The Beginner’s Guide to Different Kinds of Concentrates

July 22, 2024

If you’re a fan of variety and innovation in cannabis, concentrates have plenty in store for you. There are so many options of potent and creative concentrates on the market today that adventurous consumers will have plenty to uncover. And if you’re new to cannabis concentrates and not sure where to start, that just means you’re in for an exciting journey. At Boone Town Provisions, we’re here to guide you every step of the way, and this guide will help give you a head start on all things concentrates so you have a strong foundation when you stop by for the first time.

What are cannabis concentrates?

Cannabis concentrates are potent manufactured products that contain higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cannabinoid that causes intoxication, than cannabis flower. The term “concentrates” is an umbrella term that includes a wide range of products, which we’ll cover in more detail below.

There are broadly two types of concentrates: extracts and non-extracts. Extracts are concentrates that have been produced using solvents or a solventless method to separate cannabinoids like THC and the aromatic terpenes that give cannabis its scent and flavor from the plant material. These include liquid extracts called oils and solid extracts called waxes.

Non-extract concentrates are generally made by mechanical separation, the process of removing the resin glands of a cannabis plant (“trichomes”) from the flower and collecting them. These trichomes are then subjected to heat and pressure to shape them into non-extract concentrates, such as bricks of hash.

Why try concentrates? Pros and cons

Interested in trying cannabis concentrates? Consider the below pros and cons to decide whether to actually take this big step.

Pros of cannabis concentrates

More potent. If you’re looking for an especially strong experience, that’s exactly what you’ll get with concentrates. They’re a logical next step for longtime cannabis consumers seeking greater adventures.

Less intense aroma. When seeking discreet cannabis products, concentrates may be worth considering. Although they do have an aroma, it’s often reminiscent of herbs or neutral odors rather than the potent, dead-giveaway scent of cannabis flower.

Stronger flavor. Some extracts have higher amounts of terpenes than many other cannabis products. Some also say that concentrates like live rosin provide a “cleaner” experience that enhances the cannabis’s inherent flavors.

Lasts longer. Concentrates’ high potency means you can achieve stronger effects with a smaller quantity. This, in turn, means that every concentrate you buy will last longer than most other cannabis products.

Can stretch other cannabis products. Some cannabis lovers add concentrates to their flower or prerolls for a more potent experience. When flower or prerolls are more potent, less of each is needed per session, extending the product’s lifetime.

Cons of cannabis concentrates

Too potent for newcomers. Whereas longtime consumers often welcome concentrates’ higher THC percentages with open arms, this potency is a non-starter for first-timers. You’re best off exploring concentrates after you’ve become completely comfortable with cannabis products of standard potency, such as flower.

Higher prices. Cannabis concentrates can be expensive for their weight. One gram of concentrates may cost between $40 and $100, whereas some two-packs of half-gram prerolls (one gram total of ground and rolled flower) cost under $20. Additionally, some concentrates require special equipment to enjoy, adding to their overall cost.
May make other cannabis products seem less potent. Concentrates are the most potent type of cannabis product, so as you spend more time consuming them, you might build quite the tolerance. Your tolerance could even become so high that the more everyday, less expensive cannabis products out there start to lose their edge.

How to smoke, dab, and consume concentrates

How you consume a cannabis concentrate depends on the type you’ve chosen, but generally, consumers use one of the following methods:

Add to flower: Some consumers like to add their concentrates to their cannabis flower to increase the potency a bit. Depending on how you like to consume your flower, solid concentrates may be best suited for this. However, some consumers will brush liquid concentrates on the outside of joints or blunts to boost potency as well.
Use a dab rig: Dab rigs are the conventional way to consume extracts. These glass pipes include a component called a nail or “banger,” which is heated using a torch. Then, consumers place a small amount of extract on the heated nail, which instantly vaporizes it, and inhale through the mouthpiece of the dab rig.
Use an e-nail: E-nails work similarly to dab rigs except that they eliminate the use of the torch and allow for precise temperature settings electronically. Once an e-nail is heated up, consumers can apply a dab of extract just like they would with a conventional dab rig and inhale on the mouthpiece.
Use a vaporizer: Portable electronic vaporizers that are compatible with concentrates offer an easy way to vape on the go. There are many devices on the market compatible with a wide range of concentrates, and they tend to be a bit more straightforward for new consumers than using a dab rig or e-nail. Simply load the vaporizer following the instructions in the device manual, select your temperature, activate your device, and inhale.
Use a vape cartridge: Vape carts are among the easiest consumption methods for concentrates. These cartridges come pre-filled with an oil and can simply be screwed onto a compatible battery. Once attached, simply activate the batter and inhale on the cartridge’s mouthpiece to consume. Once the cartridge is empty, it can be unscrewed and disposed of, and you can replace it with a new cartridge.

Some types of concentrates are more suitable for certain consumption methods than others. Which one you choose is a matter of personal preference, so we recommend experimenting with different types of concentrates and consumption methods until you find your favorite combination.

Cannabis extraction methods, explained: How concentrates are made

Just as there are many types of cannabis concentrates, there are also many manufacturing methods used to produce them. We won’t get into all the details here, but generally, concentrates are made using the following methods:

Solvent-based extraction: Solvent-based extraction methods are used to produce oils and waxes. Common methods include hydrocarbon extraction, which uses solvents like butane and propane to pull cannabinoids and terpenes, and ethanol extraction, which uses namesake alcohol as a solvent. During the extraction process, these solvents are evaporated out of the final product in a step known as “purging.” Butane hash oil (BHO), a term that refers to all types of oils and waxes produced through hydrocarbon extraction, is one of the most common examples of a solvent-based extract.
Solventless extraction: Solventless extraction can be used to produce non-extract concentrates but also extracts like oils and waxes. An example of a solventless process is a method called ice water extraction, in which plant material is placed in near-freezing water. The low temperatures make the trichomes on the flower brittle, and the mixture is then agitated; the brittle trichomes fall from the flower during the agitation process. To separate the trichomes from the plant material, the mixture is strained through a series of mesh bags, leaving behind the cannabinoid- and terpene-rich resin glands, which can be used to produce concentrates.

Types of cannabis concentrates

You can expect to find these concentrates in most dispensaries you visit. Here’s what you should know about each, including the typical potency range of each and how each is made.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list by any means, and manufacturers are always putting their own spin on concentrates to produce innovative products. Check out your local dispensary to see what’s available — with the level of innovation and experimentation in the industry today, you never know when you might encounter something you’ve never seen before.

Budder: This wax extract is named for its soft, creamy consistency, which closely resembles the butter in your kitchen. It may also be referred to as badder or batter, as it also resembles a cake mix just before you pop it into the oven. Generally, budder is a variety of BHO produced through the hydrocarbon extraction process; manufacturers whip the extract during post-processing to achieve the creamy consistency for which it’s named. Budder is one of the most potent extracts out there, often exceeding 90% THC content.
Crumble: Another wax extract and typically a variety of BHO, crumble is a dry, frail concentrate that can easily be broken down into smaller pieces, much like a ball of sand. This consistency makes crumble excellent for adding to flower in a bowl or bong; simply sprinkle a little bit on top for an extra kick to your session. Like budder, crumble is highly potent and typically surpasses 90% THC content, so just a dab will do for most consumers.
Diamonds: These solid extracts are crystallized THCA, which forms during the extraction process when manufacturers use a particular purging technique known as the crystalline method. Generally, THCA diamonds form inside terp sauce, a concentrate we’ll cover more below, but they can also be removed from the sauce and sold separately. When consumed, THCA converts to THC and is a virtually pure form of the cannabinoid — in other words, diamonds are highly potent.
Distillate: Distillate is any type of liquid extract made by isolating a particular cannabinoid. Most commonly, you’ll come across THC distillate or cannabidiol (CBD) distillate, but manufacturers could choose to isolate any cannabinoid to produce distillate. It is often used as an ingredient in other products like edibles, beverages, or tinctures, but sometimes, distillate is sold separately. It is usually colorless and odorless and is a virtually pure version of whichever cannabinoid has been isolated.
Hash: One of the oldest concentrates reportedly dating back nine centuries, hash is made by means of mechanical separation. This includes dry sifting, in which trichomes are removed from the plant material through fine screens and then pressed into bricks of hash. It also includes ice water extraction, which results in a variety of hash known as “bubble hash.” Hash generally ranges from 30% to 60% THC content, so while it’s far more potent than most cannabis flower, it’s not quite as powerful as extracts.
Live resin: This oil extract is produced using freshly harvested or fresh frozen cannabis flower, which is at its peak cannabinoid and terpene content. The result is a potent and flavorful extract that’s a particularly big hit with consumers who enjoy the aromas and flavors of each strain of cannabis. Since live resin contains higher levels of terpenes, the potency tends to be a bit lower than some other extracts, but it’s still relatively strong. Expect levels ranging from 50% to 80% THC in most live resin.
Rosin: This oil extract is produced from the bubble hash made by way of ice water extraction. Once dried, those bricks of bubble hash are placed into a device called a rosin press, which combines heat and pressure to squeeze a sticky, viscous oil from the hash. You may also encounter “live rosin” which, like live resin, is produced using freshly harvested or fresh frozen cannabis plants to maximize the amount of cannabinoids and terpenes captured in the final product. Expect a range of 60% to 90% THC content in rosin and live rosin.
Sauce: Also known as terp sauce, this oil extract is a flavorful concentrate that’s bursting with terpenes. Unlike other extracts, its potency tends to be a bit lower, often around the 60% THC content range — this is because of the THCA diamonds that form as part of the production process. However, the sauce contains much higher levels of terpenes than other extracts, providing unique flavors and therapeutic potential.
Shatter: This solid extract is a type of BHO that starts out as an oil but is then poured over a thin sheet and allowed to harden into a glass-like material. It can then be broken, or “shattered,” into small shards that are easily added to flower or a dab rig for straightforward, no-mess consumption. Shatter is also highly potent, like other forms of BHO, and it’s common to find it containing more than 90% THC content.

Buying cannabis concentrates in New Jersey

When you’re shopping for cannabis concentrates in New Jersey, there are a few tips we recommend you keep in mind. For the best experience, consider the following when you visit a cannabis dispensary near you.

Shop at a licensed dispensary

Always choose a licensed dispensary to ensure you’re buying high-quality, safe, lab-tested products. Under New Jersey state law, licensed dispensaries can only carry cannabis products that meet stringent safety standards, so you can rest assured that products on the shelf have passed third-party testing and that their labeling is accurate. Unlicensed retailers are not beholden to these standards, so choose a licensed dispensary like Boone Town Provisions, which puts consumer safety and quality cannabis products at the heart of its operations.

Mind concentrate purchase limits

In New Jersey, consumers may purchase up to one ounce of cannabis per dispensary visit. When it comes to concentrates, the equivalent of “one ounce” is four grams of solid cannabis concentrate or in liquid form. So, if you’re purchasing vape carts, for example, you may buy four one-gram vape cartridges per dispensary visit under New Jersey state law. Keep these purchase limits in mind when you head to the dispensary and plan your purchases accordingly.

Consider your consumption method

The type of concentrate you choose may depend on the consumption method you prefer. If you like adding your concentrate to a bowl or bong, for example, you may prefer an extract like crumble that’s easy to sprinkle on top of flower. If you’re using a dab rig, you might prefer budder or shatter, since they’re easy to handle. Trial and error is your friend when it comes to finding the combination that best suits your preferences, so don’t be afraid to try different varieties of concentrates and experiment with new consumption methods.

Ask a budtender for recommendations

There are a lot of different concentrates out there and it might seem overwhelming at first, so if you’re not sure what’s best for you, ask a budtender. At Boone Town Provisions, our budtenders are expertly trained and can help guide you through our entire menu. Just let us know about your goals and the experience you hope to have, and we can help you find the best product in stock for you.

Cannabis concentrates made easy at Boone Town Provisions

It can be easy to feel intimidated by the vast world of cannabis concentrates, but don’t fear — Boone Town is here. If you want to try concentrates, stop by our dispensary in Boonton, NJ to explore all the options on our menu. We’ll be happy to walk you through what’s available and make it an easy, pleasant experience. Swing by as a curious cannabis consumer, and you’ll leave a happy camper.