What is shatter or weed budder? It has many names…
Cannabis Wax. Concentrates. Crumble. Oil. Dabs. Honey oil. Hash. Honeycomb. Sap. Pull and Snap.
They are all names for what is essentially the same product, but with slightly different characteristics.
Regardless of the name, all these popular marijuana products today can trace roots to the strange history surrounding the production of hash oil products.
After a series of accidental fires and explosions, related to the production of hash oil, a crackdown by U.S. authorities ensued. So producers came up with a variety of code names for the finished products.
Regardless of the name, all are marijuana concentrates or derivatives by classification.
Often called BHO or butane hash oil, the process of making waxes and oils such as shatter and budder is pretty simple: apply heat under controlled conditions.
However, do not try making wax at home since that is part of the reason for so many accidents.
The three main types of wax concentrates are shatter, budder, and oil. In this article we will discuss the first two as these are the most concentrated and least understood.
What is Shatter Weed?
So, what is shatter weed, exactly? To put it simply, it’s a concentrate.
It’s smooth, clear or translucent, amber in color, and solid. The name is derived from the glassy characteristics of the product. It’s brittle and breaks apart— much like peanut brittle.
In other words, it shatters.
As far as concentrates go, it is the most potent. The extremely high levels of THC in this product make it very appealing to anyone wanting a very strong high or to kill pain.
Shatter weed may be smoked using specialized equipment for dabbing or vaporizing.
So what is shatter weed in a word? Strong.
What is Weed Budder?
Budder is creamy dense, and easy to handle. It is generally smooth and somewhat crumbly in texture.
The concentrations of THC is usually much lower than shatter. Thus, it’s an ideal product for anyone wanting the higher dose without getting too stoned.
It is usually taken in edible form and is easy to cook or bake with.
So how are people making shatter and weed budder?
Making Shatter Weed and Budder
When making shatter weed, or other wax derivatives, chemists use an extraction technique which sucks the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from the leaves of the marijuana plant.
Called BHO, the process combines a solvent with the ground marijuana leaves as the first step.
Solvents commonly used in making shatter include butane, CO2, and isopropyl alcohol. However, in recent years, chemists have developed purer methods involving alternate hydrocarbons.
Once the extraction of THC from the plant is complete, the remaining solvent is heat-evaporated. The remaining sticky, yellow/orange, and thick substance is highly concentrated THC.
THC levels in waxes and oils can be anywhere from 60% to 90%, depending on the product produced.
What is the Difference Between Them?
Shatter is the most potent form of wax because it undergoes a second extraction process to further concentrate the THC. Budder is slightly less so.
For those planning medicinal use, shatter is often not the ideal choice. This is because most of the terpenes are eliminated during processing.
Terpenes are the essential oils in marijuana that give it that distinctive aroma and flavor. They also contribute to some of the medicinal qualities of cannabis.
Some terpenes are even known to modify the psychoactive elements of THC, which is helpful in some medicinal applications.
Recreational users tend to prefer either budder alone or a combination to retain the flavors and aromas. This is part of the experience many users seek and there is growing evidence that terpenes help ‘round out’ or enhance the high.
Another common term for these products is “dabs”.
What is Dabbing?
The term “dabbing” refers to smoking wax cannabis concentrates (dabs).
It is often confused with an actual act of smoking, though this is not entirely correct. Dabbing only applies to concentrates smoked using traditional pipes and bongs.
The term is derived from the method employed for smoking the concentrate. A dab or small piece of the wax concentrate is added to a hit nail which rests within a compartment of the pipe.
Using a blowtorch (really, a real blowtorch), the nail is heated until it is glowing red. Then a ‘dab’ or small piece of the wax is added to the nail and a glass cover with an inhaling tube is placed on top. As the dab of wax heats, the smoke is inhaled.
Naturally, working with a blowtorch while getting high can be dangerous. So, many prefer to use a vaporizer.
That said, some people like to build their own ‘dab rig’ for smoking marijuana concentrates. This is because they can get crafty in the process.
For instance, using a tiny, slender, metal spoon or glass tube, some will add a small amount of budder, then roll it in small pieces of shatter. This allows for combining two or more types of concentrate into a single hit using the same utensil.
How to Properly and Safely Smoke Cannabis Derivatives
There are two key ways to smoke them. One way is with a manufactured vaporizer and the other is with a specialized pipe or bong.
When most people refer to smoking as dabbing, they are speaking of using a pipe or bong.
The safest way to smoke wax THC concentrates is to use a manufactured vaporizer. This is called vaping, while the other method is called dabbing.
For most new users of cannabis concentrates, vaping is generally best.
For those less inclined to buy vape equipment and who don’t want to build a dabbing rig, the simple hash pipe is another way to smoke wax.
The hash pipe is reasonably priced and great for anyone with a passing interest. For those wanting to get the most out of their cannabis concentrates experience, eventually the vape or dab rig will win out.
Things to Keep in Mind When Smoking
Normal concentrations of THC in marijuana are around 20%. If smoking dried marijuana gets the job done, waxes will hit you very hard.
Bearing in mind that THC is a mild hallucinogen, concentrated doses can deliver a far more powerful experience. For the new smoker, such levels of THC can be both frightening and dangerous. Greening out can occur if too much THC is consumed.
In fact, even for regular users of cannabis, too much wax can cause an overwhelming, potentially dangerous experience. The bottom line is to use these products in moderation.
Be careful when using a dabbing rig for the first time. And be especially mindful that the resulting high will be far more intense that smoking dried marijuana.
