Cannabis extracts are products created by isolating and concentrating desirable compounds, primarily cannabinoids and terpenes, from the plant. This process results in a substance with a much higher potency when compared to raw cannabis flower. The final products vary widely, offering a range of textures, forms, and chemical makeups.
Extraction Methods
The creation of cannabis extracts begins with separating active compounds from the plant matter. All techniques target the plant’s trichomes, the small, crystalline structures on the flower’s surface that store most cannabinoids and terpenes. The two main approaches are solvent-based and solventless, with the chosen method influencing the final product’s purity and texture.
Solvent-based extractions use a chemical substance like butane, ethanol, or supercritical CO2 to dissolve the desired compounds. The cannabis material is washed with the solvent, stripping away cannabinoids and terpenes. The resulting solution is then purged using heat and vacuum to remove residual solvent, leaving a concentrated extract.
Solventless methods rely on physical forces to separate trichomes from the plant. These techniques avoid chemicals, instead using heat, pressure, or water filtration. For example, ice water hash is made by agitating cannabis in ice water, which makes the trichomes brittle and causes them to break off for filtration. A rosin press applies controlled heat and pressure to cannabis to squeeze out the resinous oils directly.
Common Forms of Cannabis Extracts
Different extraction and post-processing techniques give rise to a wide array of extract forms, each with a unique texture and appearance. Common forms include:
- Oil: A liquid extract, often amber-colored and viscous, that is commonly found in pre-filled vape cartridges or sold in syringes for convenience.
- Shatter: A translucent, glass-like extract known for its brittle consistency. It is produced using solvents like butane, and its texture is achieved by maintaining stability without agitation during the purging process.
- Wax: A category of softer, opaque extracts with consistencies described as budder, badder, or crumble. These forms are created when the extract is agitated during or after purging, which incorporates air.
- Live Resin: A high-terpene extract made from cannabis plants that are flash-frozen after harvest. This preserves the volatile aromatic compounds, resulting in a flavorful concentrate with a saucy or sugary texture.
- Rosin: A solventless extract created by applying heat and pressure to cannabis flower or hash. This process squeezes out a sap-like resin valued for its purity.
- Hash: One of the oldest forms of concentrate, made by collecting and compressing kief, which is the collection of detached, potent trichomes from the plant.
Potency and Chemical Profile
The main distinction between extracts and unprocessed flower is potency. While cannabis flower contains 15% to 30% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), extracts are far more concentrated, commonly falling between 60% and 90%. This increase in cannabinoid content means a much smaller amount of an extract is needed to achieve a desired effect.
Beyond THC, an extract’s chemical profile is shaped by other compounds like cannabidiol (CBD) and aromatic molecules known as terpenes. Terpenes are responsible for the distinct scent and flavor of cannabis strains, from citrus and pine to earthy notes. Many extraction processes are designed to preserve these compounds because they contribute to the overall experience.
The interaction between cannabinoids and terpenes is described by the “entourage effect.” This theory suggests that cannabis compounds work together synergistically, where their combined effects are greater than those of any single compound in isolation. For example, certain terpenes may influence the effects of THC, potentially enhancing its benefits while mitigating some side effects. An extract’s complete chemical profile, not just its THC percentage, plays a part in its overall impact.
Consumption Methods
The high potency and unique consistencies of cannabis extracts require specialized consumption methods. One of the most common is dabbing, which involves vaporizing the concentrate on a heated surface. This is done using a “dab rig,” a water pipe with a flat bowl or “nail” made of quartz, titanium, or glass. The nail is heated with a torch, and a small amount of extract is applied to the hot surface, where it instantly vaporizes for inhalation.
Vaporizing is another widespread method and a more portable alternative to dabbing. This can be done with handheld vape pens that use pre-filled cartridges containing cannabis oil. There are also more robust portable vaporizers designed to handle solid concentrates like wax or shatter. Vaporizing heats the extract to a temperature that releases cannabinoids and terpenes as a vapor without causing combustion.
Extracts can also be consumed through ingestion. They can be infused into carrier oils, like coconut or olive oil, to create tinctures that are administered with a dropper under the tongue for rapid absorption. Additionally, extracts are used as the active ingredient in edible products, where they are incorporated into foods and beverages. The consumption method influences the onset and duration of effects; inhalation is fast-acting, while ingestion results in a slower onset but a longer-lasting experience.