Cannabis Concentrates

Marijuana concentrates are aptly named as they are a concentrated form of cannabinoids. Cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, and terpenes are removed from the cannabis plant using various extraction methods. Shatter, crumble, distillate, and rosin are the most popular options.

The primary way to consume concentrates is dabbing, adding to flower, or vaporizing. 

Dabbing is the act of vaporizing a concentrate using high heat. While traditionally done with a water pipe and blow torch, the introduction of e-rigs and dab pens have made this consumption method more accessible than ever.

Adding a concentrate to flower is absolutely an option, it’s recommended to begin with a layer of flower, add a dose of concentrate, then place more flower on top. The top layer prevents you from igniting the concentrate itself and potentially burning off any beneficial cannabinoids prior to inhaling, while the bottom keeps the sticky residue from clogging your bowl.

Fun fact, the oil in the vape you use is actually a concentrate, and is the most common way concentrates are consumed. Vapes allow for more controlled dosing, as each 5 second inhalation will provide roughly 3-5mg of cannabinoids.   

Concentrates are temperature sensitive. To best preserve your concentrate, be sure to store it in a cool, dark place. 

One of the most unique features of cannabis is that the “best” option is usually dependent on user preference, and concentrates are no exception to this rule. Of the most commonly used concentrates:

• Shatter is typically preferred by users as they believe shatter is easier to manipulate - simply press with your tool and it will break apart like shards of glass. You can even use your fingers to break doses.
• Crumble is desired by users due to its consistency. The airy texture, some believe, provides a smoother dab experience.
• Live Rosin provides a true-to-flower dabbing experience. Because no solvents are used, there is very minimal degradation to the terpene profile of the strain, making it a preferential option for some users. 
• Distillate is usually produced without terpenes, which some users prefer as it is described as providing a clean taste.  

There are two types of concentrates - solventless and solvent-free. Solvent-free concentrates use a solvent to extract the cannabinoids, while solventless do not.

Technically speaking, solventless concentrates are the “cleanest” concentrates because they do not use a solvent to capture the desired THC, CBD and terpenes. But don’t let this scare you away from solvent-free concentrates!

Solvent-free concentrates use a solvent to extract the desired components. After extraction, the resulting extract goes through a purging process in which the remaining solvent is burned off in a vacuum oven. The finalized product is then third-party tested per Florida Medical Marijuana Program rules and regulations (with MÜV taking the additional step of in-house testing along the way, as well).

One of the most unique features of cannabis is that the “best” option is usually dependent on user preference, and concentrates are no exception to this rule. Each person may have a passionate reason as to why they believe a certain concentrate is best. Of the most commonly used concentrates:

• Shatter is typically preferred by users as they believe shatter is easier to manipulate - simply press with your tool and it will break apart like shards of glass. You can even use your fingers to break doses.
• Crumble is desired by users due to its consistency. The airy texture, some believe, provides a smoother dab experience.
• Live Rosin provides a true-to-flower dabbing experience. Because no solvents are used, there is very minimal degradation to the terpene profile of the strain, making it a preferential option for some users. 
• Distillate is usually produced without terpenes, which some users prefer as it is described to provide a clean taste.  

Yes, it is! The tiny mushroom-shaped hairs that coat flower and produce the strains' terpene profile AND cannabinoids means that when you gather it together to consume, it packs a potent punch. This is an outlier of sorts in the concentrate, as kief is primarily combusted either on its own or with flower. 

Solventless concentrates, like rosin, use only heat and pressure to express the THC, CBD and other cannabinoids as well as terpenes from the cannabis plant. Instead of pressing the entire plant, trichomes are typically removed for a cleaner product. 

A solvent-free concentrate uses a solvent to extract the beneficial cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, as well as terpenes. Prior to being packaged as the shatter or crumble you know, the extract goes through a purging process, in which the remaining solvent is burned off in a vacuum oven, rendering it solvent-free. The final product is then third-party tested per Florida Department of Health rules and regulations (with MÜV taking the additional step of testing in-house along the way as well).

While RSO is a concentrate, it should not be inhaled. Room temperature ethanol is used and, when the temperature is adjusted, the solvent captures the fats, chlorophyll, lipids and more - compounds that should never be inhaled. RSO should be consumed orally or applied topically.

Learn more about RSO on our blog: All About Rick Simpson Oil.

MÜV FL carries a host of marijuana concentrates, including Shatter, Crumble, Live Rosin, Distillate and RSO. Click to learn more.