Why it matters
Distillation separates compounds by boiling point. For cannabis, short-path distillation isolates THC or CBD into a thick, near-clear oil at very high purity. The process strips out almost all terpenes, fats, and waxes, leaving an essentially flavourless concentrate.
In practice
Distillate is the workhorse format for edible production and for cheap vape cartridges. Terpenes are often re-added after distillation; the result is potent but tastes thinner than live resin.
Common confusion
Distillate is sometimes treated as “pure cannabis.” It is pure cannabinoid; the rest of the plant is mostly missing.
This glossary entry is editorial content reviewed against primary sources. It is not medical advice. See our Editorial Policy.
