If you’re a marijuana aficionado like us, you’re always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to consume cannabis. Whether it’s new ways to smoke medical marijuana or recreational marijuana, new cannabis products are always interesting.
For that reason, we’re dedicating this article to dabbing and cannabis dabs. We’ll go over how cannabis concentrates are made, go over the different extraction methods, and give you information about what types of dabs you can find on the market. Keep on reading to also find out how you can make rosin at home, and why rosin is a very popular cannabis product.
Dabbing and Cannabis Dabs
Cannabis dabs are concentrated cannabis products that are extracted from the cannabis flower, and dabbing is the procedure that vaporizes dabs in order to inhale the smoke.
Compared to other methods of cannabis consumption, dabbing offers a stronger and longer-lasting high. Dabs are generally cannabis products with high concentrations of THC or CBD, therefore they’re very popular among recreational users.
Types of Cannabis Concentrates
As it was previously stated, cannabis concentrates are processed products from the cannabis plant that mostly consist of cannabinoids and terpenes. The general THC levels of most concentrates vary from 30% to as high as 90%, which is why they’re a very sought-after cannabis product.
The high from concentrates can last anywhere between 1 and 3 hours, and they’re generally consumed in a vaporizer or a dab rig. They can also be used as a topping on your joint like sprinkling kief on top of the cannabis flower or adding a few drops of cannabis concentrates to your flower.
Liquid Solvent Extraction vs Physical Separation
When deciding to make a cannabis concentrate, you need to choose whether to go with the mechanical or physical method to remove the trichomes from the plant matter.
Cannabis extracts can be made by using the solventless method of extraction. It removes trichomes by shaking or pressing and results in products like rosin and kief.
On the other hand, liquid solvent extraction uses a solvent like Butane Hash Oil (BHO), Propane, Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), and CO2 extracted cannabis wax to separate the trichomes, and results in products like shatter, budder, and others.
Types of Dabs
As the marijuana market is increasing, so does the variety of products you can buy in dispensaries and online cannabis shops. If you’re interested in finding out more about the different kinds of dabs, look no further.
Shatter
Shatter is a glass-like concentrate that’s created with a solvent extraction method, made by removing the trichomes from the cannabis flower with butane hash oil (BHO). Shatter has different yellow colors depending on the manufacturer, and it’s one of the most versatile textures.
Crumble
Crumble has a dry honeycomb consistency, and its color is similar to the one of budder. When making crumble, manufacturers whip and then purge shatter in an oven at low temperatures to dry the concentrate.
Budder
Budder has a butter-like consistency and is made by whipping resin or heating shatter and making it a smooth substance. Budder is often spread on joints or dabbed with a dab rig.
Wax
Wax dabs are sticky cannabis products that are considered one of the purest cannabis products with high levels of THC and CBD. For info on smoking wax, visit our guide on how to smoke wax.
Oil
Oils are made from CO2 extraction, which is different compared to the BHO solvent extraction that’s used to create shatter. Oils taste differently once they’ve been combined with cannabis, and they’re available in syringes which allows for a simple application.
Resin
Resin, or also “sap,” is made once the drying and curing process is done, and the trichomes are collected, which can be later used in dabs, bongs, on top of a cannabis flower rolled in a joint, etc.
Live Resin
Live resin is a newer cannabis product that is made by cryogenically freezing freshly harvested cannabis plants. People who prefer live resin are generally medical marijuana patients who often pay a higher price for this product compared to the others on the list.
Rosin Dabs
Rosin is made from dried and cured cannabis flowers by using pressure and heat to release the cannabis concentrate that’s high in THC. While live resin is made in a lab, rosin can be made in your kitchen as it doesn’t require solvents.
Using Dabs
Cannabis concentrates can be consumed in a number of ways and they all depend on the preference of the user, as well as the type of concentrate. Consumption methods for dabs include:
- Topping (you can use your cannabis concentrate and place it on top of your joint or kief to increase its potency);
- Dabbing (dab rigs are the most common ways to consume concentrates and they’re used by vaporizing the concentrate with a dabber and inhaling the smoke);
- Vaping (concentrates can be placed in a vaporizer or vape pen and smoked like a regular e-cigarette filled with THC cartridges);
- Added to a bong or bowl (concentrates can be added to a bong or bowl on top of the cannabis flower to increase its potency);
- Edibles (cannabis concentrates can be used instead of cannabutter or cannabis oil to make weed brownies or other sweet or savory dishes).
How to Make Rosin Dabs at Home?
Rosin dabs can be made from the comfort of your own home with a simple solventless extraction process, and all you’ll need is a DIY rosin press. To make the rosin press, you can use a few items that you can find at home:
- Hair straightener (heated between 230-300 degrees Fahrenheit);
- Starting material (marijuana buds, bubble hash, or kief);
- Parchment paper (unbleached, if possible);
- Collection tool (dabber tools);
- Heat-resistant gloves for safety.
The Method
- The flat iron should be heated at the appropriate temperature.
- The cannabis starting material should be placed in the parchment paper.
- The parchment paper should be placed between the plates of the hair straightener and pressed down to heat up the buds (for 3-5 seconds).
- After the rosin heats up, remove the nugs, and use the dabber or a razor blade to collect the rosin and place it in a container.
Final Thoughts on Cannabis Dabs
First-time cannabis growers who are thinking about making their own concentrates shouldn’t be worried since it’s fairly easy to make dabs at home by using only a few ingredients. And if you haven’t tried dabs before, consuming them can be a very interesting cannabis experience for many cannabis users.
They’re very potent cannabis products that give users an intense high, which also makes them a powerful painkiller. Moreover, as a result of their potency, a small amount will go a long way, and your high will last longer compared to smoking a joint.
On the other side, solvent-extraction can be quite dangerous for inexperienced chemists so it’s best to buy premade concentrates or use the rosin method to make your own rosin dabs. Also, if you’re a newbie marijuana user, concentrates may not be your first option on account of their high THC levels which can give you the most intense high of your life.
