Cannabis Concentrates Explained: Wax, Shatter, Rosin & More

What Are Cannabis Concentrates?

Cannabis concentrates are products made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant, leaving behind plant material. The result: a much more potent product. While typical cannabis flower contains 15–30% THC, concentrates often range from 50–90%+ THC.

That potency gap sounds alarming, but it changes your relationship with dosing. You use far less. A single small dab of concentrate can deliver the same cannabinoids as an entire joint.

The Main Types of Concentrates

Shatter

A translucent, glass-like concentrate that shatters when broken (hence the name). Made using butane or CO₂ extraction. Shatter is typically very high in THC (70–90%) with a relatively simple terpene profile. It's consistent, stable, and easy to portion — good for beginners to concentrates.

Wax / Budder

Similar extraction process to shatter, but the product is agitated during processing, which creates a softer, wax-like texture. Budder is the creamier, butter-like variant. Wax tends to preserve more terpenes than shatter, giving a richer flavour profile. Slightly easier to handle than shatter for dabbing.

Live Resin

The key distinction: live resin is made from fresh-frozen plant material (flash-frozen immediately after harvest rather than dried). This preserves the full terpene spectrum — the result is the most flavourful concentrate category. Live resin is considered premium for this reason, and typically commands a higher price. Terpene content can exceed 10%.

Rosin

The solventless alternative. Rosin is made using only heat and pressure — no chemicals, no solvents. The result is a full-spectrum extract that many connoisseurs prefer for purity. Hash rosin (made from ice water hash rather than raw flower) is the highest tier: incredibly flavourful and clean. Rosin is typically the most expensive concentrate due to lower yields.

Distillate

A highly refined oil with THC content often exceeding 90%. Unlike other concentrates, distillate has had most terpenes removed during processing — the result is a nearly tasteless, odourless oil. Distillate is the base for most vape cartridges and oil-based edibles. Terpenes are sometimes re-added after processing for flavour.

Hash (Bubble Hash / Ice Water Hash)

One of the oldest forms of concentrate. Ice water hash (also called bubble hash) is made by agitating cannabis in ice water, causing trichomes to separate and sink. The result is pressed into a crumbly or sticky hash. The quality (measured in stars, 1–6) depends on the purity of the trichome separation. High-grade bubble hash is a full-spectrum product with outstanding flavour.

How Are Concentrates Consumed?

• Dabbing — the most common method. A specialized rig heats a "nail" to a precise temperature, and a small amount of concentrate is applied, vaporizing instantly. Requires equipment but offers the cleanest, most flavourful experience.
• Vape pens — pre-filled cartridges of distillate or live resin oil attached to a battery. The most accessible and discreet way to consume concentrates.
• Adding to flower — wax or rosin can be added to the top of a bowl or rolled into a joint for added potency.

Who Should (and Shouldn't) Try Concentrates

Concentrates are best suited to experienced cannabis users with established tolerance. If you're new to cannabis, start with flower or low-dose edibles before exploring concentrates. The potency jump can be jarring — too much THC too fast can trigger significant anxiety.

That said, experienced users often find concentrates more efficient: fewer puffs, lower combustion risk (no smoking), and a cleaner flavour profile than flower.

Terpene Preservation: Why It Matters

The quality of a concentrate's terpene preservation largely determines its character and effect nuance. Here's a quick hierarchy, best to least terpene-preserved:

1. Live rosin (hash rosin)
2. Live resin
3. Full-spectrum rosin
4. Wax / budder
5. Shatter
6. Distillate

Browse Creator's Choice concentrate selection — we carry a rotating selection of live resin, rosin, and high-grade wax from licensed Canadian producers.