Cannabis Concentrates Explained: Your Ultimate Guide To Dabs

Getting started in cannabis concentrates can be a bit daunting, with all the different consistencies, types, and terminology. Beyond just that, what type of rig or setup do you need to use, or can you use your existing equipment (bong, pipe, etc)? 

It’s easy to get overwhelmed, which is the opposite of what your cannabis concentrate journey should be making you feel.

To take the edge off and put you more at ease, we have put together a guide for new users to learn about concentrates and for more experienced users to get a refresher. The goal is for you to feel comfortable shopping for concentrates like a true hash head. 

Take a deep breath, or rip a hit, and let's get into what makes cannabis concentrates one of the most exciting sides of cannabis consumption.

What are cannabis concentrates?

Cannabis concentrates are simply concentrated forms of cannabis. This means that while a higher-percentage flower product could lab test anywhere from 18-30% THC and sometimes higher, cannabis concentrates are often in the 60-90% THC range, with some products testing even higher. 

The remainder can include terpenes, other cannabinoids, and other compounds retained during extraction. A good comparison for cannabis concentrates to flowers would be like comparing wine or beer to spirits like vodka or rum; both contain alcohol, but the percentage is much higher in spirits, similarly to cannabis extracts and THC.

Types of cannabis concentrates

From centuries ago to the present day, cannabis extracts have taken on many forms that are still readily available today. From early pressed and Nepalese temple ball-style hash to more modern fresh-frozen washed rosin, and everything in between. 

Hash (traditional + modern)

Hash, or hashish, is one of the oldest concentrated forms of cannabis, with roots stretching back centuries across Central and South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. 

Traditionally, it was made by collecting the resin-rich trichomes from cannabis plants and pressing them into bricks or balls for smoking, eating, or medicinal use. During the 19th and 20th centuries, hash spread more widely through Europe and North America, eventually helping inspire today's modern cannabis concentrates, including dry sift, bubble hash, rosin, and other modern extracts.

Today, you can find hash in a variety of forms, from Temple Balls and kief to ice water hash and even newer Piatella-style hash from Spain. Top hash brands on the market include Nasha and Fire King.

With THC ranges that often fall around 20-60%, it allows users to dabble with cannabis concentrates at a potentially lower potency than many modern extracts, although beginners should still start small.

Live Resin

Live resin is typically one of the most common concentrates you'll see at dispensaries. It’s extracted from fresh-frozen cannabis using hydrocarbons such as butane, propane, or a blend of the two. 

Live resin can be labeled as sauce, sugar, badder, or diamonds, which generally refer to the product's texture. This type of concentrate is best for consumers looking for bold flavor, high potency, and affordable price points.

Several brands make live resin, including West Coast Cure, STIIIZY, and Cannabiotix.

THC ranges for live resin run anywhere from 60-90%, so they’re quite a good bang for your buck.

Live Rosin

Live rosin combines two processes to achieve the intended results. First, plant material is frozen and washed like water hash. Once the water hash has been retrieved, it is freeze-dried and placed into custom bags before being pressed in a heated hydraulic press that squeezes out the “Rosin”. 

If taken immediately from the press, it's called “Fresh Press”; otherwise, the rosin is generally collected and then whipped or cured to improve shelf stability and create a more terpene-rich experience on the nose.

Some of the most popular live rosin products at dispensaries come from 710 Labs, Moon Valley Cannabis, and Rosin Tech Labs

Live rosin generally appeals to more seasoned concentrate users, or those looking for a completely solventless extraction. The process can also produce lower yields than many solvent-based extraction methods, which can contribute to higher retail prices. Lab testing typically falls around 60-85% THC, although potency varies by cultivar and batch.

Wax / Budder

As times change, so does terminology, and that applies to wax and budder. Wax as a term came into fashion in the early 2010s and was meant to be a catch-all for butane-extracted cannabis concentrate, or butane hash oil (BHO). 

Generally referring to a consistency, not a style, wax ranged from dry honeycomb to more ear-wax-like substances and even budder. Today, wax can mean a range of soft, opaque concentrates and is still most commonly associated with solvent-based extracts.

Budder, once considered a subset of wax, now refers specifically to a consistency. So you will find both live resin and live rosin labeled or branded as budder. Consistency is the key factor for budder, often made through controlled agitation or curing that creates a soft, creamy, butter-like texture. 

Wax and budder are best for consumers who want a concentrate that is easy to scoop, portion, and dab. Potency varies by product, but wax and budder commonly land around 60-90% THC.

If you want to give wax or budder a try, Bear Labs and Chico’s Best are great places to start. 

Shatter

Somewhat a blast from the past, shatter was once considered the most desirable consistency for a cannabis concentrate. Smooth and shiny in its appearance, shatter is made from BHO, so it uses a solvent to extract the THC and other cannabinoids from the plant material. 

Through a specific process using controlled heat and vacuum to remove residual solvent, the extract is left largely undisturbed so it can form an extremely hard and brittle, glass-like structure, hence the name. 

While shatter was initially somewhat of a lost process due to the shift in public perception of BHO vs. rosin, we are now seeing shatter make a comeback. Perfect for consumers who want a potent, affordable dab or simply want a bit of retro BHO nostalgia. Punch Extracts is one brand still offering shatter.

Like live resin, shatter does well at retaining high amounts of THC during lab testing, with THC levels typically ranging from 70-90%.

Distillate

Distillate is a highly refined cannabis extract. It’s made by further processing concentrates like live resin, stripping away any terpenes, flavonoids, and lipids. The result is a flavorless, colorless substance that can reach 99% THC.

While most consumers don't dab it, distillate is typically used in vape pens. It may be mixed with terpenes to create a strain-specific or effects-based product

How do I choose the right concentrate?

Choosing the right concentrate depends on user preference and what the customer wants out of their experience. Below is a quick guide depending on user level, but with moderation, even a beginning user can try any type of cannabis concentrate with success.

Beginner 

For beginners, the best and simplest entry point into cannabis concentrates is through vape pens. Vapes are typically filled with live resin, rosin, or distillate. 

With easy-to-use all-in-one and cartridge options, including lower-dose or lower-potency options when available, these are the quickest and easiest way to get into cannabis concentrates.

Alternatively, if you're already smoking flower, hash is a great addition to a joint or as a bowl topper to enhance the existing smoking session.

Intermediate

At the intermediate level, things change a bit as cannabis concentrates are stronger and products like live resin become more approachable. This is the level where you may require a device to make the most of the cannabis concentrates. 

Dosing becomes more important, as increasing the size of a dab also increases the amount of THC being consumed. Work your way up rather than assuming a bigger dab will create a better experience. Be prepared!

Advanced 

At the advanced level, you have reached hash nirvana. This is where your nose only seeks out the finest terpenes from live rosin and specialty full melt or Piatella hash. 

Joints become hashholes, with snakes of rosin running down the centers. Other levels may have limitations, but advanced users tend to explore across the entire concentrate shelf.

Choose Based on Goals

With lab testing telling you the THC percentage in all your products, one thing often missed is what you're trying to achieve. If you are looking for a specific effect, THC percentage is only part of the picture. 

Consumers often look at terpene profiles as another clue, although cannabinoids, dose, tolerance, and individual response all matter. 

For a quick reference guide, here are some terpenes commonly associated with different effects. These are associations rather than guarantees.

Choose Based on Format

• Dab

  • Most cannabis concentrates can be dabbed with a standard or e-rig. This includes Live Resin, Live Rosin, Wax or Budder, Shatter, Ice Water Hash (Low Temp)

• Vape

  • All-In-One options (requires nothing else), 510 cartridges, pods

• Add to flower

  • Hash is traditionally added to a joint or used as a bowl topper. But more recently, Live Rosin has also been added within joints, what's considered a “Hashhole” or donut, as another way to enjoy it outside of a dab rig.

Live vs cured concentrates

You will see the term “Live” get thrown around a lot when talking about cannabis concentrates. Live refers to the state the plant matter was in prior to extraction. 

Another couple of terms to keep in mind are fresh frozen vs dried plant. For fresh frozen, plants are frozen soon after harvest, before extraction, to preserve terpenes. If the flower was cured before being extracted, it would be missing that “Live” portion in the labeling. 

The debate over which is better continues to rage, with people on both sides of the aisle making good points. However, a simple way to understand it is that fresh frozen aims to preserve more of the terpenes and flavor profile the plant had while alive. 

Cured resin, extracted from dried plant material similar to the flowers you buy at the dispensary, can taste less bright and fresh and more nuanced and earthy. Each strain has its own characteristics, and that's part of the fun of experimenting.

Potency, Dosing, and Effects

Understanding concentrate strength means making sure you get the right amount for your experience level. As stated, any level of user can try any concentrate, but concentrate dosage matters. 

With the exception of hash, most other concentrate types result in THC% ranges around 60-90%, so for someone just starting out, please follow beginner dosing advice. Start small! You can always do more, which is why small doses matter. 

If you're new to dabbing, start with the smallest amount and gauge the effect. If you're hitting a vape pen for the first time, try giving time between hits to understand the levels and what your tolerance is. Most importantly, enjoy safely, so start small and work your way up into the mega dabs.

How to Consume Concentrates

Dabbing

To dab a cannabis concentrate, you'll need a standard rig or an e-rig. A rig is a glass smoking device, such as a water pipe or bong, with a heated piece called the nail. 

The heated surface is often a quartz banger, although titanium and ceramic nails are also used, and it is generally heated via a torch. 

After heating the nail, the dab is placed in the nail once it reaches the right temperature, and the cannabis concentrate is vaporized. This experience is primarily reserved for more advanced smokers.

An e-rig, or electronic rig, is a device like a Puffco or Dr. Dabber that uses the same overall principles but without the added hassle of a torch. E-rigs are perfect for beginners and advanced users who want a hassle-free experience.

Vape Carts

Coming in as the most accessible devices for trying cannabis concentrates, their usage is amazingly simple. Depending on your device, you may have a cartridge and battery, a pod and battery, or an all-in-one device that includes a battery, heating element, and cannabis oil in one easy-to-use package. 

For vapes, once you attach the pod or cartridge, they generally engage by pulling or inhaling through the mouthpiece. Some may require you to press a button to activate the heating element.

Depending on the brand, an LED indicator light may light up to show the device is in use. Other hardware is more sophisticated, with a digital display counting your sessions and voltage.

Vapes are perfect for beginners who just want to try something in the space, but also for mid-tier or advanced users who want portable convenience in a small, easily hidden package.

Hash

Traditional hash can be smoked on its own, but more often than not it's added to flower in a number of ways. If you have ever seen a joint rolled in kief, that powdery dry-sift hash, you already know one way it’s added. 

You can also add it while you're rolling the joint or stuffing your cone. Another popular method is to top a pipe bowl, or bong hit, with some hash. You can dab high-grade full-melt and ice-water hash at low temperatures, while other grades can be smoked on their own or added to flower.

Quality: What to Look For in Concentrates

When it comes to quality, what you want to look for can be deceiving. In the early days, visual color and texture cues were enough to identify high-quality cannabis concentrates, but with new techniques, manufacturers can remove pigments and impurities, making lighter, clearer products from potentially inferior starting material. 

So brand recognition, lab testing (COAs), terpene content, and an understanding of solventless vs. solvent-based techniques help you make a more informed decision about what you're buying.

Where to Buy Cannabis Concentrates in California

If you're looking for the best in cannabis concentrates all across California, embarc has you covered. With top-end brands, a revolving list of flavors and strains available, and consumer-friendly Guides to help guide you, your journey with cannabis concentrates starts here. 

Fully licensed, state-of-the-art dispensaries mean you get the highest-quality products from the best possible sources. And if you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, joining the free Passport Club means you’ll never have to pay full price for your weed.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is the strongest cannabis concentrate?

If we are talking strictly in numbers, THCA diamonds are among the highest-potency concentrate products and can test above 90% THCA. Finished live resin, shatter, wax, and rosin products vary considerably by batch, so the lab results on the package are a better guide than the concentrate name alone. However, this strength index is a bit subjective, as other cannabinoids outside of THC also have an effect, as well as terpenes included in the final product.

What’s the best way to consume cannabis concentrates?

Some users prefer the simplicity of vapes with pods or all-in-one options because they're easy to pick up and use. Some users prefer electronic rigs like Puffco or Dr. Dabber devices because they can load their own concentrates without needing extra equipment. 

Full-blown hash heads can have heady, hand-blown glass rigs, with titanium or quartz nails, and digital thermometers to track temperature so they can get the terpiest dabs. The best way to consume cannabis concentrates is always up to the user.

Are concentrates safe for beginners?

They can be, if you approach them carefully. Beginners should start with what types make the most sense for their smoking habits. Vapes are easy to use and can quickly bring a consumer into the space, while hash can be a great bowl addition. As with anything, moderation is key, so beginners should start small to better enjoy the experience. 

What’s the difference between wax and shatter?

Consistency is what separates these two different types of cannabis concentrate. Shatter has traditionally been a hard, almost glass-like consistency, hence the name shatter. Wax is a broader term, but it generally refers to a much softer, more whipped-in concentrate that can come from solvent- and solventless extracts, though it's more often solvent-based. 

How long do concentrates last?

How long a concentrate maintains its best quality depends on the product, packaging, and storage, so always check the label and the manufacturer's recommendations. How do you store it properly? Well, it's very dependent upon the type of cannabis concentrate. 

Vape pens should be stored in cool, ideally dark, room-temperature locations (60-70F), as sunlight can degrade terpenes. Loose concentrates should generally be kept airtight, cool, and away from light, but temperature needs vary by format. 

Fresh-press live rosin and full-melt water hash often require freezer storage, while many badders, live resin products, and other terpene-rich concentrates benefit from refrigeration. More stable concentrates such as shatter can generally be kept in a cool, dark place for shorter periods, with refrigeration useful for longer storage.

If you refrigerate or freeze a concentrate, let the sealed container return to room temperature before opening it to help prevent condensation.

Cannabis Concentrates: A Weed Connoisseur's Delight

Extracts like live resin and rosin are becoming more popular as the cannabis market evolves. While canna-curious may want to wait to try a dab, more experienced consumers will love their potent and flavorful nature.

If you're ready to try the best cannabis concentrates out there, ask your friendly embarc Guide for a recommendation and Discover Your High.