There are many types of cannabis concentrates and oil in the PA medical marijuana program. There is BHO, LLR, CO2, and distillates.
BHO
BHO stands for Butane Hash Oil. This method uses butane as a solvent and passes it through the cannabis bud allowing the cannabinoids to separate from the plant material. All of the leftover butane is vacuumed out and just the cannabinoids and terpenes are left. BHO requires decarboxylation which means you have to heat it up to turn the THCA to THC. Cresco sells BHO disposable pens in the PA medical marijuana program.
LLR
LLR stands for Live Liquid Resin. The cannabis plants are flash frozen directly after harvest to preserve the terpenes. A solvent such as butane is then used to remove the cannabinoids from the plant material. LLR must be heated to use. Many companies such as Cresco, Grassroots, and Prime create some of the best LLR cartridges in the program.
CO2
This method takes cannabis plants that have already been dried and cured. Cooled fluid CO2 is passed through the cannabis to extract the terpenes and cannabinoids. This is considered the safest extraction method, but it usually produces a liquid that is too thick to vaporize so food grade terpenes are usually added to change the viscosity and add flavor. GTI Rhythm has some of the best CO2 cartridges in the program.
Distillate
Distillates are also processed using CO2, but after extracted, it is refined into a liquid that is 99% pure. Distillates are usually a clear or light amber color. Gleaf and Terrapin have some of the best distillate cartridges.
