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What Are Cannabis Concentrates?

A Guide to Extracts

As medicinal cannabis continues to evolve in Australia, patients and clinicians are discovering that cannabis can be administered in many different forms from oils and capsules to vaporisable flower and topical creams.

 

Among these, cannabis concentrates (also known as extracts) are becoming increasingly recognised for their purity, potency, and precision.

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Concentrates contain refined levels of cannabinoids and terpenes, extracted from the cannabis plant to deliver consistent and measurable doses.

What Are Cannabis Concentrates?

Cannabis concentrates are products created by isolating and concentrating the plant’s active compounds primarily THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (cannabidiol), and terpenes while removing plant matter and other impurities (MacCallum & Russo, 2018).

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Depending on the extraction technique, concentrates can appear in various textures and forms:

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  • Distillates: Highly purified extracts, using a solvent such as ethanol (which will destroy terpenes).
     

  • Rosin or live rosin: Solvent-free concentrate made using heat and pressure.
     

  • Resin or live resin: Extracted from cured or fresh frozen flower using solvents such as CO2 or Hydrocarbons.
     

  • Rick Simpson Oil (RSO):  A full-spectrum oil produced using ethanol extraction methods but without further distillation or refinement. (Usually high in chlorophyll, which results in a deep green colour).
     

Each type varies in texture, potency, and cannabinoid profile, which affects therapeutic use and administration method (Ferber et al., 2022).

How Are Cannabis Concentrates Made?

Concentrates are produced using controlled extraction processes designed to isolate cannabinoids and terpenes from raw plant material while maintaining safety and consistency. Common methods include:

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  • CO₂ extraction: Uses pressurised carbon dioxide to safely separate cannabinoids without leaving harmful residues (Grotenhermen, 2003).
     

  • Ethanol extraction: Uses food-grade alcohol to dissolve cannabinoids, later removed through evaporation.
     

  • Hydrocarbon extraction: Employs butane or propane for efficient cannabinoid isolation, often used in resin products.
     

  • Rosin pressing: A solvent-free method that applies only heat and pressure.

Common medicinal applications include:

  • Chronic pain and neuropathy
     

  • Sleep disorders
     

  • Anxiety and depression
     

  • Nausea and appetite loss
     

  • Inflammatory and neurological conditions (Ferber et al., 2022)
     

Due to their potency, dosing must always be titrated under medical supervision to avoid adverse effects.

Benefits and considerations of Cannabis Concentrates

Cannabis concentrates offer a number of clinical and practical benefits:
 

  • High potency and accuracy: Enables small, controlled doses with predictable outcomes (MacCallum & Russo, 2018).
     

  • Consistency: Each batch is standardised for cannabinoid content and purity (TGO 93, 2022).
     

  • Long shelf life: Properly stored extracts remain chemically stable for extended periods (Trofin et al., 2012).
     

  • Full-spectrum potential: Some formulations retain cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, which may enhance therapeutic outcomes through the entourage effect (Ferber et al., 2022; Russo, 2019).
     

These qualities make concentrates particularly suitable for patients needing precise, long-lasting, and consistent relief.

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Because concentrates are highly potent, responsible use under medical supervision is essential.

 

Start low and go slow: Gradual dose increases allow the body to adjust to cannabinoid levels (MacCallum & Russo, 2018).

Conclusion

Cannabis concentrates represent a powerful and precise form of medicinal cannabis. By isolating the plant’s most active compounds — cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids — they provide targeted and consistent relief for a range of conditions when prescribed responsibly.

The precise and consistent dosing of cannabis concentrates offers patients a cost-effective form of medication.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Laws regarding prescription medicines vary by region, and readers should always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any prescription medication.

​References: Ferber, S. G., Namdar, D., Hen-Shoval, D., Eger, G., Koltai, H., Shoval, G., & Weller, A. (2022). The “entourage effect”: Terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(2), 1031. Grotenhermen, F. (2003). Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids. Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 42(4), 327–360. MacCallum, C. A., & Russo, E. B. (2018). Practical considerations in medical cannabis administration and dosing. European Journal of Internal Medicine, 49, 12–19. Russo, E. B. (2019). The case for the entourage effect and conventional breeding of clinical cannabis: No “strain,” no gain. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9, 1969. Swift, W., et al. (2021). Patterns and experiences of medicinal cannabis use in Australia. Harm Reduction Journal, 18(1), 70. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). (2023). Medicinal Cannabis Guidance Documents. Retrieved from https://www.tga.gov.au Therapeutic Goods Order No. 93 (TGO 93). (2022). Standard for Medicinal Cannabis. Commonwealth of Australia.

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