Everything You Want to Know About Cannabis Concentrates

When you think of medical or recreational cannabis, what types of products do you think of first? Many consumers know about cannabis flower or bud as a smokable option. Others prefer the convenience of vaping cannabis.

There are many other products to consider, from tinctures to capsules and edibles. And the potency of medical cannabis can vary, no matter what route you choose. In the 1960s, the average potency for illicit cannabis averaged 3% to 7%. Today, the average potency found in licensed dispensaries ranges from 15% to 20%.

Then there are specialty products available in both Florida and Massachusetts that exceed the average potency. On the highest end of the potency scale, there are products collectively called cannabis concentrates. And they may average anywhere from 50% THC content to well over 80%.

How much do you know about cannabis concentrates? If you are new to using medical cannabis and you have moderate to severe symptoms, can they work better than lower potency options? We’ll share everything you want to know about using cannabis concentrates to help you make an informed choice.

Are Cannabis Concentrates Legal in Massachusetts and Florida?

Yes. In Florida and Massachusetts, it is legal to purchase and possess cannabis concentrates. In Florida, a medical cannabis card is required to purchase, possess and use any type of cannabis. In Massachusetts, patients may also purchase concentrates at a medical dispensary.

While recreational use is legalized in Massachusetts for adults aged twenty-one (21) years and older, patients with a medical card save more money. Massachusetts medical cardholders are not charged the excise tax that consumers pay for adult-use products. Patients with a medical card save 20% tax on each purchase.

How Are Cannabis Concentrates Made?

Cannabis concentrates are only different in one way compared to other medical cannabis products; they are highly potent. In fact, in some states, there are potency caps that limit the THC concentrates may have. And in a few states, concentrates are illegal, limiting patients to low-THC medical cannabis products only.

In most states, however, cannabis concentrates can be found in licensed dispensaries, formulated into a variety of different products for medicinal use. Learn more about how cannabis concentrates are made.

Cannabis Concentrate Extraction Processes

Every product starts with the cannabis extraction process. It produces a highly potent oil, which is then used to make all medical and recreational cannabis products. The same oil is diluted with carrier oils to create tinctures, for example, or added to a confectionary mixture to make cannabis candies, gummies, and other edibles.

The selection of the cannabis strain is essential when creating cannabis concentrate. Cultivators will grow specific strains that have higher than average THC potency. Cannabis strains that also have good minor cannabinoid content (like cannabinol, cannabidiol (CBD), or cannabigerol) are also preferred for creating medical cannabis products.

There are different methods that are used to extract cannabinoids (including THC), terpenes, and flavonoids from harvested cannabis plants. And some extraction methods are considered healthier than others.

Solvent Based Concentrates

Some extraction processes involve solvents. The methods use ethanol or butane to force compounds out of the cannabis plants. The cannabinoids and terpenes in solvent-based concentrates are then evaporated, and what is left behind is cannabis concentrate.

While the butane extraction and ethanol methods rely on dissipating the solvents, it is possible that some of the chemical compounds may be left behind in the oil concentrates. They are harmful chemicals that can cause health problems. For this reason, many patients using medical cannabis on a regular basis choose products processed with other extraction methods.

C02 Extraction Method

This is the preferred method for extracting cannabis concentrate from plant materials. That is because it does not involve the use of harmful chemicals and residual butane or ethanol after processing. The CO2 extraction method uses pressurized carbon dioxide. And it is not only safer but considered more efficient at extracting “the good stuff” from cannabis plants, such as terpenes and cannabinoids.

Rosin Pressing

Some types of cannabis concentrates are created by rosin pressing. Heat and pressure are applied to raw cannabis flowers, and rosin is produced. Dry cannabis, kief, or hash is used to produce standard rosin.

However, fresh cannabis buds that have not been cured (dried) produce live rosin. The fresh cannabis plant material preserves more cannabinoids and terpenes. Many patients that use medical cannabis concentrates prefer live rosin for this reason.

Refinement and Processing

After the cannabis concentrate has been extracted, it undergoes some steps that help remove impurities. Think of the material after extraction as crude concentrate. Additional steps are taken to distill the cannabis extracts and remove impurities. It is also tested for potency and chemical compounds at this step for quality control and safety.

What Are the Different Forms of Cannabis Concentrates?

Any cannabis product that has a higher-than-average potency (usually 40% or higher) is classified as a cannabis concentrate. When you visit the dispensary, you may see some or all of the following forms to choose from.

Rosin

This cannabis concentrate is processed without the use of any solvents or chemicals. Cannabis rosin is a very potent cannabis concentrate, which appears like a sticky, medium-density golden substance. Rosin is considered to be the safest type of cannabis concentrate because of the natural heat and pressure extraction process.

There are a variety of different ways you can consume regular or live rosin. You may choose to use it with a dab rig, which is a device specifically designed to consume cannabis concentrates. You simply place a small portion of the rosin on the dab nail, apply heat, and inhale.

Other ways to consume rosin include adding it to a pre-roll or to your bowl when smoking cannabis flower. Because it is concentrated, only small quantities are needed to get the desired physical and psychoactive effects.

Crumble

Cannabis concentrated crumble looks just like the name implies. It resembles frozen and crumbled butter or cookie dough. It is medium consistency but a little more difficult to use with a dab rig because the crumble can fall off the nail.

Crumble is one of the solvent-based concentrates. And it can be used by dabbing or adding it to fresh cannabis flower for inhalation. Unlike other types of concentrated cannabis solids, it is not sticky.

Wax

Comparing concentrated cannabis wax to crumble, wax is definitely sticky. It is made from a solvent-based extraction process using butane. However, it can also be produced using CO2 (carbon dioxide) methods.

Wax is pliable. You can take a portion and roll it into a small ball, and it has a consistency similar to lip balm. This also makes it easy to use with a dab rig or smear on the inside of your own pre-rolled cone. You can also add wax to a pipe bowl when smoking cannabis flower.

Kief

If you have used cannabis flower and a grinder, you may already know what kief is. Most grinders have a fine screen and a collecting chamber to catch the highly concentrated kief powder that falls every time you prepare your bud.

What is very valuable about kief is more than just the high THC potency; it contains sparkling crystals called trichomes. The cannabis flower has the highest concentrations of cannabinoids and terpenes in the trichomes. Dispensaries will sometimes sell kief, but it is often formulated into other cannabis products instead.

Like other concentrated cannabis extracts, it can be used to supplement your dry herb in pre-rolls or your pipe. Some people also prefer to add kief to foods and beverages or make edibles with it. Kief can also be heat pressed to form hash (another type of cannabis concentrate).

Edibles

Marijuana concentrates also come in the form of edibles. Aside from smokable cannabis flowers, edibles are the second most popular intake method. Cannabis oil and kief are used to create high-potency edibles that are pleasant to consume.

Some of the most common concentrated edibles you may find at a dispensary include:

• Gummies
• Chocolates
• Candies
• Tablets or Capsules

Confectionary cannabis edibles generally taste good, but the higher the concentration of THC and other cannabinoids, the more likely you are to taste something dank or bitter.

Butane Hash Oil (BHO)

This type of cannabis concentrate is often referred to as honey, oil, butane honey oil, or dabs. Butane is used in the extraction process, and BHO has a sticky texture. It is also highly concentrated. Butane hash oil is most commonly consumed using a dab rig.

No matter what the extraction method is, the one thing that cannabis plant concentrates have in common is exceedingly high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). For some patients, smoking weed is not enough to provide the relief they are looking for. Solventless concentrates are popular for individuals who may have developed a tolerance to lower-potency medical marijuana.

What Symptoms Can Concentrated Cannabis Help With?

Medical cannabis is not a cure for any symptom or condition. However, for patients who are unable to get relief from other therapies, or prescription medications, it can be an effective alternative. Doctor-supervised cannabis allows patients to consult with a practitioner for expert advice.

When standard medical cannabis and other therapies haven’t worked, cannabinoids and terpenes delivered with a higher THC potency can help. Some of the common health conditions and symptoms include:

• Chronic pain (including arthritis and neuropathy).
• Vomiting and nausea.
• Cachexia and appetite loss.
• Chronic insomnia.
• Anxiety or Depression.
• Epilepsy (muscle spasms and tremors).
• Chronic inflammation.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Marijuana flower in the United States has an average potency of 20% THC. However, hash oils and concentrates can average anywhere from 50% THC to over 80% potency. Not all concentrates are appropriate for use for all medication conditions, however. There are many patients who may not be approved for cannabis concentrates.

Who Should Not Use Cannabis Concentrates?

Cannabis concentrates are only recommended for patients who have developed a tolerance to lower-potency medical cannabis products. If a patient has moderate to severe symptoms and is unable to moderate those symptoms by other therapeutic means, a physician may suggest cannabis concentrates.

Cannabis concentrates are often provided for patients in end-of-life care who are suffering from a terminal illness. Because of the high THC potency of cannabis concentrates, this category of medical cannabis is not recommended for everyone.

Minors

Marijuana concentrates are not recommended for minors. In fact, in most jurisdictions where medical cannabis is legalized, pediatric patients are limited to low-THC products alone. It has nothing to do with the extraction method of cannabis concentrates but everything to do with the impact of high THC potency during the adolescent development period.

Several clinical studies have suggested that exposure to THC before the age of twenty-one years can cause cognitive and developmental impairments. According to Healthy Children, one 2021 survey indicated that 7% of 8th-grade children, 17% of 10th-graders, and 30% of 12th-graders reported using cannabis or hashish in the year previous to the study.

Children with moderate to severe health conditions and symptoms may face side effects from using moderate to high-potency medical cannabis. Those impairments may include problems with memory and learning, focus and attention, problem-solving, and motor coordination development.

Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women

Women who are pregnant will become pregnant shortly, or those that have given birth and currently breastfeeding should not use any cannabis products, especially concentrated THC. Some studies have linked prenatal cannabis exposure to preterm birth, developmental problems, and low birth weight.

Any controlled substances, including illicit drugs, tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis, should be avoided by expecting mothers. And infants need to be protected from cannabis secondhand smoke as well. Exposure to cannabis for children, according to many studies, can result in physical and cognitive impairments later in life.

Individuals With a History of Substance Abuse

Anyone who has struggled with substance abuse should avoid using cannabis concentrates unless they have a severe and debilitating condition or receiving compassionate care for a terminal illness. That is because the increased potency of concentrates can lead to dependence if not used sparingly.

Concentrated cannabis can trigger cravings for other substances and increases the risk of addiction relapse. Low THC provided in a doctor-supervised treatment plan can help some patients segue from harmful substances; some states accept opioid recovery as a qualifying health condition for medical cannabis.

Patients With Respiratory Problems

The primary method of ingesting cannabis concentrates is to smoke it. And individuals who have chronic respiratory diseases or symptoms should avoid any smokable cannabis products. There are other routes that are appropriate that do not involve inhalation and will not exacerbate respiratory problems.

Patients who may want to use marijuana concentrate in other ways have a variety of options. Concentrates are available in tablets or capsule forms, tinctures, and edibles. You don’t have to smoke concentrates to explore the benefits of higher-potency THC for therapeutic use.

Individuals Taking Certain Prescription Medications

You may have heard that some cannabinoids can interfere with prescription medications. The primary conflict between cannabis and some prescription drugs is that it may lower the efficacy or how well the drug works in your body.

While that may not sound like a big deal, if you are taking prescription drugs for an otherwise life-threatening health problem, such as blood clots, hypertension, anxiety or depression, or cardiovascular issues, it can be a risk.

Cannabis is contraindicated (conflicts) with these categories of prescription drugs:

• Tranquilizers and sedatives.
• Anxiety medications.
• Depression medications.
• Anticoagulants (blood thinners).
• Antipsychotic medications.
• Anticonvulsant drugs.
• Opioids and NSAIDs.
• Heart medications.

One of the important reasons why patients must consult and be approved by a medical professional for a medical card is a safety check. A review of your health history, current medications, and symptom management goals. But most importantly, to make sure that medical cannabis is a safe choice for your needs.

Patients With a History of Severe Mental Health Disorders

Did you know that some strains of cannabis may cause hallucinatory effects? While the cannabis plant is not classified as a psychedelic, some strains can produce similar effects. When you increase the potency of THC, the likelihood of adverse effects increases.

Patients who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, disassociative disorders, and manic depression should not use cannabis concentrates. Some studies have shown that high-potency THC concentrates can significantly make symptoms worse and increase the risk of psychosis.

Increased Risk of Developing Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome

No one overdoses from cannabis, right? It is true that to date, there have been no documented overdose deaths worldwide where cannabis what the sole substance used. However, when you expose your body to excessively high levels of THC concentrates, you may develop an irreversible condition called cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, or CHS.

The best way to describe cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is your body overdosing on cannabis. You can exceed the THC limit that your body will be willing to tolerate. Using marijuana concentrate regularly can cause CHS, almost similar to an allergic reaction to cannabinoids.

The symptoms of CHS are violent vomiting and persistent nausea. Your body may hinder you due to very high levels of cannabinoids and terpenes. People who use concentrates several times per week are most at risk.

There is some more bad news about developing CHS; the condition is not reversible. Once your body has had enough of cannabis, you will experience severe nausea and vomiting symptoms if you try to consume any time of cannabis. No matter what the potency is. Even standing in a room with secondhand cannabis smoke can trigger another CHS reaction.

Be aware that wax, honey, and other concentrates are not meant to be consumed daily. And that using concentrated cannabis extracts regularly can significantly increase your risk of adverse effects.

Cannabinoids and terpenes can offer many therapeutic benefits. Focus on trying different strains and research terpene and minor cannabinoid profiles to find standard potency medical cannabis products that may help with your symptoms.

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