What Are Cannabis Concentrates? Types and Potency

What Are Cannabis Concentrates?

Cannabis concentrates are products made by pulling cannabinoids and terpenes out of plant material and leaving most of the plant behind. The result holds more THC per gram than flower. Dried flower runs about 15% to 25% THC. Concentrates run from 50% THC to more than 90%.

How Concentrates Are Made

Two routes exist: solvent extraction and solventless extraction.

what are cannabis concentrates

Solvent extraction

Butane hash oil (BHO): Butane or a butane-propane mix strips cannabinoids from plant material. The solvent is purged in a vacuum oven. State rules set leftover solvent limits.
CO2: Carbon dioxide under pressure acts as the solvent. This method shows up in vape cartridges.
Ethanol: Food-grade ethanol washes the plant. This is the base for tinctures and RSO.

Solventless extraction

Ice water hash: Ice, water, and screens separate trichome heads from plant matter.
Rosin: Heat and pressure squeeze resin out of hash or flower. No solvent is used.

Main Types of Concentrates

Kief: Trichomes that fall off flower. THC around 20% to 30%.
Hash: Kief pressed with heat. THC around 40% to 60%.
Shatter: A hard sheet with a glass-like break. THC often 70% to 90%.
Wax and budder: Whipped or aerated extract with a soft texture.
Live resin: Made from plant frozen at harvest. This step keeps more terpenes.
Distillate: Refined THC oil with most other compounds removed. THC can reach 90% or higher.
RSO (Rick Simpson Oil): A full-extract oil sold for oral use.

Potency and Dosing

One dab can hold 30 mg to 50 mg of THC. A standard edible dose in state-regulated markets is 10 mg. Start with one small hit and wait 15 minutes before the next one. High THC doses can cause anxiety, a rapid heart rate, and vomiting. Some people report cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, which involves repeated vomiting and abdominal pain after long-term heavy use.

what are cannabis concentrates

Labels and Testing

Regulated products carry a label with THC percentage, batch number, and test results. Lab tests screen for pesticides, leftover solvents, mold, and heavy metals. Products without test results carry more risk.

Legal Status in the US

Cannabis is a Schedule I substance under federal law. States that legalized adult use set their own rules for concentrate sales, potency caps, and possession limits. Some states cap how much concentrate one customer can buy in a day. Hemp-derived THC products are legal under the 2018 Farm Bill when they contain no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis.

Storage

Store concentrates in a glass jar with a lid. Keep them away from light and heat. Refrigeration helps rosin and live resin hold texture. Distillate and shatter hold up better at room temperature.