Cannabis concentrates are one of the fastest-growing product categories in the cannabis industry. Known for their potency, flavor, and versatility, these products are created by extracting the most desirable compounds from the cannabis plant. For new consumers, understanding what concentrates are and how they are produced can help explain why they have become so popular.
What Are Cannabis Concentrates?
Cannabis concentrates are products made by extracting and concentrating key compounds from cannabis, primarily cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, along with terpenes, which are responsible for the plant’s aroma and flavor.
These compounds are found in tiny resin glands called trichomes that coat cannabis flower. By separating these resin-rich trichomes from the rest of the plant material, producers can create products that are far more potent than traditional cannabis flower.
Common types of cannabis concentrates include:
- Shatter, a brittle and glass-like concentrate
- Wax or budder, a soft concentrate with a whipped or crumbly texture
- Live resin, an aromatic extract made from fresh frozen cannabis plants
- Rosin, a solventless concentrate created using heat and pressure
- Distillate, a highly refined cannabis oil with high cannabinoid purity
Each type differs in texture, flavor profile, and potency.
How Cannabis Concentrates Are Made
Cannabis concentrates are produced through extraction, the process of separating cannabinoids and terpenes from plant material. Most extraction techniques fall into two main categories: solvent-based extraction and solventless extraction.
Solvent-based extraction uses substances such as butane, ethanol, or carbon dioxide (CO₂) to dissolve cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis plant material. A common example is butane hash oil (BHO) extraction, where butane passes through cannabis to collect the plant’s resin. The solvent is then carefully removed, leaving behind a concentrated extract that can become products like wax, shatter, or live resin. Another widely used technique is supercritical CO₂ extraction, which uses pressurized carbon dioxide to isolate cannabinoids and is often used to produce vape oils and refined cannabis extracts.
Solventless extraction, on the other hand, uses mechanical processes instead of chemical solvents. Popular methods include dry sifting, ice water extraction (bubble hash), and rosin pressing, which applies heat and pressure to squeeze resinous oils from cannabis flower or hash.
Why Consumers Choose Concentrates
Cannabis concentrates are popular among consumers because they offer higher potency, rich terpene profiles, and multiple consumption options, including dabbing and vaping. Because concentrates are significantly stronger than cannabis flower, new consumers are generally encouraged to start with small amounts and increase gradually.