Dispensary employees are not doctors and can’t give traditional medical advice. However, they are often asked for help with using cannabis to treat specific ailments. For that situation, we’ve created this guide right here on how budtenders can address medical inquiries.
In the same vein, we know budtenders get asked a lot of questions about cannabis concentrates. We get it- it’s a hot topic, especially with 710 right around the corner. This guide is made to help budtenders appropriately and accurately answer some of the most frequently asked questions they may get from customers who are curious about concentrates.
And how did we get these questions? We asked an AI robot. Bleep blorp, technology is the future.
Here are some of the most common customer questions about cannabis concentrates and how we suggest budtenders answer them:
What are Cannabis Extracts?
Great question! Cannabis plants have natural oils inside that are a denser chemical compound than the rest of the physical plant. Those oils are extracted from the plant, similarly to how essential oils from lavender are extracted from lavender plants. That extracted oil can be consumed, and because it’s a denser compound than smoking plants, it is often more potent with higher levels of THC and terpenes.
How are Cannabis Extracts Made?
While every processor and brand are different, there are two more common methods of extracting cannabis oils from the plant.
One is through a mechanical function where the plant is pressed, and the oils physically escape the plant. This can be tedious, but it does not require a lot of outside chemical interaction with the product.
The other major method is by using a solvent extraction method. These kinds of extracts are created using ethanol or butane or another solvent to separate the cannabis oil compounds from the plant. While this process may be faster to complete and easier to gather the oil extracts from the plant, there is outside chemical interaction with the cannabis which may turn some people off.
What are the Different Types of Cannabis Extracts?
There are so many, let’s talk about the options our store has on hand. One of the most common cannabis extract types is an oil that is consumed by vaping. These vape cartridges and disposables are strain-specific and can be consumed without any additional materials, except for a battery in some cases.
When we look at the concentrates, or the dabs, on display there are going to be a lot of different textures to choose from. These are typically based on user preference and are not going to alter the flavor or experience of consumption. The biggest difference in experience between the different concentrates is going to be in the testing, with the THC percentages and terpene levels. Extracts used with solvents may be a bit more affordable because they can be easier to produce en masse, while solventless concentrates like rosin can be more expensive due to their overall lower yield in comparison.
What is Rosin?
Rosin is a concentrate that is made through heat-pressing cannabis flower and collecting the extracted cannabis oils. Some believe this is the most pure form of cannabis concentrate because there are no additives used in the extraction process.
What are the Benefits of Cannabis Extracts?
Cannabis extracts can be great for people with a higher tolerance after consuming flower or other methods for a time. Because extracts have a generally higher THC percentage and a higher terpene value, they often have a higher affect in the user than other cannabis methods.
THC correlates to how effected by the cannabis you may be, I.e., a higher THC may make you feel stronger effects, and the additional experience of consumption are driven by the terpenes. While terpenes affect everyone differently, there are certain terpenes that commonly have specific effects in users. For example, linalool is a terpene also found in lavender, and is reported to often help people fall asleep. A higher percentage of key terpenes can help drive the kind of experience the user wants to have.
(PS- for our budtenders who want to learn more about terpenes, check out this guide on how to have the terpene talk that we also published).
How Can Cannabis Extracts Be Used?
In short, carefully.
Cannabis extracts like vape cartridges or disposables can be consumed by pulling on the vape device itself. It’s simple and easy.
For concentrates to be used, or dabbed, you may need to get a device. There are some vaporizer devices that will heat up the concentrate to a safe to consume temperature. Once that dab is heated up, the vaporizer will gather the smoke off of the cooking concentrate and the user inhales that to smoke. There are also devices called e-nails that can be an attachment to a glass piece so you can convert certain bongs to dab with. We also have specific glass dab rigs on these shelves here that are built for dabbing in mind.
If that’s all a bit too advanced for you right now, a good place to start may be putting a small dab of concentrate on top of a bowl of flower in your pipe or bong. When you light the bowl, the dab will melt into the flower and you’ll have an infused bowl with part dab, part flower. We also carry infused pre-rolls that also feature flower and concentrates all in one pull.
Are Cannabis Extracts Safe?
When you purchase an extract from a dispensary, that extract was not only made in a safe lab but also tested by a third-party lab to make sure it’s safe for human consumption. Unregulated markets are obviously not held to the same standards as a highly regulated dispensary like this one, so we suggest continuing to shop with us here.
When you’re consuming and using an e-nail, it can get very hot and if you touch a hot surface, you can potentially harm yourself, but that’s only if you’re not being careful.
As long as you continue to shop in the regulated market where products don’t make it to the shelf without being tested by a lab, your products are safe.
What are the Laws Regarding Cannabis Concentrates in My State?
Every state will vary, just like they do with cannabis flower.
(PS- Budtenders, you should know what your local laws are regarding all purchase limits, but if you don’t, we have a guide on state purchase limits right here).
How Do Concentrates Compare to Edibles?
That will vary based on how your individual body processes cannabis. Some people need a lot of edibles to feel anything while others take a 5MG gummy and have to hang onto the ground to not fall off the face of the earth. Edibles are so specific to the person taking them, but if you do want to explore edibles we suggest starting low and going slow.
The same ‘low and slow’ method applies to concentrates. Because concentrates have higher THC and terpene levels, we advise you try them in a safe place with people you trust and only try a little bit at a time.
What are the Drawbacks of Using Cannabis Extracts?
Cannabis concentrates may sometimes require additional equipment, like an e-nail, a dab rig, or a vaporizer. The cost upfront for a dabbing set-up for cannabis concentrates may be a quite expensive if you’re jumping in and want fancy new toys.
Cannabis concentrates can also build your individual tolerance up as well. Due to their higher THC level, your body may require more THC than usual to start to feel the effects of the product. Sometimes cannabis concentrates themselves can be pricey as well, so it’s good to start with something small or affordable to make sure it’s worth investing in before jumping in.
Stay tuned to the MJ Platform blog for more industry updates, advice, and resources.
