Strains & Products
Cannabis Concentrates Explained
Cannabis concentrates are products made by extracting the active compounds of the plant — its cannabinoids and terpenes — into a thick, concentrated form. Rosin, live resin, badder, and distillate are all concentrates. They typically test much higher in THC than flower, and you'll find them as dab-ready extracts or inside vape cartridges at a New Jersey dispensary.
What is a concentrate?
A cannabis concentrate is what you get when the resin-rich, active compounds of the cannabis plant — mainly cannabinoids like THC and CBD, plus aromatic terpenes — are separated from the leftover plant material and concentrated into a smaller form. What remains is a sticky, oily, or crystalline substance that can test anywhere from roughly 50% to 90%+ THC, compared with the 15-30% typical of flower.
Because the plant matter is stripped away, a little goes a long way. That is the whole idea behind the category: the same active compounds you would find in flower, delivered in a more concentrated package.
Concentrates are not new — hash has existed for centuries — but modern extraction has turned a single broad idea into a whole menu of textures, flavors, and formats. The names can be confusing at first, so it helps to group them by how they are made and how you use them rather than trying to memorize every one.
Common types of concentrate
You'll see a lot of names on a dispensary menu. Here is how the most common formats compare:
| Type | What it is | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Rosin | Pressed with only heat and pressure — no solvents | Sappy, sometimes grainy |
| Live resin | Extracted from fresh-frozen plants to keep terpenes intense | Wet, sauce-like |
| Badder / budder | Whipped during processing for a creamy consistency | Soft, like cake frosting |
| Shatter | Cooled into a hard, glassy sheet | Brittle, breaks like glass |
| Distillate | Highly refined oil, often used in vape cartridges | Clear, runny oil |
| Hash / kief | Older, mechanical methods that gather resin glands | Powdery to pressed brick |
Two distinctions cut across all of these: solvent-based vs. solventless (was a solvent like butane or CO2 used, or just ice, heat, and pressure?), and fresh-frozen vs. cured (which affects how much of the original terpene aroma survives). Neither is universally better — they are different approaches to the same goal. Our guide to terpenes explains why that aroma matters.
How concentrates are used
There are three common ways people use concentrates:
- Vape cartridges and disposables. Distillate and live-resin oils are filled into pre-loaded vape hardware — the most beginner-friendly entry point, since there is no extra equipment to buy.
- Dabbing. A small amount of concentrate is vaporized on a heated surface (a dab rig or an electronic dab pen) and inhaled. This is the traditional way to use extracts like rosin, badder, and shatter.
- Adding to flower. Some people sprinkle kief or add a little concentrate to a bowl or pre-roll.
Whatever the format, concentrates are strong. If you are newer to them, our start low, go slow guide applies here more than anywhere — a single small dab can equal several servings of flower.
If you are trying concentrates for the first time, a pre-filled vape cartridge is usually the simplest place to begin: the hardware controls the amount you take in, and there is nothing to load or heat yourself. Dabbing gives you more control over flavor and portion once you have the gear and some experience, which is why it stays popular with people who have used extracts for a while.
Buying concentrates in New Jersey
At a licensed New Jersey dispensary, every concentrate lists its cannabinoid content — usually a total THC percentage — right on the label, alongside the strain and extraction method. New Jersey also sets a purchase limit of 4 grams of concentrate per transaction, since the state counts concentrates separately from the one-ounce flower limit. It helps to know that going in.
Not sure how to decode the numbers? Our walkthrough on reading a cannabis label covers exactly what each figure means. And if you are weighing concentrates against other formats, edibles vs. vapes vs. flower puts them side by side.
At Unity Rd in Somerset, the concentrate selection is on the live menu with potency and extraction details listed, and a budtender can walk you through the differences in person or over same-day delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
It varies by product, but many concentrates test between roughly 50% and 90% total THC, while flower usually falls between 15% and 30%. That is why a much smaller amount is used at a time. Every product's exact percentage is printed on its New Jersey dispensary label.
Rosin is solventless — it is pressed from the plant using only heat and pressure. Live resin is extracted from fresh-frozen cannabis using a solvent to capture an intense terpene profile. Both are popular concentrates; the choice comes down to preference and extraction style.
Not always. Concentrate vape cartridges and disposables work like any other vape and need no extra gear. Dabbing formats like rosin, shatter, and badder do require a dab rig or an electronic dab pen to vaporize them.
Keep them in an airtight, child-resistant container away from heat and light, which helps preserve texture and aroma. Concentrates hold up well when stored cool and sealed, much like other cannabis products.
Sources & Further Reading
- NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission — Adult personal use cannabis
- NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — Cannabis and cannabinoids
Educational content only — not medical advice. Cannabis products are for adults 21+ with valid government-issued ID (or a valid NJ medical cannabis card). Never drive under the influence. Effects vary by person and product.
Explore Concentrates on the Menu
Rosin, live resin, distillate, and more — Unity Rd lists potency and extraction details for every concentrate on the menu. Browse online or ask a budtender to help you choose.