What is THC distillate?

Distillate is a cannabis extract in which the final product has been systematically stripped of all materials and compounds except for one specific cannabinoid. The most common forms of distillate are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) oil and cannabidiol (CBD) oil, with their percentages ranging between 90 – 100% pure cannabinoid, making them extremely potent.

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It’s the base ingredient of most edibles and vape cartridges and typically lacks flavor, taste, or aroma. And though it also lacks the beneficial terpenes that naturally occur in the source cannabis plant, it allows complete control over a final product’s taste and smell. Adding terpenes to distillate later in the process is possible, and many manufacturers do this, though it’s been theorized that any medicinal advantages are reduced by their initial removal.

How is distillate made?

Making distillate is a complex and technical process that requires specialized equipment, a controlled lab setting, and a deep knowledge of chemistry. Essentially, it’s something you don’t want to try at home. For informational purposes, the distillation process typically involves the following steps:

1. Extraction: First, THC is extracted from the cannabis plant material. Chemists use various methods for the extraction process, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction, ethanol extraction, or hydrocarbon extraction. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages regarding purity, efficiency, and safety.
2. Winterization: This step involves mixing the raw extract with ethanol and then freezing it, which helps to separate the fats, waxes, and lipids from the cannabinoids as they coagulate and precipitate out at low temperatures.
3. Filtration: The winterized solution is then filtered to remove the solidified impurities.
4. Evaporation: After filtration, the solution is subjected to rotary evaporation. Heat and rotation evaporate the ethanol in this process, leaving behind a more refined cannabis oil.
5. Decarboxylation: By this point, the oil is full of THCA, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, the non-psychoactive precursor compound to THC found in raw cannabis plants. It becomes THC when decarboxylated, typically through heat. The refined oil needs to be decarboxylated to convert THCA into psychoactive THC.
6. Distillation: Finally, the decarboxylated cannabis oil is processed through a distillation unit. This process uses heat and a vacuum to vaporize and then condense the cannabinoids, separating them based on their boiling points. THC, having a unique boiling point, is isolated as a distillate.
7. Refinement: Further refinement steps like molecular distillation are sometimes employed to achieve higher purity levels.

Does distillate get you high?

Whether distillate gets you high depends on the cannabinoid you’re consuming. By removing virtually everything except for the desired cannabinoid, the final product is incredibly potent, so if you’re consuming a THC distillate, you will probably get very high, as the resulting oil will be almost pure THC. If you consume a CBD distillate, you will tap into the therapeutic benefits of CBD, but since CBD is non-psychoactive, you will not get high.

What are the effects of THC distillate?

How you experience THC distillate depends on your individual response to THC and the dose you take.

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Here’s a list of the potential effects of THC distillate, some of which are more pleasant than others:

• Euphoria
• Relaxation
• Altered perception: Your senses, like sight and sound, might be heightened or altered.
• Increased appetite: It’s common to experience the munchies, or an increase in appetite, after consuming THC.
• Dry mouth
• Red eyes
• Slower reaction times: THC may slow down your reaction times and affect motor skills, so don’t drive or operate heavy machinery.
• Short-term memory loss: You might find it harder to remember things while under the influence.
• Drowsiness
• Anxiety or paranoia: In high doses, THC can lead to feelings of anxiety or paranoia.

Benefits and risks of THC distillate

As with all cannabis products, there are pros and cons to consider:

Benefits

• High potency: What can be a risk for some is a major benefit to others. THC distillate is very strong, so a little goes a long way in providing effects. It can be a cost-effective way to consume THC for those with high tolerances or medicinal needs.
• Purity: Distillate is highly refined, containing far fewer impurities and plant material than other extracts.
• Versatility: THC distillate is a flavorless oil that can be used in a variety of ways, from vaping to making edibles and topicals.

Risks

• Risk of overconsumption: THC distillate is potent by design, so it’s easy to use too much, which can lead to uncomfortable effects like anxiety.
• Risk of increased tolerance: Frequently using high-THC products might lead to a higher tolerance, requiring more to achieve the same effects.
• Legal risks: It’s important to know the laws regarding concentrated cannabis products in your state, as many have different limits on the amount of concentrates you can possess at a time.
• Addition of thinning agents: One of the negative points of distillate is that to make it, thinning agents have to be added to the production, including vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol, and MTC oil.

How do you use THC distillate?

There are many ways to incorporate THC distillate into your cannabis consumption routine.

Dabbing

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Dabbing involves using a dab rig, a type of water pipe designed specifically for concentrates like distillate. You heat the nail, typically made of quartz, titanium, or ceramic, with a blow torch, drop a rice-sized amount of distillate directly onto the heated surface, and inhale the vapor produced through the mouthpiece.

Vaping

To vape THC distillate, use a vape pen designed for cannabis concentrates. Fill the chamber with a small amount (rice or pea-sized), then use the pen to heat and vaporize it. Inhale the vapor through the mouthpiece of the pen.

Making edibles

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Since THC distillate is already activated (decarboxylated), you can directly mix it into foods or recipes. Start with a minimal amount, around 2 – 5 milligrams per dose, and ensure it’s evenly distributed in the edible.

Smoking

To smoke distillate, you can spread a thin line of it over ground cannabis before rolling it into a joint. Or, mix it in with the flower in your bowl or bong for enhanced potency.

Making topicals

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To make infused topicals, mix THC distillate with a carrier oil or lotion. Apply the mixture directly to the skin for localized effects. It’s often used for therapeutic purposes like localized pain relief or skin conditions since topicals typically don’t produce intoxicating effects.

Common THC distillate products

Explore some of the most common THC distillate products available in the cannabis market:

Vape cartridges and pens

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Different brands offer distillate-filled vape cartridges and pens, which do not need loading or cleaning. They provide a hassle-free vaping experience and are ideal for discreet consumption.

Infused edibles

The category is vast. However, many brands make baked goods, gummies, chocolates, beverages, and more using only THC distillate to infuse their edibles. Any of these treats will provide a longer-lasting and often more intense effect compared to smoking or vaping, so consume them carefully and wait at least two hours after consumption to see how you’re feeling before consuming more.

Infused pre-rolls

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Many infused pre-rolls are enhanced with THC distillate. Brands will add distillate to ground cannabis before rolling it into a pre-roll, which will significantly increase its potency, making it a common choice for high-tolerance consumers.

THC distillate syringes

A THC distillate syringe is a precise, convenient way to dispense pure THC distillate. These syringes contain highly concentrated THC extract, offering an easy way to dose and apply the product. Found in most dispensaries, they’re ideal for dabbing, refilling vape cartridges, or infusing edibles, and provide a mess-free, accurate way to dose THC distillate.

 

 

Tips for purchasing distillate

When purchasing THC distillate, consider the following tips to ensure you’re getting the highest quality product:

• Buy from licensed dispensaries. This can ensure that a product complies with safety regulations and is free from harmful contaminants.
• Ask questions. Don’t hesitate to ask your budtender questions about the product’s source, extraction method, and recommended usage. Understand the type of distillate you are buying — whether it’s THC, CBD, or a specific cannabinoid blend — and ensure it meets your needs and is easy to dose.
• Compare prices. While price shouldn’t be the only factor, compare prices among reputable vendors to ensure you get a fair deal. Extremely low prices can sometimes indicate a low-quality product.
• Look for lab test results. Look for products that have been lab-tested and come with a certificate of analysis (COA). This provides information on potency and cannabinoid profiles and checks for pesticides, heavy metals, and solvents.
• Observe the packaging. Proper packaging is essential for maintaining the quality of the distillate. It should be well-sealed and clearly labeled with contents and usage instructions.
• Research the brand. Look for customer reviews and feedback to gauge the quality and reliability of their products.

Bottom line

Cannabis distillates are an efficient way to get high and experience specific cannabinoids in their purest form. To get the most out of distillates and be confident you’re getting high-quality products, purchase THC distillate from legal brands and licensed dispensaries.

FAQ

Distillate vs. concentrates: what’s the difference?

Distillate is a highly pure form of cannabis. It’s usually very strong, with THC or CBD levels often exceeding 90%. Making distillate involves several steps that remove almost everything except the THC or CBD, making it flavorless. People who like distillate favor it because it’s pure, potent, and flexible. You can use it in vape pens, edibles, or creams.

Concentrates cover a wider range of products like wax, shatter, and live resin. They are produced using various extraction methods, like CO2, butane, ethanol, or simple heat and pressure. Some retain more of the plant’s original compounds, so concentrates can have a fuller taste and offer a variety of effects, depending on what’s in them. People use concentrates primarily for dabbing or vaping, though some edible brands incorporate full-spectrum concentrates into their edibles.

What is a distillate pen?

Vape pens that contain pure distillate oil feature a cartridge filled with THC distillate, a heating element, and a battery that powers the heating element. As with any vape pen, the heating element vaporizes the oil inside the cartridge, and the vapor is then inhaled through the mouthpiece. Since they contain such a potent form of extract, these vape pens tend to be very strong.

THC distillate is a very potent type of cannabis extract that contains a high concentration of THC. Both versatile and discreet, this guide will cover everything you need to know about THC distillate.

WHAT IS THC DISTILLATE?

THC distillate, also called liquid gold, is a highly refined form of cannabis extract that contains a very high concentration of THC. Unlike other extracts, cannabis distillate is purified to remove all the plant compounds, including terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids, leaving only THC behind. The process results in a clear, odorless, flavorless, and thick golden-amber-colored product that can be used in various ways.¹

HOW IS THC DISTILLATE MADE?

It’s a meticulous process to create THC distillate. Not only does this process require specialized equipment, but the extraction process and refinement must be completed in a highly controlled lab setting.²

Here’s an overview of how the process works:

• Extraction: Cannabis plant material is soaked in a solvent, such as ethanol, to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes. Next, the extracted material is mixed with ethanol and frozen to remove lipids, fats, and waxes.
• Purification: The solution is filtered to eliminate any impurities.
• Heated Fan Extraction: The solution undergoes a rotary evaporation (“rotavap”) process to further remove contaminants, concentrate the cannabinoids, and evaporate the ethanol.
• Decarboxylation: The filtered extract is heated to activate the THC.
• Distillation: The extract is distilled using a specialized vacuum distillation method that separates THC from other compounds based on their boiling points, and the result is a pure THC distillate. For higher purity levels, the distillate may be further refined.

HOW IS DISTILLATE THC USED?

One of the most appealing aspects of THC distillate is its versatility. Here are some popular ways to use it:

Distillate Syringes

A THC distillate syringe is a convenient and precise way to store and dispense THC distillate. These syringes are usually made of glass or plastic and allow cannabis enthusiasts to easily measure exact doses.³ The liquid can then be used for dabbing, vaping, or infusing edibles.

Vape Cartridges & Distillate Pens

Vape cartridges filled with THC distillate are popular for their convenience and discretion, while distillate pens, which are pre-filled vape pens, give cannasseurs an easy way to vape cannabis without loading or cleaning the device.

Edibles

THC distillate is an excellent choice for making edibles because it’s potent and flavorless. You can buy distillate-infused gummies, chocolates, baked goods, and beverages or infuse foods at home.⁴

Infuse Cannabis Flower

In a process called twaxing,⁵ add a few drops of the distillate with cannabis flower in a bong or bowl to make it more potent. Or add some to a joint by spreading a thin line of THC distillate on ground cannabis flower before rolling it.

Infused Pre-Rolls

Pre-rolls infused with THC distillate offer an enhanced smoking experience. An infused joint gives cannasseurs a potent and smooth hit.

COMMON THC PRODUCTS VS DISTILLATE

Wondering how distillate products compare to others you can buy at your local dispensary? Here are a few comparisons.

Distillate vs Concentrates: Distillates and concentrates are potent cannabis extracts. Different cannabis concentrates like shatter, wax, and live resin retain more natural compounds, contributing to their flavor and aroma. In contrast, distillates are stripped of these compounds, resulting in a purer, more potent product with no flavor.

Distillate vs Cannabis Oils & Tinctures: THC distillates are highly concentrated oils containing only THC. They can be used in various ways, such as dabbing, smoking, topical application, and infused edibles. Oils and tinctures, used orally or sublingually, retain a wider range of cannabinoids and terpenes compared to distillates, giving them a distinct flavor profile.

Distillate Edibles vs Full Spectrum Edibles: Many of the infused edibles that you purchase at a dispensary are made with THC distillate, which makes the product potent while remaining versatile enough to enhance with additional cannabinoids and flavors. Full spectrum edibles are closer to the actual plant, but in edible form. While they may still have that traditional cannabis taste, you’ll also get to experience the other compounds within the cannabis plant.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you have more questions about what is distillate, we’ve got you. Here are the most commonly asked questions about THC distillates:

How do you use a distillate syringe?
First, gently warm the distillate syringe in your hand to make the thick liquid more fluid. Then, dispense the desired amount onto a dab tool, a vape pen, or your favorite food or beverage.

Does distillate get you higher?
Because THC distillates are highly concentrated, they have a 90-99% THC content,⁶ making these products super potent. As such, cannasseurs may experience a more intense high compared to using other forms of cannabis.

Is distillate stronger than dabs?
Distillate is generally more potent than many dabs because it contains a higher concentration of THC. However, the experience may differ because of the lack of terpenes and other cannabinoids in THC distillates.

Is THC distillate the same as THC?
THC distillate is a refined form of THC, meaning it’s nearly pure THC. While THC is the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana, distillate is its concentrated form.