What Is THC Distillate? How It’s Made, How to Use It, and More

Stepping into a cannabis dispensary can be overwhelming to some new patients and consumers sheerly due to the number of different cannabis products available for purchase. In this article, we are going to give you the 411 on one very popular product: THC distillate.

What Is THC Distillate?

THC distillate is a highly refined, concentrated, and purified form of cannabis’ most beloved cannabinoid, THC. It ranges from being completely clear to a golden amber color and is very thick in form.

This form of cannabis extract is known for its high purity and potency. It typically contains 90% to 99% THC.  This purity and potency makes THC distillate a versatile ingredient for various consumption methods, including vaporizing, dabbing, edibles, tinctures, and topicals.

Learn More: What Is Considered High THC?

How Is THC Distillate Made?

THC distillate is made using a unique process and specialized refinement equipment. The first step in creating distillate is extracting crude oil from dried cannabis plant matter through an extraction system, typically with the aid of a solvent like carbon dioxide, butane, or ethanol.

That product must then be put through the processes of winterization, filtration, and decarboxylation. Finally, the oil is put through the final distillation phase, which further purifies the oil through a commercial distillation unit, resulting in refined cannabis oil that’s been rid of any impurities or chlorophyll—aka THC distillate. Unfortunately, this process also removes all of the other beneficial and medically useful components such as minor cannabinoids and terpenes.

How Long Does A THC Distillate High Last?

The high from cannabis distillate can be extreme due to its purity and potency. However, when used responsibly, distillate is perfectly safe. Like other forms of cannabis concentrate, the high from distillate has a quick onset within seconds to minutes, and the effects typically last 1-3 hours. It highly depends on your experience with cannabis and how you consume THC distillate, as there are various ways to do so.

Benefits and Risks of THC Distillate

Benefits of THC Distillate

One of the biggest benefits of THC distillate is its high potency and purity. Its high potency ensures a strong and efficient psychoactive effect. THC distillate also provides a consistent and predictable experience, thanks to the distillation process, which removes impurities. This purity makes it especially beneficial for medical users who require precise dosing and reliability in their cannabis products.

Additionally, THC distillate is an incredibly versatile product, as it is nearly odorless and flavorless. These qualities allow it to be used discreetly in various forms. In particular, its lack of strong taste or smell makes it easy to incorporate into a wide range of products without altering their flavor or scent. Because of its flavorless nature, THC distillate use can be customized with specific terpenes, offering tailored effects and flavors to suit individual preferences or therapeutic needs.

Risks of THC Distillate

THC distillate has a very high potency, which, while it may be considered a benefit to medical users looking for strong relief, also poses risks such as overconsumption, especially for inexperienced users. This high potency can lead to intense psychoactive effects like anxiety and paranoia. Users should start with low doses and purchase from reputable sources to ensure safety.

Additionally, though properly distilled products are known for their purity, improperly produced distillate can contain harmful contaminants. Lastly, the lack of other cannabinoids and terpenes in distillate may reduce the entourage effect, potentially resulting in a less balanced experience.

How to Use THC Distillate

You may be thrilled to find out that there are actually several ways that distillate can be used. Before we dive into those, though, it’s important to reiterate the high potency of THC distillate. 

On average, due to the way it is extracted, most THC distillate ranges from 90-99% THC. For this reason, it is advised to start low and slow if you are new to cannabis concentrates.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways you can consume distillate.

Vaporizers/Vape Pens

One of the most common ways that you will find THC distillate sold is within vape pens. From disposable pens to refillable vape cartridges, there is a wide range of THC distillate-based vape options on the market for consumers to choose from. This way of consuming distillate offers a quick onset of effects, making it the go-to choice for many!

Edibles

Once very limited, the range of cannabis edibles available on the market is now vast, and many edible brands infuse their products with the potency and purity of THC distillate. When consumed in edible form, the effects of distillate tend to be even stronger and last much longer than from inhaling it (averaging 2-10 hours). This is because the THC is converted into 11-OH-THC by the liver.

When you learn how to make edibles, you’re often told to start low and go slow, as edibles are processed much differently in the body than other forms of consumption. Therefore, it is important to be cautious and use tools like our edible dosage calculator to learn how to infuse your food with THC and CBD.

Dabbing

THC distillate syringes are widely available for purchase in dispensaries. With these products, you can easily dab distillate using a dab rig or pen. Compared to vaping distillate, this method will produce much stronger and longer-lasting effects.

Check out this article for everything you need to know about dabbing: How to Dab Cannabis Concentrates: Tips, Techniques, and Temps

Smoking

While THC distillate is technically a cannabis concentrate and is most often vaped or dabbed, you can also smoke it by adding it to dried cannabis flower when rolling a joint or packing a bowl. For some extra pizazz, add a few drops from a THC distillate syringe to the top of the flower before lighting the bowl or joint.

Twaxing

THC distillate can be used to “twax” joints or blunts, which involves adding concentrates to increase potency. You can apply the distillate inside the joint by spreading it on the rolling paper before adding cannabis or outside by coating the rolled joint with a thin layer of distillate. Some people also roll the joint in kief or other concentrates after applying the distillate for enhanced flavor and effect.

Twaxing boosts the potency and can enhance the flavor of your joint, but it requires careful handling due to the stickiness and high potency of THC distillate. It’s essential to start with a small amount to avoid overconsumption and to ensure even distribution to prevent uneven burning.

Making Topicals

THC distillate can be used to make topicals such as creams, balms, or lotions. To create a topical with distillate such as cannabis-infused coconut oil, start by gently heating a base like coconut oil, shea butter, or beeswax, and then mix in the desired amount of THC distillate. Optional additives like essential oils or vitamins can be included for additional benefits. Once mixed, pour the topical into your desired container to cool and solidify.

Read More: Can THC Be Absorbed Through Skin?

Using THC distillate in topicals offers high potency and purity, allowing for precise dosing and a clean product free from impurities. Topicals made with THC distillate provide localized relief from pain and inflammation without the psychoactive effects, making them suitable for users seeking therapeutic benefits without intoxication.

What Is A THC Distillate Syringe?

A THC distillate syringe contains pure cannabis oil, offering versatility in various consumption methods such as edibles, topicals, and dabbing. By drawing the desired amount of THC distillate into the syringe, users can dispense it for their preferred consumption method.

THC syringes offer versatility and convenience. They can be easily used for dabbing, sublingual dosing, or enhancing joint rolling with infused drops. Additionally, adding THC distillate to recipes allows for convenient and potent infusion into various foods, as well as a precise dosing method that may help prevent overconsumption. The potency of distillate oil makes THC syringes a practical choice for those seeking a potent cannabis experience.

Final Takeaway

THC distillate is a very pure and potent product that offers great benefits to patients and recreational consumers alike. The unique and technical extraction process used to produce distillate makes this cannabis concentrate one of the best. Not to mention that it can be consumed in all sorts of fun ways, from vape pens to edibles to joints.

Wondering if THC distillate is a good option for your medical situation and lifestyle? Chat with a cannabis coach to find out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make THC distillate at home?

Yes, making cannabis distillate at home is possible with the appropriate equipment and expertise. However, to achieve the desired purity and potency, you’ll need specialized tools such as a short-path distillation kit and proficiency in chemical handling. Due to safety considerations, only experienced cannabis experts should attempt to make THC distillate at home.

Is THC distillate safe?

Yes, THC distillates can be considered safe when used responsibly and in accordance with proper dosing guidelines. For medical purposes, individuals should adhere to their doctor’s recommendations. When used recreationally, it’s crucial to be mindful of dosage, as even a very small dose can contain between 15 to 20 mg of THC.

Despite their appeal for their high potency and purity, THC distillates should be approached with caution. Inexperienced cannabis users, especially, may experience adverse effects with larger doses, such as heightened anxiety and panic. Therefore, users should exercise caution and moderation to avoid potential negative side effects.

What is the difference between THC distillate and cannabis oils?

Unlike other cannabis oils, distillate is pure THC  extract and does not contain any additives, such as carrier oils, that are typically used in other cannabis oils and tinctures on the market today. However, if not extracted professionally there could be residual solvents. Additionally, because distillate has gone through the decarboxylation process, it is activated. This means that, unlike some cannabis concentrates, it can be added directly to foods or collected in capsules since it will produce effects upon consumption.

Is distillate stronger than dabs?

Yes, distillate is generally stronger than most types of dabs. In general, distillates tend to be some of the strongest forms of concentrate, with THC levels that can go up to 99%.

Does distillate get you high?

Yes, distillate will get you high. Known for its strong potency and purity, distillates are some of the most concentrated cannabis products on the market, appreciated by medical cannabis patients for their strength and effectiveness. Inexperienced users should approach distillate use with caution or risk adverse effects such as anxiety or paranoia.

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This article was originally published on 10/13/22. Updated on 5/14/24.