One thing we know about cannabis is how it can easily shapeshift. Cannabis is versatile. The cool thing about learning about cannabis in its many forms is learning how scientific the entire process is, this is especially the case when learning about cannabis concentrates. 

Stoners get a bad rap for being sluggish, lazy, and unconcerned, but for a bunch of lazy folks – there sure are many creative ways to consume and use cannabis. Cannabis concentrates are made through a process of solvent or solventless extraction, and then formed into a concentrated mass of either THC or CBD, and sometimes even both. 

Cannabis concentrates are becoming increasingly popular, but there is a lot of misinformation about this type of marijuana product. At Weedjar, we know knowledge is power, and we’re here to share the facts about cannabis concentrates so you can make an informed decision the next time you stop in at our Eglinton weed shop.

Understanding the Lingo of Cannabis Concentrates

Concentrates contain the highest percentage of cannabis, ranging from 40% to 60%. For comparison, flower usually only goes up to about 30%. So, we know they’re strong – but what else do we know about concentrates?

Before we can even get started with explaining what concentrates are, it’s important to know the language around this form, otherwise, it doesn’t and won’t make sense. Much like concentrates, we’ve got to break it down. 

The term ‘concentrates’ is an umbrella term for so many different types of cannabis extracted products. And concentrates just mean that the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or the cannabidiol (CBD) of a marijuana plant was extracted, and produced into a concentrated mass.  

To understand how concentrates are made is to understand a base knowledge of chemistry. Concentrates are made by breaking down the plant by isolating the compounds to bring out different flavour profiles, otherwise known as terpenes. This process also increases the potency due to the isolation of compounds in the marijuana plant.

 

Terpenes are the compounds responsible for the way most plants smell. They are abundant in cannabis and many other plants, fruits, and herbs

Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds found in the Cannabis plant. 

Cannabidiol is CBD, a naturally occurring compound that produces a healing effect. Most folks take this to not feel the psychoactive effects of the plant

Tetrahydrocannabinol is THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.

 

There is a chance that you’ve already come into contact with concentrates. If you’ve ever smoked a vape, the cartridges use concentrated THC or CBD, either a live-resin or distillate.  if you’ve used a topical for pain relief, that includes concentrates, or if you’ve ever used a tincture or cannabis chocolate, that also is a concentrated mass. 

Typically, there are a few ways to make different types of concentrates. For the desired result, there are different processes. The two types of concentrates are Solvent and Non-Solvent Based Concentrates.

 

What is the Difference Between Solvent vs. Non-Solvent Based Concentrates?

Solvent Concentrates

To briefly describe the process of solvent extraction, as I mentioned earlier in the post, is to understand basic chemistry and the makeup of compounds, and how they interact. Solvents are made through the process of hydrocarbon extraction. To simplify, what this means is that either butane or propane is used as a solvent to pass through the cannabis, and it extracts only the necessary compounds to create a concentrated version of cannabis. 

The literal definition of solvent is a liquid, typically one other than water, used for dissolving other substances.

 

Types of Cannabis Concentrates That Use Solvent Extraction 

Co2 oil

Oil is made by extracting CBD and THC using carbon dioxide extraction.

Shatter

Shatter is also known as Butane Hash Oil (BHO). The hash oil concentrate is produced by extracting high levels of THC from marijuana plants using butane solvent.

Budder

Budder is a solvent-based cannabis concentrate that takes on a light, airy wax finish. It is processed into a THC oil and is then further heated to create a thick frosted appearance. 

Crumble

Crumble is a solvent-based cannabis concentrate that is dry and powdery. It is made through a process similar to shatter. 

Live Resin

Live resin is a cannabis concentrate made through solvent extraction of fresh, frozen cannabis plants. Live means that the plant wasn’t dried or cured before extraction. 

Moon Rocks

To create moon rocks, cannabis buds are dipped in hash oil and then rolled in kief. 

 

What are the Benefits of Solvent-Based Concentrates?

Solvent-based concentrates are some of the most popular and common forms of concentrates. The process usually involves propane, butane, CO2, or ethanol to strip the cannabidiol and terpenes, it also involves purging processes that make it safe for consumption. Solvent extraction has a higher percentage of potency, making it a popular choice for those who want to feel elevated effects in a shorter amount of time. 

 

What are Non-Solvent-Based or Solventless Concentrates?

Non-solvent concentrates, also known as solventless concentrates, are cannabis concentrates that do not use solvents to extract THC or CBD from a marijuana plant. These are considered to be safer as they do not use a chemical process to extract the THC or CBD. 

 

Types of Solventless/Non-solvent Based Concentrates

Hash

Hash is made using the trichomes of a marijuana plant. The trichomes are removed and then compressed into a concentrate. The most common and traditional method is to rub the resinous plants together by hand to form little balls or bricks of hash. 

Bubble Hash

Bubble hash is a type of concentrate that is made through an ice-water extraction process using the resinous parts of a cannabis plant. 

Kief

Kief is the crystal-like formation that is on the tip of the trichomes of the cannabis plant. When the trichomes of a plant are shaken off, it turns into a dust, or more commonly, kief. Kief is collected by sifting cannabis buds through a mesh screen, or through a sieve. 

Rosin 

Cannabis rosin is a concentrate produced from processing the cannabis plant using heat and pressure.

 

What are the Benefits of Non-Solvent-Based Concentrates?

One of the benefits of non-solvent-based cannabis concentrates is that they are more natural, and are produced without any chemical properties.

 

 

What’s the Difference Between Extracts and Concentrates?

Concentrates are a product of solventless extraction and extracts are a type of concentrate that comes from solvent-based and CO2 processes.

 

Where to Find Marijuana Concentrates in Scarborough 

We have a variety of solvent-based concentrates at our Weedjar Eglinton location. Here are a few of our best sellers. 

 

 

Shop our selection of Solvent Based Concentrates at our Weedjar Eglinton Location

 

Recess 1:1 Oil by Joints 

Joints Recess 1:1 Oil is a solvent-based oil with both hemp CBD and cannabis THC distillate. The oil is naturally flavoured with high-purity hemp-derived CBD distillate and cannabis-derived THC with pharmaceutical-grade MCT oil. It is a balanced 1:1 oil that is easy to use, and easy to enjoy. 

 

Gelato X G13 Live Resin Caviar by Dymond Concentrates 2.0 

The Gelato X G13 is an indica-dominant live resin caviar. The flavour from the fresh cannabis that was extracted produces a sweet and fruity flavour. Dymond Concentrates is committed to providing consistent and natural flavours with their Soil to Oil commitment. 

 

Blue Gorilla OG Shatter by Phyto Extractions 

A Butane-Hash-Oil (BHO) extraction process is used to make Blue Gorilla Shatter.

 

Shop our selection of Non-Solvent-Based Concentrates at our Weedjar Scarborough Location 

 

Tropic Thunder Kief by Shred

On top of the citrus and tropical aromas, the Tropic Thunder Kief by Shred is a pre-shredded whole flower that’s 30% THC, making it tropical while providing a punch. 

Old School Pressed Hash by Wagners

This solventless hash is darker on the outside while being lighter on the inside. The trichomes are sifted and isolated using screens, and then heated and pressed to make sure that the natural oils act as binding agents, giving it a spicy and pungent aroma. 

 

Lemon Z Aged Temple Ball by Port North 

The Lemon Z Aged Temple Ball by Port North is made using a solventless technique of ice and water to gently remove trichomes by their size, which are then organized and heated with pressure and bound into a single form. They are then hand-rolled, and the smoke produced from the hash is smooth and rich in flavour. 

 

The Bottom Line 

To recap, there’s nothing scary about cannabis concentrates. Cannabis concentrates are powerful, concentrated forms of marijuana that extract the cannabis plant’s active components. Cannabis concentrates can be made with or without solvents such as butane, carbon dioxide, or ethanol. They can also be made traditionally with ice, water, pressure, and heat. Our weed shop in Scarborough carries both solvent and solventless concentrates, as well as accessories to elevate your cannabis experience. Cannabis concentrates are a new and versatile method of cannabis consumption. Because of their high THC levels and diverse appearance, they can be used as a substitute for smoking flower, or in cooking or baking edibles. 

About Weedjar

Weedjar is a family-owned and operated business providing carefully curated cannabis products and accessories to our customers in over three locations in Ontario, including Eglinton/ Scarborough, Oakwood Village, and Broadview

 

Oakwood Village Broadview North Eglinton & Danforth Rd
355 Oakwood Ave., York 1127B Broadview Ave., East York 2807 Eglinton Ave E., Scarborough
416-546-3052 416-519-2706 647-426-5595