|
Ever since man learned to climb, he aimed to climb to the highest peaks possible. Even Icarus tried to get close to the sun when he attempted to fly, and ever since we could soar the skies, we've always yearned to get as high as humanly possible. The same can be said for our relationship with cannabis. Once we found out that the kief falling off our seedy bush weed or the sticky resin on our palms from handling fresh cannabis was an even more potent smoke than the plant itself, concentrates quickly became an integral part of cannabis consumption and culture around the world. Where cannabis legalization for recreational use began with giving Canadians access to dried flower, oils, and seeds in October 2018, the second phase of cannabis legalization in Canada was unveiled in October 2019 ("Cannabis 2.0"), giving Canadians legal access to far more products such as vapes, edibles, beverages, concentrates, and topicals. Since then, cannabis concentrates have proven to hold a significant share of the cannabis market, with consumption, sales, and the development of products steadily increasing every year. According to data from Statistics Canada, sales of cannabis concentrates increased by 156.4% between March 2020 and March 2021, while sales of dried flower increased by only 52.1%. Recreational cannabis concentrate sales in Canada rose from 1,000,000 units in April 2020 to over three times as much in March of 2022, not even two years later!* This certainly shows a growing preference for concentrates among Canadian cannabis consumers, and this trend is expected to continue rising in the coming years.  BIG THCa Diamonds Up until around 20 years ago, the only cannabis concentrates people generally knew of were cannabis oil, resin (or hashish), and kief (dry-sieved trichomes). But nowadays, there’s a whole array of options when choosing a cannabis concentrate, all with various potency levels, terpene contents, and distinct consumption methods. As of February 2023, there are several hundred different cannabis concentrate products to be found and purchased legally in Canada, such as THC distillates, waxes, diamonds, shatter, rosin, live resins, hashish and more. The variety in concentrates just shows the demand consumers have for a tailored and unique cannabis experience. It's far more empowering than simply choosing an indica or sativa... consumers are now able to choose a specific cannabis product (and sometimes brand!) that suits their needs and preferences.
"The most fun aspect of concentrates is innovation!" |
 Hosh rosin being pressed. |  Twisted up hash rosin. |
"I've been making edibles commercially since 2015 and it's been fascinating to watch the evolution of inputs that became available. When distillate came around in the fall of 2016, it was a game changer. Super concentrated and easy to dose and practically tasteless. But I always found the effects to be lacking. Straight THC without other cannabinoids is certainly effective, but it's lacking. When hash rosin became available I jumped on it for a few reasons. For starters, the effects are incomparable to distillate edibles. I like to say that a THC distillate edible is like getting smacked in the face whereas a hash rosin edible is like a warm hug from an old friend. The entourage effect from the other cannabinoids and terpenes makes for such a full and beautiful feeling. I also love that they are solvent-free. While other methods use solvents like butane to extract concentrates, rosin only uses heat and pressure. It's a much cleaner product ultimately.", says Ari Cohen, co-founder of Fritz's Gummies.
"While other methods use solvents like butane to extract concentrates, rosin only uses heat and pressure. It's a much cleaner product ultimately."
- Ari Cohen (Fritz's Gummies)
 Ari Cohen (Fritz's Gummies) |  |
One factor driving the popularity of cannabis concentrates is their potency. Concentrates are made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material, resulting in a highly concentrated form of THC or CBD. This means that a smaller amount of concentrate can produce a more potent effect than a larger amount of dried flower. For many consumers, this translates into a healthier, more efficient and cost-effective way to consume cannabis. For example, concentrates are often preferred by cannabis users who use cannabis medicinally and require higher doses of THC or CBD to manage their symptoms. A patient with chronic pain
might want to vapourize a concentrate higher in THC than is typically found in dried flower to achieve the desired effect without the need for extensive toking or negatively impacting their health via smoking.
This rise in cannabis concentrate consumption in Canada is reflected in the growing popularity of "dabbing". This is a method of consuming concentrates that involves heating shatter, rosin, oil or live resin on a hot surface and inhaling the resulting vapour. While dabbing was once considered a niche activity, it's become increasingly mainstream in recent years, due in part to the availability of portable "dab rigs" or electronic vapourizers that make it easier for consumers to dab on-the-go.
"I think medical users and long-time users of cannabis are using concentrates more and more. But even the casual smoker is becoming more interested in 'dabbing', especially with all the tools out there now. Dab rigs and torches can be scary and put off new consumers. But with all the pens and electronic dab rigs it's allowed people to be introduced to concentrates in a softer way.", says Ari Cohen.
Another factor that might be driving the growth in concentrates is the simple nature of cannabis tolerance. Over the last thirty years we have seen THC potency in dried flower and concentrates increase significantly* and along with increased cannabis use across Canada*, one can consider the possibility that sheer cannabis tolerance might be a possible driving force contributing to concentrate sales. It’s not uncommon to see the regular cannabis user in an everlasting quest for that hard-hitting fire.
might want to vapourize a concentrate higher in THC than is typically found in dried flower to achieve the desired effect without the need for extensive toking or negatively impacting their health via smoking.
This rise in cannabis concentrate consumption in Canada is reflected in the growing popularity of "dabbing". This is a method of consuming concentrates that involves heating shatter, rosin, oil or live resin on a hot surface and inhaling the resulting vapour. While dabbing was once considered a niche activity, it's become increasingly mainstream in recent years, due in part to the availability of portable "dab rigs" or electronic vapourizers that make it easier for consumers to dab on-the-go.
"I think medical users and long-time users of cannabis are using concentrates more and more. But even the casual smoker is becoming more interested in 'dabbing', especially with all the tools out there now. Dab rigs and torches can be scary and put off new consumers. But with all the pens and electronic dab rigs it's allowed people to be introduced to concentrates in a softer way.", says Ari Cohen.
Another factor that might be driving the growth in concentrates is the simple nature of cannabis tolerance. Over the last thirty years we have seen THC potency in dried flower and concentrates increase significantly* and along with increased cannabis use across Canada*, one can consider the possibility that sheer cannabis tolerance might be a possible driving force contributing to concentrate sales. It’s not uncommon to see the regular cannabis user in an everlasting quest for that hard-hitting fire.
"Dab rigs and torches can be scary and put off new consumers. But with all the pens and electronic dab rigs it's allowed people to be introduced to concentrates in a softer way."
- Ari Cohen (Fritz's Gummies)
"Concentrate consumers fall into three categories. First, there are the connoisseurs who are always looking for the newest & best flavours and extraction techniques. These folks are small in number, but speak & smoke loud. We love these folks. Second, there are folks that are looking to maximize the bang-for-buck, often with hydrocarbon products like our BIG Diamonds or BIG Shatter which offer some pretty hard-hitting dabs at a reasonable price. This group may also benefit from the convenience of dabs: they’re fast, they’re small & they don’t smell. Great for when it's not convenient to spend 30 minutes rolling & smoking dried flower. Finally, there’s the infused crowd who are a new consumer group for us. Some come over from the prior groups, others are trading in their regular pre-rolls for something stronger or more flavourful. Each is unique, but what draws them together is the potential for unbeatable flavour & potency for infused. Over time we think the higher quality, better tasting & stronger products will do well.", says John Fowler.
BIG Budder
When it comes to my personal concentrate choice, I prefer some good-old hashish, especially as it doesn’t require any extra devices or contraptions to consume it. But that isn’t to say I haven’t had my fair share of dabs, where I almost stopped smoking flower for months altogether! Flavour plays a big role in my cannabis experience, and when it comes to parties, you can bet I’ll be cracking open an infused pre-roll to get things going. Even as a flower smoker, concentrates still play a big role in my life as a cannabis consumer.
I still remember over a decade ago being introduced to what was then a brand new category of concentrate cannabis connoisseurs referred to as “The Clear” (what we now call THC distillate). I was so shocked to have an exclusive viewing (and dabbing!) of this ultra-potent, tasteless and colourless glue-like substance for the first time. Now, just ten years later, it’s but one of many concentrates available to practically any adult in Canada and parts of the US. Long gone are the days when the only cannabis choices one could make was getting either marijuana bud or hashish. With the continuing advancement of technology, combined with the ongoing integration of genetic studies and laboratory sciences in the cannabis industry, the current selection and variety of concentrates in Canada can make the long-seasoned cannabis toker feel like a kid in a candy store.
Say what you will about stoners, but we are an innovative bunch. I can’t even imagine what other kinds of concentrates we’ll be seeing in the near future. I just know that the immense passion, creative focus, and high tolerances cannabis producers often have will eventually make today's THC diamonds look like grandpa’s old school hash!
*Sources:
Headset Report - Cannabis Concentrates: An analysis of category data & trends
Canada.ca - Cannabis extracts data: Inventory, sales and licensed area
Canada.ca - Canadian Cannabis Survey 2022: Summary
National Library of Medicine - Changes in Cannabis Potency over the Last Two Decades (1995-2014)
I still remember over a decade ago being introduced to what was then a brand new category of concentrate cannabis connoisseurs referred to as “The Clear” (what we now call THC distillate). I was so shocked to have an exclusive viewing (and dabbing!) of this ultra-potent, tasteless and colourless glue-like substance for the first time. Now, just ten years later, it’s but one of many concentrates available to practically any adult in Canada and parts of the US. Long gone are the days when the only cannabis choices one could make was getting either marijuana bud or hashish. With the continuing advancement of technology, combined with the ongoing integration of genetic studies and laboratory sciences in the cannabis industry, the current selection and variety of concentrates in Canada can make the long-seasoned cannabis toker feel like a kid in a candy store.
Say what you will about stoners, but we are an innovative bunch. I can’t even imagine what other kinds of concentrates we’ll be seeing in the near future. I just know that the immense passion, creative focus, and high tolerances cannabis producers often have will eventually make today's THC diamonds look like grandpa’s old school hash!
*Sources:
Headset Report - Cannabis Concentrates: An analysis of category data & trends
Canada.ca - Cannabis extracts data: Inventory, sales and licensed area
Canada.ca - Canadian Cannabis Survey 2022: Summary
National Library of Medicine - Changes in Cannabis Potency over the Last Two Decades (1995-2014)
Comments are closed.