Cannabis concentrates are trendy and fun but should come with a warning label. Their potency is only matched by their price tag. Concentrates come in a variety of shapes in sizes but what remains true is that they pack-a-punch.
Concentrate lovers now have the opportunity to “cut out the middleman” of buying concentrates. Instead, they can use a classic approach to create their own supply using a contemporary rosin press.
Typical THC Content — Flower vs Concentrates
At medicinal cannabis dispensaries, flower typically ranges in potency from 16% to 24% THC. The outlier to this anecdote is the Godfather OG strain. Godfather OG has the highest potency of all known strains, containing up a whopping 34% THC, reports Leafly.
Although 34% THC feels exuberant, flowers contain substantially less THC than concentrates or extracts (otherwise referred to as hash).
In fact, a hash’s potency can range anywhere between 65% and 99% THC. Due in part to their potency, concentrates are more expensive than other forms of consumption. For example, a half gram of extract at a local dispensary could cost as much as $65 dollars or as little as $45. Whereas a gram of high-quality flower, on the other hand, costs $12 on average in the U.S, reported Emerald.
This disparity in cost means consumers are ultimately paying more for less, albeit more potent, product.
In the modern era, technological advancements have provided a reliable solution for cannabis enthusiasts. The rosin press, for example, allows consumers to make their own rosin at home.
Rosin: Premium Resin
Rosin is the crème de la crème of cannabis extracts. It’s exclusively produced by a rosin press. Due to the efficiency of the rosin press, rosin’s purity and potency rival any extract found on the market.
Rosin has a semi-transparent appearance which varies in shades of yellow based on how it’s produced. Its popularity has increased in recent years due to its solventless production technique.
Solventless hashes are made without the use of chemicals. Instead, the technique uses things like heat and pressure to extract the compounds from cannabis. Types of solventless hash/rosins include budder and shatter.
Solvents like CO2 or alcohol,can also be used to make hash. The solvents help separate the compounds in cannabis. However, “these solvents are highly toxic when ingested. So manufacturers then filter out the harmful residuals through various methods,” Emerald reported.
What is a Rosin Press?
The rosin press is a tool that is used to make rosins in a cost-effective way.
Specifically, the press extracts cannabinoids from either flower, kief and/or dried and frozen bubble hash. It does so by compressing the cannabis between two heated plates. The plates distribute heat and pressure on either side of the cannabis. By compressing the cannabis, a pressure seal is created, which extracts the cannabinoids. This results in a waxy rosin.
A rosin press can cost anywhere between $125 and $15,000 — depending on the device and its features. The average cost of an at-home rosin press is about $200. On the other hand, an industrial rosin press can cost approximately $15,000.
Following the purchase of a rosin press, upkeep and a steady supply of flower is all it takes to effectively use this technology.
The modern conception of a rosin press is a relatively new product to the concentrate market. However, overtime cannabis users have emulated the process of pressing cannabis into a concentrate with substantially less success. Historically, consumers have used hair straighteners, t-shirts and tortilla presses for the same processes with far less efficiency.
Invest in a Rosin Press
The temperature control is ultimately what changes the oil’s consistency and distinguishes the rosin press from its competition. Controlled heating allows concentrate enthusiasts the opportunity to produce different types of concentrates based on the applied temperature, pressure and cooling sequence they choose. This is how more experienced pressers can manipulate the rosin into shatter, budder, wax or any other extract variant.
Not only does the rosin press allow users to create their own supply of concentrate but the resulting extract is purer and more potent. Essentially, the rosin press affords concentrate enthusiasts the opportunity to turn their lemons into lemonade with easy and at an affordable cost.
Talk about bang for ya buck!
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