Butane hash oil
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Butane hash oil, also called "butane honey oil" or "BHO," is a common term used to refer to butane-extracted cannabis resin. It is a highly concentrated form of cannabis extract that takes advantage of the non-polar solvent and a forced pressure system to create a more potent extract.
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[edit] Extraction
The most popular method is to use a stainless-steel turkey baster with a coffee filter attached via hose clamps or zip ties to hold the cannabis and to cut off the curved tip of the basting needle to make an entry-point for an aluminum/plastic butane can tip. It is highly suggested that only high-grade butane, such as Colibri, King or Vektor be used for this process as lower-grade brands of butane are known to carry higher levels of mercaptans. The butane liquid is either dripped into a Pyrex (heat safe) set on top of a pot filled with hot water (to instantly evaporate the cold butane liquid and precipitate the cannabis resin) or into the empty dish.First, a sufficient amount of butane has been used to extract the desired substances from the plant material. If the butane was not dripped directly into hot water, the liquid butane solvent is usually placed, while outside with no possible explosive devices (lighters, cell phones, etc.) nearby, in a bath of hot water. This process is commonly referred to as "purging" the butane. The resultant extract is referred to as "oil" due to its distinctly non-"hash" like appearance, but is actually a plant resin.
If desired, the hash oil can be blown directly on the plant matter itself. Let the plant sit for a few hours to dry afterwards.
[edit] Removing impurities
There are also methods of further processing butane extracted resin that are popular, such as "washing" the resin in hot water, using a butane torch to verify the absence of trapped butane (curing) or dissolving the resin in another solvent (such as alcohol or hexane) to either further process it
[edit] Health concerns
It should be noted that the resinous form of the product can lead to trapped solvent (butane) which is believed to be very harmful to one's health. There is also much debate as to the long term effects of butane-extracted or solvent-extracted hashish oil resin's. There have been no scientific studies of the consequences of using butane extracted cannabis resin.
[edit] Physical effects
The effects of butane-extracted resin are comparable to marijuana, except intensified. The initial effect is typically a very strong and sometimes overwhelming sensation that typically lasts anywhere from 20 minutes to 8 hours in duration with progressively less intensive effects. The reduced intake of cannabis for some medical users by the inherent potency of butane extracted resin is seen as a possible health benefit.
[edit] Methods of intake
Butane-extracted resin is often smoked on top of cannabis in a pipe or water pipe. The purified nature of the extract also allows for it to be smoked on top of 3 screens in a bowl or on top of a screen and a thin layer of ash, usually in a water pipe.
Some users report heating the resin to an oily consistency, then spreading the oil on cigarette papers, allowing them to dry and rolling ground up cannabis and/or tobacco in the papers to smoke.
It is highly suggested that a water pipe is used when smoking any solvent processed oil(s)/resin(s).
Butane-extracted resin is also vaporized via hot air vaporizers such as the Storz and Bickel Volcano using 3 extra screens in the vaporizing chamber or off of heated glass or a heated metal (into something that allows a user to intake the vapors). BHO vaporized on a single heated knife and inhaled through an empty pen tube or a reverse funnel and known as a "hot knives" or "blades" This provides an easy and efficient way of consumption.
[edit] Availability
Butane-extracted resin is commercially available in parts of California, British Columbia and other regions where hashish production is known to occur (although those that make it generally smoke it). In Holland, where other Cannabis products are de facto legal, BHO has been classified as an illegal substance since 1992, and is not commercially available in licensed "coffee shop" type establishments. Note that BHO, among other types of hash oil, are subject to stricter regulation in some countries (esp. UK) than other cannabis products due to its higher THC content.
[edit] See also
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