Dabbing creates new dangers for marijuana users
Dabbing is a new practice for consuming marijuana oil concentrates. The potency of “dabs” and methods of manufacturing them are creating new dangers for marijuana users.
Pipes or bongs are utilized to inhale doses of butane hash oil (BHO), also referred to as honey oil. It is customary to use a surface referred to as a skillet or nail and heat it with a handheld blow torch. Then the BHO is “dabbed” on to that surface where it creates a vapor to inhale. However, resourceful users may employ a vaporizing pen or the surface of a knife blade for inhalation.
The levels of THC, the active ingredient of cannabis, are extremely high in these doses. These elevated levels of THC often cause people to pass out upon inhalation. Other possible negative side effects include paranoia, increased heart rates, panic reactions and psychosis. In addition, increasing reports of burn incidents are occurring as a result of fires and explosions caused in the manufacturing process of BHO. The butane used in the extraction process is highly flammable.
The look of BHO products will vary according to the process used to distill it. There are many names for the different forms of dabs including oil, erl, budder, earwax and shatter. Although they all have different textures, they generally share a yellow or amber hue. Budder is a form of hash oil with the appearance of butter and consistency of paste. Earwax resembles actual earwax. Shatter is brittle and has a glasslike appearance.
