What Is Distillate Weed?
- 1. What is thc distillate?
- 2. How is distillate weed made?
- 3. Does distillate get you high?
- 4. Distillate weed vs flower
- 5. How do you consume distillate weed?
- 6. What to keep in mind when purchasing distillate weed?
- 7. Pros and cons of weed distillate
- 8. Side effects and risks of weed distillate
- 9. In conclusion
- 10. Distillate weed faqs
Distillation is a common process used to extract alcohol from various sources by applying temperature and pressure fluctuations to reduce the starting material to a single component. In more recent times, you may have heard about distillate weed or distillate oil…but what exactly is it?
Distillate is a highly potent, purified cannabis product that can exceed 90% THC in potency, typically appearing as a golden liquid or a glassy solid slab. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. If you want to learn more about its production process, characteristics, and the various consumption methods, read on!
What is THC distillate?
Distillate is a cannabis oil in which the final product has been removed of all compounds except for a specific cannabinoid, most often CBD (cannabidiol) or THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
This results in a product that is between 90% and 100% pure cannabinoids, making it extremely potent. Since it’s stripped of everything else, distillate often lacks flavor and aroma. However, manufacturers can add terpenes to the distillate later in the process depending on the intended use.
How is distillate weed made?
Producing weed distillate is a complex and highly technical process that requires specialized equipment, a controlled lab setting, and extensive knowledge. We won’t go into too much detail, but generally speaking, the process involves the following steps:
Step 1 - Extraction
In the first step, THC is extracted from the cannabis flower using methods such as CO2, ethanol, or hydrocarbons. Each method has its own pros and cons in terms of safety, efficiency, and purity.
Step 2 - Winterization
The next step involves mixing the raw extract with ethanol and then freezing it to separate the fats, waxes, and lipids from the THC.
Step 3 - Filtration
The winterized solution is then filtered to remove impurities.
Step 4 - Evaporation
After filtration, the solution undergoes rotary evaporation, where heat and rotation are used to evaporate the ethanol, leaving behind a more refined oil.
Step 5 - Decarboxylation
At this stage, the oil contains THCA, which is not yet active. The THCA oil needs to be decarboxylated using heat to convert THCA into the psychoactive THC.
Step 6 - Distillation and Refinement
Finally, the decarboxylated oil is processed through a distillation machine that uses heat (with the temperature depending on the specific cannabinoid) and a vacuum to vaporize and then condense the THC.
Further refinement steps, such as molecular distillation, may be employed depending on the required purity level.
Does distillate get you high?
Yes, however, since the oil contains solely one cannabinoid, the effect will depend on the specific cannabinoid you’re consuming. This means that if you consume pure THC distillate, you will experience psychoactive effects and if you consume CBD distillate, you will experience the therapeutic benefits of non-psychoactive CBD.
Distillate weed vs flower
If you’re looking for a stronger high, distillates are your go-to, as they can have up to 90 to 100% THC. However, high THC does not always equate to a more enjoyable experience. Without the other chemical compounds of cannabis, distillates can become overwhelming.
On the other hand, cannabis flower contains all the cannabinoids and other compounds, such as terpenes and flavonoids, that contribute to its effects. This results in a much more enjoyable high, although it may not be as strong, as cannabis flower typically contains between 15 to 30% THC—nowhere near the 90 to 100% found in a distillate.
How do you consume distillate weed?
There are many different ways to consume distillate:
Dabbing
You can use a water pipe designed for dabbing (also known as a dab rig) to consume distillates, just as you would with concentrates. Start by heating the nail with a blowtorch, then drop a small blob of distillate onto the heated surface and inhale the vapor.
Vaping
Use a vape designed for concentrates. Fill the chamber with a small amount of distillate, heat it, and inhale.
Edibles
Since distillate is already decarboxylated, you can mix it directly into foods without any extra steps. Just mix around 2 to 5 ml per dose, blend it evenly, and enjoy.
Smoking
If you want to smoke distillate, you can spread it over weed before rolling a joint or mix it with weed in your bong.
Topicals
You can also create infused topicals by mixing THC distillate with your lotion. Apply it directly to the skin for localized effects, such as pain relief or treatment for skin conditions. Note that topicals generally do not produce intoxicating effects.
What to keep in mind when purchasing distillate weed?
Whenever purchasing tis type of product, consider the following things make sure you’re getting the best product possible:
- Buy from licensed dispensaries to ensure that the product is free from harmful contaminants.
- Look around to ensure you get a fair deal. Remember that extremely low prices can ihelp identify a low-quality product.
- Ask for lab test results and the certificate of analysis to obtain information on potency, cannabinoid profiles, and the presence of heavy metals, solvents, and pesticides.
- Research the brand by reading reviews and feedback to gauge the reliability of their products.
Pros and Cons of Weed Distillate
Pros
Weed distillates offer several advantages over other forms of cannabis for various reasons. First, the most obvious advantage is the higher concentration of cannabinoids, which can help medical patients achieve relief more quickly. Distillates also have a minimal odor, so if you’re vaporizing in public, it won’t attract unwanted attention. They are highly versatile and can be consumed in several different ways, such as in joints, bongs, and edibles, among others.
Finally, unlike concentrates that may contain leftover solvents or other impurities, distillates are free from such impurities due to the distillation process, which filters them out.
Cons
Despite its many advantages, there are potential downsides that you should know. First of all, because the cannabinoid levels are so high, it can be difficult to get the dosage correct, it’s quite easy to use more than intended which increases the chances of experiencing undesirable effects.
Secondly, due to the complex process needed to make distillate, it can be quite pricey when compared to many other cannabis products. And finally, due to the extremely high concentration, distillates may not always be available near you as it’s more common utilized for serious medical conditions.
Side effects and risks of weed distillate
Although more experienced users might be fine with consuming distillate, beginners could feel overwhelmed or anxious. Additionally, a main disadvantage of consuming distillate is that it does not contain terpenes, which are responsible for the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and other benefits of cannabis.
This means that when consuming THC distillate, you’re limiting yourself to only THC and missing out on many of the benefits associated with cannabis.
In Conclusion
Weed distillates are an efficient way to experience specific cannabinoids in their purest form, however, inexperienced consumers should proceed very cautiously as it can lead to unwanted side effects line anxiety, it is very important to start with low doses to get accustomed to distillates’ powerful high.
Distillate Weed FAQs
What’s the difference between distillate and other concentrates?
Generally speaking, distillate is a highly pure oil with a THC or CBD percentage exceeding 90%. On the other hand, concentrates are not as potent but retain more terpenes and flavonoids, resulting in a fuller taste and a wider variety of effects.
What’s the best way to store distillate?
Just like cannabis flower, the best way to store weed distillate is in an airtight, light-proof container in a cool, dark place.
Does distillate get you more high?
Weed distillate can deliver a more intense effect due to its high THC concentration, which means that, yes, it can get you higher compared to other forms of cannabis.
Is weed distillate the same as dabs?
No, while both are concentrates, distillate is highly refined, containing almost only pure cannabinoids, whereas dabs can have varying levels of cannabinoids and terpenes.
Can you eat distillate weed?
Yes, since it’s flavorless, odorless, and already decarboxylated, you can easily eat it by itself or mix it with beverages or foods.
