Cannabis concentrate
A cannabis concentrate (also called marijuana concentrate, marijuana extract, or cannabis extract) is a highly potent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or cannabidiol (CBD) concentrated mass. Marijuana concentrates contain extraordinarily high THC levels that could once range from 40 to 80%, up to four times stronger in THC content than high grade or top shelf marijuana, which normally measures around 20% THC levels. By 2017, distilled concentrate was reportedly available at 99.58% THC content.[1]
Volatile solvents such as ethanol, butane, propane and hexane are often used to prepare extracts, leading to fire and explosion hazards in uncontrolled environments.[2][3][4] Super-critical fluid extraction using carbon dioxide (CO
2) alleviates concerns of fire and explosion and results in a high quality product.[5]
Legally produced concentrates for retail sale in legalized states are often packaged in small lip-balm sized containers.[4]
- ↑ Summit Research (December 22, 2017), Cannabis Distillation: The Last Mile in Extraction, Leafly
- ↑ DEA 2014.
- ↑ Small 2016.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Angela Bacca (January 12, 2015), "Is Cannabis Extraction the Future of a Multi-Billion Dollar Industry?", San Francisco Chronicle
- ↑ Backes & Weil 2017, p. 143.