Types of Cannabis Concentrates

Cannabis concentrates are powerful tools for infusing more cannabinoids and flavor into smaller packages, yet there are various types of concentrates with differing characteristics and delivery methods.

Solvent extraction utilizes chemical solvents such as propane or, more frequently, butane to dissolve and extract cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis plants, creating a concentrate that can later be refined using heat and pressure into various forms.

Kief

Kief is an aromatic cannabis concentrate that can be enjoyed in multiple ways. Containing high concentrations of cannabinoids, its unique effects and flavors set it apart from traditional cannabis flower products.

Kief, unlike other cannabis extracts which require expensive equipment and solvents to produce, is easy to produce at home using a three-chamber grinder with a kief catcher. Trichromes from cannabis plants are collected into this chamber before being dumped out or utilized as desired.

Pipe or bong smoke, used to make hash, or infused into edible products can all use marijuana. Furthermore, decarboxylation of cannabutter could make cannabutter even more accessible for consumers.

Hash

On our cannabis menu, you’ll find many different types of concentrates – shatter, live resin, rosin and others. Each uses its own extraction method and offers unique advantages for use.

Hash is a cannabis concentrate created by collecting and pressing the most potency part of the plant – its trichomes – which contain cannabinoids and terpenes responsible for cannabis’ unique flavors and effects.

Hash can be consumed through pipes or vaporizers, and is even popular for making edibles. Tinctures and capsules offer an easy way to dose, while dabbing and smoking may also work well as complementary consumption methods. GreenLabs budtenders can assist you in choosing which cannabis concentrate will fit best with your chosen delivery system.

Rosin

Rosin is a solventless extract made from the trichomes of cannabis plants. This fast and straightforward extraction method offers greater yields than many others without needing dedicated rooms or expensive equipment for processing.

Rosin is an economical alternative to closed-loop resin extraction, which requires technical knowledge and equipment, while it’s a healthier choice for patients concerned about using butane- or propane-based concentrates.

Cannabis enthusiasts appreciate rosin for its full spectrum flavor profile that preserves all the terpene and cannabinoid profiles of a particular strain. Furthermore, it’s extremely potency and versatile as it can be formed into various textures for use with dab rigs or vaporizers.

Distillate

Cannabis distillate is an unflavored and odorless oil with many applications. It can be added directly into edibles or beverages for consumption; used in vape cartridges or dabbing equipment to create an intensely potent experience; or used to make topical salves that provide localized relief directly on the skin.

Distillate extract is usually more potency than CO2-oil or shatter, reaching THC concentrations of over 90%. As this refined extract lacks pesticides or residual solvents, it makes distillate an attractive choice for consumers who prioritize purity.

Distillation uses short path extraction and vacuum pressure to lower the boiling point of cannabinoids and terpenes, thus isolating them from other plant compounds and creating pure, flavorless, odorless cannabinoid extracts. This process is repeated multiple times until an ideal result has been reached.

Tinctures

Tinctures are discreet liquid cannabis extracts that can be sublingually or mixed into food and beverages for discreet consumption, providing results within approximately 30 minutes.

The best cannabis tinctures use alcohol or medium-chain triglyceride oil (MCT) as their base. MCT oil provides more sustainable solution that lasts longer, though its potency cannot compete with that of alcohol.

To make your own cannabis tincture, combine ground decarboxylated cannabis and alcohol in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and store in a dark location for two weeks, shaking the jar twice daily. Strain and transfer mixture to dropper bottle to store away from light until needed for drinks and meals.