Cannabis Concentrates: Extracting Techniques and Products Produced

Cannabis concentrates are coming! And at Stigma Grow, we are looking forward to the opportunity to act as responsible industry leaders within this space. As such, we understand that for many existing consumers, and certainly for current non-consumers, there are plenty of questions surrounding what they are, how they are made and what makes them different from the traditional dry bud or cannabis oil sold in Canadian stores today.

The fact is that the term ‘concentrates’ covers a plethora of product types, forms, purities, chemical compositions and consistencies. As all concentrates are extracted from the same source (cannabis plant), differences generally come down to how the concentrate was extracted, how it was refined and which source cannabis materials were used.

Different extraction techniques that can result in concentrates exhibiting a range of potencies, textures, and consistencies.

This blog is designed to teach you the ‘what’, ‘how’ and ‘why’ surrounding the most popular and common concentrates available today around the world, and coming soon to Alberta, Canada!

How Cannabis Extracts Are Made

Cannabis concentrates come as the result of two primary types of extraction: solvent-based and solvent-less. Below, we break down their differences.

Solvent-Based Extraction

These methods utilize chemical solvents like ethanol or butane to pull out the cannabinoids from the cannabis plant. This process is called ‘purging’ and is popular with producers making large amounts of extracts.

(It is important to note that while water is technically a solvent, this process refers strictly to chemical solvents.) 

During the purging process, most of the unwanted chemical solvents evaporate out of the extract, but only those labeled “solvent-free” have successfully removed 100% of the chemical solvent during purging. The differences in taste, smell and effects that you may notice between similar solvent-based extracts are the direct result of the unique solvent and purging process utilized.

Common solvent-based extracts:

Hydrocarbon Extracts (or BHO) – Short for butane hash oil, these concentrates are created within a closed-loop system that uses pressurized chemical solvents (like propane and butane) to strip the essential oils. Consumers usually consume this extract using a vaporizer. One advantage to this process is that it is delicate enough to better preserve the cannabinoids and terpenes that you seek within your favourite strains.

Price, potency and purity will vary greatly between products, but a typical high THC % hydrocarbon extract offers between 65-90% total cannabinoids.

CO2 Oil – CO2 extracts are made via process that combines carbon dioxide with extreme pressure and temperature to strip the essential oils desired from the cannabis plant.

This extraction process has a reputation for being safe; Because CO2 is non-combustible and already present throughout our surrounding environment, this process is considered to be one of the safest ways to extract. It’s also unique because CO2 in its supercritical state, can take on both liquid and gas properties.

CO2 extracts are most commonly sold in the form of vape cartridges or refills.

“Solvent-free” is not to be confused with “solventless” extraction, which is explained next.

Solventless Extracts

Solventless extraction utilizes pressure, temperature-control and filtration machines to extract the essential cannabis compounds. The tools and machinery needed for this process are relatively accessible and present little risk, but they do require a lot more labour than solvent-based alternatives. Those who choose to invest the extra effort, typically cater to users who prefer the hands-on, all-natural approach.

Common Solventless Extracts

Dry Sift – Recognized as a more refined version of kief, this extract, also known as dry sieve, is made up of the refined resin collected via mechanical separation that rolls, rubs and tosses dried cannabis across a series of finely woven mesh screens. This process separates the dried resin, allowing only the tiny trichome heads to pass through. Even more advanced methods can utilize static electricity to further isolate the resin.

This sand-like resin is often used to garnish a cannabis bowl or rolled joint of dry flower to increase the potency, or it can be pressed into hash or dabs.

Ice Water Hash (Bubble Hash) – this extract is created by agitating cannabis flower in ice-filled water, before further filtering it through screened bags; this process is referred to commonly as ‘washing’ due to the fact that producers

Making ice water hash is often referred to as ‘washing’ because hash makers use specially designed washing machines to agitate their plant material before it’s filtered through a series of fine screen bags. Once the filtered resin has been collected and dried, the resulting hash’s texture can be anything from a dry and chalky substance, to a greasy oil.

Rosin – Arguably the safest method for extraction, and a popular method for DIY producers, this solvent less concentrate’s extraction method utilizes gentle heat and pressure to squeeze the resinous sap out of the cannabis flower.

The three primary rosin products are: Dry-sift, flower and hash; named after whatever material they were pressed from.

Concentrate Consistencies

Concentrate products are often categorized, labeled and sold more based on their consistency than their ingredients. Typically, each of the common consistencies listed below are made using dabbable hydrocarbon extracts, but there are a few additional extraction methods that are also used.

Common Concentrate Consistencies

Shatter – This hardened, translucent concentrate easily “shatters” like glass or hard candy into small chunks that can be handled at room temperature or colder. It forms when raw extract is poured onto a thin, flat sheet and left alone, untouched during the purging process.

Wax – This soft, non-transparent concentrate varies in its appearance, colour and texture, depending on the temperature, chemicals and additional factors throughout the purging process. Some waxes offer a smooth consistency (budder, frosting, icing, etc) while others are purged to form a drier, chunky texture (crumble, honeycomb, etc).

Pull ‘n’ Snap – This flat and glossy concentrate presents a soft, caramel-like texture that can look a lot like shatter (especially when cold), but offers a much more bendable consistency. These concentrates are fairly easy to work with to begin with, but can become a bit of a stringy mess when exposed to higher temperatures.

Looking for more information on the process used to create concentrates? Check out our blog on Dewaxing and Winterizing.

Or, one of these:

EXTRACTS & CONCENTRATES: 5 STIGMAS TO IGNORE.

CANNABIS CONCENTRATES VERSUS CANNABIS DRY FLOWER: WHAT SUITE YOU BEST?