Table 2.
Cannabis Concentrates
| Cannabis concentrate | Description |
|---|---|
| Solvent-based extracts | |
| “Live” resin | Hydrocarbon extract. Extracted from fresh cannabis plant material. Preserves higher concentration of terpenes |
| Shatter
|
Hydrocarbon extract. A golden, translucent, brittle concentrate. Brittle due to crystallization of THCA in the extract Up to 90% potency |
| Wax
|
Hydrocarbon extract. Soft concentrate that varies in appearance, texture, and color depending on processing technique Common forms include: Budder: Whipped into a smooth consistency with a high terpene concentration. Also termed: badder, frosting, icing, and more Crumble: Purged wax (removal of any residual solvents) to create a drier texture concentrate. Have porous appearance like a honeycomb Both are generally 60–90% THC potency |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction (most common method of medical cannabis oil production) | Uses carbon dioxide under extreme temperature and pressure to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant. Commonly used to create cannabis oils and vaporization products. Wide range of THC and CBD potency |
| Distillate
|
Viscous, translucent, and flavorless oil. Concentrates made through an extensive refinement process in which crude extracts such as CO2 and ethanol are distilled. Often used in edibles, topicals, and vaporization cartridges In general, 70–90% THC potency |
| Isolate
|
Commonly uses a vacuum pump that pulls cannabis through fine sand filtration. Cannabinoids can be isolated into concentrated crystalline structures or powder. Other cannabinoids and plant impurities are removed. Can add cannabis terpenes to the final product. Nearly 100% THC or CBD potency |
| Solventless extracts | |
| Bubble hash/ice water hash
|
Created by agitating cannabis buds in ice water and filtering water through fine screen bags Water is then filtered and trichomes of the cannabis flower are collected leaving a paste known as “hash” In general, 40–60% THC potency |
| Kief/dry sift
|
Kief: Flower is ground and sifted, leaving behind complete trichome glands Dry sift: Mechanically separated and collects resin glands from the cannabis flower using a series of different sized mesh screens. Only small trichome heads can pass through In general, 50–80% THC potency |
| Rosin
|
Extracted using high pressure and gentle heat to squeeze terpene-rich cannabinoid concentrate from cannabis flowers In general, 40–75% THC potency |
