Cannabis provides many unique benefits to users but concentrates, oils, and extracts administer smoke-free benefits different from cannabis flower. These three products are only a few of a multitude of products directly produced from the cannabis plant. Cannabis concentrates, oils and extracts come in many forms including tinctures, vapes, dabs, CBD oil, THC oil, live resin, hash, and more!
Chemists are using different forms of extractions. In the distillation extraction process, the concentrated chemicals of terpenes and cannabinoids are distilled into a potent form. This helps professionals to produce products with high THC potency or high CBD potency. If you’re unsure of the difference between these products read CBD vs THC: What’s the Difference?.
Types of Cannabis
There are many different compounds derived from the cannabis plant. These compounds include now popular THC-O (pronounced “THC oh”), Delta-8, and Delta-10. Over the past few years, these forms of cannabis have become popular due to their potency.
Delta-8 THC
Delta-8 THC, similar to Delta-9, is a cannabinoid that causes similar effects to Delta-9 but with a lower potency level. Delta-9 THC is one of the main compounds found in cannabis for euphoria, sedation, pain and symptom relief, and more. Much of Delta-8 THC is created from hemp-derived plants in the form of CBD, providing relief to people who look for little high and in states where THC is illegal. While Delta-8 may be considered a mild form of THC compared to Delta-9 it is still important to practice moderation when smoking or ingesting cannabis.
Delta-10 THC
You may be wondering how different Delta-10 can really be from Delta-8 and Delta-9. Well, similar to Delta-8 this cannabinoid is slightly less potent than Delta-9 and also regularly derived from hemp plants. The Delta-10 compound is legal in states that have not specifically outlawed it. The main difference between Delta-8 and Delta-10 is in the extraction process requiring different chemicals to create different forms of the delta.
THC-O Acetate
THC-O has gained popularity in America over the past few months, especially for those who are unable to access legal cannabis. THC-O, a synthetic form of cannabis that is derived from the hemp plant. Recent research has found this form of cannabis to be stronger than traditional THC. While many THC-O products are legal in states, DC Alchemy advises that you never buy a product without knowing it has been lab-tested to the requirements of your state.
Cannabis Concentrates
One of the more desirable forms of cannabis nowadays, cannabis concentrates are derived from terpenes and cannabinoids. These products quite literally are a concentrated form of cannabis flower, boosting the effects with the use of less product. When using cannabis concentrates taste, effects, and aroma tend to be stronger than regular cannabis flowers. Concentrates not only come in the form of a vape pen, but they also come in tinctures, dab oils, shatter, wax, ingestible capsules, and hash. It is important to keep in mind that starting small and working your way up to a larger dose is always recommended by professionals.
Cannabis Oils
Cannabis oils and tinctures tend to be ingested orally, taking a longer time to feel the effects compared to other products. Oils have now also become popular in skincare, especially CBD oil used for medical and therapeutic relief. Different oils will contain higher doses of CBD vs THC. In the process of creating cannabis oils, the flower and oil go through several extractions to ensure the chemicals are as pure as possible. While oils tend to lean more towards CBD products there are some with a high THC potency, so it is important to speak about the potency and effects with a professional at your local dispensary before purchasing.
Cannabis Extracts
Many people view extracts similarly to concentrates; however, there is a difference between the two. The term “concentrates” has been used as an umbrella term for quite some time leaving confusion between the two forms of cannabis. Extracts are created by chemists when solvents are used to draw out trichomes from the plant. Many extracts will include waxes that appear similar to concentrates like shatter and crumble, so it is important to speak with a professional at your dispensary to know what you are looking to purchase.
The Difference Between Cannabis Concentrates, Oils, and Extracts
Every cannabis product produces a different purpose for each consumer. While cannabis concentrates and extracts are difficult to tell apart, having a professional at a dispensary help you, or a medical doctor leading you to find the best products for your body and mind is important. Cannabis oils may be a bit easier to spot while shopping, but always speak with a budtender to find the best products you want and need.
If you are a retail brand and looking to properly package your cannabis concentrates, oils, and extracts DC Alchemy has the products you need. With third-party lab testing and heavy metal testing, we focus on providing the safest and best cannabis products. If you are looking to talk further about our products and how we can work together call (602) 830-8803.
