Cannabis Concentrates Guide

What are concentrates

Cannabis concentrates are products made by extracting the active compounds (THC, CBD, terpenes) from cannabis flower. The result is a highly potent product — typically 60-90% THC compared to 15-30% for flower. Massachusetts limits concentrate purchases to 5 grams per transaction.

Common types

Massachusetts dispensaries carry a range of concentrate types, each with different textures and extraction methods.

• Wax — soft, opaque texture, easy to work with
• Shatter — hard, glass-like texture, breaks into pieces
• Live resin — extracted from fresh-frozen plant, rich terpene profile
• Rosin — solventless extraction using heat and pressure
• Budder/badder — creamy, butter-like consistency

How to use them

Concentrates are typically consumed by dabbing (vaporizing on a heated surface) or by using a concentrate-compatible vape pen. Some concentrates can be added to flower in a pipe or joint. Dedicated dab rigs provide the best experience.

Dosing and safety

Concentrates are extremely potent. A single small dab (roughly the size of a grain of rice) is a standard dose for experienced users. If you are new to concentrates, start with the smallest amount possible and wait at least 15 minutes before taking more.

Not for beginners

If you are new to cannabis, start with flower or low-dose edibles before trying concentrates. The high potency of concentrates can be overwhelming without prior experience. Build your tolerance gradually.