What is Butane Hash Oil (BHO)
Butane hash oil (BHO) is a concentrated form of marijuana that is consumed by either using a dab rag (dabbing) or by placing it on top of marijuana in a pipe or bong.
The BHO is made through a relatively complicated – though also simple – process of pushing liquefied butane through tubes packed with marijuana, which is a process that allows for the cannabinoids to be removed from the marijuana by pumping the butane through the holding container. What’s left is a mixture of butane and marijuana, which is then evaporated to remove the harmful substances.
What remains is BHO, which typically has a very waxy consistency.
The Benefits of BHO
Although most cannabis strains typically have between 10 to 25% THC, the THC in butane hash oil is often 60% to 80%, sometimes higher.
Because of the higher THC content, BHO is perfect for those wanting a stronger, more pronounced high than the standard joint or bowl. It’s also perfect for those wanting a quicker high – rather than having to smoke a whole joint, a single dab is often more than enough.
BHO is also becoming increasingly popular among medical marijuana users, as it allows for much more effective consumption of cannabis’ medical compounds
Is it Safe to Make BHO?
Butane is highly flammable, making the process of making BHO one that can be extremely dangerous. Because of this it’s recommended that you avoid trying to make it until you’ve done extensive research, procured the proper equipment and followed strict safety guidelines. If possible, work worth or at least watch closely a professional and what they do. Or, better yet, if you live in a legal marijuana state just let the professionals do it for you and simply purchase it at one of your local marijuana outlets.
Is it Safe to Consume BHO?
There’s been a lot of negative coverage in recent years regarding BHO, with much of it far overstating its dangers. When purged correctly and made right, butane hash oil is safe to smoke. When done right, there will be no butane left over. However, if not made prroperly there could be residual butane which is obviously not healthy and can feel bad on the throat and lungs. This is why it’s important to either: Make it properly, or purchase it from a trusted source.
BHO extraction vs. CO2 extraction
Whereas BHO uses butane to separate the compounds such as THC, CO2 extraction uses carbon dioxide as a solvent. Although carbon dioxidedoes not naturally act as a solvent the way butane does, this can be changed once the gas is subjected to extreme temperature and pressure.
Given CO2 reaches a “supercritical” state where it displays structures that fluctuate between being gaseous, liquid, and solid, it can be as useful a solvent as any hydrocarbon. CO2 extraction is commonly used in other industries as well, such as for decaffeinating coffee.