Seven-ten is celebrated by connoisseurs devoted to OIL (710 backwards and upside-down), which is a term used synonymously with wax, shatter, tincture, concentrates, dabs, budder, hash, etc. Although they are often grouped together, not all concentrates are created equally. In fact, there are many ways to strip the trichomes off the cannabis sativa plant, and it all starts with the extraction process. CULTURE is prepared to answer the unknowns by describing some basic extraction processes that use solvents like butane and isopropyl alcohol, as well as solvent-less ice water. We will also highlight which steps account for the end products differing between oil, wax and shatter.
SOLVENTS
Although popular, using flammable solvents like butane, hexane, ethanol, naphtha or isopropyl alcohol to extract cannabinoid, terpene and terpenoid rich resin can be downright dangerous, especially when it is done by amateurs in makeshift laboratories. There is a risk of explosion even if manufacturers take the necessary safety precautions, the product heeds a serious health risk of toxicity if any residual chemicals are inhaled, ingested or come into contact with skin. Basically put, leave the hash making to the professionals who use Class 3 edible solvents and properly purge the product from contaminants.
Butane and isopropyl alcohol are both solvents that are commonly used. Extraction of resin using butane starts by the manufacturer forcing butane through the cannabis material, stripping the plant matter of rich and essential cannabis oil.
Using isopropyl alcohol to separate extract from the plant typically starts by freezing the plant matter and alcohol. If the producer’s goal is simple honey oil, then one option is to pour the alcohol into the cannabis material and let it sit for a long period of time. (If the oil is going to be worked into wax or shatter later on, then they would probably rinse the cannabis with alcohol for about 30 seconds.) Following this, the maker will strain the plant matter from the alcohol mixture and evaporate the alcohol out from the concentrate. Whether the solvent used is butane, isopropyl alcohol or many other options, the end result should be honey oil, also known as BHO or hash oil. From here, the next step can be purging the oil, but there are additional steps to follow for a more refined wax or shatter.
Whipping the oil using various processes that typically involve heat will transform it into wax, also known as budder. This process adds some air into the substance, allowing for a more user friendly concentrate. Still high in terpenes, budder is flavorful and has about 70 percent THC.
If properly executed, a second extraction process of the oil will remove any unwanted substances like water and fats, and the result will be shatter, which is also called glass. With a smooth texture and clarity, shatter has over 80 percent THC.
SOLVENT-LESS
Ice water extractions have one of the best reputations for purity and safety. Unlike with solvents, water and ice cause a mechanical separation of the cannabinoids and essential oils. The resulting ice wax will have the appetizing flavor of the crystals you’re extracting instead of plant materials like chlorophyll. On top of an amazing taste, the cannabinoids in any batch of properly executed ice wax consistently test in the high 70s- low 80s.
While the process of extraction is key, it is also essential to start with high quality product, especially when it comes to making hash using ice water. This is because you can run low quality cannabis product using solvents and still get a decent product. However, in order to make the top of the line ice wax, it is necessary to start with top of the line, organically grown material that is free from molds, pests, mildews, fungicides, pesticides, etc.
Often we’re so quick to get our hands on whatever concentrate is out there, we’re not paying attention to the class of waxes, oils and shatters going into our bodies. Be sure to demand only the best, because there are people working to perfect extracting only the best from the adored cannabis sativa plant.
