Cannabis concentrates are an increasingly popular form of consumption, but with so many options available, from bubble hash to shatter and sugar, it can be easy to find yourself lost in the types and terminology.
However, if you’ve been interested in giving THC extracts a try, we’re here to help make things a little less hazy. Keep reading to find out what cannabis concentrates are, what types are available in Massachusetts dispensaries, and if this could be the right form of consumption for you!
What are Cannabis Concentrates?
Think about the carton of orange juice sitting on the back shelf of your refrigerator. Similarly, cannabis concentrates are made through a unique process that removes any unnecessary plant matter while maintaining the psychoactive, therapeutic, and aromatic components of the cannabis plant known as cannabinoids and terpenes.
Essentially, “squeezing out” the good stuff (all those cannabinoids and terpenes we want) and leaving the rest behind. The result? A highly concentrated form of THC, other beneficial cannabinoids, and tasty terpenes — aptly named concentrates.
How to Consume Cannabis Concentrates
Concentrates can be consumed in a few different ways. The most common is by vaporizing or “dabbing” them off of a rig or an electronic eRig device. It’s also common practice to boost the effects of flower with concentrates added on top of a bowl, wrapped around a joint paper, or mixed with bud inside a pre-roll. Cannabis concentrates can also be consumed on the go through vaporizers with common forms including pods, disposables, and vape cartridges.
Why Choose Cannabis Concentrates?
As mentioned, THC concentrates are incredibly potent, especially when compared to flower. Typically, flower will range anywhere from 15% to 30% THC, while concentrates range from 50% to 90% and can sometimes even reach 98% or 99% THC. With such high potency levels, it’s important to understand your own tolerance levels — which our expert budtenders can help you with!
Extracts are enjoyed because they have enhanced flavors and aromas as they are so concentrated. They also have stronger effects — offering more than just a higher potency level, concentrates are felt immediately and last longer.
If you’ve been searching for the perfect opportunity to put your new rig to use, we’ve got you covered with our range of different cannabis concentrates available at The Pass!
Types of Cannabis Concentrates Available
There are a lot of different forms of cannabis concentrates available in Massachusetts dispensaries. While searching through the concentrates section on our menu here at The Pass, here are some types you’ll come across:
Badder |
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Bubble Hash |
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Budder | Budder is concentrated cannabis made through whipping techniques, that is still very smooth but slightly firmer than badder with a texture similar to butter. Because of its malleable consistency, budder is more versatile than other concentrates, allowing you to dab, vape, or apply to joints and bowls. | |
Crumble | Crumble is concentrated cannabis with a dry and powdery texture, which makes it crumble and fall apart easily, giving it its name. Crumble is typically made using butane and sprinkled as a topper on a bowl or joint. | |
Diamonds | Diamonds are cannabinoids that have been purified and isolated to form crystalline solids that are semi-transparent and, well, look just like some sparkly diamonds. | |
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You’ll often see flower pre-rolls infused with a cannabis concentrate such as hash, diamonds, or crumble. This will enhance potency and flavor. | |
Kief | When trichomes dry and break off of the plant, they become Kief (also referred to as Keef). Ranging from light gold to brown, it has a powdery appearance and a texture like sand that is somewhat sticky. Kief is often sprinkled as a topper on a bowl or used as an outer layer on joint papers. | |
Live Resin | Live Resin is a cannabis concentrate extracted from freshly harvested plant material that’s been frozen at sublevel temperatures, blasted with a solvent such as butane hash oil (BHO), and then pressed. | |
Rosin | Also referred to as Live Rosin and Hash Rosin, Rosin is a solventless cannabis concentrate, meaning no solvents or chemicals were used in the extraction process. Instead, water and ice are used to agitate the trichomes off of the fresh frozen plant material. Heat and pressure are then used to press out the oil. | |
Sauce | Sauce is created by separating terpenes and cannabinoids during extraction, allowing the cannabinoids to crystalize while preserving the high level of terpenes. Its consistency is reminiscent of marmalade with chunks of cannabinoid crystals throughout. Sauce produces a highly potent product that is great for those who want to retain the authentic aroma and flavor profile of the plant. | |
Shatter | Shatter is concentrated cannabis in a glass-like texture that tends to crack or shatter when broken. It’s typically gold or amber in color and produces a highly potent product, popular with dab lovers. | |
Sugar | Sugar is named for its consistency reminiscent of wet sugar. The semi-crystalline consistency allows it to hold onto its terpene profiles and flavors. | |
Wax | Wax is an umbrella term used to describe concentrates that appear sticky and waxy in appearance. They are typically extracted using solvent-based methods such as butane or hydrocarbon and come in a variety of forms such as badder, crumble, sugar, and more. It can be vaporized in dab rigs but also added to bowls and joints. | |
Vaporizers | Vaporizers, more commonly referred to as vapes or pens, work by heating concentrated cannabis oil to a sufficient temperature to release the cannabinoids and terpenes in a fine vapor without any additives or extra plant matter. Convenient and discreet, they’re nearly odorless and fit in the palm of your hand. |
Solventless vs. Solvent Cannabis Concentrates
While there are more than a handful of forms, there is one commonality between all cannabis extracts: they’re made by separating the cannabinoids and terpenes from the rest of the plant material. To do this, concentrate producers can use either solvent or solventless extraction methods.
Solvent-based extraction uses a solvent such as alcohol, butane, or CO2 to separate trichomes from the plant matter. These solvents then need to be purged from concentrates before they can be safely consumed.
Solventless concentrates, such as bubble hash and live rosin, are made using mechanical extraction methods such as ice-water extraction, dry-sifting, or pressing. Without the need to be purged, solventless extracts are often considered a cleaner and purer final product. The choice between the two simply comes down to personal preference.
How to Choose Your Concentrate Type
Choosing your perfect concentrate is a fairly straightforward process. If you have the equipment to properly dab, live rosin or sugar wax is an excellent option. If you prefer smoking over vaporizing, we suggest bubble hash or picking up an infused pre-roll.
Once you’ve established your ideal consumption method, consult with one of our expert budtenders to determine your ideal THC concentration, effects, and flavor profile!
How to Order Cannabis Concentrates at The Pass
A wide variety of cannabis extracts are available for pre-order at The Pass! To schedule a pickup time, simply choose the “Shop Now” option on our website, navigate to our Concentrates category, and add a few favorites to your cart. You can filter by concentrate type, brand, potency, effects, and more. Don’t forget to check out our specials, which include weekly concentrate deals!
From there, complete the pre-order process for an estimated pickup time. Once you’ve arrived at the store, our budtenders will assist you with your order — we look forward to seeing you soon!