Everything to Know About Concentrates in Massachusetts
As one of the least-understood categories you’ll find on any dispensary menu, cannabis concentrates are (maybe surprisingly) all the rage. Most intermediate and advanced cannabis consumers favor concentrates for their potent hits and bursts of flavor.
At The Pass, we find that many beginners shy away from this form of consumption due to the overwhelming choices of forms and methods of smoking. With the right support, concentrates can have a great place in your consumption rotation, regardless of your experience level.
Consider this your ultimate high guide to all things cannabis concentrates in Massachusetts – from in-house solventless concentrates from The Pass to other popular extractions from Massachusetts concentrate brand Blue River Terps – learn everything you need to know about dabbing and indulging in concentrates.
Defining Cannabis Concentrates: Solvent-based vs. Solventless
The first thing you need to know is that there are two types of concentrates: solvent-based and solventless cannabis concentrates. Both result in a potent cannabis concentrate, but the difference lies in their method of extraction.
In addition to these major forms of concentrate, you’ll also see cannabis kief, which is a concentrated form of cannabis composed of fine, powdery resin glands that have been sifted or separated from the cannabis flower.
Solvent-based concentrates use solvents like butane, propane, ethanol, or CO2 to extract specific cannabinoids and compounds from cannabis plant matter. Think of it like getting the juice out of a lemon, but without having to actually squeeze the lemon at all.
Once extracted, the resulting mixture undergoes a purification and refinement process to remove impurities and undesirable components, leaving behind a highly potent concentrate.
Solventless concentrates do not use solvents in the extraction process, relying instead on mechanical, pressurized, or heat-based methods to separate trichome glands from plant material.
It sounds complicated, but it’s much better for the plant. A solventless extraction gets you as close as possible to the true cannabis plant matter, resulting in a much cleaner “high” experience.
Solventless extraction techniques are also considered more environmentally friendly since they don’t rely on the use of harsh chemicals that can harm the environment during production and disposal.
At The Pass, your experience and our impact on the environment are our top priorities when manufacturing cannabis products. That’s why our in-house solventless concentrates are made using industry-leading equipment from PurePressure.
Depending on the specific extraction method and post-processing techniques, these concentrates can take various forms, such as wax, shatter, or oil. This is where you as a consumer get to choose which form of concentrate you really want to try.
What are the Different Concentrates in Massachusetts?
At our Berkshire dispensary, we offer a wide range of concentrates including sugar wax, cured sugar, live rosin, live hash rosin, shatter, sauce, wax, brick hash, kief, and live resin.
Now, if that sounds like a foreign language to you, don’t worry. Here’s a quick guide on all the different types of cannabis concentrates you can find in Massachusetts:
Ice Water Hash
This is the most pure and solventless form of concentrate you can get. Hash is made by shaking off the kief and trichomes of cannabis, agitating the flower with ice water, then using various filtration processes to isolate the trichomes. The result is a sticky, condensed substance of hash.
Rosin
Another simple solventless concentrate, rosin is made with the magical application of heat and pressure on cannabis or hash. It results in a sticky, golden substance packed with cannabinoids and terpenes.
Budder
Budder is another type of concentrate with a consistency similar to, well, butter. It’s created by purging solvent-extracted cannabis oil at a higher temperature and whipping it to achieve that creamy, spreadable texture.
Sauce
Also known as Diamonds, sauce is a cannabis concentrate known for its high terpene content and syrupy consistency. It is achieved through a careful solvent extraction process that preserves those flavorful compounds.
Shatter
This form of cannabis concentrate is so translucent and brittle that it can look like actual glass. Made as a solvent-based concentrate using butane or CO2, the cannabinoids of the plant matter are extracted at a low temperature to create the shatter’s delicate texture and appearance.
Sugar
Sugar is a solvent-based cannabis concentrate known for its granular texture and high cannabinoid content. It’s not actually sweet; it just resembles sugar. This type of concentrate is an extraction that crystallizes over time, resulting in delightful sugar-like crystals.
Wax
As a solvent-based cannabis concentrate, wax is made by purging cannabis oil at a moderate temperature and then whipping it to create that smooth, waxy consistency we all know and love.
Regardless of your experience level, there’s a concentrate that is sure to suit your preferences. We understand that the options are overwhelming, so we encourage you to visit us at our Massachusetts dispensary location and speak one-on-one with our trained budtenders, who can provide you with the full breakdown of options based on your individual needs.
How To Smoke Concentrates
When it comes to consuming concentrates, the methods go beyond your typical smoking of a joint or blunt (but that’s still an appropriate option here, too). Check out some of the many different ways to smoke cannabis concentrates.
What are the Different Methods of Consumption?
Dabbing
A well-known technique for consuming concentrates involves vaporizing the concentrate on a heated surface, usually a nail made of quartz, titanium, or ceramic nail. A dab tool is used to place a small amount of concentrate onto the heated nail. The concentrate instantly vaporizes and is then inhaled through a dab rig.
Vaping
Vaping concentrates is another common method for its quick onset, potency, and discreet consumption. All cannabis vape cartridges consist of a concentrate that is housed in a glass or ceramic case and then connected to the vape’s chamber to heat and vaporize the concentrate without combusting it. At our Sheffield dispensary, vape pens come in all forms – from disposable options, 510 threads, and portable vaporizers, and are available in everything from distillate cannabis oil to live rosin.
Topping a Joint or Bowl
To enhance your average joint or bowl, add a sprinkle of concentrate on top of a bowl or around the inside or outside of a joint. This is a popular method known as “twaxing.” The flower acts as a base, while the concentrate increases the potency and flavor of the overall experience.
Dab Devices & Nectar Collectors
There are just as many devices and accessories for dabbing as there are types of cannabis concentrates. Dab straws or nectar collectors are portable devices designed explicitly for efficiently dabbing concentrates. Some accessories consist of a glass or silicone straw with a heated tip, allowing users to dab directly onto the heated surface and inhale. Other more technology-forward devices include electronic dab rigs and portable vaporizers.
Shop Cannabis Concentrates at The Pass
As you can see, cannabis concentrates is a world of its own, but it doesn’t have to be scary or overwhelming.
At The Pass, we specialize in solventless cannabis concentrates, providing you with the most natural form of the product we can. However, we still offer a range of renowned brands, so you can discover all the unique characteristics and effects of this category of cannabis.
Whether you’re a beginner dabber or concentrate connoisseur, you can explore our handcrafted and carefully selected variety of the highest quality concentrates you’ll find in Massachusetts.
Check out The Pass’ Weekly HIGHlights to snag offers and savings on your favorite cannabis concentrates in Massachusetts. Stop by our dispensary in Sheffield to grab some local munchies at our Munchie Bar to pair with your cannabis on the go!
Stay tuned on the blog page for the latest cannabis updates from The Pass!