The ongoing evolution of the retail cannabis industry in Canada has resulted in a proliferation of different products, made from various strains of cannabis plants and available in a multitude of potencies. One of the more popular product categories are cannabis concentrates, which offer a variety of alternatives to simply smoking bud.
“Concentrates are a more purified form of cannabis,” said Griffin Kennedy, shift manager and professional “budtender” at QBud Cannabis in Guelph. “It’s something that contains less carcinogens because it’s going to have less plant material. As a result, it’s going to result in a smoother smoking experience and more potent and endurable effects.”
Concentrates are available in a wide range of products, from weed oil and hash to concentrated topical creams. To make them, the cannabis plant is processed to keep the most desirable plant compounds like cannabinoids and terpenes while removing excess plant materials and other impurities. As a result of the processing, the cannabis concentrates have a greater percentage of cannabinoids and terpenes than many natural cannabis flowers, which makes them an extremely popular choice with retail customers looking for options.
“Concentrates can be vaporized using a portable vaporizer or dab rig,” explained Kennedy, who said “dabbing” has quickly become a popular method of cannabis consumption. “It helps protect the throat from some of the residues you would get when smoking a joint or using a bong. At the same time it can offer a very strong dose for someone who needs it for medical reasons, or for someone who’s been smoking for a long time and has a high tolerance.”
Concentrates are typically sold by the gram, although Kennedy said that hash and other “shatters” (named because they can be broken apart) can often be purchased in amounts up to two grams. For first time users, he suggests a smaller dose to get used to the effects.
“For a new user, I’d recommend coming in and talking to your budtender first,” he said. “Let them know what kind of experience you’re looking for, because there are so many different shatters and so many different strains. If you’re looking to try it for the first time I’d recommend a low concentration like a hash or a crumble, somewhere in the 30 to 40 percent TCH level. Try a small hit, maybe a .25 milligram hit, just enough to notice a difference but not enough to overwhelm you or make you cough a lot.”
QBud’s stocks a variety of concentrates including shatter, live resin, hash, oil and other products.
Discover the hundreds of different concentrates and cannabis products available a QBud Cannabis. Visit them at 128 Wyndham Street North in Guelph. Or call 519.763.7837.