A Beginner’s Guide to Dispensary Concentrates in Los Angeles

Are you visiting a cannabis dispensary for the first time, or placing your order for delivery? There are an incredible number of options available for recreational and medicinal users alike. Concentrates are just one option offered by the top dispensaries in Los Angeles, and there’s a wide variety of different cannabis products to choose from.

In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of concentrates and what makes each one unique. Like every other aspect of cannabis, there is no-one-size-fits-all experience. By better understanding the world of concentrates, you’ll be able to choose the best product for you!

Guide to Dispensary Concentrates

Dispensary Concentrates 101

When you think of marijuana, chances are that you think of flower – the buds that are crushed, rolled, packed, and smoked.

While dispensaries certainly offer flower, this is just one of the many products available. Concentrates have risen in popularity because their super doses of THC content (the actual psychoactive compound responsible for the high). 

In fact, concentrates can reach up to an 80 percent THC content or more! Compare this to marijuana flower, which is typically in the THC range of 10 to 25 percent.

Many recreational users enjoy concentrates, but they’re especially helpful for medicinal users as well. The high THC content can potentially be helpful for medical patients who suffer from chronic conditions such as neuropathic pain or PTSD, and when vaped, concentrates offer a more immediate effect.

Another benefit of concentrates is that you don’t have to smoke them. If you’re looking for a smoke-free dose of cannabis, concentrates are a good option to consider as they can be vaporized or directly ingested. Because the extracts for cannabis concentrates are refined, you’ll also experience a smooth inhale when vaping concentrates.

How Are Concentrates Extracted?

As the name suggests, concentrates are a concentrated form of marijuana.

To successfully distill the essence of marijuana into a concentrate, cannabinoids and terpenes of the actual marijuana plant are extracted. This is done by using CO2 (the highest-quality method of extraction), or a solvent extraction (the lowest quality method of extraction that uses alcohol, butane, or other solvents). 

THC and CBD are the two main cannabinoids that marijuana is known for. THC is responsible for the psychoactive “high” that is often associated with cannabis, and CBD is known for its healing properties.

Terpenes, on the other hand, are credited for the aromas or “flavor” that come with marijuana. By extracting the terpenes intact, the concentrate will still retain a unique aroma and flavor of the plant that it was derived from.

Also, the type of extraction method used impacts the type of concentrate that is produced. 

Top Classifications of Concentrates and Their Benefits

The next time you go to an LA dispensary, you can ask the budtenders about the various types of concentrates available. If you’re looking for a specific high or effect, the budtenders can help point you in the right direction.

By reviewing the most popular forms of concentrates below, you’ll be well prepared for your visit to the dispensary:

Capsules

Usage: ingest orally.

Similar to edibles, capsules can take up to 2 hours to take full effect. For new cannabis users, it’s always best to begin with a low dose (5mg or so), then increase the amount as needed. Remember, you can also ingest more if you need to, but taking too much can result in a bad experience. Just as with edibles, it’s best to take it slow! 

Hash 

Usage: Vape, dab, or smoke.

Hash is one of the oldest forms of concentrates, because it does not require a complex extraction process. One of the ways to make hash is to compress the kief together (the resin glands of the cannabis plant that contain the cannabinoids and terpenes), until it becomes a thick paste. 

Other times, hash ice is made with ice water by sifting marijuana flower through screens to collect the extract, though it can be an arduous process. It’s also important to note that every type of hash is much more powerful than traditional flower.

Shatter

Usage: Vape, dab, or smoke.

Looking for a fast-acting and potent high? Shatter might be your best bet, as it’s extremely high in THC. Its name is a reference to its glass-like appearance when it’s broken into little pieces. Shatter is also one of the purest forms of concentrated marijuana. Think of it as marijuana crystal or hard candy with a clear or amber color.

The oil is refined by butane as its solvent. But the BHO/solvent extraction process isn’t enough. Shatter goes through a secondary filtration process, ensuring that it’s a pure and potent product. If you’re seeking a hard-hitting high, shatter should be at the top of your list.

Wax

Usage: Vape or dab.

Though the consistency of wax is similar to candle wax, it can also be extremely sticky like honey. With THC levels ranging from 60 to 80 percent, cannabis wax provides one of the most potent highs available. 

Most people use a dab rig or an oil rig (both of which are specialized water pipes) to vaporize the wax. A dab tool is used to dab a dollop of wax onto the hot plate of the rig. Because of its waxy nature, higher temperatures are needed to combust wax compared to flower, which is why the rig is necessary. Then, you inhale the vapor similar just like you would when using a bong.

What to Look for When Buying Dispensary Concentrates

With everything happening in the world today, you’ll want to see if your dispensary has multiple purchasing options available – whether you’re checking out an online delivery service or visiting the store in person. 

If you can visit the store in person, check to make sure the dispensary is following all the appropriate social distancing protocols. If you’d prefer to avoid contact when possible, then check the dispensary’s website to determine if delivery and/or curbside pickup is an option.

Delivery Services in LA

Delivery services are definitely increasing in popularity. HERB Delivery is an LA dispensary that offers free delivery services to the greater Los Angeles area for orders over $50. For smaller orders that do not meet the $50 threshold, only a small $5 surcharge is added.

When looking at the different delivery options available, we recommend checking to see if the dispensary offers a wide range of concentrates. Do they offer hash, shatter, wax, and other types of concentrates? Do they have multiple options and strains within those categories?

Tutti Hash, for example, offers a Sativa Hash, Indica Hash, and Hybrid Hash. Wherever you order, you want to make sure that they have a range of options so that you can choose the best product to give you the experience you want. 

Plus, you may want to experiment with different concentrates to find your favorite, so having plenty of options is always best. 

Other popular products and brands you might want to look for at your LA dispensary include:

  • Purple Punch – Crumble. This crumble is extracted through a solvent with a THC content of 75.7%. It tastes like berry, grape, and earth and is an Indica hybrid; purple punch.
  • Golden Tangie – Shatter. This shatter is known for providing a euphoric and balanced experience. The THC level is 68.6% and is a hybrid; purple punch x tangie.
  • Watermelon Wedding Cake – Live Resin Badder. This extract is known for its unique flavor of melon, citrus, and spice. It has a THC level of 62.6%. It has a texture of thick cake batter.
  • Ice Cream Cake/Temple Ball Hash. This hash has a THC content of 56.2% and is hand-rolled until it becomes a perfectly balanced ball. It is a strain of ice cream cake, wedding cake x Gelato #33. Users note the mellow and relaxed experience.

By exploring your dispensary’s menu, you can find the concentrate that is best for you. And of course, there’s nothing wrong with trying various products until you find your niche.

HERB Delivery remains the most trusted dispensary in Los Angeles for its high-quality delivery service and a wide range of concentrate options. Check us out here!

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