With over
200 million users worldwide, cannabis sits among the most popular drugs today. A large portion of cannabis consumers are eager to enjoy its health benefits. These include lower blood pressure, reduced inflammation, and pain relief. You can also use the drug to cope with mental health illnesses like anxiety or depression.
One of the most well-liked methods of consuming cannabis is by using wax. This is a potent concentrate with above-average levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), sometimes above 80%. More often than not, marijuana lovers use it to make edibles and other infused products. You can also smoke it at your convenience.
If you're ready to add cannabis wax to your wellness routine, find out as much as you can about this concentrated form of marijuana. Don't know where to start? We've done the homework to get you started. Here's everything to know about cannabis wax.
There Are Different Types of Cannabis Wax
If you're a beginner looking for weed concentrates, you probably want to weigh your options before making a purchase decision. Well, the market is full of
different types of wax dabs with varying textures, potency, and other features. The most common ones are:
1. Budder
Budder is known for its soft, creamy consistency, a little thicker than peanut butter. It's among the most flavorsome weed concentrates. Also, its THC levels range between 80% and 90%.
2. Honeycomb
Otherwise known as crumble wax, honeycomb wax, whose THC level can be 90% or higher, comes in large chunks. When touched, though, it crumbles to lose its honeycomb-like appearance. Afterward, it becomes a dry, powdery substance until you heat it. Then, it becomes a bubbly, sticky goo like other weed concentrates.
3. Nug Run
Nug run is typically made from the flower buds or nugs of a marijuana plant. Since the parts have higher concentrations of terpenes and cannabinoids, the concentrate is potent. Some options may have high THC levels of up to 96%.
4. Shatter
Like other concentrates, shatter can be about 90% pure THC. However, this type of wax resembles hard candy — it is translucent and glass-like. Therefore, it breaks easily and often has an amber or golden color.
Other wax types include rosin, honeycomb, trim run, dry sift, full melt, and ice wax.
It Has Many Benefits
There are plenty of reasons to choose cannabis wax over other marijuana products. These include the following:
1. Ideal for Users With High Tolerance
Often, when marijuana lovers consume the drug for a long time, they develop a high tolerance to THC. As a result, they may need to smoke more weed to attain the 'perfect high.' Thankfully, they can opt for cannabis wax instead, as it is more potent. A smaller amount can deliver the desired results within a shorter duration.
2. Offers Versatility in Consumption Methods
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Weed enthusiasts can consume cannabis wax in a variety of ways. For instance, they can add the concentrate to edibles. Alternatively, consumers can blend it into topical products like body creams to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
3. Rapid Onset of Effects
Due to the high potency of cannabis wax, the cannabinoids are usually absorbed into the bloodstream almost immediately after consumption. This quick onset of effects makes the concentrate convenient for recreational users and those seeking pain relief.
It Is Made Through Extraction
Various extraction methods are used to make cannabis wax. During the process, different parts of a marijuana plant are heated to extract THC. This produces butane hash oil, which is heated to form the wax-like concentrate.
Cannabis wax extraction methods can be solvent-based or solventless. The former involves using chemicals like propane and butane. These dissolve the desired compounds from the marijuana plant.
Solventless extraction methods, on the other hand, don't require the use of chemicals. As an alternative, they use heat and pressure to draw out the preferred cannabis compounds.
Examples of solventless cannabis wax extraction methods include ice water hash extraction and rosin pressing.
There Are Potential Risks
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Despite its numerous advantages, cannabis wax has various side effects when consumed in high doses. These include the following:
- Poor memory
- Increased anxiety
- Psychotic breaks that may require hospitalization
- Hallucination
- Panic attacks
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Poor memory
- Formication or feeling like bugs are crawling under or on your skin
To protect yourself from the dangers of cannabis wax, avoid overconsumption. Some extracts may have high THC levels of
up to 99%. Steer clear of them as they put you at risk of over-intoxication.
In addition, if you're new to the game, start slow and ensure you buy your cannabis wax from legal sellers. This ensures that you get concentrates that are safe for consumption.
Cannabis Wax Is Not for Everyone
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Unfortunately, not everyone can benefit from consuming cannabis wax. The concentrate is not ideal for the following:
- Underage individuals. While the legal age to buy and use marijuana is 18 in some jurisdictions, it is 21 in others.
- Pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding.
- For those with psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, it could worsen their symptoms.
Bottom Line
Although cannabis wax is relatively new to most marijuana lovers, it is quickly gaining popularity. This could be because of its benefits, which include various consumption methods and the availability of many types. Besides, these concentrates are potent, eliminating the need to smoke plenty of weed to relieve pain, battle anxiety, or relax.
Still, don't throw caution to the wind when using cannabis wax. Recklessness can lead to overconsumption, resulting in unpleasant side effects like forgetfulness and delusions. At the same time, make sure to explore the legality of this concentrated form of marijuana in your country or state before buying and consuming it.
