The cannabis industry has seen an uprise of consumers dabbing. Marijuana enthusiasts slowly move towards dabbing from the classic blunt, bowl or joint.
Countless people have already heard about dabbing but the truth is few actually know what it is. Let’s discuss a few things that should be known about this popularized way of cannabis consumption.
Dabbing is all about enjoying the crystals on a cannabis flower as opposed to the actual plant. Different dab types are now available. The really common ones are BHO (butane hash oil) crumble, budder, shatter and wax. Dabbing is, nowadays, heavily preferred by numerous marijuana enthusiasts because of its advantages when compared with smoking, including:
- Dabbing is chemically cleaner – The cannabis concentrate does not contain plant matter so it is free of harmful carcinogens that appear when smoking plant matter.
- Stronger flavor.
- A more intense and longer high.
- Less smoke.
The main difference between the dab products and the other options available is how the dab is used. Something as simple as the solvent that is used to extract the product can be a huge difference. As an example, it is even possible to use emulsification to turn shatter into wax, a process commonly referred to as “whipping.”
Dabs are created with hydrocarbon solvents like hexane, butane or propane. They can also be created with carbon dioxide, a process known as supercritical CO2. This option is not often used since it is much more expensive than the preferred method, butane extraction.
People that use butane to extract terpenes and THC do it in a controlled lab setting. The safest method used is known as closed loop extraction. It can be completely safe but only when you know everything about it and you are careful.
How Does Closed Loop Extraction Work?
Closed loop extraction refers to an extraction system that does seem to be quite daunting when you do not know much about it. However, as you learn about it, things get simpler. Even so, it is important to understand that the setup you use needs to be completely professional. Also, you need a basic understanding of various things, like how to properly operate control valves and how to maintain system pressure.
Generally speaking, the closed loop system includes a larger tank and a tube that is attached to it. “Blasting” occurs inside the tank. The system also includes a recovery pump, a recovery tank, a refrigerant scale, and a refrigerant pump.
Besides all the items mentioned, you also need a pump like a supercritical co2 pump and an oven. These are combined in order to create a vacuum oven. Overall, the system is one meant to cleanse what is extracted from cannabis. The end product needs to be completely purged from all residual solvents.
To put things as simple as possible, cannabis material is added to an extraction tube. Then, through the use of butane, the material is blasted. As the butane goes through the cannabis material, dab is extracted.
Closed loop extraction is a technique that is quite safe when compared to others, but the system needs to be fully understood.
Dabbing is becoming more and more popular, even compared to THC consumption. Although the quality of the end product is higher, it does not come without risks. It is vital that you take the safety of the procedure seriously. Only consider using closed loop extraction if you have the knowledge to guarantee safety.
Author’s Bio:
Tara has been writing cannabis industry-related articles for years. She is the Content Marketing Manager at the California-based company CaliExtractions. With a passion for enlightenment and years of knowledge in the cannabis industry, her articles have stretched from a variety of subjects including the legalization, extraction, and upkeep of cannabis.
Currently, she’s contributing to a variety of blogs in the cannabis industry in hopes to spread valuable information on useful topics for the benefits of the industry.
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