Concentrates, also known as extracts, are—you guessed it—concentrated forms of marijuana. Extracted from parts of the plant that are highest in THC, concentrates are becoming increasingly popular, especially among dabbers and those with a higher cannabis tolerance. Typically, concentrates are significantly more potent than flower, making it easy to achieve the desired affect with a notably smaller amount of product. Concentrated/extracted cannabis products are extracted using a variety of techniques such as hydrocarbon and solventless extraction. 

Hydrocarbon extracts are made by breaking down the plant matter through the use of a solvent like butane, which produces butane hash oil (BHO), or propane, which results in propane hash oil (PHO). This process strips the terpene oils and cannabinoids from the plant material, which is then discarded. Next, the butane or propane is purged, leaving the potent concentrate and miniscule amounts of the hydrocarbon, which can be measured in parts per million (PPM).

Unlike hydrocarbon extracts, solventless extracts are made without the use of elements like butane or propane. The process involves washing the plant matter in a bath of water and ice, followed by the application of heat and pressure as a means of “pressing” out the finished product. Solventless extraction is often heralded as a cleaner, higher quality form of extracting, and as such, some products derived from this technique, such as hash rosin, can be a bit more expensive in price. 

One reason concentrates are so popular is the health advantage perceived to be present in dabbing over smoking. Cannabis has long been enjoyed through smoking its flower, which is to say it is combusted when lit, causing the delivery of carcinogens and other toxins, a number of which can present a cancer risk, into the body. Meanwhile, dab rigs and dab pens are traditionally heated to consumable levels through indirect heat at temperatures that emit vapors rather than smoke. 

It should be noted that any perceived benefits are liable to vary depending upon the extraction method used and, consequently, the particular concentrate’s overall purity. Because it is still a relatively new facet of marijuana consumption, there is limited research available regarding the long-term effects of vaporizing, particularly as it compares to the well-documented effects of inhaling smoke.