You’ve probably heard about dabs – those super concentrated forms of cannabis that seem to be all the rage nowadays. As dabs continue to grow in popularity due to their potency and versatility, more and more cannabis consumers are trying to understand exactly what they are and how much they cost.
We’ll go over all you need to know about these strong cannabis concentrates in this beginner’s guide to dabs price so you can decide if adding them to your regimen is worthwhile. We’ll go over the many kinds of edibles, factors that affect the costs you pay at shops, how to get good bargains, how to calculate serving sizes, and even how to store your sticky concentrates.
So whether you are completely new to the world beyond flower or an experienced dab enthusiast, strap in for an entertaining dive into understanding exactly how much dabs cost – and how to maximize their value. Let’s get rolling!
What is the average cost of waxing specific areas of the body, such as dabs?
The average cost of waxing specific areas of body waxed, such as dabs, can vary depending on the salon and location. On average, expect to pay between $20 to $70 per area. Factors such as the size of the area, type of wax used, and the expertise of the esthetician can also impact the cost.
What Are Dabs?
Before we break down why certain dabs cost more than others, let’s quickly cover what exactly dabs are. These highly-concentrated marijuana products go by many names – wax, shatter, budder, concentrates – but what binds them together is that they all contain incredibly high levels of THC.
We’re talking 60-95% THC compared to 15-25% you would find in traditional cannabis flower. Dabs also highlight specific cannabis compounds like terpenes and cannabinoids, making for a very customized high.
Types of Dabs
There are a few main types of cannabis concentrates that fall into the dabs category:
Shatter – A clear, glass-like cannabis extract that breaks into sharp pieces when handled. It has high THC levels ranging from 60-95%.
Wax – A softer, opaque concentrate with a wax-like consistency. Varieties include budder, crumble, honeycomb, and badder. THC levels range from 50-80%.
Live Resin – A concentrate made with fresh frozen cannabis plants rather than dried buds resulting in enhanced terpene preservation. Extremely flavorful with complex effects. THC can reach up to 80%.
Rosin – Created by applying heat and pressure to cannabis flower to extract cannabinoids and terpenes. A high quality solventless option with melty texture. Maxes out around 70% THC typically.
Extraction Methods
The way in which trichome heads are extracted from plant material and turned into dabs also plays a major role in end pricing. There are two primary types of extraction used:
Solvent-Based – Butane, propane, CO2 and ethanol are used to strip trichomes from plant material and then purged during production. These methods lead to very high THC concentrations.
Solventless – Utilizes water, heat and pressure to mechanically separate trichomes. Considered a more natural, full spectrum extraction without residual solvents. Ice water hash and rosin are popular varieties.
Solventless concentrates typically cost a bit more due to the labor-intensive process while also providing a premium end product. We’ll explore pricing differences a bit later.
Dabs Pricing Factors
Now that you know what dabs actually are, what goes into making them and the core types available, we can dive into the variables that influence the final cost you’ll pay. Dabs pricing ultimately comes down to four key factors:
Extraction Method & Quality
As we just explored, there are key differences in terms of equipment, processing, purity and retention of terpenes between solvent-based and solventless methods. These lead to major gaps in terms of sale price.
For example, high-quality ice water hash and rosin tend to be more expensive compared to butane hash oil (BHO) shatter even when THC percentages are lower. You are paying a premium for that clean extraction.
Equipment used also plays a role. State-of-the-art closed loop systems to extract using butane or CO2 cost much more than DIY hair straightener rosin presses. Those costs trickle down into what dispensaries charge for the end concentrates.
Finally, starting material makes a huge difference. The same top shelf flower that costs $60 per eighth out the door will also produce far superior dabs compared to pounds of trim shake bought at bulk rate. Garbage in, garbage out as they say.
Location & Market Dynamics
The old real estate adage about location being key definitely also applies to cannabis pricing. Local supply and demand economics have a major influence over what you might pay for a gram of wax versus an edible dominant market like Florida.
Recreational states obviously have substantially more competitive pricing compared to restrictive medical-only markets as well. And even within the same state, you can see up to a 30% price fluctuation from one city to the next based on dispensary density and access to local producers.
For example, California dispensaries located in Los Angeles wholesale districts consistently offer better deals on extracts versus those catering to higher income tourists in beach cities. Finding your own best bang for your buck may require some comparison shopping between dispensaries in your area.
Brands & Reputation
DaVinci and Rembrandt are etched into history as two of the greatest artists of all time. And just like in art markets, brand names carry a lot of weight when it comes to cannabis concentrates as well.
Esteemed Golden State producers like Raw Garden, Blue River, and Friendly Farms built their reputations through years of cultivating amazing flower. They leverage that trust with customers to charge premium rates for dabs, especially live resins that spotlight exotic terpene expressions.
Lesser known brands without that history need to win over consumer faith and loyalty before they can get away with marking up their wax.
So while that no-name shatter may look exactly like a market leader, compare testing results and talk to budtenders before assuming what you can afford equates to equal quality.
Dispensary Deals & Discounts
This brings us to how hunting for dab deals and discounts at your dispensary can substantially reduce costs. Many offer special bulk pricing on concentrates – it is quite common to see options like:
– 5 grams of wax/shatter for $100
– 8 grams of budder for $150
– Mix and match quarter ounces across brands for $350
Loyalty programs provide another avenue to slash what you pay over time through points and exclusive promotions. For example, one dispensary offers a free edible on your birthday and 15% off all concentrates every 10 visits.
Daily happy hours, header specials across categories, and even product restocks all tend to feature temporary price reductions as well. Download dispenary apps and sign up for text or email lists to stay on top of deals in your area.
Buying Dabs from Dispensaries
Understanding the typical pricing landscape for dabs and being strategic with hunting deals is the foundation. But what can you expect to pay right now and how do you determine what is actually a good value? Let’s explore current pricing and tips for getting the best bang for your bud-get when purchasing cannabis concentrates.
Types of Discounts
Beyond the larger bulk purchase discounts we already highlighted, here are some additional types of deals and price reductions to look out for:
**Daily Happy Hours** – Discounts during set hours each day. For example, 20% off vape cartridges from 2 pm – 5 pm daily.
**Loyalty Rewards** – Points earned and redeemed for free products or savings each visit through loyalty programs.
**First Time Deals** – One time discounts for new patients or members. Could be a free edible, pre-roll, or flat 20% off.
**Product Bundles** – Mix and match products across categories and save versus purchasing individually.
**Holiday Promotions** – Extract brands and dispensaries run major discounts on 4/20, 7/10, Black Friday, etc.
Average Pricing at Dispensaries
Now that you know how to uncover deals, what can you expect to pay right now on average when purchasing dabs? Pricing will vary drastically based on your location and market dynamics but here are benchmark ranges:
– Grams of Wax/Shatter: $20 – $60
– Grams of Live Resin: $45 – $80
– Grams of Rosin: $60 – $100
– Ounces of Wax/Shatter: $400 – $1200
– Ounces of Live Resin: $800 – $1600
As you can see, there are major price differences across concentrate types. Live resins fetch higher pricing due to that premium extraction process while rosins take the crown for most expensive options averaging over $65 grams.
For comparison, average pricing for traditional cannabis flower tends to be:
– Grams: $10 – $20
– Eighths: $30 – $60
– Ounces: $200 – $400
So while dabs offer significant potency benefits, the pricing can be hard to swallow for casual consumers. Using deals and discounts will be key to not overspending.
Dabs Measurements
With traditional cannabis flower, measurements are pretty straightforward – you are likely buying by the gram, eighth, quarter ounce, half ounce, or full ounce increments. But what about when it comes to quantities of wax and cannabis concentrates? Let’s decode the typical size volumes and weights you will encounter when buying dabs.
Weights
**Grams** – The most standard measurement you will see is by the single gram. A gram of shatter or wax is perfect for sampling strains or concentrates types at lower cost.
**1/8th** – Equivalent to an “eighth” of an ounce or 3.5 grams. A step up from the single gram but still very reasonable for personal use.
**Quarter Ounce** – Two eighths make a quarter. Seven grams allowing you to sample a wider variety or save through bulk discounting.
**Ounce** – The bulk standard unit of cannabis. Most dispensaries offer best pricing for full ounces (28 grams) of dabs allowing stocking up a variety of strains.
Volumes
Concentrates like vape cartridges, disposables pens, and syringes full of RSO all utilize volume measurements like milliliters (ml) instead of weighing. Some key increments you’ll see:
**.5 ml Cartridges** – Half gram carts are the smallest vape option – perfect for new users or sampling strains.
**1 ml Cartridges** – One gram vape cartridges are vastly most popular meeting most consumer’s supply needs.
**1 ml Syringes** – Useful for refilling carts yourself or getting RSO cannabis oil to take sublingually or via edibles.
Average Dose & Potency
How many puffs or servings should you actually expect from a gram of wax? This depends greatly on the THC percentages, your individual body chemistry and tolerance, consumption method, and more. But here are some ballpark estimates:
– Gram of Wax – 10-15 average doses
– Half Gram Cartridge – 30-50 puffs
– Full Gram Cartridge – 75-100 puffs
As you can see having harder numbers makes it easier to conceptualize the value differences across product formats – a half gram cartridge equating to 3-5x uses over the approximately same priced single gram of wax.
Always start low with dosing – around 5mg of THC – until you understand how a particular dab product affects you specifically. The price per high will be substantially lower even with more expensive options if you pace consumption.
Storing Dabs
To preserve all that precious THC you just spent top dollar on, proper storage methods are crucial. Three key principles for keeping your concentrates fresh over longer periods:
**1. Utilize Airtight Glass** – Glass concentrate jars with silicon sealed lids block airflow and moisture from degrading terpenes.
**2. Cool, Dark Locations** – Keep dabs stored away from light and heat sources like stove tops or windowsills.
**3. Monitor Timelines** – Concentrates maintain peak potency for 6-12 months. Refrigerate if wanting multi-year storage capacity.
Following that best practice storage advice, your expensive live resins and rosins will stay just as sticky and aromatically complex as the day you brought them home.
Key Takeaways
We just went on a 3000 word journey demystifying cannabis concentrates pricing – which can definitely feel like a maze your first time exploring dabs. Let’s recap the key tips to understand what impacts costs and how to track down best values:
**Types & Quality** – Live resins, rosins, and top shelf extraction command higher pricing but offer enhanced experiences. Compare testing and brands.
**Shop Discounts** – Loyalty programs, daily deals, and buying bulk will be your budget’s best friend.
**Consume Mindfully** – Start low with dosing and use precision devices to maximize value from each gram purchased.
Armed with this practical knowledge, you can now shop dispensaries with confidence and substantially more peace of mind around pricing on your exciting dabs adventures. So what are you waiting for? Go enjoy exploring the concentrates menu with your new understanding around exactly how much dabs cost!