How Are Cannabis Concentrates Made?
By Keivan K, Social Media & Content Creation
Image credit: Jeff W
Quick Answer: Cannabis concentrates are potent extracts made using solvent-based methods (like hydrocarbon, CO2, or ethanol) or solventless techniques (like hash, rosin, or bubble hash). Each method affects flavor, potency, and texture. All concentrates at Hashtag are rigorously tested and come with a Certificate of Analysis for safety and quality.
Cannabis Concentrates & Extraction Methods
Cannabis concentrates are akin to the "liquor" of the cannabis world, offering a range of sophisticated products with varying potencies and qualities. Here's a detailed look at common cannabis concentrates and their extraction methods.
Hyrdocarbon Extract
Photo credit: Roman Budnyi
Solvent-Based Extractions
Hydrocarbon Extraction Hydrocarbon extraction, using solvents like butane or propane, is a popular method due to its cost-effectiveness and ability to preserve the natural terpene profile. The process involves packing cannabis leaves into tubes, flushing them with the solvent, and then heating the mixture at low temperatures to evaporate the remaining hydrocarbons. The consistency of the end product depends on the quality and terpene content of the raw material. However, there are concerns about potential trace solvents, although all products at Hashtag Cannabis are rigorously tested and come with a Certificate of Analysis (COA).
CO2 Extraction Supercritical CO2 extraction is a versatile method that allows for different end results by adjusting the heat and pressure. Widely used across various industries, CO2 extraction is considered cleaner and safer than hydrocarbon methods. However, it is less effective at preserving all terpenes because the THC in the raw material must be activated before extraction. Despite this, additional steps can capture these terpenes to restore the original profile in the final product. The initial equipment costs for CO2 extraction are higher compared to hydrocarbon systems.
Ethanol Extraction Ethanol extraction is a method that does not require heat or pressure, and uses ethanol, a solvent generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. This method is known for its safety and is used to produce Rick Simpson Oil (RSO). Continued advancements in ethanol extraction are making it an increasingly popular choice.
Lebanese Hash
Solventless Extractions
Old School Methods
Moroccan/Lebanese Hash: This method involves sifting mature cannabis flowers through sieves to create a resinous powder, which is then compressed and heated. The result is a solvent-free hash that provides a full-spectrum high.
Finger Hash/Charas: Originating from Jamaica and India, this technique involves rubbing fresh cannabis flowers against the hands. It produces a solvent-free hash with nuanced effects.
Modern Methods
Dry Sift:
Dry sift is a solventless concentrate made by sifting cannabis through fine micron screens to isolate trichome heads. With careful refinement, it can reach six-star (full melt) quality—melting completely with no residue. Full melt dry sift is prized for its purity, potency, and rich terpene profile.
Note: Kief, often collected from grinders, is an unrefined form of trichomes that includes more plant material. It is not the same as high-grade dry sift.
Ice Water Hash (Bubble Hash):
Bubble hash is made by agitating cannabis in ice water, then filtering trichomes through micron bags. Like dry sift, it’s rated on a 1–6 star scale based on meltability. Six-star bubble hash is full melt: clean, flavorful, and ideal for dabbing or vaporizing.
What is Full Melt / Six-Star Hash?
Six-star, or full melt, refers to the highest grade of solventless hash—whether dry sift or bubble hash. It contains mostly mature trichome heads and melts completely when heated, leaving little to no residue. This purity makes it a connoisseur’s choice for flavor, effect, and clean consumption.
Rosin
Flower Rosin: Made by pressing cannabis flowers with heat and pressure to extract oil.
Hash Rosin: Created by pressing bubble or dry sift hash at low temperatures, resulting in a pure and potent concentrate.
Rosin
Post-Processing Techniques
Various consistencies are achieved through post-processing techniques such as whipping, heating, and blending. For instance, concentrates with a badder-like consistency are whipped, while those with a jam-like consistency are gently heated. These techniques enhance handleability and extend shelf life.
Fresh vs. Cured Material
The type of starting material, fresh frozen or cured, has a major impact on a concentrate’s flavor, aroma, and overall character.
Live concentrates are made from fresh frozen cannabis, harvested and immediately frozen to preserve the plant’s full terpene and cannabinoid profile. This results in bold, vibrant flavors and strong aromatics. Examples include live resin, live rosin, and some live hash rosin vapes.
⚠️ Note: Not all products labeled “live” are full-spectrum. Some “live” vapes use just live-extracted terpenes blended with THC distillate—offering flavor, but lacking the full complexity of the original plant.
Cured concentrates use dried and cured cannabis, which has gone through a controlled drying process to reduce moisture and develop more stable flavors. While some volatile terpenes are lost, cured extracts often have deeper, more refined profiles. Common cured extracts include rosin, cured hydrocarbon resin, and hash.
Where can I find Cannabis Concentrates?
Whether you’re shopping online or in Redmond, we’re here to help you find what you need, when you need it. That includes cannabis concentrates like, wax, hash, rosin and more!
Click on our online menu link below to see our current availability.
FAQ How Are Cannabis Concentrates Made?
What's the difference between solvent-based and solventless cannabis concentrates?
Solvent-based concentrates use chemical solvents — like butane, propane, CO2, or ethanol — to strip cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material. They're efficient and widely used, and all products at Hashtag are rigorously tested to ensure no harmful residual solvents remain. Solventless concentrates use only physical methods like heat, pressure, ice water, or mechanical sifting — no chemicals whatsoever. Solventless options like rosin and bubble hash are considered the cleanest extracts available, though they tend to cost more.
What is rosin and how is it different from live resin?
Rosin is a solventless concentrate made by applying heat and pressure to cannabis flower or hash to squeeze out the resinous oil — zero chemical solvents involved, just physics! Live resin is a solvent-based concentrate made from flash-frozen fresh cannabis flower using hydrocarbon solvents. Both are prized for their rich terpene profiles, but rosin's solventless nature makes it the cleaner option, while live resin's flash-frozen starting material gives it an exceptionally vibrant and fresh flavor.
What does "live" mean on a cannabis concentrate or vape cartridge?
"Live" means the concentrate was made from fresh-frozen cannabis — flower that was harvested and immediately frozen to preserve the plant's full terpene and cannabinoid profile before any degradation occurs. This results in bold, vibrant flavors and strong aromatics that closely mimic the original plant. One important note: not all products labeled "live" are full-spectrum — some live vapes use only live-extracted terpenes blended with THC distillate, offering flavor but lacking the full complexity of a true live extract.
What is six-star or full melt hash and why is it special?
Six-star (or full melt) is the highest quality grade of solventless hash — whether dry sift or bubble hash. The "six-star" rating means the hash contains mostly pure, mature trichome heads and melts completely when heated, leaving virtually no residue. This purity makes it a connoisseur's choice for flavor, effect, and clean consumption. It's the hash world's equivalent of a premium single-malt whisky — technically demanding to produce and significantly more expensive, but worth it for those who want the best.
How does hydrocarbon extraction work and is it safe?
Hydrocarbon extraction uses solvents like butane or propane to flush cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis plant material. It's popular because it's cost-effective and excels at preserving the natural terpene profile of the plant. Safety-wise, the concern is residual solvent traces in the final product — which is exactly why every concentrate at Hashtag comes with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) confirming it has passed rigorous third-party testing for residual solvents, pesticides, and potency.
What's the difference between fresh frozen and cured cannabis concentrates?
It comes down to when the plant was processed after harvest. Live concentrates use fresh-frozen cannabis — harvested and immediately frozen — which locks in the full terpene and cannabinoid profile for bold, vibrant flavors. Cured concentrates use cannabis that has gone through a controlled drying process first, which loses some volatile terpenes but develops more stable, refined flavor profiles. Neither is objectively better — it's a matter of personal preference for freshness and flavor intensity vs. depth and complexity.
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