Extracts 101

What is Kief?

When a cannabis plant reaches maturity, trichomes holding a majority of the cannabinoids are formed on its leaves and buds. The accumulation of these trichomes (or resin glands) creates a fine, powdery substance referred to as Kief.

How strong is Kief?

Kief on its own is more potent than traditional flower, but less potent than most extracted concentrates like shatter, budder, wax, and oil. If an average strain of cannabis contains between 12% and 25% THC, an average batch of kief will contain 70% THC.

How do I consume Kief?

Kief looks like powder, but is actually tiny pieces of sticky, crystallized resin and can be used in a variety of ways: you can smoke kief, or ingest it, or even use it to make hash. Keep in mind that the potency will depend on the strain of cannabis the kief comes from as well as your personal tolerance level. Remember to always Start Low and Go Slow.

How should I store Kief?

Kief, like all cannabis products, should always be stored in a locked area out of sight and reach of children and pets. Kief does not go bad but the cannabinoids in it can lose their potency if they become oxidized. In order to keep it as fresh as possible, avoid exposing it to heat and light and keep it in an airtight container. Please remember, always Stash your Stash!

What is Bubble Hash?

Bubble hash is a non-solvent concentrate consisting of millions of trichomes, or resinous glands, that have been separated from the plant using ice water, agitation, and a sieve. Bubble Hash is packed with a variety of terpenes.

What does non-solvent mean?

Non-solvent means that no chemical solvents were used to extract the THC from the plant.

How did Bubble Hash get its name?

Bubble hash gets its name from the bubble bags (sieves) that are used to separate the trichomes from the plant matter. The name “bubble hash” may also refer to the bubbles that form when bubble hash is smoked.

What is the potency of Bubble Hash?

The THC content of Bubble Hash is usually in the range of 30-60%, which is lower than most solvent-based extracts, whose THC contents can range from 60-80%.

How do I consume Bubble Hash?

Bubble hash can be consumed in a variety of ways. From vaping to edibles, there isn’t a method that users can’t consume bubble hash with. No matter which method you use, always remember to Start Low and Go Slow.

Wax/Crumble/Honeycomb is a cannabis extract with a dry texture, softer to the touch than Shatter and quick to crumble in your fingers. Typically lower in terpenes than other extracts, these extracts are made from dried flower or trim and food-grade solvents. Crumble is a high THC extract that can often range in colour from pale yellow to deep amber.

Traditional Hash & Kief are both solventless products made from dried flower or trim, with Hash requiring a few additional steps. Kief is a loose concentrate made by tumbling dried cannabis over a mesh screen, collecting the trichomes (fine growths on the exterior of cannabis that contain THC, terpenes, and other desirables) along with some leaf material, pistils, and other non-psychoactive parts of the plant. Traditional Hash is made by lightly refining this Kief before heating and pressing repeatedly to form a blonde to dark-brown “brick” of resin. Modern hashmakers often use ice and water to refine the trichome collection process even further, resulting in higher purities and higher potencies as well.

Shatter is typically a hydrocarbon solvent-based extract made from dried flower or trim that resembles clear toffee or stained glass and is easy to break up with your fingers. Similar to Wax/Crumble, Shatter tends to be quite low in terpene content while delivering high amounts of THC and other cannabinoids. Shatter should be translucent to transparent and ranges from bright yellow to darker amber in colour.

Live Resin (Diamonds & Sauce, Terp Slush, Badder, HTFSE) – Live resin is a cannabis concentrate that is quickly becoming a favorite of dabbers and vapers everywhere. Packed with natural cannabis flavours and cannabinoids, it is considered by many to be the truest representation of the plant and one of the cleanest concentrates on the market. Live resin can vary in texture, from a thick, slush-like consistency to chunky and runny, depending on how it’s produced and how it’s processed in its final steps.

Rosin is a solventless concentrate made from ice water extract, dry sift, or in some cases dried flower. Using heat and pressure, the rosin is squished out of the starting material through a filter and collected for consumption. There are 3 main types of rosin: Live Rosin, Cured Rosin (or simply Rosin) and Flower Rosin.

Live Rosin starts with fresh frozen plant material, that gets turned into ice water hash, that hash is then squeezed through a filter using heat and pressure, removing impurities and some plant waxes to become Live Rosin. Live Rosin contains more terpenes and has a true to the plant flavour and smell. This terpene profile is similar to the living plant. Live Rosin is considered the highest quality of all rosin types.

Rosin or Cured Rosin is made by adding heat and pressure to Ice Water Hash or Dry Sift. As it flows through the filter, the impurities are removed, leaving behind a product that can be easily vaporized. Rosin or Cured Rosin is made from dry flower that gets turned into ice water hash, then pressed with heat and pressure through a filter. This extract has a terpene profile similar to the dried flower.

Flower Rosin is made by putting dried flower into a filter and squeezing out the rosin. This method leaves more impurities and waxes in the finished Flower Rosin and results in a diminished terpene profile and usually is darker in colour. Flower Rosin is a common product made at home and is considered the lowest grade of rosin.