Concentrates are a relatively recent addition to the burgeoning cannabis market. Although they have been around (in the form of hashish in particular) for time immemorial, it is only in the last few years that they have acquired real popularity among amateurs. Smoking cannabis buds still remains the most popular way to consume it, but concentrates have very quickly made a name for themselves.
For starters, cannabis concentrates tend to be more potent than simple joints, mostly because they are, as the name indicates, concentrated. Concentrate makers have also managed to circumvent some of the biggest setbacks, such as preserving the flavour and aroma that fresh buds are famous for.
Wax, shatter, oil, dab – these are all different words for the end product that is obtained from extracting THC or CBD from cannabis: highly concentrated forms of what we are already used to consuming.
So why do some cannabis users think that consuming concentrates is so complicated? Certainly the market gives the impression that purchasing a whole lot of expensive paraphernalia is needed to take advantage of it.
And yet, it is absolutely not essential. Concentrates have uses as varied as buds do, and here are just a few of them.
1. They can be mixed with normal cannabis and smoked
For those not wishing to purchase a vape or similar smoking device, they can use old-fashioned cannabis concentrates. Some people like to grind cannabis, put it in rolling paper, and sprinkle some wax or shatter on top. The smoke will be intense and the flavour somewhat different, but it works as well as any other method.
The same is possible with a bong or a pipe. If putting a bit of concentrate between some buds is desired, then it is perfectly possible, and completely smokable. Getting into concentrates doesn't spell the end of traditional old ways of smoking.
Mixing concentrates with buds is really only suitable for hash, wax and shatter. It is not suitable for oils or tinctures.
2. Making edibles with concentrates
Just like buds, cannabis concentrates can be used to make edibles. It is also much faster. Making cannabutter from buds, for example, involves manually having to do the extraction (slow cooking for hours and hours). But with concentrates, the extraction is already done. Just melt some butter, throw in some concentrate, mix it all up and voila cannabutter.
Cannabutter can be used to prepare many delicious foods. All types of concentrates can be used for it, except for cannabis tinctures.
3. Dabbing
Dabbing requires investment into certain instruments in the form of a dabbing rig, a device that looks a lot like a bong.
Dabbing usually involves vaporising the concentrated material onto a very hot surface and then inhaling it through the platform, which usually contains water. The concentrate is held on a "nail" and then vaporised into a heated container using a blowtorch (it's a complicated method).
The bowl is usually made from materials that are very resistant to high temperatures, such as quartz.
There are 'e-nails' on the market these days that give users the option of avoiding the controversial use of the blowtorch. But it is probably the most expensive tool on the cannabis market.
The dabbing rig itself can cost anywhere from $50 to several thousand. In the United States, it has even become a complex and creative artistic niche.
Unfortunately, dabbing doesn't work with hashish and tinctures. It is suitable for BHO, wax, shatter and rosin.
4. Vaporisation
Vaping is another way to consume concentrates that can, depending on the model, involve purchasing high-tech tools. Even old-school vapes come in new designs that can be used with buds and concentrates.
These larger instruments need electricity and cannot be carried in the pocket. Portable vaporisers with rechargeable batteries are much easier and kinder on the wallet. It also means that they can be taken anywhere, so compact are they. Indeed, some are made specifically for vaping concentrates.
The positive side of vaping concentrates is that there is no actual combustion required for consumption. No smoke therefore, but just the active ingredient in the form of vapour.
Some say portable vaporizers don't quite have the same power as dabbing. This could be explained by the fact that one can reach much higher temperatures by dabbing, and because there is combustion rather than vaporisation. Cannabis concentrates should be heated between 290°C and 400°C. The lower end of this spectrum gives better flavour release while the higher end allows for potent hits.
Dabbing allows the user to reach these temperatures, whereas a portable vaporizer generally aims for temperatures around 300°C.
Buying a vaporiser doesn't have to be ridiculously expensive. They can be purchased for around the same price as a dabbing rig, but they will not provide the same power
Vaporisation is only suitable for use with clear concentrates such as BHO, wax, shatter, oil or rosin. Hashish is not appropriate.
5. Oils for oral consumption
Some cannabis concentrates are not meant to be smoked at all. Take CBD oil , for example. It is a very concentrated version of cannabis rich in CBD, but most of the time it is administered orally. CBD oil can be taken under the tongue, added to tea or food, and sometimes it's even potent enough to use topically.
Oral consumption of this form of concentrate is probably the easiest way. This is also what makes it suitable for children and the elderly. No inhalation is necessary to get the benefits of the herb.
This doesn't mean that one can just eat the wax, shatter or BHO. Just like the buds, these materials must be decarboxylated before consumption, otherwise they will not have a very strong effect at all.
Extracts such as CBD oil are made for oral ingestion without any additional intervention. They have already been decarboxylated. However, other concentrates require the heating step to be effective.
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