Cannabis Concentrates Explained: Terms and Composition

Quick answer

A cannabis concentrate is a product made from the cannabis plant that holds a much higher share of cannabinoids and aroma compounds than the dried flower does. A 2025 review defined a concentrate, for its own purposes, as a sample with at least 50% cannabinoids by weight. [1] This page explains the words used for concentrates and what is and is not known. It does not describe how any product is made, and it gives no advice on use. The owner of this site does not sell cannabis products.

Evidence labels used here: insufficient evidence means studies are too few or too weak to conclude; mixed means studies disagree; marketing claim means the statement comes from sellers, not independent testing.

What the word covers

"Concentrate" and "extract" are umbrella words. A provincial cannabis retailer's glossary describes extracts as flower processed into a concentrated solid or liquid. [2] Names such as wax, shatter, budder, crumble, hash, kief, rosin, resin, distillate and isolate are used for different forms, textures or processes. Separate guides cover hash and kief, rosin and resin terms, distillates and isolates and vape liquids and cartridges.

Why the terms are inconsistent

Authors of a 2023 clinical framework wrote that jargon and terminology used to describe cannabis products vary greatly across regions and regulations. [3] A 2022 survey of 861 U.S. college students found that 85% knew the term "wax pen or THC oil" while only 27% knew "butane hash oil," even though many of the same people had used the products pictured. [4] A qualitative study of cannabis users found a gap between the words researchers use and the words consumers use. [5] A 2021 laboratory study of one cultivar also noted that processing methods, products and terminology are variable and confusing for consumers. [6]

Practical meaning: the same word can describe different things in different places, and one product can carry several names. A name alone does not tell you the composition. Only a laboratory report for that batch does, and even that describes that batch only. See how to read a certificate of analysis.

How concentrates differ from flower

That 2023 clinical framework paper listed ranges of THC for several concentrate types, but these are one paper's summary, not measured batches, so this site does not give a "typical" percentage. Composition varies and verified batch data is not available here.

What is known about health effects

• Potency and problems. A 2025 systematic review of 42 studies found findings suggestive of an association between higher-potency cannabis (including concentrates) and "problem" cannabis use, with less consistent results in other areas, and rated the certainty of the evidence "very low." [7] The label is insufficient evidence for firm conclusions, with a signal of concern.
• Dependence. In a survey of 273 college students who used cannabis, more frequent use of one concentrate type was associated with higher physical dependence even after adjustment. [8] It is a snapshot, not proof of cause.
• Mixed picture. In a survey of 574 people who used both flower and concentrates, negative effects of both were rated as small, and flower was preferred by 77.5%. [9] The authors cautioned that these were self-reports from regular users.

More detail is on concentrate potency and product-specific risks.

Safety note

Concentrates are not medicines. A clinical framework paper said they are higher-risk products and generally not recommended for medical cannabis use. [3] If a child or pet swallowed any cannabis product, call US Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 or 911 in an emergency; see accidental child and pet exposure and Poison Help by country.

Laws differ by country and state and change. This is not legal advice; see cannabis laws by country.