Marijuana has been legalized and how society views marijuana use has changed. It is now more socially acceptable to use marijuana, both for medicinal purposes and for recreational consumption. This change may have to do with the birth and creation of so many amazingly potent cannabis concoctions that have taken the cannabis experience to a whole new level beyond just smoking pot. Although, the cannabis grown today is extremely potent with high levels of THC most often ranging between 15-30 percent.
Farming is where it all begins. As a cannabis plant matures, it produces buds, the smokable plant material containing the medicine. At harvest time, the plant is cut down and the buds are hung to dry. Once the bud is dry, it is cured. Only then is it ready for consumption (or manufacturing highly potent cannabis concoctions).
There are many cannabis-infused products on the market, all of which can be used and consumed differently. Cannabis can be smoked (in several different ways and forms), ingested orally (eaten or drank), and applied topically to the skin.
Obviously, most of us know that you can smoke fresh cannabis flower in its natural form. To start, you must break up your bud, either by hand or using a grinder. Now you’ve broken down your bud, but how should I smoke it? Of course, you can consume marijuana the good old fashioned way and roll up a doobie (marijuana cigarette). Some people prefer to smoke their flower in a blunt wrap, a thick, cigar-style paper. With blunt wraps, it is important to make sure they are fresh. Dry wraps crack more easily and are harsh to smoke.
But papers and wraps, both flavored and unflavored, can interfere with the quality of smoking superb bud. Therefore, some people prefer to smoke from reusable smoking devices, such as pipes and bongs.
But bud, or cannabis flower, can also be manufactured, or made, into other potent THC concoctions. Through various methods, oils are concentrated and extracted from cannabis plant material. These oils are extremely potent with THC levels higher than that typically found in the best bud (usually 60-90%).
There are a number of dabbable oils (concentrated cannabis extracts) that can either be smoked or vaporized (vaped). Dabs and vapes are portable, discrete, more convenient, and the effects are immediate. It is also believed to provide a cleaner smoking experience.
As I mentioned, there are many dab oils; far too many to describe in detail at this time. My goal here is to inform cannabis consumers and medical marijuana patients alike about what cannabis products are available and how they can be consumed. I will go into more detail about these concentrated extractions for another blog post in the near future.
To keep it simple, concentrated cannabis extracts are categorized based on the following factors:
- the part of the plant used
- concentrates are made from either cannabis trim or the actual buds themselves, called “nugs”
- method of extraction
- solvent-based extractions (use of chemicals)
- solvent-less extraction (using mechanical techniques including heat and pressure)
- type of extraction
- full-spectrum extractions: these concentrates contain many of the natural cannabis chemical compounds
- isolates: a single cannabinoid is isolated and all other compounds are removed resulting in a quality concentrate with the highest potency and purity of the isolated cannabinoid
- appearance or consistency
- how the concentrate looks
- how the concentrate feels
Types of dabs available include, but are not limited to:
- batter
- budder
- BHO (Butane Hash Oil)
- crumble
- diamonds (rocks, stones, gems)
- dry sift or dry sieve (more pure and potent kief)
- frosting
- hash
- honeycomb
- ice water hash (bubble hash)
- icing
- kief
- live resin
- rosin
- sauce
- shatter
- sugar
- wax (Cannabis wax)
Regardless of how they are classified and categorized, these dab oils can be smoked using the same methods. One common way to dab is by using a dab rig (oil rig) and a metal nail. This method requires using a torch to heat the nail until it is red-hot. Then, using the wand (dab tool), apply the dab oil on the heated nail and inhale the smoke produced. The amount of dab oil used will depend on your tolerance and personal experience dabbing. Because this method provides heavy hits and requires a torch, beginners should seek help from someone with more experience.
The next method for dabbing is similar to the dab rig, but is, in my opinion, more sophisticated. Instead of using a torch, this method uses an electronic nail (e-nail) that heats up using a power source. You can also control the temperature, ensuring you get the dab hit that is perfect for you!
This is the method I prefer. Using an e-nail is much safer since no flames are involved. The temperature control is another benefit. Different oils burn differently and, therefore, require the appropriate amount of heat to get the most effective dab without scorching your oil. Having control over the temperature means that you can set it higher or lower as needed, but an e-nail also allows you to maintain a constant temperature. Simply turn on the e-nail, wait until the temperature reads the desired degree, and you’re ready to dab! You can also safely leave your e-nail on all day so it will always be ready to go! This is more of a stationary setup, so have it set up where you always want to do your dabs.
Although this method is safer than using a rig and torch, it is not completely safe. You can burn yourself if you’re not careful because the e-nail itself is heated metal. Just be cautious and keep your body parts away from the hot e-nail. The wand is long enough that you can apply your dab oil safely.
A dab pen is another device for dabs. They are convenient, easy to use, and portable so you can take it with you wherever you go! For these reasons, dab pens extremely popular, but leaves an unpleasant aftertaste.
Pre-filled vaporizer cartridges (vapes) containing highly potent cannabis oils are also available. These pre-filled cartridges are designed to attach to pen type devices, such as an e-cigarette, a vape pen, and even a dab pen. Although these pen type devices differ in design and functionality, they offer the most convenience and discretion when medicating on-the-go. The downfall is that vapes can be quite pricey for heavy smokers.
Another method for smoking dabs (wax), referred to as “T-waxing”, doesn’t require anything fancy. Basically, “Twax” is a rolled up joint consisting of wax mixed with cannabis flower. This is often ineffective and wasteful because the flower burns much faster than the wax. I find it to be more of a pain in the ass.
Cannabis can also be consumed in ways that are smoke-free. Edibles are THC-infused food products that allow you to eat your cannabis instead of smoking it. The good news is anyone can make their own edibles! Cannabis flower can be used to make THC-infused butters, oils, and even milk, which you can use to bake or cook with.
The trouble with edibles is that they take awhile to kick in and in the meantime it is easy to eat more or too much trying to get the desired effects. Another problem with edibles is that most tend to come in the form of sweets (e.g., gummy candies, brownies, cupcakes, etc.). Eating too many sweets for medicinal purposes can cause a whole host of other problems. I feel it may be best to infuse your own butters, oils, and milks for preparing a healthier medicated meal.
Tincture, another cannabis concoction, is an alcohol-based cannabis extract that comes in liquid form. Tincture is basically THC-infused alcohol and, because it is meant to be ingested orally, must be made with food-grade alcohol, such as Everclear, for safe consumption.
Tincture can be administered a few ways. Typically, using a medicine dropper, apply the dose of tincture under your tongue and allow to dissolve. Tincture typically takes 20-30 minutes to take affect when ingested in this manner because it is absorbed by the body more quickly. You can also add tincture to meals and beverages, such as soups, mashed potatoes and gravy, juices, or coffee. When consumed in this manner, the time of onset takes longer and is similar to that of edibles because it takes longer to be absorbed by the body.
There are many benefits of using cannabis tinctures. For one, they are discrete. There is no smell and you can consume them outside your home without alerting anyone. You can also feel the effects more quickly, especially when dissolving under the tongue. But tinctures are also easy to dose. A dose would be your desired number of drops to get the desired effect. If using for the first time, I recommend one drop at first until you know your tolerance. If one drop didn’t effect you the way you intended, then you would try two drops next time and so on.
Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is an extremely potent THC concentrate produced using a solvent extraction. This oil is mostly used for medicinal purposes and is known to treat and cure a number of medical ailments, including cancer! RSO is typically found in oral syringes. The recommended oral dosage would be equivalent in size to a grain of rice. You can swallow it by itself or mix it in a food or beverage. You could also let it dissolve under your tongue. RSO can also be applied topically, or on the skin. I have even heard of people adding doses of RSO to baked goods. Some say you can dab or vape RSO, but I DO NOT recommend it.
Cannabis-infused topicals are another widely available cannabis-infused product. Topicals are meant to be applied on the skin. Prior to the 1940’s, these cannabis-infused topicals were popular and used often medically. Topicals are classified by what they are used for. For instance, cannabis-infused creams, lotions, lip balms, and bath soaks are available for skincare, while balms and salves are meant more for medicinal use. These cannabis-infused salves can ease pain, such as arthritis or muscle aches, when rubbed on the affected area. There are even cannabis-infused lubricants!
Now you know more about cannabis and how you can use or consume it. Your personal preference will be influenced by why you are using (e.g., medical condition) and will be reflected in how you choose to consume your cannabis. Just because you can’t smoke or don’t like smoking is no excuse any longer to resist using since smokeless forms of cannabis are widely availability today.