If you check out email solicitations from cannabis dispensaries or when you walk in their doors, you’ve likely noticed a product category labeled “concentrates.” For those newer to cannabis—especially seniors—this category can feel a bit unapproachable as they look (and feel) so different. Concentrates are potent forms of cannabis. They can add a new dimension to your thc-induced experiences.
Why are Concentrates So Strong?
As the name suggests, concentrates contain higher levels of THC and other cannabinoids than typical flower. Even though some vape cartridges might show higher THC percentages, concentrates often produce a more intense effect. That’s why it’s really important to start slowly and be mindful of the amount that you are consuming.
Below are some of the most common types of cannabis concentrates, along with what makes each unique:
Hash
A dense, brown or greenish substance made by compressing the resin (kief) from cannabis plants. Hash is easier to handle than some stickier concentrates and can be sprinkled on a joint or bowl to enhance your experience.
Kief
A fine, powdery substance found at the bottom of your grinder. It’s made up of loose trichomes and is highly potent. Many people use kief as a topping on flower before smoking to increase potency.
Budder / Wax
With a soft, buttery texture (often yellowish), this concentrate is made using a solvent extraction process, typically with butane. It’s ideal for dabbing or vaporizing, but requires special tools to handle.
Shatter
A glass-like concentrate that breaks into hard pieces. Shatter is a form of butane hash oil (BHO) and can be used by placing small bits on top of flower in a bowl or in a dabbing device.
Distillate
Usually packaged in a syringe, distillate is a refined oil containing almost pure cannabinoids with little to no terpenes. Many people ingest it by squeezing out an amount the size of a grain of rice onto a cracker or other food item.
Rick Simpson Oil (RSO)
This thick, tar-like oil can be consumed orally or applied topically. As a full-spectrum extract, it contains all of the plant’s compounds—including cannabinoids and terpenes. Many people use indica-based RSO to promote sleep or manage pain.
Pricing for cannabis concentrates differs from flower and vape pens in several ways, mostly due to potency and the specific production method. Here’s an overview:
Concentrates
- Average Price: $20–$60 per gram (some rare/exotic ones exceed $100)
- Potency: Extremely high — often 60–90% THC
- Forms: Wax, shatter, rosin, live resin, diamonds, etc.
- Value: Higher cost per gram but significantly more THC per use
- Why the price?: Labor-intensive extraction processes, high potency, and demand from experienced users
Flower (Bud)
- Average Price: $5–$15 per gram (or $100–$250 per ounce)
- Potency: Typically 15–30% THC
- Forms: Loose flower, pre-rolls
- Value: Cheaper per gram but less THC per use compared to concentrates
- Why the price?: Pricing varies based on quality (indoor, sun-grown, organic), strain rarity, and terpene content
Vape Pens (Carts)
- Average Price: $25–$60 per 0.5–1g cartridge
- Potency: Usually 70–90% THC
- Forms: 510 thread carts, proprietary pods, disposables
- Value: Convenient, but sometimes diluted with additives (vs pure rosin/resin concentrates)
- Why the price?: Includes hardware, convenience, branding, and added flavor/terpenes
Final Thoughts
Most concentrates are strain-specific. So the way a concentrate makes you feel will depend not only on the type (wax, shatter, etc.), but also on whether it comes from a sativa, indica, or hybrid plant.
The uniqueness of concentrates, including how they’re typically consumed, make them an outlier, particularly for Seniors (and Older Stoners). This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t give them a try. Whichever form factor and strain you choose, start low and go slow until you understand how it affects you.