The Ins and Outs of Cannabis Concentrates, Extracts, and Oils

Cannabis can take many forms, each providing its own unique experience. Contrary to cannabis in its natural bud form, concentrates, extracts, and oils are derived from the plant and is processed into a concentrated form.

If you’re looking to try something new and step away from traditional cannabis, concentrates, extracts, and oils can provide a different (but just as enjoyable) experience. Some of the benefits of these alternative methods include:

  • Because of the higher concentration, cannabis oils are extremely efficient. Less product is required to reach your desired effect.
  • Many concentrates, extracts, and oils do not require smoking, and it can provide less strain on your lungs.
  • Oils and extracts can also provide relief from any unpleasant flavor left behind from traditional cannabis. Because of their refined nature, high-quality cannabis oil provides a smooth and cleaner sensation when consumed.
Cannabis concentrate sugar wax dripping off dabbing tool on black background

Types of Cannabis Concentrates and Extracts

Although these terms are often used interchangeably, concentrate is the umbrella term. To explain, all extracts are concentrates, but all concentrates are not considered extracts. The main difference comes from how the trichomes are collected: extracts use solvents such as alcohol, carbon dioxide, etc. to wash the trichomes from the plants while other concentrates use other methods to remove trichomes.

Types of Extracts

Butane Hash Oil (BHO), Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) and CO2-extracted cannabis are all used to extract trichomes from the plant and can take a variety of forms. These textures include:

  • Shatter: Like the name shatter suggests, this type of extract has a very brittle and glass-like texture usually with a golden yellow or amber hue.
  • Budder/Badder: Similar to cake batter, this type of extract is soft, oily, and malleable. Because of this consistency, they are commonly used as a spread on blunts or joints, or to dabbed using a dab rig.
  • Crumble: This is a more brittle version of budder/badder and is easily breakable with a matte yellow coloring.

Types of Cannabis Oil

  • CBD Oil: This does not contain any intoxicating effects, most commonly used for relaxation, and commonly sold as a tincture or in capsule form.
  • THC Oil: These are intoxicating oils that are most commonly sold in a solid form that can be vaporized (popular with a vaporizer cartridges), and also consumed in tinctures or capsules.
  • Ingestible Oil: An ingestible type of oil that can be consumed with food/drink or in a capsule.

How to Use Cannabis Concentrates

Because there are so many different types of extracts and oils, there are a variety of different ways to enjoy them. Here are just a few:

  • Dabbing: Probably the most popular way to take advantage of cannabis concentrates is by using a “dab rig.” This vaporizes the concentrate by heating a “nail” (usually made from a material like glass or titanium) and then placing the cannabis directly on the hot surface so it is able to be consumed.
  • Vape Pens: Using a pre-filled vape pen with a cartridge and a battery is the most portable and coinvent use of concentrates. When the button on the pen is pressed, it will heat the cartridge and activate the concentrate.
  • Handheld vaporizer: Different then a pre-filled cartridge, with a handheld vape, you can manually fill the chamber with the concentrate of your choice and then attach the chamber to a battery to heat up the cannabis.

Hopefully you learned a little something new about concentrates, extracts, and oils. As always, Green RiNo is Denver’s go-to source for the best concentrates, extracts, and oils around. Stop by today!