Cannabis concentrates are available in a multitude of forms, with new products and more choices for consumers then ever imagined.

Cannabis can be transformed into a myriad of different products including a variety of concentrates and extracts.

The extracts could be made from a “trim run” which is an extract made from the trimmings of the cannabis plant and is a great way to ensure that every aspect of the herb is used. For veteran weed enthusiasts, a trim run may not be as potent as other products, but most of the time it is still strong enough to pack a punch.

Extraction can also be done as a “nug run” made from the portion of the plant that has the most trichomes and terpenes in them. Unlike a trim run that uses all the leftover material that has come from the original source, a nug run uses the “meat” of the plant and creates a much stronger and more potent effect.

Here are a few of the many concentrates that exist for your enjoyment.

1. Butane Hash Oil

BHO as it is commonly referred to is a hash oil extract that was created using butane. The final consistency can be a wax, an oil, or a solid glass-like substance.

Using butane is a way to extract all of the elements one might want such as the terpenes and cannabinoids from the plant.

Users say the high is much more intense than regular flower.

2. Phoenix Tears

Phoenix Tears are also known as Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) named after the inventor of the extract. In 2003, Rick Simpson successfully treated his skin cancer with his homemade remedy. Since that time Phoenix Tears have become one of the most popular forms of concentrate.

The extract method happens by soaking the cannabis in a pure isopropyl alcohol. This allows the compounds to draw out of the plant and a a tar-like oil is created. The oil can be taken topically or orally.

3. Live Resin

Live resin is a fabulous way to retain all of the original elements of the cannabis plant, such as the terpene smells and flavours.

The extraction method takes a freshly harvested cannabis plant and flash-freezes it to incredibly low temperatures, which ultimately allows the concentrate to retain all the flavours and aromas one would want. The result is a waxy-looking substance that makes dabbing a whole new experience.

4. Rosin Technique

If you’re looking for mass production with the rosin technique, that may be a difficult task. On the flipside however, it’s much safer than potentially blowing up your house using butane extraction. Rosin comes out very much the same as BHO, a semi-clear substance that can have a sap-like or shatter look to it. If done well, it can also retain the same amount of flavour and potency as other concentrates that use solvents.

Ultimately the best part of rosin is that the method in making it requires no chemicals which means nothing but wonderful cannabis is in the extract.

5. Oil

Oil can be messy and stinky, but the best thing about it is that it can be added to a number of different intake methods. This includes putting it in a blunt or joint on top of the actual flower and then smoking it.

6. Kief

Kief is some really powerful stuff. Also known as dry sift or pollen, this powder-like substance is made up of the resin glands found on the trichomes of the cannabis flower.

When added to flower-based joints, kief can turn a simple smoking session into several hours of fun.

7. CO2 Oil

CO2 oil is a concentrate that is extracted using carbon dioxide to separate the plant material. It is a very effective way of creating an extract. Portable vape pens commonly use this technique in their disposable cartridges.

8. Distillates

Make no mistake, with a potency of almost 99 percent THC, cannabis distillates take their rightful place on our list.

This recent trend in the concentrate world is science at its best. The process of using steam distillation to extract cannabinoids, manages to isolate specific compounds in the marijuana and refine them so well that they turn your average cannabis plant from regular to premium very quickly.

9. Hash

This favourite of the marijuana world will seemingly never lose it’s celebrity status.

Hash is the sticky, waxy product that comes when you take the trichomes (resin glands) of a cannabis plant and concentrate them together into a solid block. Once that technique is done, pot lovers have essentially the cheesecake of the plant.

A powerful substance that can be responsible for an epic evening.

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These are some of the many extracts that can come from the wonderful world of marijuana and there are countless others. As always, if you are a “newbie” go slow at the beginning and increase use as needed.

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Madison Cole

Madison is a marijuana enthusiast based out of Ottawa, Canada. Although she uses a pseudonym, Madison has written for many major publications including Maclean's, Chatelaine, City Parent and others.

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