Shatter is becoming increasingly popular amongst cannabis users as the potential future of weed. But what exactly is the shatter weed? Why is there some controversy surrounding its usage?
What is Shatter Weed?
Shatter is a relatively new marijuana concentrate. This name comes from its translucent, glass-like appearance and generally brittle texture. It’s created by using solvents such as butane or CO2. This is an effective method to extract cannabinoids (including THC and CBD) and terpenes from the cannabis plant. It can be a pretty dangerous process if you don’t know what you’re doing. Therefore, amateur attempts to make it have resulted in explosions and injuries.
If done correctly, however, the resulting substance is substantially more potent than traditional cannabis. The texture produced can be a good indicator of the strength and prevalence of the compounds. Shatter with very high levels of THC for example, maybe slightly sappier and have a stretchier quality to it. On the other hand, a product with higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA) will be much more brittle.
CBD concentrated shatters can be also be produced as another option for medicinal marijuana users. This process allows for potent doses of the compound.
How to Smoke Shatter Weed
Shatter weed is often referred to as ‘dabs’, owing to the typical method for smoking it, ‘dabbing’. To smoke shatter weed in this way, you can use a dab pen, rig, adapted pipe, or a bong. Rigs require a glass nail that you heat up to a temperature that vaporizes the concentrates for you to inhale.
You should blowback dab or bong hits once you inhaled. Holding in the smoke can cause lung irritation. If you’re someone who is prone to a coughing fit, smaller inhalations are best.
Shatter Weed Effects
As discussed, shatter weed has a much higher concentration of compounds. For THC dominant products, this will of course provide a more intense high, in a shorter space of time than traditional cannabis use. Just a single hit of shatter is likely to be more potent than smoking a whole joint. Therefore, you can expect to feel almost immediate intoxication. Other effects can include drowsiness and increased relaxation; or more adverse feelings such as anxiety and paranoia.
With shatter, you aren’t breathing in any plant material. This is why we can say that it provides a cleaner high.
So Why Is It Controversial?
Due to the high concentrations produced, overconsumption is something you definitely have to be wary of. Anyone thinking of starting with shatter should begin with as small a dab as possible. In fact, adjust your required dosage gradually over time.
The process of creating the product is also a reason for its controversy. Many amateurs using inadvisable ‘how to’ guides online and subsequently finding themselves at risking of a very serious accident. Impurities can also be a concern. The butane or CO2 solvents should be properly flushed out. Otherwise, ingesting them can be dangerous. Producing these extracts should definitely be left to the professionals.
Popularity on the Rise
Despite some occasionally negative headlines, shatter popularity continues to rise, and it is becoming more and more widely available. Misinformation is often rife when it comes to cannabis use. Therefore, it’s important that the industry continues to push out best practices. We advise anyone thinking of trying something new is aware of the possible effects associated with their usage.