While we have identified a large number of efficacious compounds in the cannabis plant, we have also found that these compounds are enhanced when combined. Still, many find that when the plant is processed down to this level, you get a much different high than what you would have experienced with the original cannabis flower. Some see this as undesirable and strive to isolate everything but certain cannabinoids like THC or CBD. Feels like the Flowerĭarker concentrates contain more of the plant. That isn’t to say that there are no clean clear extracts, but according to cannabis testing company, Steep Hill Labs, there is an increased likelihood of contamination.Ĭompletely solventless options like rosin or water hash are guaranteed to be solvent-free (because no chemical solvents are used in the process) but they tend to be darker in color. This means that it is more difficult to purge the remaining chemical solvents and more likely to be residual solvents left in the extract. The process used to achieve clear transparent shatter usually involves solvents like BHO and when those solvents are removed, the temperature must be kept low. Less Processing – Less SolventsĮxtracts are made through a variety of processes, and those processes can affect the resulting color. In fact, there are a variety of reasons to prefer darker concentrates. Still this myth doesn’t hold up to the scientific facts - there is no real correlation between light color and quality.

The myth is that color is a marker of quality, and the lighter the color - the purer and more refined the extract is. In our current extract market, there is definitely a similar bias towards extracts that are clear and light in color.

Flour and eggs are bleached to achieve the ideal white. Oranges are dyed to a vibrant orange, butter to the perfect creamy yellow. In food marketing, this has led to artificial dyes for a variety of common foods. If something has a strange color, we don’t want to risk that it has gone bad so we avoid it. It is part of how we tell if something is safe. Humans are actually very particular about color in items we consume. The market clearly preferred light extracts and buyers at dispensaries all had the same message, “If it’s too dark, it won’t sell.” But why? Could it be that we don’t have much reason to prefer light colored concentrates beyond visual bias? The dark concentrates that I strongly preferred were going for far less money than those that were more light and clear. But when I started working for an extract company, I realized what a bad reputation dark extracts have. Personally, I’ve always loved darker concentrates. Light or dark extracts, clear or opaque, gooey or hard and brittle there are a lot of options.

If you’ve ever gone shopping for a cannabis extract you have probably seen how much variety there is.

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