4 differences between cannabis concentrates and flower

4 Differences Between Cannabis Concentrates and Flower With the growing market of available flower, shatter, oils, waxes, etc., we wanted to take a moment to break-down the four main differences between concentrating and flower.

Concentrates are More Potent

Perhaps the most noticeable (and sought-after) difference between cannabis flower and concentrates is the different levels of potency. While concentrates are derived from bud using an extraction process, they are a more “concentrated� form of the cannabis plant and are much more potent. For example, most bud has a potency of between 10-25% THC, depending on the strain. A concentrate, however, can have between 50-80% THC content, sometimes even reaching into the 90s.

Keep in mind, as the potency increases the dosage should decrease - especially if you are a beginner user. A little goes a long way in the world of concentrates!

Concentrates Have Many Forms Concentrates are created by using an extraction process to strip the potent trichomes and terpenes from the cannabis plant. There are two main types of extraction processes, those that use solvents (ie: CO2, butane, alcohol, etc), as well as non-solvent based processes that use water for extraction. After being extracted, these compounds are manipulated to produce

various forms of concentrates. The benefit to concentrates is that they contain only the desired compounds (THC, CBD, etc) and none of the excess plant material.

Unlike flower, which comes in only one form, concentrates come in a variety of different forms: ●

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Shatter is made by using butane to produce a glass-like concentrate that can be dabbed or broken up and included in bowls or joints. Read our What The Heck is Shatter? post to learn more!

Oil can be made with both CO2 or butane extraction processes to produce an oil. This concentrate is popular amongst individuals who prefer direct ingestion, as opposed to smoking.

Crumble is another solvent-based extract that gets its name from the dry consistency, which “crumbles” when handled. This concentrate is easily consumed in dabs.

Budder is a solvent-based concentrate with a creamy, “buttery” texture. It can be vaped, smoked, dabbed, twaxed or used in edibles!

Wax or Sap is an extremely sticky solvent-based concentrate that is primarily used for dabbing.

Hash is a non-solvent concentrate that is created through a process which uses water to seperate the kief from the plant material and condense it. It can be smoked in a pipe or bong, rolled up in a joint or vaped.

Rosin is another non-solvent concentrate that is derived by the flower being heated. The resulting concentrate has a similar consistency to wax, but dries like shatter. It is inhaled through dabbing, or can be added to a joint or bowl.

Concentrates are Consumed Differently

Flower can be consumed through either smoking or vaping, but concentrates are consumed differently due to the difference in potency and consistency. How you choose to consume your concentrate will depend on what type of concentrate you have, as well as how quickly you want to see effects and for how long. The benefit to concentrates is that they offer a variety of options to the user. ●

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Dabbing is the process of applying an extract (such as shatter) to a hot nail and inhaling via the use of a glass piece, such as a pipe or bong. This is an easy way to consume a potent dose, but it can be tricky for beginners.

Edibles are a very popular method for consuming concentrates and are quite potent.

Instead of being broken down in the bloodstream like traditional consumption methods (smoking, vaping, dabbing), the cannabinoids are broken down in the liver where they are converted into a more potent form. While flower can be melted and made into cannabutter for edibles, it is not as potent as using shatter, budder or oils.

Ingestible Oils are similar to edibles in how they are metabolised, but the effects tend to last longer. Oils often come in pill form and are offered in high THC, CBD or both.

Tinctures are similar to ingestible oils, but are instead consumed under the tongue.

They take effect much quicker than edibles or oils, but are somewhat less potent as they are metabolised in the bloodstream as opposed to the liver.

Hash and Oils can be consumed similar to flower, as well as in a vape pen. Vape pens come in both oil cartridge formats, as well as being able to take “loose flower” or hash.

Flower Usually Has More Flavor & Terpenes

The last difference between concentrates and flower is that flowers often contain more flavor and terpenes. In some cases, concentrates will lose their flavors and aromas during the extraction process. These unique flavors are associated with terpenes. These are fragrant oils secreted by the cannabis plant, which are responsible for producing potent aromas. These aromas can range from earthy, piney and musky to sweet, fruity and floral depending on the strain. Unfortunately, terpenes are heat-sensitive and can be difficult to preserve during the extraction process.

To combat this, some producers have begun adding these flavorful compounds after the extraction process. This has resulted in newer concentrates with intense flavor and aroma, often surpassing that of the original flower.

However, if you are someone who values the natural flavors and components of the cannabis plant, you cannot beat the original flower.

Buy Cannabis Online Regardless of whether you prefer cannabis concentrates or flower, Fair Canna Care has everything you need in our online cannabis dispensary shop! Browse everything from $2 to $7 per gram flower to distillate, shatter and edibles, as well as hash and kief. Fair Canna Care makes it easy to buy cannabis online, in all its forms!

Sources: https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/5-differences-between-cannabis-concentrates-and-flower https://www.hopegrown.org/blog/top-4-differences-between-cannabis-concentrates-and-flower