Walk into a cannabis dispensary and you’ll find a section of the menu that can stop a first-time visitor in their tracks: concentrates. Wax, shatter, live resin, live rosin, budder, crumble, hash, distillate, RSO the names alone feel like they require a glossary.
Concentrates are exactly what the name suggests: highly concentrated forms of cannabis where the essential compounds THC, CBD, terpenes have been extracted from the plant and collected into a potent, reduced form. They are not for everyone, and they are not a starting point for new cannabis consumers. But they are a significant and growing category of the legal cannabis market, and understanding what they are helps anyone make a more informed decision about whether they belong in their approach to cannabis.
This guide is a plain-language introduction to cannabis concentrates. For foundational cannabis science, our guide to what THC is and how it works and our cannabinoids and brain guide provide the biological context that makes concentrates make sense.
What Are Cannabis Concentrates?
Cannabis concentrates are products made by extracting THC, CBD, terpenes, and other cannabinoids from the cannabis plant separating the desirable compounds from the plant material itself. The result is a product with a much higher concentration of cannabinoids than flower.
Standard cannabis flower typically contains 10–25% THC by weight. Cannabis concentrates typically contain 60–90% THC, and some forms reach over 95%. A small amount of concentrate contains significantly more THC than an equivalent-looking amount of flower.
| The Key Fact About Concentrates
Cannabis concentrates are the highest-potency cannabis products available in legal markets. Very small amounts contain significant THC. They are not appropriate for first-time users, occasional users without established tolerance, or anyone prone to cannabis-induced anxiety. They are an advanced product category. |
How Cannabis Concentrates Are Made
The method of extraction is the primary factor that determines what type of concentrate is produced its texture, flavor, potency, and purity. There are two broad categories:
Solvent-Based Extraction
Solvent-based concentrates are made by passing a solvent typically butane, propane, CO2, or ethanol through cannabis plant material. The solvent strips the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant, producing a cannabinoid-rich solution. The solvent is then removed (through heat, vacuum, or other processes), leaving behind the concentrated cannabinoid material.
- Butane Hash Oil (BHO): The most common solvent-based extraction. Produces wax, shatter, budder, crumble, and live resin depending on how the resulting oil is processed.
- CO2 Extraction: Uses supercritical CO2 as a solvent; produces cleaner concentrates with less solvent residue; common in vape cartridges.
- Ethanol Extraction: Uses food-grade alcohol; efficient and scalable; common for RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) and some tinctures.
Solventless Extraction
Solventless concentrates are made without chemical solvents, using only heat, pressure, and ice water to separate cannabinoids from plant material. They are often considered the cleanest and most natural form of concentration.
- Rosin: Made by applying heat and pressure to cannabis flower, hash, or kief squeezing out a resin-rich oil. No solvents involved. Highly regarded for preserving terpene complexity.
- Ice Water Hash / Bubble Hash: Cold water and agitation separate trichomes from plant material; collected through filtration bags. One of the oldest concentration methods.
- Dry Sift / Kief: The simplest form cannabis is sieved through fine screens to separate trichomes from plant matter. The loose powder at the bottom of a grinder is kief.
Types of Cannabis Concentrates: A Plain-Language Guide
| Concentrate Type | Texture | How Made | Typical THC% | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shatter | Glass-like, brittle | BHO extraction, carefully purged | 60–80% | Clear, amber color; breaks like glass; stable at room temp |
| Wax | Soft, opaque, waxy | BHO extraction, whipped during purge | 60–80% | Easier to handle than shatter; loses clarity from agitation |
| Budder / Badder | Soft, creamy, pliable | BHO extraction, whipped extensively | 60–90% | Smooth texture; good terpene retention |
| Crumble | Dry, crumbly | BHO extraction, lower heat purge | 60–90% | Drier texture; easy to portion; good shelf stability |
| Live Resin | Sticky, sauce-like or waxy | BHO from fresh-frozen plant | 60–90% | Best terpene preservation plant frozen immediately after harvest |
| Live Rosin | Waxy to sauce-like | Solventless from fresh-frozen bubble hash | 65–85% | Premium solventless product; full flavor profile; highest cost |
| Distillate | Clear oil, very fluid | Molecular distillation | 85–95%+ | Highly refined; base for vape carts; often reintroduced terpenes |
| RSO / Full Extract | Dark, thick oil | Ethanol extraction | Varies | Full-spectrum; all plant compounds retained; not for vaporizing |
| Hash (traditional) | Pressed powder/brick | Dry sift or bubble hash pressed | 30–60% | Traditional form; less refined than modern concentrates |
| Kief | Fine powder | Dry sifting | 25–50% | Simplest concentrate; can be added to flower or pressed into hash |
What Are Dabs?
“Dabbing” refers to the consumption method most commonly associated with concentrates not a specific product type. A dab is a small amount of concentrate that is vaporized on a heated surface (called a nail or banger) attached to a glass water pipe (called a dab rig). The vapor is then inhaled.
The term “dabs” in common use often refers to any cannabis concentrate used this way. When someone says they “do dabs,” they typically mean they use a dab rig to vaporize concentrate, regardless of the specific concentrate type.
What Makes Dabbing Different From Other Inhalation
- Much higher potency per inhalation than flower the same-size amount of concentrate contains far more THC
- Fast onset effects appear within minutes, similar to inhaled flower
- More intense flavor and terpene expression than flower for many consumers live resin and live rosin in particular are known for this
- Requires specific equipment a dab rig and heat source unlike flower which can be consumed with simpler tools
- The equipment and process present a learning curve that most first-time consumers don’t navigate successfully without guidance
Vape Cartridges: The Most Common Concentrate
The most widely used concentrate in legal cannabis markets is one many people don’t think of as a concentrate at all: the vape cartridge. Pre-filled oil cartridges attached to a battery contain cannabis distillate (70–90%+ THC) or other oil extracts. They are convenient, discrete, and don’t require any additional equipment beyond a battery.
Vape cartridges are concentrates in a pre-packaged, easy-to-use format. Understanding that they contain highly refined, high-potency cannabis oil helps explain why a few puffs from a cartridge produces a different experience than the equivalent amount of flower.
In Vermont’s regulated market, vape cartridges are labeled with THC % by weight. Our guide to reading THC and CBD percentages on cannabis labels helps you understand what those numbers mean in practice.
How Concentrates Compare to Flower
| Factor | Flower | Concentrates |
|---|---|---|
| Typical THC range | 10–25% | 60–95%+ |
| Dose control | Moderate variable by amount used | Difficult very small amounts have large THC content |
| Onset time | 2–10 minutes (inhaled) | 2–10 minutes (inhaled) |
| Duration | 1–3 hours | 2–4 hours (higher potency extends duration) |
| Terpene preservation | Good with vaporizer, reduced with combustion | Variable live resin/rosin best; distillate lowest |
| Equipment needed | Pipe, paper, or vaporizer | Dab rig + heat source (or vape pen for cartridges) |
| Appropriate for new users? | With guidance; start with low-THC products | Not recommended risk of overconsumption too high |
| Cost | Lower per gram | Higher per gram; more potent so less used per session |
For a complete overview of how different cannabis product formats compare including concentrates, edibles, flower, tinctures, and topicals our cannabis consumption methods guide covers them all in one place.
What to Know Before Trying Concentrates
Concentrates are an advanced cannabis product. Here is what anyone considering them should understand first:
Establish Tolerance First
Someone with no or low cannabis tolerance who tries a concentrate is at significant risk of an overwhelming, uncomfortable experience. Concentrates are best approached after establishing comfort with lower-potency products over time.
Start With an Extremely Small Amount
“Rice grain sized” is the common reference for a first concentrate dose a tiny portion that may look insignificant but contains significant THC at 70–90% concentration. The inclination to take more because the amount looks small is exactly the pattern that leads to overconsumption.
Understand the Equipment
Dabbing requires specific equipment operated at the right temperature. Too hot produces harsh, irritating vapor; too cool produces incomplete vaporization and waste. Vape cartridges are significantly more accessible because they require only a compatible battery.
Concentrates Are Not for Anxiety-Prone Users
The high THC concentration in concentrates makes them particularly likely to trigger cannabis-induced anxiety, paranoia, and disorientation. People who are anxious, prone to panic attacks, or have pre-existing anxiety disorders should avoid concentrates entirely. Our guide to cannabis and anxiety covers the dose-anxiety relationship in detail.
Concentrates in Vermont’s Regulated Market
Vermont’s adult-use cannabis program, regulated by the Vermont Cannabis Control Board, requires that all concentrates sold through licensed dispensaries be tested for potency and purity including screening for residual solvents in solvent-extracted products. That safety verification is what distinguishes regulated concentrates from unregulated ones, where solvent residue and contamination are real risks.
Vermont’s cannabis testing standards apply to all product types including concentrates ensuring that what’s on the label reflects what’s actually in the product.
At Juana’s Garden in Montpelier, Vermont, our team helps adults 21 and older understand the products available on our menu including concentrates what to expect from each type, and whether they’re appropriate for someone’s experience level. Check our deals, visit our education hub, and join our Amigos Rewards program to stay connected.
First time visiting a Vermont dispensary? Our first-time visitor guide and dispensary etiquette guide prepare you for what to expect when you walk in.
Authoritative Resources
- Vermont Cannabis Control Board ccb.vermont.gov Vermont adult-use cannabis regulatory framework
- Vermont Department of Health healthvermont.gov/alcohol-drugs/cannabis Public health guidance on cannabis products
- National Institute on Drug Abuse drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/cannabis-marijuana Research on cannabis potency and health effects
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis Concentrates
What is the difference between wax and shatter?
Both are butane hash oil (BHO) concentrates the difference is in texture, which results from how the oil is processed after extraction. Shatter is carefully purged without agitation, producing a transparent, glass-like product that literally shatters when broken. Wax is agitated during purging, which disrupts the molecular structure and creates an opaque, softer, waxy texture. Both have similar potency ranges (60–80% THC typically). Shatter is more shelf-stable; wax is easier to handle.
What are dabs?
“Dabs” is informal terminology for cannabis concentrates used via a dab rig a specialized glass device where concentrate is vaporized on a heated surface (nail or banger) and inhaled. The term can refer to any concentrate type used this way, including wax, shatter, live resin, or rosin. The name comes from the small “dab” of concentrate used per session.
Are cannabis concentrates safe?
Cannabis concentrates sold through licensed Vermont dispensaries are tested for potency and purity, including residual solvent screening. The primary safety concern is not contamination in regulated products but overconsumption concentrates contain 60–95%+ THC, and very small amounts can produce intense effects. They are not appropriate for first-time or infrequent users. See our guide on what happens when you use too much cannabis for context on overconsumption.
Can I find concentrates at Juana’s Garden in Vermont?
Yes. Juana’s Garden in Montpelier, Vermont is a licensed adult-use boutique for adults 21 and older. Browse our current menu to see concentrate availability, and check our community events calendar for educational sessions in Montpelier. All purchases require a valid ID confirming age 21 or older.
Final Thoughts
Cannabis concentrates represent the highest-potency products in the legal cannabis market. Understanding the differences between wax, shatter, live resin, rosin, distillate, and other forms helps you navigate a complex product category with clarity rather than confusion.
The most important things to know: concentrates require established tolerance, very small doses are appropriate starting points, live resin and live rosin offer the best terpene preservation, vape cartridges are the most accessible concentrate format, and Vermont’s testing standards ensure that regulated concentrates have been verified for safety and labeled accurately.
Explore our full education hub for more guides, visit Juana’s Garden in Montpelier, and take the time to understand what you’re choosing before you choose it.
This article is for educational and informational purposes only. Juana’s Garden operates in Montpelier, Vermont, under Vermont Cannabis Control Board regulations. All purchases require valid ID confirming age 21 or older. Nothing in this article constitutes medical advice.
