Cannabis concentrate, also called marijuana concentrate, marijuana extract, or cannabis extract, is a
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or
cannabidiol (CBD) concentrated mass. Cannabis concentrates contain high THC levels that range from 40% to over 90%,[1][2] stronger in THC content than high-grade marijuana, which normally measures around 20% THC levels.
Volatile solvents, such as
ethanol,
butane,
propane or
hexane, may be used to prepare extracts, but can and will possibly lead to fire and explosion hazards in uncontrolled environments.[3][4][5]Supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction alleviates concerns of fire and explosion and results in a high-quality product.[6]
Legally produced concentrates for retail sale in
legalized U.S. states are often packaged in small
lip balm-sized containers.[5]
In Colorado, the
Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) regulates almost every facet of the cannabis seed-to-sale process. There are heavy regulations on the containers that hold the concentrate: containers must be child-resistant, opaque, and have a multitude of legal text warning the consumer of the risks of consumption. MED also regulates the creation or extraction of cannabis extract.[7]
Caviar ("moon rocks") - Cannabis buds dipped in or sprayed with hash oil, then rolled in kief.
Crumble
Crystalline
Distillate
Dry sift
Hashish or hash - a cannabis concentrate traditionally made by drying the cannabis plant and beating the dried female plant material over a series of screens and then sifting, collecting, and pressing the particles.
Bubble hash - water-purified hashish
Charas - a cannabis concentrate created by expressing the flower of Cannabis indica between the hands and removing the residue.
The major difference between live resin and other cannabis concentrates lies in the way they are produced. The manufacturing of live resin involves fresh, live cannabis either freshly harvested or flash-frozen cannabis. This helps protect plant's content matter, aroma and flavor.
^Cannabis (Marijuana) Concentrates DrugFacts,
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), June 2020,
archived from the original on May 13, 2022, retrieved May 13, 2022, Solvent-based products tend to be especially potent, with THC levels documented at an average of about 54-69% and reported to exceed 80%, while non-solvent based extraction methods produce average THC levels between 39-60%.
"Code of Colorado:Retail Marijuana Laws"(PDF). Colorado Department of Revenue : Marijuana Enforcement Division. Secretary of State of Colorado. 2018. Archived from
the original(PDF) on April 6, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2019.