let's look at the different types of solvent-based extracts:

Butane Hash Oil (BHO)

• What is it? BHO is a concentrate made using butane as the solvent.
• How is it made? Butane is passed through the cannabis material, dissolving the cannabinoids. The mixture is then purged to remove the butane, leaving behind a concentrated extract.
• What does it look like? BHO can take various forms, from a clear, glass-like substance to a more viscous or crumbly texture.

Shatter

• What is it? Shatter is a type of BHO with a brittle, glass-like texture.
• How is it made? It's made by purging BHO at low temperatures and letting it harden into a stable, solid form.
• What does it look like? It looks like translucent amber-colored glass.

Wax

• What is it? Wax is a softer, more malleable form of BHO.
• How is it made? During the purging process, the BHO is whipped or agitated, giving it a softer, wax-like consistency.
• What does it look like? It has a gooey, sticky texture, similar to beeswax.

Budder

• What is it? Budder is another type of BHO that has a creamy, butter-like texture.
• How is it made? It's created by whipping BHO at higher temperatures, resulting in a fluffy, spreadable product.
• What does it look like? It looks like thick, creamy butter.

Crumble

• What is it? Crumble is a drier, crumblier version of BHO.
• How is it made? It's made by purging BHO at higher temperatures for a longer time, which removes more moisture.
• What does it look like? It has a crumbly, cake-like texture.

Live Resin

• What is it? Live resin is a concentrate made from fresh, frozen cannabis plants, which preserves more of the plant's natural flavors and terpenes.
• How is it made? The fresh plant material is flash-frozen and then extracted using solvents. This process captures more of the plant's aromatic compounds.
• What does it look like? It has a sticky, sauce-like consistency, often with vibrant color and intense aroma.

Distillate

• What is it? Distillate is a highly purified form of cannabis concentrate, often used in vape cartridges.
• How is it made? It's made using a process called distillation, where the cannabinoids are separated and purified through heat and pressure.
• What does it look like? It looks like a clear or golden liquid.

CO2 Oil

• What is it? CO2 oil is made using carbon dioxide (CO2) as the solvent.
• How is it made? The CO2 is used under high pressure and low temperature to extract cannabinoids. This method is considered cleaner because CO2 evaporates completely.
• What does it look like? It can vary from a thick, amber liquid to a more solid, waxy form.

Terp Sauce

• What is it? Terp sauce is a concentrate rich in terpenes, giving it a strong flavor profile.
• How is it made? During the extraction process, the terpenes are separated and then recombined with the cannabinoids to create a flavorful sauce.
• What does it look like? It has a runny, sauce-like texture.

Sugar

• What is it? Sugar is a concentrate with a granular, sugar-like texture.
• How is it made? It's made by agitating BHO during purging, creating tiny sugar-like crystals.
• What does it look like? It looks like wet, grainy sugar.

Diamonds

• What is it? Diamonds are crystalline structures of pure THC or CBD.
• How is it made? They're made by isolating and purifying cannabinoids into crystal forms.
• What does it look like? They look like clear or amber-colored crystals.

Isolate

• What is it? Isolate is the purest form of a single cannabinoid, typically THC or CBD.
• How is it made? It's made by refining the extract to remove all other compounds except the desired cannabinoid.
• What does it look like? It looks like a white, powdery substance.

Pull and Snap

• What is it? Pull and snap is a type of BHO with a taffy-like texture.
• How is it made? It's made by purging BHO at medium temperatures, producing a stretchy, pliable product.
• What does it look like? It looks like sticky, amber-colored taffy.

Solvent-based extracts can be vaporized in a dab rig or dab pen. The liquid forms, distillate, isolate, and CO2 oil, are sold in prefilled vape cartridges that are used with a 510-thread vape pen.

Tincture

• What is it? Tinctures are liquid cannabis extracts made by soaking the plant in alcohol or another solvent.
• How is it made? The cannabis is steeped in the solvent for a period, which extracts the cannabinoids. The plant material is then removed, leaving a potent liquid.
• What does it look like? It typically looks like a clear or slightly colored liquid, often stored in small dropper bottles.

Tinctures are commonly taken sublingually by placing a measured amount under the tongue using a dropper.

Other Extracts and Concentrates

THC Oil

• What is it? THC oil is a concentrated form of THC mixed in an oil base.
• How is it made? THC is extracted from cannabis and then combined with a carrier oil.
• What does it look like? It appears as a thick, amber or golden liquid.

THC oil can be used in cooking. It can be added as a replacement for oil in recipes such as brownies or other foods.

Summary

Cannabis extracts and concentrates are diverse and fascinating, offering many ways to experience the plant's effects and flavors. From simple kief to sophisticated distillates, each type has its unique properties and methods of production. Understanding these different forms can enhance your appreciation for the science and artistry behind cannabis concentrates.