Shatter is a cannabis extract created by butane extraction. Shatter has grown in popularity among marijuana users during the last decade for its glassy, photogenic texture and high THC concentration. Let’s take a closer look at what shatter is and how it’s made, as well as how we test it.
What is shatter?
Shatter is a type of cannabis concentrate that has the look and feel of glass when shattered, as well as a hard, brittle texture that frequently fractures or shatters. It’s usually gold or amber in color. Although shatter is often considered to be more powerful or pure than other extracts, this isn’t always true; rather, it depends on the
Shatter is often dabbed, which entails flash vaporization of a specialized water pipe known as a dab rig. This glassy extract has a bad reputation for being strong, but the strength varies based on the chemical make-up of the plant’s source and the extraction procedures and equipment employed. While cannabis flower’s watermark tends to stay at around 30% THC, shatter extracts have been measured up to 80 percent to 90 percent THC.
What is CBD Shatter?
Although THC is the most common cannabinoid found in shatter, many concentrate producers also create CBD shatter with a high content of cannabidiol (CBD) and little THC. CBD shatter is designed primarily for people looking for cannabis’s medical and therapeutic benefits without the psychoactive effects of THC.
CBD shatter is a CBD product that can be beneficial to medical marijuana patients and other consumers who are interested in health and wellness because it contains a concentrated, effective dose of CBD.
History
Shatter is a relatively recent addition to the history of cannabis consumption. Hashish has been produced for millennia. Modern cannabis concentrate manufacturing was perfected in the late 1990s, and shatter, as we know it today, was first developed.
In 1989, D. Gold released a second edition of his 1973 original book, “Cannabis Alchemy: The Art of Modern Hashmaking,” which included the first full description of how to make hash. In 1990, medical technology expert Michael Stark published a second edition of his 1977 book “Marijuana Chemistry: Genetics Processing and Potency,” with a thorough explanation on how to produce hash.
In the late 1990s, Canadian cannabis producer BudderKing began marketing budder and shatter, with its items being available in dispensaries in 2003. In 2005, Cannabis Culture magazine published the procedures for creating these products. With dab rigs and water bongs shelved alongside each other in smoke shops’ shelves, a common sentiment among concentrate users was: “If it doesn’t shatter, it doesn’t matter.” It emerged as a basic component of cannabis use during the 2010s.
How to Use Shatter
Is Shatter the Same as Dabs?
Yes, technically. All shatter may be dabbed, but not all dabs are considered to be shatter. The popular technique of dabbing involves a tiny water pipe called a rig with a flat bowl and a “nail,” which is meant to endure high temperatures. Consumers would be dabbing shatter in this scenario, but other types of concentrates can also be deemed as dabs.
To dab, heat the nail with a tiny butane or propane torch to the desired temperature. Using the flat end of the dabber, put a little bit of concentrate on the nail. When hot nails come into contact with the substance, it will vaporize immediately. Covering allows you to capture the vapor and breathe through an aperture on the other side of the setup.
The higher concentration of marijuana products like shatter generally creates a more powerful high, as well as terpene-rich tastes and scents, especially when compared to smoking cannabis. Having the correct dab equipment might have a significant impact on the experience. Flavor will be influenced by the temperature of the nail at the moment of consumption, for example, which may alter the healthy effects.
Difference between shatter and wax
Shatter and wax are two different terms used to describe cannabis extracts. Shatter refers to solid, glassy cannabis concentrates, whereas waxes are softer and more flexible. The distinction between shatter and wax is mostly a cosmetic one: it’s simply a matter of degree of molecular agitation. Shatter has a glass-like texture because the molecules in the extract were not disturbed during processing, as opposed to those in wax.
The chemical composition of shatter and wax extracts is not identical. In other words, shatter isn’t always higher in THC than wax, and vice versa. Individual products at your local dispensary should be used to determine the strength and chemical composition of any particular extract.
Another distinction between shatter and wax has to do with ease of use. Wax is softer and, in some cases, easier to handle using dabbing tools like scoops. Because shatter breaks apart into erratically sized fragments when shattered, you might have trouble scooping and dosing the correct-sized dab.
Shatter Drug vs. Marijuana
Mankind’s disruption of nature, as shown by the coca plant and poppy being modified to create cocaine and heroin, has a tendency to be harmful, addictive, and less beneficial than beneficial in the world of illegal drugs. People have compared shatter to marijuana because they believe it is considerably more dangerous.
Shatter is made by extracting cannabis with a chemical process, which means it has the same psychotropic effects as marijuana.
Shatter, like natural cannabis, contains THC in amounts that range from 20 to 60 percent. Shatter is more potent than natural marijuana in terms of THC content, with levels ranging between 20 and 60%. Users of shatter drugs report a quicker onset of effects and a greater degree of strength and intoxication — as well as additional negative side effects associated with the drug, such as psychosis, anxiety, and paranoia.
Even if medical marijuana is legalized, shatter production is prohibited in all 50 states. The community is divided on whether shatter is beneficial or detrimental to the industry and patients. Some individuals believe that as compared to cannabis, shatter and other hash oil concentrates are superior at relieving pain and assisting with various diseases. Others disagree, claiming that impurities generated during production, as well as the negative stigma surrounding BHO due to home extractions resulting in explosions and fires, negate any potential benefits of having a more concentrated dose of THC.
The fact is, both shatter and cannabis can have major negative consequences for the user, and they should not be treated lightly.
What are the Side Effects of Shatter?
Though shatter and various cannabis concentrates are frequently high in THC, it’s vital to consider the possible negative consequences that may result from using these strong substances. Although THC has been shown to have several health and medical benefits, too much of it can result in unpleasant side effects such as anxiety and paranoia. If you’re new to the world of cannabis extracts, start with the tiniest feasible dab and work your way up gradually to avoid unwanted side effects.
What Happens if you Eat Shatter?
Shatter must be decarboxylated to produce the desired effects, which is achieved through heat. This type of concentrate is designed to be vaporized with a dab rig, e-rig, or vaporizer to allow the high concentration of potent cannabinoids to decarboxylate and interact with the body right away. Raw shatter will not provide any positive effect if consumed without first being heated.
How to Use CBD Shatter
Extracts should only be prepared by experts due to the increased risk of chemical poisoning and potential environmental hazards.
The production of this concentrate is similar to that of other extracts. The major distinction is the post-extraction procedure. Shatter is generally produced via six stages including:
- Selecting a starting material.
- Packing the material column.
- Chilling the solvent.
- Passing the solvent over the material to create the solution.
- Removing the solvent from the solution with heat to promote the vaporization of the solvent.
- Chilling the solvent tank to recondense the solvent vapors.
It’s possible to buy shatter online, but it can also be produced in your own home. Shatter is any form of cannabis that has been ground into a fine powder, including nugs or leaves from the plant itself. The desired cannabinoids are extracted from the raw flower during the manufacturing process using heat and pressure. Then, any unwanted components are removed with a solvent-induced vacuum purge.
The most frequent technique for producing shatter is a butane hash oil (BHO) extraction. Other solvents, such as liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) or ethanol, may also be utilized. Because CO2 is a solvent used for other cannabis concentrates, CO2-extracted shatter would not have the same texture.
Storage Considerations
Shatter may begin to break down and lose its initial texture, flavor, and potency if it is kept incorrectly. It should be stored in an airtight and lightproof container at all times to prevent this deterioration. Ideally, it should be kept in a cool room. To guarantee that the concentrate maintains its consistency for as long as possible, keep it free of high temperatures, moisture, oxygen, and direct sunlight.
Remember, heat is your shatter opponent. It activates the cannabinoids and terpenes. This should not occur while it’s resting in a container. Dispensaries, smoke shops, and many internet retailers provide concentrate storage utensils such as silicone containers for concentrates.
Why Does Shatter Turn into Sugar, Budder or Crumble?
Despite the many variations of extracts, they all go through the same manufacturing process. If particular procedures are not followed meticulously, if solutions are mishandled at any time during production, or if shatter is stored improperly,
If the first or subsequent vacuum purge is done incorrectly, the glass-like consistency of the finished product may be damaged, resulting in a product with a texture comparable to butter or sugar.
Other elements may impact the manufacturing process. The cannabis oil can become budder rather than shatter if agitated, heated to high temperatures, used with residual chemicals or moisture from the starting marijuana plant material, or if there is too much of it.
Concentrated Cannabis Extract
Shatter is a type of wax created from marijuana that looks like glass. Shatter comes in a variety of colors, including amber, translucent, and brittle, glass-like texture.
The name shatter comes from the glassy look of the extract. When shatter is made, resinous extracts create sheets that can be broken down or “shattered” into smaller pieces like glass. Cannabis extracts have been used for millennia, but shatter began to rise in popularity in the early 2010s alongside other concentrated cannabis extracts known as dabs.
Some consumers avoid shatter and other cannabis extracts due to their high concentration. While marijuana flower has a THC content of around 10-25%, shatter has been known to have up to 80% THC.
Some cannabis consumers, both medicinal and recreational, enjoy the potent high of shatter since it produces effects that come on considerably faster and more intensely. This is especially true for those looking for pain relief or other ailments.
Shatter’s potency has generated a lot of interest, with both cannabis consumers and critics praising its strength. Shatter is subjected to the same rigorous testing as other cannabis goods in California. To ensure that your concentrates fulfill California requirements, Encore Laboratories provides comprehensive lab testing.