As more states move to legalize the use of cannabis in both medical and recreational settings, the ways that the drug is consumed have also continued to evolve. While most are familiar with the act of smoking a joint or consuming edibles, heavy-duty users have adopted a method of consumption that produces a stronger and longer-lasting high. This does not come without risks, however. Learn about what shatter weed is and why it is dangerous from Banyan Treatment Center Pompano.
What Is Shatter Weed?
Shatter is an intensely potent type of cannabis concentrate that has grown popular among regular cannabis users. It is a form of butane hash oil (BHO) that is derived from extracting the resinous trichomes from the cannabis plant using solvents like butane or propane. This results in a product that is glass-like, translucent, and often contains THC levels of 80% or more.
To make shatter weed, high-quality cannabis flowers are dried, cured, and then packed into tubes. The tube is then blasted with a highly flammable solvent, such as butane. This solvent dissolves the trichomes, which are responsible for holding the psychoactive compounds in the plant. This results in a liquid substance that is filtered and purged of any remaining impurities.
This purging process is what’s critical to creating this kind of cannabis extract. The removal of the solvents is what makes the final product safe for consumption. The liquid mixture is placed on a flat surface and left to evaporate slowly, which allows the remaining solvents to evaporate and leaves behind a hard, glass-like substance. This process can take several hours, and it requires a high level of skill and expertise to ensure that the final product is of high quality and safe for use.
It is never advised that a person attempts this on their own because the solvents used in the extraction process are highly flammable and can easily ignite, causing explosions and fires that can result in severe injuries and even death. Aside from the risks involved in its creation, using marijuana shatter also presents a variety of risks to a person’s mental and physical health.
The Risks of THC Shatter
Because shatter is made using solvents like butane, there is a risk that the final product could contain residual solvents that could be harmful if ingested. This is why it is essential to ensure that shatter is made using high-quality ingredients and that the purging process is thorough and effective. It also highlights the very real risks involved with using illicitly made versions of this concentrate, as opposed to that found at a legal facility.
Another concern with shatter is that it can be difficult to dose accurately. Because the THC concentration in shatter is so high, it can be challenging to know exactly how much to consume without experiencing adverse effects.
This can lead to users consuming too much and experiencing unpleasant side effects, including:
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Nausea
- Respiratory illness
It is also possible for the presence of marijuana to worsen the symptoms of any pre-existing mental health disorders. This makes using substances like shatter cannabis even riskier. THC poisoning is a very real danger and one that younger or inexperienced users may not initially consider.
If you find yourself falling down a substance abuse rabbit hole, Banyan’s Pompano Beach drug rehab is equipped to handle multiple kinds of addiction treatment. Our Broward County substance abuse programs are designed to aid patients in reclaiming their lives from the clutches of addiction and help them get back to what matters most.
To learn more information about the therapies and programs that we offer, call Banyan’s Pompano treatment center today at 888-280-4763.
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