Marijuana Concentrates

Many medical disorders that have proven difficult or challenging to the medical fraternities around the globe are now getting solutions through the compounds present in marijuana. The tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary compound in marijuana has now been put into use through marijuana concentrates. This however, has been a task for the medical fraternity to convince the authorities into legalizing this marijuana use mode. The success came through with some restrictions, for example in the US; there were certain strains that were deemed unusable. Marijuana that contained resins was considered illegal depending on the mode on which the resins were extracted. This was the case for the Michigan state.

The concentrates have come along with benefits as opposed to the direct inhalation of smoke from burning marijuana. The medical concentrates are made from the extraction of the cannabinoids such as THC among others from the cannabis plant. After the extraction, the cannabinoids are made into different forms for use. The major forms of the marijuana concentrates are the wax, oil, keif and oil, although there exists other sub divisions among these forms.

The wax is an effective marijuana concentrate that can contain up to about 80% of the THC cannabinoids. It is often golden in color and easily breaks into small fragments. This concentrate, which is potentive, is used in minimal amounts as excessive use can induce other side effects.

On the other hand, the hash form of concentrates is among the oldest known concentrates. It is commonly found in compressed resin forms. Its THC content is up to about 70% and often found in baked edible forms.

The oil forms of concentrates simply made through extraction of the THC from dried marijuana plant using alcohol, after which the solution is decanted and evaporated. This form of marijuana concentrate is potent due to this method of preparation and its THC content can be higher than the other forms, to above 80%. Patients are always advised to use this form of concentrate with a lot of care due to the high amount s of THC.

Keif is a marijuana concentrate made by crushing marijuana buds into a powdery form. It is often used to make hash.

Some forms of marijuana concentrates are however in impure form, containing some traces of the residual extraction chemicals. For example, the oil marijuana concentrates may contain traces of butyl or the ethyl alcohol used in their extraction. These residual compounds may induce side effects to the users besides the medicinal value of the concentrates.

These marijuana concentrates have helped reduce the cases of cannabis misuse largely. For example, patients may go an extra mile to seek marijuana from smugglers, which may pose danger of being arrested and sentenced in a court of law in places where marijuana is not legalized. The concentrates ensure safety of the users from the risk of arrest. These concentrates reduce the effects encountered with the use of marijuana as cigarette. The smoke from the burned marijuana has similar side effects to those of tobacco smoke, which include contraction of lung cancer among other respiratory disorders.