Don’t be intimidated by all the different types of high-potency cannabis concentrates.

Hash. Wax. Shatter. Batter. Live Resin. C02 Oil. The list goes on.

Since cannabis became legal for recreational use in some states, cultivators and manufacturers have been finding new and innovative ways to deliver high-potency cannabis experiences. Cannabis concentrates like those named above have become incredibly popular.

But for the uninitiated, they can appear intimidating. Every experienced cannabis user was once a newcomer who had to ask, “what’s the difference between concentrates?”, or, “how do you use a dab rig?”

Get ready to have those questions answered. Soon, you’ll be equipped to walk into your local dispensary and ask for the concentrate you’ve been waiting to try.

What Are Cannabis Concentrates?

Cannabis concentrates are plant extracts made from consumer-grade cannabis. Manufacturers use chemical processes to separate plant matter from the prized cannabinoids that consumers are looking for. Concentrates contain a much higher concentration of active compounds than dry leaf, and produce more intense effects as a result.

Slight variations in the extraction process yield different results. That is why there are so many different names for different extract textures. Some of the most popular terms you’ll encounter include:

• Shatter is a brittle, glass-like extract. It’s easy to handle and not very sticky, but demands a long, delicate manufacturing process. 

• Wax, also known as butane hash oil and honey oil, is a potent cannabis extract with a sticky, wax-like consistency. 

• Batter is a sticky, malleable extract with the texture of cake frosting. It is made using a high-pressure, closed-loop extraction process with professional equipment.

• Hash Oil refers more generally to cannabis concentrates made through solvent extraction. Most users attach the term to the type of solvent used, like butane hash oil.

• Live Resin has a higher terpene content than other extracts, which makes it more aromatic. Live resin is made from cannabis buds that have been freeze-dried immediately after harvest.

How to Dab Cannabis Concentrates

While there are many different types of cannabis concentrates, users consume them all in roughly the same way. Dabbing refers to a special method of heating up a small surface, placing the concentrate on the surface, and then inhaling the vapors created.

Dabbing rigs can have complex structures and many parts, but the essential function remains the same. First, you heat up the nail with a torch-style lighter. Once it is hot enough, you carefully place a piece of concentrate onto it. It will immediately begin vaporizing. All you have to do is inhale the vapor through the device.

It may seem complex, but dab rig manufacturers have perfected the process in order to avoid letting excess vapor go to waste. The increased potency means that letting even a little bit of vapor disperse into the air is a significant loss!

Vape pens work on the same principle, but are self-contained systems. That’s why vape cartridges come preloaded with a precise dosage of concentrate.

Speaking of dosage, remember that cannabis concentrates contain much higher levels of active ingredients than dry flower. It’s always best to start small when dabbing – a tiny portion of high-potency concentrate can go a long, long way. 

Sources:

https://weedmaps.com/learn/dictionary/badder-budder-batter/

https://weedmaps.com/learn/dictionary/shatter/

https://www.cannabisbarcelona.com/blog/what-is-wax-and-how-to-smoke-wax

https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/how-to-dab-cannabis-concentrates