Cannabis Concentrates: Buying Guide + Delivery Options in Orange County

Cannabis concentrates are among the fastest-growing cannabis product categories in California, especially for experienced users who appreciate their more potent and flavorful offerings than traditional flower.

Sure, it can be intimidating to use, but there are many varieties of concentrates that are beginner-friendly when used responsibly.

In this guide, let’s talk about everything you need to know about cannabis concentrates: the different types, how they’re made, a buying guide, and how you can get cannabis concentrates delivery in Orange County and surrounding areas via On Deck Delivery.

What Are Cannabis Concentrates?

As the name suggests, a cannabis concentrate is an extract of the cannabis plant that isolates the plant material from the active cannabinoids that give the desired outcome (THC for the psychoactive high, and CBD for the therapeutic effect) and the terpenes that give marijuana its distinct flavor and aroma.

In essence, it’s very similar to the cannabis oil we use in vapes, except for the consistency, the intended use, and how they are made. To put it simply, all cannabis oils are concentrates, but not all concentrates are oils.

Concentrates also tend to have a higher potency and cannabinoid content when compared to the cannabis buds, which is why you would only need to use a small amount (just a tiny speck!) to reap their benefits.

How Cannabis Concentrates Are Made

It starts the trichomes, the tiny, mushroom-like glands found on the cannabis plant where the cannabinoids and terpenes are concentrated. The trichomes are separated from the plant via two primary approaches: solvent-based and solventless extraction.

The way a concentrate is extracted affects the final product’s flavor, aroma, texture, and consistency.

Solvent-Based Extraction

Cannabis shatter, wax, crumble, and live resin are products of solvent-based extraction, in which producers use solvents such as butane, propane, or CO₂ to strip the desired cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material.

The initial extracts are purged and purified to ensure minimal to no solvent remains in the final product.

Solventless Extraction

The solventless method uses mechanical extraction processes that rely solely on heat, pressure, or ice to isolate trichomes, with no chemicals or solvents added.

Concentrates obtained through solventless extraction are typically more expensive and considered top-shelf due to the labor-intensive process and lower yields.

Consumers who seek minimally processed products usually prefer these types of concentrates.

Types of Cannabis Concentrates

Live Resin

The live resin is among the most popular cannabis concentrates made with flash-frozen cannabis plants to preserve the terpene-rich flavor and aroma.

Live resins are considered a premium product and, depending on their consistency, can be used for vaping or dabbing.

On Deck Delivery offers curated live resin delivered to your home. While there are many forms of live resin (just like what you may also use for vaping), these particular live resins are curated in sauce form, which you can enjoy as is or with THC diamonds.

Check them out below!

Live Rosin

This is a full-spectrum cannabis concentrate that’s also made from flash-frozen plant material, but unlike live resin, it uses a solventless extraction method. Because of its rich, robust flavor and potency, live rosin is a favorite among cannabis connoisseurs.

It can be really expensive, given its labor-intensive nature and low yield, but the experience is almost always worth it, especially when used properly and responsibly.

Check out our live rosin concentrates here!

Wax

Cannabis wax is also a highly potent concentrate made from resin-rich trichomes, but what sets it apart is the final processing step that gives it a unique texture. Cannabis wax is whipped to physically alter its structure, turning sticky, liquid cannabis oil into a manageable, creamy, or crumbly consistency.

Depending on the temperature used and how long the wax is whipped, it can produce two distinct end products: badder (or budder) and crumble.

Badder has a soft, creamy consistency like peanut butter or cake frosting, which results from heating the oil while gently whisking it, while crumble has a drier, honeycomb-like texture that happens when the oil is whisked vigorously at lower temperatures.

Either end-product is easy to portion, handle, and use, making them popular options for dabbers.

Live Diamonds/ THC Diamonds

Diamonds are among the purest concentrates of THC, often reaching at 99% purity. “Live” because they are extracted from fresh-frozen plants, and “Diamond” because of their crystalline structure.

The effects are intense, making diamonds best suited for experienced cannabis consumers. When consumed as is, it can give a one-dimensional high (because it contains little to no terpenes), so mixing it with a terp sauce is recommended for a more enjoyable experience.

Shatter

This is another type of cannabis concentrate in solid form, but unlike diamonds, it has a glass-like texture that easily breaks off or shatters when handled.

A shatter’s usual colors are clear to amber. It is made from solvent-extracted cannabis oil, which is left to dry and settle into a solid sheet after the purging process.

Cannabis shatter is highly potent, and because of its form, it is often stable for storage.

Hash

Hashish, or hash for short, is a traditional cannabis concentrate made by dry-sieving or hand-rolling the plant’s powdery trichomes (kief) and compressing them into blocks or chunks by using heat and pressure, without using any solvent in the whole process.

If the trichomes are separated from the plant by agitating it in ice-cold water, then drying it before compressing, it is called a Bubble Hash.

A hash’s texture is crumbly or sandy to greasy and oily. It can be mixed into edibles, added to flowers when smoking, or consumed as is.

Ways to Use Cannabis Concentrates

1. Dabbing

This is the common way to consume cannabis concentrates. Dabbing works by adding a tiny amount of concentrate to a heated surface to vaporize it, then inhaling the vapor.

It requires a dab rig that looks a lot like a bong, but instead of a bowl (where you would put the flower), it has a nail or banger (a pre-heated surface often made of quartz or titanium) to place the concentrate on.

For portability, some consumers prefer dab pens, which work like a dab rig but can be taken anywhere, like a vape pen or a dry herb vaporizer.

Dabbing is often recommended for experienced consumers due to its potency and specialized equipment.

2. Adding Concentrates to Flower

Whether you’re smoking a joint or in a bowl, try adding a tiny speck or sprinkle of concentrates on your flower to take your experience to a whole other level.

Try the sandwich method: layer your bowl or bong with flower, then concentrate, then flower, before lighting it up to smoke or vaporize. You can do this with your crumble, hash, live resin, or rosin.

For joints, you can try twaxing, where you either add the concentrate inside the joint, wrap it outside the joint, or simply coat the tip as you smoke.

The best concentrates to use when twaxing are shatter, hash, wax, or rosin.

3. Infusing to Edibles

Just like cannabis distillates, concentrates like shatter or wax can also be infused in edibles, such as gummies, chocolates, and baked goods.

To do this, you have to activate the cannabinoids by gently heating the concentrate in the oven, then adding it to carrier fats like butter or oil, and adding this infused ingredient to your usual recipes.

The onset effect may take longer than smoking or vaping, about 2 hours or less, but the effect will definitely last longer.

Interested in cannabis edibles? Check out our most popular edibles and drinks here!

Cannabis Concentrate Buying Guide for Beginners

1. Start With Lower Potency Products

Because concentrates are highly potent, even just the tiniest amount can give you the most impact, especially for beginners.

Check the label for the cannabinoid content (usually seen as a percentage) and the formulations. Depending on your desired experience, you can get a THC-only product for its psychoactive effect, or a THC-CBD product for a more balanced high + therapeutic effect.

Whatever you choose, start with the lower potency ones (40% to 60% THC). Gauge your tolerance first before moving to standard potency ones (60% to 80%), and later to high potency products (80% to 90+%).

2. Choose the Right Product Type

Beginners are often recommended to try cannabis vape carts instead because it’s the easiest to consume, but if you want to try other cannabis concentrates, your best options are hash or kief, crumble, or badder.

Either kief or hash is easier to divide into smaller portions and can be added to a standard flower bowl or joint. They also have the least intimidating potency compared to other extracts.

Crumble is basically the same: you just pinch off a portion and add it to your bowl or blunt. Badder, on the other hand, will require a special dabbing tool, being a malleable, creamy concentrate, but it’s also highly flavorful and may give a good first impression to beginners.

3. Learn About Terpenes

Check the label for the terpene content of your cannabis concentrate, as this determines the product’s flavor and aroma, which will play a big role in your overall experience.

Here are the most common terpenes you’ll see and what they mean:

• Myrcene – earthy, musky, and herbal; could be deeply relaxing and sedating
• Limonene – sharp and bright citrusy flavor; uplifting, mood-boosting, and stress-relieving
• Beta-Caryophyllene – peppery, spicy, and woody; grounding and calming effects
• Pinene – fresh and earthy, like pine, for mental clarity and focus
• Linalool – floral and sweet, like lavender; calming and soothing

Read more about terpenes in this article!

4. Check the Certificate of Analysis

Remember: reputable products always have a Certificate of Analysis that verifies their potency and safety, as well as the brand’s legitimacy.

To check the COA, scan the QR code on the packaging, check the brand’s website, or ask a member of staff to provide it. Make sure that the information on the COA matches the actual product you have, because some illegal dispensaries recycle this document, so you’ve got to be careful!

If you have your cannabis concentrates delivered via On Deck Delivery, you don’t have to worry about the product’s legitimacy and safety because we only partner with trusted and legitimate brands in California.

Cannabis Concentrates Safety Tips

1. Start Low and Go Slow

Concentrates tend to be more potent than flowers, so the key here is to start low (the lowest dosage possible) and go slow (wait for the effects for a couple of minutes before taking another puff), especially for beginners.

With concentrates, a single dab may equal smoking a whole joint!

2. Choose the Right Method

Harsh, high-temperature dabbing setups may be too much for some, especially beginners. Leave the complicated setup to the experts for the meantime, and opt for more portable, convenient options, like a dab pen or topping it on flowers or joints.

3. Temperature Control

Because using cannabis concentrates requires working with heat, you have to be mindful of the temperature you use for safety purposes and for maximizing your concentrate’s potency.

Overheating destroys the flavor and can release harsh smoke. In general, the ideal temperature for dabbing is between 450°F and 550°F.

4. Store Concentrates Properly

Storing your cannabis concentrates is equally important as using them properly. After all, improper storage can degrade terpenes and cannabinoids, leading to product waste.

Make sure to keep your concentrates in a cool, dark place, in their original packaging. Protect them from heat and sunlight to preserve their potency, and keep them out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidents.

5. Never Drive Under the Influence

Driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal and punishable under California law.

Consume your cannabis responsibly and only in private properties. If you must commute, plan your transportation in advance by designating a driver or using a ridesharing service.

Why Choose On Deck Delivery for Cannabis Concentrates Delivery in Orange County, CA?

Stock up on your favorite cannabis products without disrupting your schedule! With On Deck Delivery’s website, you’ll experience fast and convenient ordering of cannabis concentrates, flowers, pre-rolls, vapes, carts, and edibles without leaving your couch.

Spend more time enjoying the celebration and less time shopping! If you live in On Deck’s coverage areas:

• You do not have to drive, find parking, or wait in a lobby.
• You can compare flowers, vapes, edibles, and more at your own pace.
• You get weed delivered to your door in about 60 to 90 minutes in many cases, depending on traffic.
• If something goes wrong, you can call (562) 670-5987 during 10 AM – 10 PM or reach out on the contact page at https://ondeckdelivery.com/contact/.

Our services are available in Orange County and the surrounding areas, including Fullerton, La Habra, La Puente, Anaheim, Whittier, Brea, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Placentia, Orange, Norwalk, Los Angeles, and the San Gabriel Valley.

FAQs

Are cannabis concentrates stronger than cannabis flower?

Yes, cannabis concentrates generally contain much higher levels of THC than cannabis flower because they are made by extracting and concentrating the plant’s active compounds.

Because of this, you’ll only need a small amount of concentrates, and beginners should start with a very low dose.

What’s the difference between live resin and live rosin?

Live resin and live rosin are both made from fresh-frozen cannabis plants to preserve cannabinoids and terpenes, but they differ in how they’re extracted.

Live resin is produced using a solvent-based extraction process, while live rosin is made without solvents using only heat and pressure.

However, both are considered premium cannabis concentrates.

Are cannabis concentrates suitable for beginners?

Cannabis concentrates can be suitable for beginners, but they should be approached with caution because of their high potency.

Beginner-friendly options, such as low-dose vape cartridges or disposable vapes, may be easier to use than products like wax or shatter.

New consumers should start with a small amount and wait to see how the product affects them before consuming more.

Can I have cannabis concentrates delivered to my home in Orange County or surrounding Southern California cities?

Definitely! Licensed California cannabis delivery services can legally deliver cannabis concentrates to eligible customers, including On Deck Delivery!

We can deliver your favorite cannabis products if you live in Orange County and many surrounding Southern California communities, including Fullerton, Anaheim, Brea, La Habra, Placentia, Yorba Linda, Whittier, Diamond Bar, La Puente, Norwalk, parts of Los Angeles, and the San Gabriel Valley.

Just present your valid government-issued ID at delivery to ensure you meet California’s age requirement.

Learn more about how you can celebrate with cannabis! Check out our other blog titles linked below:

• Cannabis Edibles: Buying Guide, Tips + Cannabis Delivery Options
• Weed Delivery vs. Going to a Dispensary in OC and LA
• The Ultimate 2026 Father’s Day Cannabis Gift Guide

Check out On Deck Delivery’s various cannabis products available for same-day delivery within Orange County!