Cannabis Concentrates Guide: Shatter, Wax, Live Resin & More

What Are Cannabis Concentrates?

Cannabis concentrates are products made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant, resulting in a highly potent product that typically contains 60-95% THC. For comparison, premium flower usually contains 20-30% THC. Concentrates deliver stronger effects in smaller quantities, making them the go-to choice for experienced consumers and medical patients who need rapid, powerful relief.

The concentrate market has exploded in recent years, and the terminology can be overwhelming. Shatter, wax, budder, crumble, live resin, live rosin, diamonds, sauce, distillate — they all start with cannabis, but the extraction method and post-processing technique determine the final product's texture, flavour, potency, and price.

Types of Cannabis Concentrates

Shatter

THC Range: 70-90% | Texture: Glass-like, translucent, snaps when broken

Extraction: Butane Hash Oil (BHO) extraction, then purged of solvents

Shatter is one of the most recognizable concentrates. Its name comes from its brittle, glass-like consistency — it literally shatters when you break it. The translucent amber colour indicates a high level of purity, with minimal residual plant material or fats.

Pros: Consistent potency, easy to handle, long shelf life if stored properly

Cons: Lower terpene content than live products, can be hard to dose precisely for beginners

How to consume: Dabbing (low-temp dab, 315-400F for best flavour), adding to a joint or bowl

Our picks: Browse our shatter collection for multiple strain options

Wax / Budder

THC Range: 70-90% | Texture: Soft, opaque, waxy or butter-like

Extraction: BHO extraction, then whipped during purging

Wax and budder are essentially the same starting extract as shatter, but they are agitated (whipped) during the purging process, which introduces air and creates a softer, more opaque texture. Budder is creamier; wax is slightly firmer.

Pros: Easy to scoop and dose, retains more terpenes than shatter, pleasant mouthfeel when dabbed

Cons: Shorter shelf life, can dry out if not stored properly

How to consume: Dabbing, vaporizing, twaxing (adding to joints)

Live Resin

THC Range: 65-95% | Texture: Saucy, sticky, golden

Extraction: BHO or PHO extraction from flash-frozen fresh cannabis (not dried/cured)

Live resin is a game-changer for terpene lovers. By flash-freezing the cannabis plant immediately after harvest (instead of drying and curing it), the extraction captures terpenes that would normally evaporate during the drying process. The result is a concentrate with an aroma and flavour profile that closely mirrors the living plant.

Pros: Superior terpene preservation, incredible aroma and flavour, strong entourage effect

Cons: Higher price point, requires cold storage for optimal preservation

How to consume: Low-temperature dabbing (315-370F), vape cartridges, added to joints

Our picks: Our live resin selections are among our best sellers — shop live resin

Diamonds (THCA Diamonds)

THC Range: 90-99% | Texture: Crystalline, rock-like

Extraction: BHO extraction followed by slow crystallization

THCA diamonds are crystallized THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) — the non-psychoactive precursor to THC. When heated (dabbed, vaped), THCA converts to THC through decarboxylation, delivering extremely potent effects. Diamonds are often sold in "sauce" — a terpene-rich liquid that provides flavour alongside the potency of the crystals.

Pros: Highest potency available, impressive appearance, clean effects

Cons: Expensive, can be overwhelming for beginners, minimal terpenes in pure diamond form (sauce adds them back)

How to consume: Dabbing, vaporizing

Our picks: Look for diamond options in our concentrate collection

Rosin

THC Range: 60-80% | Texture: Sap-like to budder-like, golden

Extraction: Solventless — heat and pressure only

Rosin is the gold standard for solventless concentrate fans. It is made by pressing cannabis flower or hash between heated plates, squeezing out a sap-like resin without using any chemical solvents. This makes it the cleanest possible concentrate, with nothing added and nothing removed except plant material.

Pros: Completely solventless, full-spectrum terpene and cannabinoid retention, clean label

Cons: Lower yields mean higher prices, potency can be slightly lower than solvent-based extracts

How to consume: Low-temperature dabbing, vaporizing

Distillate

THC Range: 85-99% | Texture: Thick, viscous oil, clear golden

Extraction: Short-path distillation

Distillate is cannabis oil refined to its purest form. The distillation process strips away everything except the target cannabinoid (usually THC), resulting in an extremely potent, nearly flavourless oil. It is the base for most commercial vape cartridges and edibles.

Pros: Extremely potent, versatile (eat it, vape it, dab it), flavourless (good for edibles)

Cons: Lacks terpenes and other cannabinoids (no entourage effect), one-dimensional high

How to consume: Vape cartridges, edibles, dabbing, sublingual

Hash (Traditional Concentrates)

THC Range: 25-80% | Texture: Varies widely (soft to hard, crumbly to pliable)

Extraction: Solventless — mechanical separation (sieving, hand-rolling, ice water)

Hash deserves its own category. While modern concentrates rely on advanced extraction technology, hash uses techniques that are centuries old. We cover hash in depth in our complete hash guide.

Concentrate Potency Comparison

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How to Consume Concentrates

Dabbing

The most popular method for concentrate consumption. You heat a quartz, ceramic, or titanium "nail" or "banger" on a dab rig, then apply a small amount of concentrate to the heated surface. The concentrate vaporizes instantly and you inhale through the rig.

Temperature guide:

For beginners: Start with a grain-of-rice-sized dab at low temperature. You can always take more.

Vape Cartridges and Pens

Pre-filled cartridges (usually 510-thread or proprietary pods) offer the most convenient way to consume concentrates. No rig, no torch, no mess. Just attach the cartridge to a battery and inhale.

Best for: Discretion, portability, ease of use, dose control

See our guide: Cannabis Vape Cartridge Guide

Adding to Flower

You can enhance your joint, bowl, or bong hit by adding concentrate:

Edible Preparation

Distillate and RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) are already decarboxylated, meaning you can eat them directly or add them to food. Other concentrates need to be decarboxylated (heated to 220-245F for 30-45 minutes) before oral consumption to convert THCA to active THC.

Safety and Storage

Storage

Safety Tips for Beginners

1. Start small. A single dab of 80% THC concentrate is roughly equivalent to smoking an entire joint of premium flower. Begin with a tiny amount.

2. Stay hydrated. Concentrates can cause dry mouth and mild dehydration.

3. Low-temperature dabs. Higher temperatures produce harsher vapour and can release harmful byproducts.

4. Buy tested products. Residual solvents in poorly made concentrates are a real health concern. Lab-tested products ensure solvent levels are within safe limits.

5. Use proper equipment. Dab rigs, carb caps, and quality torches make the experience safer and more enjoyable.

Tolerance Warning

Concentrates build tolerance faster than flower. If you find yourself needing increasingly larger dabs, consider a tolerance break (2-7 days) to reset your endocannabinoid receptors.

Choosing Your First Concentrate

If you want flavour: Live resin or rosin

If you want potency: Diamonds or shatter

If you want convenience: Distillate vape cartridge

If you want solventless: Rosin or full melt hash

If you want value: Shatter or traditional hash

If you want tradition: See our hash guide

Shop All Concentrates | Read: Hash Guide | Read: Vape Cartridge Guide