What Are Concentrates? RSO, Distillate, Live Resin, Shatter & More
By Jeff Eckenrode
Image credit: Adobe
Quick Answer: Cannabis concentrates are potent extracts that isolate cannabinoids and terpenes for stronger effects than flower. Popular types include RSO (full-spectrum, therapeutic), distillate (refined, high THC or CBD), live resin (fresh-frozen, terpene-rich), shatter (glass-like, potent), and wax/budder (soft, flavorful). They’re used in vapes, dabs, edibles, and topicals.
Walk into a dispensary and you’ll see not just flower, but a wide range of cannabis concentrates—products designed to deliver cannabinoids and terpenes in their most potent forms.
From RSO to distillate, live resin, and shatter, concentrates open the door to diverse experiences.
But what are they, and how do they differ?
What Are Cannabis Concentrates?
Concentrates are made by extracting the most desirable parts of the cannabis plant (cannabinoids and terpenes) and leaving behind plant matter.
The result is a product that can be far more potent than flower, often ranging from 60–90% THC (or high levels of CBD in certain extracts).
Popular Types of Concentrates
RSO (Rick Simpson Oil): A thick, full-spectrum extract originally developed for medical use. Often consumed orally, it contains a wide range of cannabinoids for powerful therapeutic effects.
Distillate: Ultra-refined oil with extremely high THC or CBD content. Flavor is usually added back with terpenes, and it’s commonly found in vape carts or edibles.
Live Resin: Made from fresh-frozen cannabis, preserving terpenes for bold flavor and a true-to-flower experience. Popular in vapes and dabs.
Shatter: A brittle, glass-like extract known for purity and potency. Used mainly for dabbing.
Wax/Budder: Concentrates with a soft, whipped texture, prized for their strong effects and terpene-rich profiles.
Image credit: Green Sativa
How Are Concentrates Used?
Concentrates can be enjoyed in several ways:
Dabbing with a rig for fast, intense effects
Vape cartridges for convenience
Edibles or tinctures when infused into food and drink
Topical use in the case of RSO and certain oils
The method of consumption often depends on preference, potency, and desired onset time.
Image credit: Christopher Ott
Why Choose Concentrates?
Concentrates offer:
Potency—higher cannabinoid levels than flower
Flavor—especially in terpene-rich options like live resin
Versatility—from vapes to edibles to topicals
They’re especially popular with experienced consumers and medical patients seeking strong, reliable effects.
What Are Concentrates?
Cannabis concentrates come in many forms—RSO for wellness, distillate for purity, live resin for flavor, shatter for potency—but all share one goal: delivering cannabis’s benefits in a powerful, concentrated way.
Whether you’re new to extracts or an experienced dabber, there’s a concentrate that fits your needs.
Where can I find 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 concentrates!
We carry a wide selection to choose from so your options are always fresh (and practically endless).
Click on our online menu link below to see our current availability.
Want to learn more?
Then check out our related posts here!
Need help picking out a product? Then ask our friendly budtenders!
Whether you’re shopping in Redmond or online, we’re here to help you find what you need, when you need it.