Cannabis concentrates have single-handily taken the marijuana community by storm. They come in a plethora of forms and contain an eye-popping amount of THC. This exciting cannabis niche has garnered a massive fan base and has created an entirely new subculture known as dabbing.
Join us as we teach you the subtle art of dabbing properly. Although it may seem straightforward at first, there are essential tips that you should know before indulging in your first dabs.
A Brief Explanation of Cannabis Concentrates in Canada
Although Canada legalized cannabis in 2018, lawmakers haven’t allowed marijuana extracts and edibles due to a lack of regulations. Therefore, it’s currently illegal to purchase cannabis concentrates until laws are put in place. Luckily for you, these regulations are scheduled to become active in early December 2019.
Although there aren’t legal ground for cannabis shops to offer marijuana concentrates, people are making them at home regardless. Although this is acceptable, it’s still a dangerous practice if using solvents such as butane or ethanol.
Many cannabis concentrate producers are safely extracting THC and other cannabinoids through the use of solventless techniques, such as ice-water extraction and rosin machines.
Now that there’s clarity regarding the laws of cannabis concentrates in Canada, we can begin on the best ways to dab every type of concentrate.
The Wide World of Cannabis Concentrates
The dabbing community uses any and all forms of concentrates when they dab. Groundbreaking extraction techniques have pushed the marijuana industry to new heights, and it’s reasonable to find extracts that test between 60-99% THC. Compare that percentage with 15-25% THC, which is the average THC content found within dried marijuana flowers.
Here’s a list of the various types of marijuana extracts that are popular to dab:
- Shatter
- Crumble
- THC distillate oil
- Ice-water hash
- Rosin
- Rick Simpson oil
- Pull n’ snap
- Terp juice
- Live resin
- Sap
- Sugar
- Dry sift
- CO2 wax
- Budder
As you can see, the world of marijuana concentrates is long, as new forms and styles are being produced often.
What You’ll Need to Dab
Half of the fun found in dabbing is through the tools that you’ll use. Many dabbing enthusiasts enjoy the practice because of the steps involved, which are in a way ritualistic. Before you begin, you’ll need a few necessary tools:
- A dab rig (also known as an oil rig)
- A mini-blowtorch or ‘e-nail’ setup
- A titanium pick
- Cannabis concentrate
The Dab Rig
The dab rig looks similar to a bong, but differs by replacing the bowl with what’s known as a “nail.” This nail is a flat surface that is made out of either titanium or ceramic. Most dab rigs are compact in size, and generally, are much thicker than bongs.
Another component found within the dab rig is a dome piece. This cap is placed on top of the nail as the majority of the cannabis concentrate vaporizes. This act is similar to that of a carb found on a pipe or bong to concentrate the smoke for a big hit.
The Titanium Pick
When dabbing, you’ll pick up and place your extracts with a titanium dab tool. Since the nail is red-hot, you’ll need one so that you avoid any accidental burns. Additionally, cannabis extracts are generally sticky, and you only need small amounts per dab session.
The Mini-Blowtorch
These mini-blowtorches enhance the overall look of the dabbing process. Their primary function is to rapidly increase the temperature of the nail. The fuel needed for your blowtorch is butane, so it’s essential that you have an extra refill to avoid having to run to a local smoke shop nearby in case you run out.
The E-Nail Alternative
If you don’t like the idea of a mini blowtorch, the e-nail setup may be right for you. An e-nail or electronic nail, use a controller box that is attached to an electronic coil, that is then attached to the specialized nail. This allows the user to evenly heat the nail to a consistent and perfect temperature, every time.
A Tutorial for Dabbing in 5 Easy Steps
Now that you have everything you need to begin dabbing follow each of these steps for a seamless and enjoyable experience.
Step 1
First, make sure that you’re in a safe environment. Dabbing involves an open flame which is incredibly dangerous if you are near a flammable source, such as a gas line. It’s also essential to keep your hair tied back if you have long hair. Once you made sure about these precautions, you can place all of your equipment in a systematic way for easy access.
Step 2
Place your nail inside the slot of your oil rig. Next, turn on your mini-blowtorch and place the flame directly on the nail. Leave it here until the nail becomes red-hot. Turn off the flame.
Once you’ve accomplished this, use your dab tool to pick up a small piece of your cannabis concentrate. The amount you use is dependent on your needs, but it’s always best to start small.
Step 3
Wait at least 30-45 seconds after you’ve turned off your blowtorch. This will allow your nail to cool down to an optimal temperature that will enable you to taste the full flavour profile of your cannabis concentrate.
Step 4
With your dab tool in your left or right hand, keep it above the nail as you place your mouth on the mouthpiece. Begin to slowly inhale as you place the marijuana extract onto the nail. Begin stirring the dab tool with the concentrate around the nail to cover all of the available surface area. Keep a small and steady inhale throughout this process. This entire process will only take a few seconds, and once the concentrate is completely dissolved, place the cap on top of the nail and inhale deeply.
Step 5
Exhale. Safely place the dab rig down as well as the dab tool. Relax and enjoy the immediate effects of exquisite cannabis concentrates. For those that are new to the world of dabbing, these effects can be incredibly potent.
By following these 5 steps, you’ll be well on your way to dabbing with ease when the moment arises.
The Importance of Temperature and Terpenes
Besides the sky-high potency found in marijuana extracts, they’re also packed to the brim with terpenes. Terpenes are organic compounds naturally found in plants, including cannabis. These compounds are responsible for the taste, smell, and various effects of marijuana.
One of the primary reasons why marijuana extracts have gained such high acclaim is due to their wide flavour-profiles. The extraction process is incredibly efficient at extracting a high amount of terpenes, which enhances the overall experience when dabbing.
Each terpene has a low vaporization point; therefore, it’s critical to find the best temperature that will retain these volatile compounds.
It’s for this reason that dabbing with a mini-blowtorch isn’t the most efficient method if you’re trying to retain terpenes.
Adding an E-Nail to Your Dabbing Arsenal
If you’re a terpene connoisseur, then you’ll want to invest in an e-nail. These electronic titanium nails are the best method for having the perfect dabbing temperature – every time. The nail is wrapped in a coil that’s connected to a small electronic box. This box is the command center, which allows you to input your desired temperature.
Once you’ve set the e-nail to a specific temperature, the coil will heat the nail to this exact temperature. E-nails take the guesswork out of the dabbing process that’s common when using a blowtorch.
Although they do cost far more than a blowtorch, they’re far safer and easier to use.
The Future of Dabbing
Each year brings new and exciting extraction techniques that push the boundaries of marijuana concentrates and dabbing. December is nearly here, and soon Canada will allow marijuana shops to sell cannabis concentrates. These will be regulated products, meaning they’ll be tightly controlled and tested. Overall, this means a safe and enjoyable product for you to use when dabbing.