Cannabis concentrates are the fastest growing product sector on the cannabis market. Concentrates range from BHO wax to live resin to more refined and terpene-rich extracts. Due to their unrelenting potency, cannabis concentrates make for an effective ingredient in a variety of high-potency edibles.

Before you can infuse your dabs into your food, you must first infuse the concentrate into a butter or oil that you can cook with. Cooking with concentrates is similar to cooking with the whole cannabis flower, but there are a few minor differences. Keep reading to find out how to make high-potency edibles using cannabis concentrates.

How to decarboxylate cannabis concentrates

As with any process involving the preparation of cannabis products for making edibles, the first step you should take when making edibles with dabs is to decarboxylate your extracts.

Decarboxylating concentrates is easy, but optimal decarboxylation techniques differ depending on the type of concentrate you’re using. Decarboxylation converts the non-psychoactive acid-based THCa compound into the active THC compound that induces euphoria and cerebral effects.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind about decarbing cannabis concentrates:

• Use a low and slow decarboxylation method to retain more of its cannabinoids and terpenes.
• Lightly heat your concentrates for an easy transfer from their container to the decarbing surface.

How to decarb BHO 

Decarbing BHO (butane hash oil) concentrates requires BHO, a baking sheet or oven-safe pan, parchment paper and an oven thermometer. Preheat your oven to about 200-250º F and place the oven thermometer on the shelf you will be placing the baking sheet to check the temperature.

Line the baking sheet with parchment paper and add your BHO concentrate in the center of the parchment paper. Allow your concentrate to heat for about 20 to 25 minutes. Just keep an eye on it, so it doesn’t get hot enough to degrade the extract.

When the BHO concentrate has completely melted and is bubbling like crazy, it’s time to take it out and let it cool for a few minutes.

How to decarb RSO

RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) is a full-spectrum and potent extract. Decarbing RSO requires RSO, a large pot, cooking oil (such as sunflower or canola oil), stirring utensil, tongs and a thermometer. Start by filling the large pot about a quarter full with cooking oil. Place the glass or silicone container (with the RSO inside) inside the pot with the cooking oil.

Heat the pot’s contents on medium-low heat (about 200º F), all while breaking the bubbles that rise to the surface. Use your thermometer to check the temperature. When the heat reaches 200º F, turn off the stovetop and remove the pot from the heat source.

Wait a few minutes until the pot has cooled down and the bubbles have diminished to take out the concentrate container with your tongs.

What is Cannabis Resin

Have you ever wonder what that sticky substance on the cannabis plant is? That, my Canna-friends, is called Cannabis resin – and it has many wonderful benefits, and uses!

Cannabis resin is produced in the trichomes of the Cannabis plant. It’s sticky, sappy, and sort of like golden nectar. It is often the stuff that accumulates at the bottom of your bowl which can get ashy.

Trichome comes from the Greek word “Tríchōma”, which translates as “growth of hair”. They are microscopic, and they look like frost or tiny little crystals on the leaves.

The Crown Jewel of the Cannabis Plant

Much of the THC for which marijuana is used for is found in cannabis resin! Resin by itself is still usable, which many people may not realize.

Pros of Collecting Resin

When you separate the resin from the Cannabis plant, you’re gathering all of the plant’s desirable compounds (or delicious leftovers).

Collecting this delicious sap from a Cannabis plant is like customizing YouTube to only show you things you want to see without the commercials and ads!

Concentrates made from the glands are more potent than the flower.

What is the Purpose of Weed Resin

The purpose of this fantastic golden-goop in the cannabis plant is to function as the immune system of the plant. The resin repels insects and protects against UV damage to ensure that the plant will survive.

It also contains terpenes, which gives off a smell that attracts all sorts of insects that are necessary to its survival by providing pollination to help it procreate! It’s incredible what one little plant is capable of!

What Does Weed Resin Look Like?

It’s sticky and looks just tree sap – it’s a golden tacky substance that is oozy and resembles a honey-like look!

Top Ways to Use Cannabis Resin

As many Cannabis lovers may know, tarry resin collects at the bottom of your bowl. It’s that black, sticky stuff called ‘pipe resin.’ This isn’t the best to consume because it’s already been burned, full of carbon from the ash, and has little to no THC.

Here’s how you can enjoy Cannabis Resin:

• Hash – kicks in quite quickly
• Butane Hash Oil – aka honey oil and more potent than hash.
• Rosin – using a hydraulic press will work great here
• Live Resin – a flash-frozen process

How to dose edibles made with dabs

Cannabis buds require a much greater amount of material to work with than cannabis concentrate due to the difference in potency. A recipe may call for one ounce of cannabis flower for every pound of butter, but the recipe changes when you use cannabis concentrates.

When dosing edibles, consider the potency of your BHO concentrate. Let’s say your concentrate tests at 75 percent THC, which means you have about 750mg of THC to work with per gram. For a recipe that makes about 20 cookies using one cup of butter, each serving would have about 37.5mg of THC if you use the entire gram of BHO concentrate.

Cannabis edibles made with marijuana concentrates are to be approached with caution, especially by first-time users. Edibles made with cannabis concentrates have a significantly higher potency than edibles made with just the flower. A standard dose for edibles is 10mg THC in many states. Adjust the recipe to your liking.

When consuming cannabis edibles made with concentrates, new users should start off with a small portion or dose and wait between one to two hours to gauge the effects. Don’t consume more before you can assess the effects on your body. Gradually increase the dose to achieve your ideal experience.