Advanced Guide

Cannabis Concentrates

For the experienced consumer ready for concentrated potency and flavor. THC levels 3 to 5 times higher than flower, preserved terpene profiles, and specialized consumption methods.

What Are Cannabis Concentrates?

Cannabis concentrates are products where cannabinoids and terpenes have been extracted from plant material and refined into highly potent forms. Where flower is 15 to 25% THC, concentrates range from 60% to 95% THC. This potency comes from removal of plant matter, leaving only the valuable compounds.

Concentrates are made through various extraction methods using solvents (butane, propane, ethanol, CO2) or solventless techniques (rosin pressing, dry sifting, water hash). The extraction method determines the final product's texture, terpene retention, and characteristics.

At Hii, we carry concentrates from Olio and other producers committed to extraction quality and third-party testing.

Types of Concentrates

Wax

Texture: Creamy, butter-like

Potency: 70% to 85% THC

Easy to handle and portion. Popular for beginners entering the concentrate space.

Shatter

Texture: Brittle, glass-like

Potency: 75% to 90% THC

Harder to portion but offers excellent stability. Darker shatter often indicates higher terpene retention.

Live Resin

Texture: Wet/budder-like to crystalline

Potency: 70% to 85% THC

Extracted from fresh-frozen flowers. Retains 5 to 7% terpenes by weight for superior flavor.

Rosin

Texture: Sappy to crystalline

Potency: 60% to 85% THC

Solventless, made by applying heat and pressure. Excellent terpene retention.

Budder

Texture: Whipped, creamy

Potency: 70% to 85% THC

Easy to handle and dab. Good terpene profiles with excellent ease of use.

Diamonds

Texture: Large crystals in terpene sauce

Potency: Up to 99% THC-A

Intense flavor from terpene sauce combined with extreme potency from crystals.

Potency Context

A typical consumer smoking 0.5 grams of flower (12% THC) consumes 60mg THC. A consumer dabbing 0.05 grams of wax (75% THC) consumes 37.5mg THC. The amount is dramatically smaller, but the potency is similar. A small dab goes a long way.

New consumers should not jump directly to concentrates. The intensity and speed of onset (effects appear in 1 to 3 minutes when dabbed) can overwhelm someone without inhalation experience. Experienced flower consumers often find concentrates accessible.

Consumption Methods

Dabbing

Onset: 1 to 3 minutesDuration: 2 to 4 hours

A water pipe with a heated nail or banger. The most popular and intense method. Basic setup costs $30 to $300.

Vape Pens

Onset: 10 to 15 minutesDuration: 2 to 4 hours

Portable vaporizers that accept concentrates. Less intense than dabbing but more discreet.

Adding to Flower

Onset: 5 to 15 minutesDuration: 2 to 4 hours

Mix concentrates into a joint, blunt, or bowl. Allows you to control potency by adjusting concentrate amount.

Oral Consumption

Onset: 45 min to 2 hoursDuration: 4 to 8 hours

Decarboxylate first, then mix into food. Produces edible-like effects for consumers avoiding inhalation.

Safety Considerations

Potency Awareness: One small dab contains as much THC as a large flower joint. Start with a dab the size of a rice grain.

Equipment Safety: Dabbing involves heating materials to high temperatures. Banger nails get hot enough to cause burns. Keep torches away from children and pets.

Extraction Quality: Purchase concentrates only from licensed, tested producers. Improperly extracted concentrates may contain residual solvents.

Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome: A small percentage of heavy concentrate users develop this condition, characterized by chronic nausea and vomiting. If you consume concentrates regularly and develop unexplained nausea, consult a healthcare provider.

New York Regulations

New York State permits adults 21+ to possess up to 4 ounces of cannabis concentrates by weight. Consumption in public and vehicles remains prohibited. All concentrates sold at Hii comply with New York State cannabis testing standards.