Yo, what’s good? My name is Dan and I’m here to give you the lowdown on BHO wax. You know that traditional way of smoking weed? Well, BHO wax is a dope alternative if you’re an experienced user. But let me tell you, this stuff is not for the weak.
BHO (Butane Hash Oil) wax is a sticky, gooey substance that’s created by extracting active terpenes and cannabinoids from weed with a liquid solvent, like butane or lighter fluid. This concentrated resin is loaded with THC and can get you higher than a kite. I’m talking hallucinations, man. But be warned, it’s not without risks. The high THC content means you gotta be careful.
So, first things first: what is BHO wax? It’s basically “weed without the weed.” You extract the terpenes and cannabinoids from marijuana to create a concentrate. There are different forms of concentrates, like shatter, budder, and wax. Wax is made from the excess parts of the plant left over after trimming the buds. There’s not much THC in these parts, but that’s why you can use them to create wax. You can salvage parts like the stems and leaves that would otherwise end up in the compost bin.
To make BHO wax, you grind up the excess plant parts and pack them tightly into a tube. Then you run butane through the tube, which extracts all the active compounds and leaves you with THC-rich oil/wax. It’s important to note that while this offers a unique and beneficial experience, knowledge is necessary before you start dabbing.
Now, if you’re a pro at this stuff, you might use premium-grade bud instead of the stems and leaves. The process of butane hash oil extraction takes the resin glands from the plant’s trichomes and leaves behind the plant material. In theory, it’s a grand idea. You run the non-polar solvent through the weed, dissolving the resin glands immediately. Best of all, it doesn’t collect chlorophyll or other plant matter, so you’re left with pure THC goo.
But in practice, it’s dangerous and requires expensive equipment and expertise. We’re not going to provide a DIY option because there are inherent risks during the extraction process. Unless you’re a pro with proper equipment, don’t even try it.
Let’s talk about the dangers of BHO wax. Butane evaporation is a major concern. The first wax you get right after the extraction process is cloudy due to butane saturation. Pure wax, depending on the type, is typically transparent. Butane naturally evaporates on its own, but some people speed up the process by applying heat. This process is dangerous because butane gas is highly flammable.
In Colorado alone, there are dozens of verified home explosions each year due to DIY hash oil extraction accidents. Butane gas is heavier than air and sinks to the ground after it evaporates. Entire rooms, garages, or even homes can explode from a simple ignition source like a pilot light or stove.
Another concern of inhaling BHO wax is the marijuana plant’s waxy outer layer or cuticle. When burned normally, the wax layer in weed burns away and is not an issue. However, vaping does not produce a high enough temperature to get rid of the cuticle. Instead, wax accumulates in the user’s lungs and forms granulomas, which are insoluble lipid fragments. Dabbing generates a high enough temperature to burn away the cuticle fragments in the BHO wax.
But perhaps the most important issue with BHO wax safety is in the high it produces. Typical marijuana strains have a THC concentration of around 17-25%. But concentrated BHO waxes can have upwards of 90% THC. That’s four to six times stronger than a typical strain. Unless you’ve got a significant tolerance to weed, that high is going to be intense. The vast majority of users are not ready for the effects, which can include hallucinations and even an acid trip-like experience.
There has been a sharp increase in the number of hospitalizations and ambulance calls related to BHO wax use. It’s no joke, so use it sensibly. Even experienced users should only consume a small amount at a time. And don’t attempt butane extraction yourself, primarily via open blasting. It is far too dangerous and could lead to tragedy.
In conclusion, we’re not saying that BHO wax is dangerous. Maybe it is, but as of right now, there’s no clinical data to back that up. If the extraction process is performed responsibly, dabbing waxes may be “healthier” than regular smoking. But it’s impossible to know the standard of the BHO wax you’re using. Even if you extract the THC yourself, there’s no way of knowing what chemicals are there when you inhale. So be smart, use it sensibly