*Distillation final thought:
Distillation is different from the extraction methods above. It's generally a refinement step rather than the initial process used to separate compounds from cannabis flower.
First, an extract is produced using another method. That extract can then be processed and distilled.
Distillation takes advantage of differences in volatility and boiling behavior to separate and concentrate specific compounds. In cannabis production, it's commonly used to make highly concentrated cannabinoid distillate.
The process can remove much of the original aroma and flavor from the plant. That's why some distillate-based vapes and edibles have terpenes or other flavor ingredients added later.
Distillate is commonly used in vape cartridges, edibles, tinctures, and other formulated cannabis products.
Cannabis Oil Extraction
Solvent-Based vs. Solventless Extraction
A simple way to look at cannabis extraction is to split the methods into two groups.
Solvent-based extraction includes methods using:
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Carbon dioxide
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Butane
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Propane
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Ethanol
In these processes, the solvent helps dissolve and separate compounds from the plant before being removed or recovered.
Solventless extraction relies mainly on mechanical processes rather than chemical extraction solvents.
Common examples include:
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Ice water hash
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Dry sift
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Flower rosin
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Hash rosin
Solventless doesn't automatically mean better quality, just as solvent-based doesn't automatically mean lower quality. The starting material, equipment, processing conditions, storage, and producer all have an effect on the finished concentrate.
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Cannabis Oils and Extracts Ranked in Order of Strength (Lowest to Highest Potency)
Potency depends heavily on the starting plant material and processing depth, but typical THC/cannabinoid concentration ranges rank as follows:
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Food-Safe Plant Oil Infusions (Olive/Coconut Oil): ~5% to 15% THC/CBD
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Made by infusing ground cannabis directly into a cooking oil; acts more like a mild tincture.
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Kief / Dry Sieve: ~35% to 50% THC
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Loose crystal trichomes sifted directly from the plant.
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Ice Water Hash (Bubble Hash): ~50% to 70% THC
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Trichomes separated from plant matter using ice water and fine mesh bags.
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Rosin: ~50% to 70% THC
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Solventless sap or oil squeezed out using heat and pressure plates.
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Standard CO₂ Oil / Rick Simpson Oil (RSO): ~50% to 80% THC
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Dark, full-spectrum crude oils retaining most original plant waxes and compounds.
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Butane Hash Oil (BHO - Wax, Shatter, Budder): ~70% to 90% THC
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Hydrocarbon-extracted glass-like or waxy concentrates.
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Cannabis Distillate: Up to 90% to 99% THC or CBD
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Highly refined, purified, and potent clear oil where nearly all secondary plant elements are removed.
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Extraction Method vs. Concentrate Texture
This is where cannabis concentrate terminology can get confusing.
"Hydrocarbon extraction" describes a production method.
"Shatter" describes a physical consistency.
"Live resin" tells you about the starting material and the way it was processed.
"Rosin" describes a solventless production method.
"Badder" mainly describes texture.
"Distillate" refers to a highly refined extract produced through distillation.
So two concentrates made using the same basic extraction method can still end up looking, smelling, and behaving quite differently.
Things such as post-extraction processing, temperature, agitation, moisture, cannabinoid content, terpene content, and storage can all affect the final product.
Florida Compliance and Safety Testing
Florida law requires licensed state laboratories to test all commercial cannabis extracts.
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Residual Solvents: Labs test to ensure any chemical traces fall safely below established limits. As noted by ACS Laboratory, “Florida's Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers must test their extracts for residual solvents to ensure they are safe for patients.”
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Safety Limits: Class 2 and Class 3 solvents like ethanol and acetone must meet strict parts-per-million (ppm) thresholds before reaching patients.
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"Look at the contents of your vape cartridge to see if its a Distillate , Cured Resin , Live Resin , Live or Cured Rosin etc and decide what oil you want to vape.
Solvent based vapes tend to be less expensive as opposed to Solvent less vapes (like Rosin) tend to be more expensive. "
"Check this page out where we compare the strength of vaping vs dabbing. The argument is continuously made that concentrate products are stronger but you sure can find some pretty strong vapes these days matching the strength of a concentrate. (technically you are using concentrate in a vape but in theory at a lower THC level. )Regardless you be the judge. Personally high potency is not what I am looking for . Currently I have upped my game (and coin spent) on vape by purchasing Live Resin at a very low potency level . Its doing the trick very nicely and has an amazing flavors. If we can get funds appropriated my next move would be to a solvent-less Live Rosin. Check this out
