As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, so do its products. For those looking for a more intense experience than traditional forms of cannabis such as flowers or edibles, shatter concentrate is becoming increasingly popular. Shatter concentrates are made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from the marijuana plant, resulting in an incredibly potent product with a much higher concentration of these active ingredients than other cannabis products. In this article, we will explore what shatter concentrates are, how they’re made, and their potency compared to other types of cannabis products available in a Boulder, CO dispensary.
The process of making shatter involves separating the trichomes—which contain most of the active ingredients like THC and CBD—from the rest of the plant material using solvents like butane or CO2. The extracted liquid is then heated up until it becomes thick enough to form into brittle sheets known as “shatter” that can be easily broken apart into smaller pieces. Shatter concentrates have become popular because they offer users much stronger effects than smoking regular flower buds or edibles due to their highly concentrated levels of THC and CBD.
Generally speaking, shatter concentrates tend to be more potent than any other type of cannabis product on the market today; some even contain upwards of 90% pure THC! This makes them ideal for experienced consumers who want a powerful effect without having to smoke large amounts of flower buds at once. However, before consuming shatter it is important to understand exactly what you are getting yourself into and make sure to consume responsibly! Now let’s dive deeper into exploring shatter concentrates: How they’re made and their potency compared to other forms of cannabis use.
What Is Shatter?
Shatter is a type of cannabis concentrate created by extracting the desired compounds from marijuana plants using solvents such as butane or CO2. It’s one of many types of cannabis concentrates, and is known for its high potency: shatter typically contains between 70-90% THC. The production process involves purging any remaining solvent residue to make sure no toxins are present before use. For those who enjoy terpenes and flavorings, they can be added at this stage to create more complex tastes and aromas within each shatter concentrate.
Altogether, these processes create a highly concentrated form of marijuana that allows users to experience stronger effects through dabbing than what they would get from smoking regular flower buds alone. With their intense flavors and powerful highs, shatters have become increasingly popular among experienced cannabis consumers who want an enhanced experience without compromising on quality. Ready for use, let’s move on to looking at how exactly shatter is produced by taking an overview of its production process.
Production Process Overview
Shatter is one of the most popular forms of marijuana concentrates and it’s created through a multi-step extraction and manufacturing process. The first step involves using chemical solvents to extract desired compounds from marijuana plants. After the initial extraction, purging helps remove any remaining solvent residue while filtering helps remove impurities. Finally, terpenes can be added to enhance the flavor profiles and aromas of cannabis shatter. Enjoy responsibly!
Once these steps have been completed, it’s time for final packaging before they ship out to dispensaries across the country ready for purchase by consumers. The result should be a product that has gone through rigorous testing protocols ensuring a safe experience for those using them recreationally or medicinally. Now let’s take a closer look at one specific type of extraction method: butane extraction.
Butane Extraction
1) Butane is purged over the source material while contained within an airtight chamber. The process forces it into the plant matter, releasing cannabinoids such as THC and CBD along with terpenes and other substances present in marijuana flowers or trim.
2) Once the extraction is complete, residual solvents must be removed by heating the concentrate until all remaining butane evaporates off. This step helps ensure that no dangerous chemicals remain in the final product once consumed by users.
3) After all traces of butane have been eliminated, what’s left behind is a potent form of cannabis extract known as “shatter” or “dabs” – depending on how much moisture was removed during processing. These highly-concentrated forms of cannabis can contain upwards of 80% – 90% cannabinoid content!
What sets apart butane extraction from other methods is its ability to preserve certain compounds found naturally in cannabis plants– like flavonoids and terpenes –while still producing highly pure extracts. However, if not done properly, there could be risks associated with consuming products created via this method due to potential contamination by residual solvents. With proper safety protocols observed though, this extraction technique can produce some truly amazing results for those looking for potent concentrates derived from natural sources.
Solventless Methods
Solventless methods are becoming increasingly popular for making cannabis extracts without the use of potentially dangerous solvents. Bubble hash is one such technique that relies on freezing and agitating finely ground cannabis material to get trichomes off the plant material which results in a product known as bubble hash or ice wax with high levels of cannabinoid content. Other solventless concentrates processes include rosin pressing, dry sifting, and caviar which are all gaining traction as reliable and safe alternatives to other cannabis concentrates.
Rosin pressing is another form of solventless extraction that has gained traction over recent years thanks to its ease of use and ability to produce extremely pure products without any added chemicals or solvents involved. All you need is heat (typically between 150°C – 220°C) combined with pressure applied atop marijuana flowers or trim placed within parchment paper– which drives out various compounds like terpenes, cannabinoids, flavonoids, etc., creating a highly concentrated extract ready for consumption. Depending on the starting material used, this method can yield anywhere from 40%-90% THC content!
With a combination of solventless methods, users can generate top-tier cannabis oil without the risk of contamination by chemicals. Bubble Hash, Dry Sifting, and Heat and Pressure Extraction are some of the popular options available for crafting extracts from the cannabis plant. Every extract will be full of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other marijuana concentrates with no extra ingredients added during processing – leading to superb flavor profiles every time! Enjoy responsibly!
Heat And Pressure Extraction
Heat and Pressure Extraction is a relatively new technique for creating high-quality cannabis concentrates, offering users an alternative to traditional solvent extraction methods. This process involves subjecting marijuana flowers or trims to extreme temperatures (up to 300°C) and pressures of up to 20 tons to drive out various compounds like terpenes, cannabinoids, flavonoids, etc., resulting in a potent form of concentrate with excellent flavor profiles. Here are some benefits of this method:
- Reliable results: Heat and pressure extraction is consistent and predictable, allowing users to craft the same product over multiple batches without having any surprises.
- No solvents involved: Unlike other extraction techniques that rely on potentially dangerous chemicals like butane or propane, heat, and pressure extraction doesn’t utilize any added ingredients during processing –making it much safer for both consumer health as well as the environment.
- Highly concentrated products: The result of this method can be extremely potent extracts boasting anywhere from 40%-90% THC content! Additionally, many flavors characteristic of the source material remain intact due to its lack of reliance on additional substances for production.
- Faster than others: Compared to more labor-intensive methods such as bubble hash or rosin pressing which usually take days before completion–heat and pressure extractions often finish within just 1-2 hours!
Despite being one of the newest entrants into cannabis concentrate production lines, heat, and pressure extraction has quickly become popular among users looking for cleaner options when crafting their extracts at home. Whether you’re aiming for maximum potency or flavorful aromas, this efficient approach offers something for everyone seeking powerful yet safe forms of consumption.
THC Content And Potency
The potency of shatter concentrates is something cannabis producers take into consideration when crafting their products. With THC concentrations ranging from 40%-90%, these extracts can be incredibly strong – making it important to understand the effects they have on users before consumption. Not only are high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol present in shatters, but many also contain a concentration of terpenes that further enhance its medicinal and psychoactive properties. For this reason, consumers should always keep an eye out for accurate labels and product descriptions so they know just what they’re getting themselves into!
For those looking to experiment with shatter concentrates but don’t want all the intense effects associated with them, there are options available that offer much lower THC content–allowing users to tailor their experience as needed without going overboard. By choosing strains specifically bred for low levels of cannabinoids such as CBD-rich variants or hybrids containing minimal amounts of both compounds, individuals who prefer milder highs can still enjoy the flavor profiles created through heat and pressure extraction.
Ultimately, understanding your tolerance level and doing research about different varieties of marijuana is key when deciding which type of concentrate to use for yourself or others. Whether you’re after a potent dose or simply seeking flavorful aromas in your next session, having knowledge about shatter concentrates will go a long way toward enjoyable experiences and safety alike.
