Many regulators and business owners are trying to understand the relationship between marijuana flower and concentrated product. They are often seeking information about both yields and potency. In other topics Adilas420 presents a detailed explanation of how the medical regulations and adult user regulations define usable marijuana amounts and limits.  In this topic, we will explore some examples. 

In working through the following examples, it is important to remember a few things: 

1. Yield is different than potency of THC (or any other element of the cannabis plant). We have to compare apples to apples when calculating a dry weight equivalent (DWE). 
2. Because of the change in the form of the matter, you may be tempted to use different units of measurement. We may transition between grams and milligrams (mg) and we may also talk in Ounces (oz) or millimeters (ml). Keep it simple and focus on the gram! But as a helpful resource we can provide you a reminder on converting units of measure.
   1. 1 gram = 1000 mg
   2. 1 ml = 1 gram
   3. 1 oz - 28.4 grams
3. Concentrate is simply the usable marijuana weight (UMW) which is extracted oil or resin from a cannabis plant. A strain that is high in THC will produce a concentrate that weighs high in THC. We may produce concentrates with a focus on other cannabinoids or plant materials including but not limited to CBD or terpenes.  
4. The state of MA has defined a formula for dry weight equivalent for marijuana infused products (MIPS), including concentrates, under medical guidance, This can be complicated and is discussed in more detail in another Adilas420 topic.  In short, using the Colorado Department of Health suggestions, the state assumes an industry average of a 19% yield of usable marijuana material through the extraction process. For example, 1 oz, or 28.4 grams of marijuana produces 19% yield of concentrated resin, oil or material. Using an ounce, this would be a concentration of 5.3.  They have used 5.3 as a multiplier of the final yield weight to determine how much usable marijuana went into the product. Under the adult use regulations, they have dropped the concept of dry weight equivalent and instead define how much usable marijuana weight can be sold, limiting concentrated products to a round number of 5 grams of usable marijuana. (Or is it THC?). 

Below are examples of what I understand the process to be for calculating usable marijuana weights and dry weight equivalents for concentrates, tinctures, edibles or any other infused product for either adult use or medical cannabis sales in MA. 

Assuming the amount of marijuana means “the amount of cannabis extract or concentrate” and not THC the following cannabis manufacturing processes and records can be created. The following explains how to calculate usable marijuana weight (UMW) and the dry weight equivalent (DWE). UMW will be used for adult use sales, while DWE will be used for medical. In these example, we also assume MAX THC means delta 9 THC + THCA. We will also present expected results for Max THC as these additional limits do apply under the adult use regulations .

Examples of Usable Marijuana Weight (UMW) and Marijuana Dry Weight Equivalence (DWE):

Process for Wax: 

1. We start with 1200 grams material bud or trim. This strain (or specific material), through current or historic test results, we know could have a potential “MAX THC” of 13% or 156 grams. 
2. The extractor processes through C02, BHO or similar extraction processes. 
3. Final yield of wax (shatter or oil) is approx 15% or 180grams. Remember, up to 156 grams could be MAX THC. 
   • Let's keep this example simple and say that only one product was produced here. The rest (1020 grams) is waste. 
4. Extractor will record -1020 waste grams and 180 grams of usable marijuana weight (Item name: Wax). 
5. We can assume the extra 2%(+/-) of that yield is other cannabinoids, terpenes and maybe some other small matter. (15%-13% known THC = 2%). 
6. Of the 15% yield, we know that it could still only be 156 grams MAX THC. 156 grams of the 180 grams means this product could be up to 86% THC.

*As a note, we will never be able to recover 100% of the max THC, from the original source. Some oils, waxes or products may contain more plant material or solvent than others. Also, product used such as trim or small nugs often tests lower than top buds from the harvest batch. So this number is often significantly lower than test results using bud samples as we do not capture 100% of that potential THC. 

Test results come back and may confirm +/- 80% total THC:

• UMW = 1 gram of wax 
• Approximately 7% delta 9 THC (70mg or .07grams) 
• Approximately 73% (730mgs or .73grams) THCA.
• There is a max THC of 80% or 800mg in 1 gram. 

Confirm final yield:

• 180 usable marijuana grams
• Packaged into 90 .5g units. 
• Sold as UMW: .5g
• DWE: 2.65 (.5x5.3)
• MAX THC: 80% or .4g, 400mg per package. 

Process for Tinctures: 

1. 1500 grams of raw material (bud or trim). Product test results = 14% MAX THC (potential of 210 grams THC).
2. Decarboxylate to activate THC. (Weight change?)
3. Soak in 5 Galons 18,925 grams ethanol (5gal)
4. Total container (NET weight) weight=20,425 grams (or 20,425 ML or 20.4L). This container is still containing 1500 grams usable marijuana. 
5. Filter / Process / extracted with 80% waste and unusable product. Roughly 20% yield.
6. Record: Total usable marijuana weight to waste, unusable product. In this example of there would be 1200 grams waste.
7. Remaining usable marijuana weight = 300 grams.  (1500g-1200g) stored in a carboy.
8. Weigh tincture product, internally account for any other evap / loss of net weight (ethanol)
   1. Total for this example: Remaining net weight 16L (16000 grams) with 300 grams of usable marijuana. 
9. Record -300 grams usable marijuana bud or trim + 300 grams yield usable marijuana tincture
10. Document and label final tincture NET weight. ~ 16000ML (carboy - 16L or 16000 grams) with 300 grams usable marijuana (1.8% marijuana). 
11. Of that 1.8% (or 300grams) marijuana, we know it still has a max THC of 210.28 grams. 210/300 = The product itself, could be up to 70% (.7 grams or 700 milligrams) MAX THC per gram of usable marijuana.
12. Send out for testing. Test 1ML. (1ML = 1gram). Test results will come back yielding:
    • Product weight: 1 gram (1ML)
    • UMW: .018 grams or 18mg (1.8% of the ML)
    • Max THC: .012 grams or 12mg (70% +/- of UMW)
13. When packaging or selling a 14ML bottle =

• • UMW = .252g or 252mg = (.018*14)
  • DWE = 1.3356g or .05oz = (.252*5.3)
  • MAX THC = .168g or 168mg = (.012 X 14)
  • A suggested serving size of 5mg THC would equal .41 ML or .4grams tincture.

When packaging into a 28ML bottle

• • UMW = .505g or 505mgs = (.018*28)
  • DWE = 2.676g  or .094 oz =(.505*5.3)
  • MAX THC = .336g or 336mg = (.012 X 28)

Process for Edibles 

• Now, let’s look at an example of putting shatter or wax and tincture oil into an edible or topical. Lets use the test results from our first example of wax (shatter or oil). 
• UMW = for 1 gram of wax = 1 gram of usable marijuana. 
  • Approximately 7% delta 9 THC (70mg or .07grams) and 73% (730mgs or .73grams) THCA. There is a max THC of 80% or 800mg in 1 gram. 
• The kitchen wants to produce 100 gummies. They will then package 20 gummies into 5 packages to make an item called “Gummy 20 Pack” which will have no more than 100mgs THC, 5 mgs per serving. 
• The kitchen would use a total of 500mgs THC or .625 grams of usable marijuana (500/800).
• The .625 is divided amongst the 100 gummies = .625/100 = .00625 or 6.25mgs usable marijuana weight for each gummy. We still know that of that 6.25mgs, Max THC is 80%. 6.25*.8 = Max THC 5mgs per gummy. 
• Now, we can package them up into 5 packs, each with 20 gummies and report:
  • a usable marijuana weight of .12 grams or 120mg (.006*20)
  •  The DWE, under the MA medical regulations would be .636 grams or .02oz (.12*5.3) for each pack. 
  • .1 gram or 100mgs MAX THC per pack with 5mgs MAX THC per serving.

If you still have questions, contact us or checkout the other topics explaining usable marijuana weights and DWE. 

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