Cannabis Extracts
Extracts
Cannabis extracts, or “dabs”, are a cannabis concentrate produced using some type of extraction method to strip the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant matter, resulting in a product that takes many different forms and textures.
Dabs are potent, quick, and effective. Dabbing is one of the most efficient ways to intake a large portion of cannabinoids as quickly as possible. Dabs are concentrated doses of cannabis and typically contain high levels of THC.
One of the greatest benefits of dabbing is the rapid onset time and the ability to yield more potent effects than consuming cannabis flower. Extracts are often very potent, so a little goes a long way.
There are many types of cannabis extracts in a variety of forms and textures, but they can generally be broken into two categories: solvent-based and solventless extractions.
Solvent-based methods use chemical solvents, like butane, to strip the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material. Solventless extraction refers to any type of extract that results from an extraction process without the use of solvents. Solventless extraction uses techniques that utilize pressure, temperature, and filtration to concentrate the cannabis.
Dabs are consumed through a dab rig, and the name of the extract is typically determined by its texture, consistency, and extraction method. The different names inform us about the look and feel of the concentrate.
Sauce
When making sauce weed, the final-product should have two distinct features. Crystallized THCa within a bed of sticky terpene-rich oil. To achieve the desired results, the solvent is left in the sauce for longer lengths of time compared to other extracts, giving the cannabinoids enough time to crystallize. Once the desired texture is achieved, the remaining solvent is purged out. Sauce extractions contain high levels of terpenes and are typically very flavorful extracts.
THCA Diamonds
When extracting Diamonds, the goal is to isolate a singular cannabis compound, THCA to form cannabinoid crystals. Through this extraction process, the THCA cannabinoids reach such a high degree of purity that they form a solid structure, like a diamond.
Sugar
Sugar is a cannabis concentrate that has a similar consistency to wet, sappy sugar. Weed sugar is known for its high terpene content. When producing sugar, the substance is agitated with low levels of pressure and temperature to encourage the THC to crystallize without destroying the terpenes.
Live Resin
Live resin is typically a wet, malleable concentrate that’s usually dark yellow in color. Extracts can only be considered “live” when they are made cannabis that was frozen immediately after harvest and kept frozen until the extraction process occurs to preserve the source plant’s terpene and flavor profile in the final product. Terpenes begin to degrade as soon as the plant is cut so by freezing the plant immediately, the maximum number of terpenes will be preserved.
Live Rosin
Live rosin, one of the purest types of cannabis concentrates, refers to an extraction process that utilizes a combination of heat and pressure to squeeze the cannabis resin from the plant material. This method preserves the plant’s natural terpenes and cannabinoids without adding any chemicals.
A lot of different variables will influence the final texture and consistency of rosin, like the quality of the starting source material, and how long and at what temperature the flower is pressed for.
Hash
Hash is a broad term that refers to concentrates formed by sifting the trichomes of the cannabis plant with dry ice or ice water. Hash comes in different textures and consistencies. Some hash may have a sand-like consistency. Other times, it will come as a single homogenous ball. Hash is often used to add a little extract punch to your flower, perfect for sprinkling onto bowls or into joints.
