One of the wonderful things about medical cannabis is its versatility. There are many consumption options beyond the traditional dried flower format, such as pre-rolls, and edibles. It is important to find a consumption method that you are comfortable with. In this blog, we'll look at how to consume a form of cannabis known as a “concentrate,” and the various formats it may come in.
Live Resin
Live resin is a highly concentrated and undiluted form of cannabis, derived directly from flash frozen flower to extract the most active and flavourful terpenes and cannabinoids. The result is a super high concentrate with a bright, golden/orange appearance. The top ways to consume live resin are:
- Dabbing, using a mechanism known as a dab rig
- Adding to (or “topping off”) a joint or bowl
- Vaping with a tool that is concentrate compatible (such as the Utillian 721)
It is important to start with a small amount of live resin, as it may contain a high concentration of THC and the inhalation consumption method produces a rapid onset of effect compared to ingestibles.
Hash Rosin
Rosin is a concentrated form of cannabis with a dark orange/brown appearance. People may enjoy this form of cannabis because of its flavour, lack of combustion, and extremely high potency level. Hash rosin can be consumed using several different methods, such as:
- Dabbing, using a mechanism known as a dab rig
- Added to a bowl or a bong
- Vaporizers compatible with concentrates (such as the Utillian 721)
It’s important to note that some rosin may contain an extremely high level of THC. If you intend on consuming rosin, you should follow Health Canada’s guideline of “start low, go slow” where you should begin with a tiny dose (about the size of a pea), then wait 30 minutes to assess the effects before administering an additional dose.
Diamonds
Another form of cannabis concentrate is cannabis diamonds. These solid crystal structures resemble diamonds and have a semi-transparent appearance. They can be consumed via different methods, including:
- Dab rigs
- Dab pens
- Crushed into joints
Just like live resin and hash rosin, cannabis diamonds may contain a high concentration of THC and the inhalation consumption method produces a rapid onset of effect compared to ingestibles. It’s important to follow Health Canada’s guideline of “start low, go slow.”
Shatter
Shatter is another form of concentrated cannabis extract. Because of its brittle and glass-like nature, it can easily shatter (hence the name). It is popular for its appealing gold-colored appearance. You can use shatter in a few different ways, such as:
- A vaporizer compatible with concentrates, like the Utillian 721
- Dabbing, using a mechanism called a dab rig
It’s important to start with a small amount of shatter, as it contains a high concentration of THC, and the inhalation consumption method produces a rapid onset of effect compared to ingestibles.
Notes on Dabbing
Dabbing is the process of consuming concentrates by vaporizing them through a glass water-pipe (rig, bong, or portable). The concentrate is "dabbed" onto a heated nail (made from quartz) or banger (made from glass or titanium) where it is vaporized.
Dabbing can be convenient, but it can also be hazardous if you aren't careful. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Keep track of what items are hot while dabbing
- Always “torch” in well-ventilated areas
- Do not place your rig on the edge of any surface.
- Keep your dab rig away from children/pets or anyone/anything that can knock it over
- Clean and rinse out your dab rig often with hot water and 99% Isopropyl alcohol.
Have Any Other Questions About Consuming Cannabis?
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