Cannabis concentrates have only been on the market for about 25 years, but in that short window, they’ve gone on to become one of the hottest sectors of the weed world. By extracting and concentrating the active compounds in cannabis—the cannabinoids and terpenes that impart the psychoactive and beneficial effects of weed—they offer unparalleled potency and the potential for never-before-experienced flavors.
It’s why Mission makes a point of highlighting concentrate favorites like Crystal Clear and dabl, while also offering an extensive selection across this diverse category.
If you’ve been asking yourself, “What are cannabis concentrates?” you’re in the right place. This guide is designed to walk you through the essentials, including:
- An introduction to what cannabis concentrates are
- Reasons people choose concentrates over other forms of cannabis
- The most common types of concentrates available today
- The different ways concentrates can be used
…and more. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how concentrates can offer a unique and powerful way to experience cannabis, along with guidance for safe and confident use.
What Are Cannabis Concentrates?
Cannabis concentrates are simply highly concentrated cannabis products. By extracting and then concentrating cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, they offer high potency and flavor in a shelf-stable form. Though cannabis concentrates seem new, that’s not entirely true. Hashish, made from the cannabis plant’s dried and pressed trichomes, is perhaps the oldest cannabis concentrate, with a history dating back centuries.
Today, concentrates are typically categorized by whether or not they were created using a solvent-based or solventless extraction method.
Solvent-Based Extraction: These products are made with the use of chemical compounds such as CO2, butane, or propane to separate the physical material of the cannabis plant—the flower, stems, and other plant matter—from the cannabinoids and terpenes we want to keep.
Solventless Extraction: These methods are simpler, relying on mechanical or water-based processes to remove the trichomes from the cannabis plant. Once they’ve been separated from the flower, producers use natural methods, such as pressure, filtration, and temperature, to concentrate them into a usable form.
Though it’s not recommended to try solvent-based extraction at home, solventless methods can be incredibly easy to DIY—providing you exercise proper care. You can produce solventless extraction concentrates simply by rubbing cannabis flower between your palms (called “charas”) or using parchment paper and a hair straightener to get results.
Why Do People Choose Cannabis Concentrates?
While cannabis flower can contain high levels of THC, cannabis concentrates are really in a league of their own when it comes to potency. Compared with even the strongest flower—which tops out at roughly 35% THC—some concentrates can reach potencies of 90% or higher. That means fast-acting effects that are far and away more intense than any you’d experience with flower, or even some edibles.
Plus, for those interested in the most unique sensory and flavorful experiences, they’re really the only game in town. Since the manufacturing process also concentrates the fragrant terpenes that give different strains their specific aromatic and flavor profiles, weed concentrates can deliver a truly remarkable sensory experience. If you’ve ever sampled the style of concentrates known as live resin or live rosin, you know exactly what we mean by “flavor explosion.”
Finally, due to their high potency, many people choose cannabis concentrates for their efficiency. Compared with bulk flower, you only need a tiny amount to experience out-of-this-world effects, making them gram-for-gram one of the most economical cannabis options around.
Cannabis Concentrate Types: Solventless vs Solvent-Based
Cannabis concentrates come in many different forms, and the variety can feel overwhelming at first. To make things easier, we’ve put together a simple breakdown of the most common types you’ll see on our menus.
Solvent-Based Concentrates
By using solvents to draw out the active compounds in cannabis, solvent-based extraction produces a wide range of concentrate types—each with its own texture, flavor, and potency.
Wax
Perhaps the most popular weed concentrate, wax is usually consumed with the use of a dab rig, but it can also be added to joints, bowls, and vaporizers, where it imparts a hefty dose of potency and flavor.
Crumble
Crumble—sometimes known as crumble wax—is a popular and highly versatile solvent-based cannabis concentrate. But instead of having a waxy, spreadable consistency, it typically takes the form of tiny crumbly pebbles. Like wax, crumble is easily added to bulk flower in prerolled joints or bowls, in vaporizers, or enjoyed on its own in a dab rig.
Budder
Budder (and badder, a close relative) is a creamy concentrate that resembles butter or cake batter, delivering a smooth boost of flavor and potency when dabbed or added to a joint or bowl. A popular menu item, look for producers such as dabl, who make potent badder and budder.
Shatter
Shatter looks a lot like dried, translucent, candy-like shards. While its non-spreadable consistency can make this cannabis concentrate slightly harder to work with, it makes up for it with superior shelf-stability and strong potency.
Live Resin
Made from flash-frozen cannabis flower, this solvent-based cannabis concentrate preserves an unusually high proportion of fragile terpenes. As a result, live resin’s flavor is sometimes described as being hyperrealistic.
Solventless Concentrates
Since these types of weed concentrates require little more than gentle heat and pressure to extract their precious cannabinoids and terpenes, they’re especially popular among those who appreciate simplicity in their cannabis products.
Kief
Kief is one of the most natural forms of cannabis concentrate, made up of the fine, powdery trichomes sifted from the flower. It has a sandy texture and is valued for its concentrated cannabinoids and aromatic terpenes. Often sprinkled into a joint or bowl, kief enhances both flavor and potency without complicating your routine.
Hash
As the world’s first true cannabis concentrate, hash—or hashish—consists of kief that’s been collected and pressed into chalky blocks. While it may lack the extreme potency of more modern cannabis concentrates, hash occupies a special place in cannabis history as a time-honored form of concentrate.
Rosin
Not to be confused with resin, a similar-sounding but solvent-based product, rosin is a form of solventless concentrate that’s made using mild heat and pressure. It’s one of the most popular and safest ways to make concentrates at home. It takes the form of a rich and shiny-looking mass, and like resin, can be made from flash-frozen flower to produce live rosin.
How to Use Cannabis Concentrates
Cannabis concentrates can be enjoyed in several different ways, each offering its own experience. From traditional dab rigs to vape pens and infused flower, the method you choose depends on your preferences and comfort level.
Dab Rig
A dab rig is one of the most common tools used to enjoy cannabis concentrates. Similar in appearance to a bong or water pipe, a rig uses either a butane torch or an electric heating element to vaporize the concentrate, delivering smooth, potent hits known as “dabs.”
Added to Joints or Bowls
Depending on their consistency, cannabis concentrates can be added to flower in joints or bowls, imparting a significant boost in potency and flavor. If you’ve ever enjoyed an infused pre-roll, like the ones featuring hash oil by Terp Stix, you’ve already gotten a good taste of concentrates.
Vapes
Vaporizers, or vape pens, are a convenient way to enjoy cannabis concentrates. Some units require the concentrates to be hand-loaded in a special chamber, while others take out the guesswork with a prefilled cartridge, as in the case of dab pens or wax pens.
They’re easy to operate, typically requiring just the push of a button or an intake of air. Since vaporizer units can get clogged by resin from melted concentrates, keep in mind that they require regular cleaning and maintenance.
Tips for Safe & Responsible Use
When you’re first learning how to use cannabis concentrates, it’s best to go in with eyes wide open. While consuming any form of THC has the potential for adverse side effects, with concentrates, this is magnified due to their sky-high potency and rapid onset. As with all cannabis products, it’s best to follow the advice, “Start low and go slow.”
If you’re a more experienced consumer, consider mindful practices like tolerance breaks and rotating product types. These approaches can help you maintain balanced effects, prevent overconsumption, and ensure your sessions remain both enjoyable and beneficial over time.
Equally important is safe storage. Keep concentrates in a cool, dark place to preserve their quality, and always store them securely out of reach of children, pets, or anyone who should not have access to cannabis.
Shop Wax, Badder, and More Cannabis Concentrates at Mission Dispensaries
Cannabis concentrates open the door to a wide range of experiences—from smooth, flavorful hits to potent, fast-acting effects. Whether you’re curious to try them for the first time or looking to explore new varieties, Mission offers options for every preference and comfort level.
Ready to explore cannabis concentrates for yourself? Browse our wide selection online at our Illinois and Massachusetts dispensaries, or stop by in person to learn more. Our knowledgeable team is always here to answer your questions and help you find the right product for your needs.
FAQs About Cannabis Concentrates
What are cannabis concentrates?
A highly concentrated form of the cannabis plant, concentrates contain an elevated level of psychoactive cannabinoids and flavorful terpenes to deliver exceptional potency and flavors.
What types of concentrates are there?
Cannabis concentrates come in a wide variety of formats. The easiest way to distinguish among them is along the solvent-based and solventless divide. Solvent-based products use compounds such as CO2, butane, or propane to separate the cannabinoids and terpenes, while solventless extraction methods rely on simple mechanical or water-based processes.
Are concentrates stronger than flower?
Yes. Compared to even the strongest flower, which can top out at 35% THC, some concentrates reach potencies of 90% or higher. Their fast-acting and intense effects should be approached slowly, especially by those new to cannabis.
How do you smoke cannabis concentrates?
There are several ways to enjoy concentrates. The simplest method involves adding a bit to joints or bowls, which enhances potency and flavor. Alternatively, dab rigs are a specialized way to experience cannabis concentrates, akin to a high-tech version of a water pipe or bong.
What’s the difference between wax, hash, and kief?
Wax is a solvent-based concentrate made using compounds such as CO2, butane, or propane. Hash and kief are both solventless products, made using simple mechanical or water-based processes to concentrate the potent cannabinoids in the cannabis plant.
