Weed concentrates are currently the most powerful cannabis products on the market. They have quickly become a favorite among seasoned cannabis users due to the purity and flavor of the smoke, and of course, the potency.
Compared to dry weed buds whose THC content is usually up to 20-25%, cannabis concentrates have much higher THC levels that range from 60% to 90%, and some may even go higher. The most popular ones are THC concentrates, but there are also CBD concentrates for those looking for medical benefits.
The variety of concentrates is also pretty impressive. You can find them in many different consistencies – shatter, budder, rosin, crumble, etc. But out of all the types of concentrates, today we’ll focus on THC wax and how to smoke it.
What Kind of Cannabis Concentrate Is THC Wax?
THC wax is among the most commonly used concentrates. It’s a soft amber-colored substance that looks a lot like beeswax. It’s very malleable and flexible, but it’s not very moist. It belongs to the group called Butane Hash Oil (BHO) because butane is used for its extraction process.
All marijuana concentrates are made by stripping away the unnecessary compounds from the cannabis plant, such as chlorophyll, starches, sugars, and others, and keeping only the terpenes and cannabinoids. That’s what makes them so powerful: you’re left with the pure active ingredients that are otherwise found in the trichomes of dry cannabis flowers.
THC wax is made with an extraction method that involves using a solvent, usually butane. In short, the plant material is packed into glass tubes and blasted with liquid butane. The butane separates the trichomes from the rest of the plant material and is then purged from the mixture by being heated at a low temperature.
The final product is consistently whipped in the cooling process in order to achieve the desired waxy consistency. Different processing methods will produce different marijuana concentrate textures. For example, to get budder, the mixture is only lightly whipped to retain its moisture content.
The Best Ways to Smoke Wax
Wondering how to smoke wax? THC wax is a pretty dense substance, but it can be smoked in several different ways depending on your preference and the smoking devices available. If you’re only starting to get into weed concentrates, you don’t need to invest in fancy equipment just yet and try some conventional ways of smoking before you level up.
Dabbing, the Most Efficient Way
Dabbing is the most efficient way to smoke a cannabis concentrate. Dab rigs (also called oil rigs) were practically invented for consuming concentrates which is why concentrates are also referred to as “dabs.” They are a type of water pipe and quite an advanced way to use concentrates as they are not only an investment, but you should really get the hang of using them.
Dab rigs vaporize the concentrate at a very high temperature. You use the dabber tool to take a small dab of the cannabis wax and place it on the nail. Then you heat the nail using a blow torch, wait for about 40 seconds and start inhaling the smoke through the mouthpiece. The smoke will be light and flavorful, so it’s easy to go overboard, but you should be careful.
You can also use an e-nail if you want to skip the blow torch. E-nails allow you to better control the temperature, but only consider buying it if you’re seriously thinking of dabbing because they’re quite pricey.
Vaping, Another Efficient Way
Another efficient way to inhale weed wax is through vaping. Apart from traditional vaporizers that vaporize dry herbs, there are also vape pens that are designed to work with concentrates called dab pens. These can work not only with wax but also with other types of concentrates.
Vaping THC wax is great because it produces a clean vapor and it gives you temperature setting control because different terpenes vaporize at different temperatures. This is good for users that prioritize flavor.
Smoking Wax With Dry Cannabis Flowers
Spicing up dry cannabis flowers with THC wax is one way to amp up your smoking experience. This method is also called t-waxing because the wax is either placed on top of the weed before you roll the joint or around the rolling paper after you roll it. It will make your joint extra powerful, but keep in mind that the potency will be increased and you may need one toke less than usual.
Use a Bowl With a Healthstone
You can also smoke THC wax with a bowl and a healthstone. Healthstones are a great accessory for smoking wax. It’s essentially a porous rock with tiny holes that resembles a pumice stone. It’s designed to fit snugly into your bowl.
The way to use it is to put a small amount of wax on it and light it with a blowtorch (yes, you will also need one for this method). After a few seconds, you pull the smoke from the mouthpiece.
Try Smoking Wax With Butter Knives
The most outlandish but incredibly effective way to smoke wax is by using butter knives. What you need to do is heat the knives (on a stove or using a blowtorch), put some wax on one of them, and press them together. The smoke should start coming out almost immediately. You can inhale the trail of smoke as is or you can cut the top half of a plastic bottle and use it as a funnel.
How to Store Your Weed Wax
Unlike other cannabis products, concentrates have a pretty stable shelf life as long as they’re protected from air, heat, and light (especially UV light!). Wax is best kept in a sterile, medical-grade silicone container. Silicone can prevent it from drying out or sticking; wax is precious and you don’t want to waste it.
Parchment paper can also be used because it’s non-sticky. However, make sure you don’t confuse it with wax paper which is coated with wax and will cause it to stick.
Finally, tempered glass containers are also okay because they’re non-sticky as well, but try to avoid plastic because it’s not good for concentrates.
Tips for Dosing Marijuana Wax
Since marijuana wax is very potent, there is only one rule: start very, very low. Even if you have built up some tolerance to THC, concentrates feel different and may make you more lightheaded (and you may feel the effects more strongly). To make your experience safer and more enjoyable, start with the lowest effective dose.
That being said, you will need a really tiny amount. It may seem ridiculous to go through all that trouble for a dot of wax, but trust us, it will be enough. You can always adjust the desired amount once you learn what works for you.
The Takeaway – Take Your Pick, but Dose It Properly
THC wax is one of the more popular types of concentrates you will find in a dispensary. It belongs to the Butane Hash Oil group because it’s made by using butane as a solvent. The waxy consistency is achieved by whipping the product as it cools.
There are many ways to smoke THC wax of which dabbing and vaping are the most efficient, but using a healthstone or adding it to dry cannabis buds can also be effective. The most important thing to remember is to dose it properly, meaning to start with a very low dose because THC wax is a powerful concentrate.
