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Concentrates apply to any product derived through a cannabinoid extraction process. When you visit a recreational marijuana dispensary in Colorado, you may find a variety of concentrates available to purchase. Many concentrates are abundant in specific cannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or Cannabidiol (CBD). While THC is the most popular cannabinoid, known for its psychoactive and pain-killing effects, CBD offers the most health benefits without the "high" effects on your mood and perception. To learn more, please view our articles on the "Different Types of Marijuana Concentrates Available in Colorado" and "The Positive Effects of Cannabinoids."

Inhalants are still the most commonly used method for consuming marijuana concentrates. You can mix most concentrates with herb and smoke it as you normally would with flower; however, concentrates often burn at different speeds and temperatures. While you can smoke concentrates on bowls, joints and blunts, these methods don't reach the optimal vaporization point for THC.

Vaporizing is one of the healthiest methods for inhaling marijuana concentrates. You can vaporize almost any form of concentrate, such as kief and hash, excluding edibles. A variety of vaporizers are sold at dispensaries and head shops all over Colorado. You can purchase disposable concentrate cartridges at many dispensaries specially designed to attach to portable vaporizers -- known as vape pens. Vaporizers are specifically manufactured to heat THC to the optimal vaporization point so you can experience the purest high without unnecessary waste or toxins.

Dabbing is quickly becoming one of the most popular methods for consuming marijuana concentrates in Colorado. Special dab rigs provide all of the native attachments necessary to "dab" or "dunk." You can also purchase bong and water pipe attachments at most head shops that replace the bowl with a "skillet" or "hash nail." To dab, heat up the skillet using a torch, drop the concentrate onto the heated glass surface and then inhale the smoke through the chambers of the bong or rig. Dabbing burns concentrate at temperatures very close to THC's vaporization point -- making dabs one of the healthier smoking methods. However, dabbing often results in a very intense high, so we recommend only those who are veterans with marijuana to try this specific method.

You can find concentrate bowl attachments for bongs and bubblers in most head shops or dispensaries. Place the hash at the bottom of the concentrate bowl and then heat it using a stick, known as a glass wand, which vaporizes the concentrate upon contact. Glass wands are just one form of the burning tools used for smoking concentrate out of bowls. Other heating methods fail to vaporize efficiently, which causes combustion and carcinogenic smoke. These alternatives include soldering irons, butane lighters and hemp wicks. While hemp wicks don't vaporize, they can help you avoid the harmful chemicals released from butane lighters.

Most concentrates, such as hash, are not ready to be consumed orally. In order to feel the effects of THC, the cannabinoid must be activated through a decarboxylation process. Bubble hash and butane hash oil (BHO) can also be mixed with butter, glycerin, drinking alcohol or oil to create an edible form of the concentrate.

Edible Candy

Edibles are created using one of the many different extraction processes involved in the production of concentrates. For example, you have most likely heard of "cannabis butter," commonly used to bake marijuana-infused treats, such as "magic brownies" or "space cakes." Cannabis butter is commonly prepared and sold at dispensaries all over the state. Additional types of edibles come in the form of candy and chocolate, which often look exactly like it’s non-cannabis version.

Tinctures are liquid concentrates generally procured using alcohol to extract the cannabinoids from the Cannabis plant. These tinctures come in small jars with droppers on the lid. Just a few drops under your tongue and you will begin to feel the effects.

To learn more about marijuana concentrates and cannabinoids, please view our articles on the "Different Types of Marijuana Concentrates Available in Colorado" and "The Positive Effects of Cannabinoids."

Photo Credit:
Andres Rodriguez (license)
Daniel Rothamel (license)

Sunday May 10, 2015

By Chad Sivad

This article is reprinted in potguide