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As the retail cannabis industry grows and more people are trying new products, many of us have some questions about the different items on the menu.
This month, Village Media sat down with Leanne and Paul Thompson, co-founders of Little Leaf Cannabis Co. Inc., to learn more about cannabis concentrates and extracts. Here’s what they had to say:
What exactly are cannabis concentrates?
Little Leaf: Similar to that carton of apple juice in the fridge, a cannabis concentrate is a collection of the plant’s cannabinoids and terpenes, which are the components responsible for the effects, aroma, and flavours of cannabis. They are found in the small sparkling crystals on the bud called trichomes.
Are there differences between concentrates and extracts?
Little Leaf: Two terms that are often used interchangeably with each other are concentrates and extracts, but there is a significant distinction between the two. Concentrates are made without the use of solvents and are typically processed using mechanical or physical means to gather the trichomes. For example, heat and pressure will produce rosin, while an agitator will collect the trichomes as it falls off the bud.
Extracts, on the other hand, are specific types of concentrates made using a solvent. When a solvent is used, like alcohol, butane (BHO), or CO2, the results are a variety of textures like that of wax, crumble, resin, shatter, diamonds, to name a few.
This is why all extracts are concentrates, but not all concentrates are extracts.
Are the solvents used to make extracts safe to consume?
Little Leaf: Health Canada has very specific regulations on concentrate makers in the legal industry which prevents the use of certain solvents, additives, and other ingredients. This provides the consumer with the safest and purest options for cannabis concentrates.
Do you recommend concentrates for everyone?
Little Leaf: Cannabis concentrates are recommended for seasoned consumers as the extracts are more potent and may require more elaborate equipment to consume them. Dabbing is the most popular way to consume concentrates. It involves heating the concentrate or extract until it is vapourized and then inhaling it.
What does ‘live’ mean on the labelling of some concentrates?
Little Leaf: Legal cannabis has seen a surge in ‘live’ products coming to market. These extracts can now be found in vape cartridges, edibles, infused pre-rolls, and beverages. Cannabis concentrates offer the consumer a more distinct, true-to-flower experience.
In other words, they are designed to retain the flavour and aroma of the natural plant rather than adding botanical terpenes or other flavours.
To learn more, head over to Little Leaf and speak with Cannasultants Dezia or Mike, two of their in-house concentrate experts. Little Leaf is located at 804 Ontario Street in Stratford or you can shop online.
Next month, we will chat with Leanne and Paul about vaping cannabis.