For many cannabis consumers looking to elevate their experience, cannabis concentrates offer a powerful and flavorful alternative to traditional flower. Concentrates are exactly what they sound like—highly potent extractions of the most desirable compounds from the cannabis plant, like cannabinoids (THC and CBD) and terpenes (which affect flavor and aroma). These products are consumed in smaller amounts than flower and are favored for their fast-acting and strong effects.

Types of Cannabis Concentrates

There’s a wide variety of concentrates, each with unique characteristics and ideal use cases. Here are some of the most popular types found on dispensary menus:

• Shatter: Known for its glass-like texture, shatter is a translucent concentrate that breaks apart easily. It’s high in THC and is popular for dabbing due to its purity and potency.
• Wax: Softer and more malleable than shatter, wax has a buttery consistency. It’s great for users who want strong effects with easier handling. Types include budder and crumble.
• Live Resin: Made from fresh-frozen cannabis instead of dried flower, live resin is rich in terpenes, offering exceptional flavor and aroma. It’s ideal for users seeking a full-spectrum, flavorful experience.
• Rosin: A solventless concentrate created using heat and pressure, rosin is clean and natural. Live rosin (made from fresh frozen material) is especially prized for its purity and terpene profile.
• Distillate: A refined oil that is often flavorless and odorless, distillate is extremely potent and commonly used in vape cartridges, tinctures, or edibles. Great for users who want strong THC effects without much flavor.
• Hash: One of the oldest forms of concentrate, hash is made by compressing resin glands (trichomes). It offers a mellow, classic high and can be smoked, vaped, or infused into edibles.

When to Use Which

The choice of concentrate depends on a consumer’s desired experience. For fast and intense effects, shatter or wax are solid choices—perfect for experienced users and dabbers. If taste and aroma matter most, live resin or live rosin shine with their terpene-rich profiles. Looking for discretion or on-the-go convenience? Distillate vape pens are nearly odorless and easy to carry. Meanwhile, hash offers a more traditional, smoother high that appeals to both beginners and connoisseurs.

It’s also worth considering your tolerance. Concentrates can be very strong—some exceeding 80% THC—so new consumers should start with very small doses, known as “dabbing low and slow.”

Final Tips

Always purchase concentrates from licensed dispensaries to ensure purity and lab-tested quality. Look for products with clearly labeled cannabinoid and terpene content to better match your desired experience. And remember, just like flower, the right concentrate for you depends on your body, your needs, and your preferences.