Why high potency concentrates are necessary in a licensed and legal cannabis market.
Historically speaking, medicines and remedies have been made by taking plants, roots, seeds, or leaves and concentrating the active compounds to become even more efficacious.
The same has been true with cannabis for thousands of years. Until the early 1900’s it was common for a doctor to recommend a concentrated cannabis product, usually in the form of a tincture for pain, sleep, and a host of other ailments.
Since the residents of Washington State voted to legalize recreational cannabis there has been a renaissance in cannabis extraction. A beautiful blend of art and science has come together to extract as much of the active compounds from the cannabis plant while leaving only vegetative plant matter behind.
Cannabis concentrates come in a wide variety of forms. Pictured here: Terp Sugar, RSO and FECO.
Why do some people choose cannabis concentrates?
These concentrated products have been used by many people in both the recreational and medicinal space. Many are dealing with chronic pain, the symptoms of cancer treatments, epilepsy, ailments of the gut like IBS and IBD, PTSD, CTE, & TBI. Others find that the higher potency products are not only more effective in terms of relief but also in terms of cost. As every ailment is different, having a variety of strengths and potency is necessary for helping as many people as possible.
When Potency and Strength is Considered
These concentrated products are also something that recreational cannabis users can enjoy. Exactly like the difference in alcohol percentages between beer and liquor, the difference between flower and concentrates just determines the experience an individual has. We all know and understand that a 12-ounce beer and a 1.5 ounce shot of liquor are considered a serving of alcohol. Similarly, a much smaller amount of a cannabis concentrate (often referred to as a dab) is required compared to smoking the buds of the cannabis plant in a joint or in a pipe. Also, like alcohol, if someone uses too much cannabis in any form it can lead to nausea and an uncomfortable experience that can last several hours. Unlike alcohol, ingesting too much cannabis won’t lead to a hangover or a potentially fatal overdose like alcohol poisoning. Cannabis concentrates also tend to smell much less than the buds of the plant which is beneficial where discretion is necessary.
Cannabinoids, terpenes, THC and CBD content.
Regulation and Quality Assurance in Washington
In Washington, all regulated cannabis products are tested for potency. This is a vital and essential benefit that legalization has over the black market. Before cannabis was fully regulated there were no controls for potency, pesticides, molds, mildews, and many other things that no one should be smoking. This is especially true when that plant is going to be turned into a cannabis concentrate which could then concentrate any of those undesirable components. Knowing the specific potency of not just the THC and CBD, but also the terpene profile provides a level of assurance for a customer that they are getting the best product for whatever they are looking to use it for.
Due to their potency, lack of smell, cost effectiveness and the testing provided in Washington’s legal cannabis market, concentrates may be a viable option for both recreational and medical cannabis users.