What is Marijuana Wax? How to Make and Use it?

07/04/2024
LOOKAH

What is Marijuana Wax? How to Make and Use it

Marijuana wax is a popular alternative to marijuana flowers because it is stronger and requires less quantity for users to get a substantial "high".

Are you curious about cannabis wax? Whether you're a novice or an expert cannabis user, this guide will help you.

Below, we're going over everything you need to know about marijuana wax to help clear up any confusion you might be feeling and make better use of it.

We'll cover what marijuana wax is, give some step-by-step instructions on how to consume marijuana wax, and go over how marijuana wax is made.

What Is Marijuana Wax?

Marijuana Wax

Marijuana wax, also known as cannabis wax or weed wax, is a potent cannabis concentrate with a waxy texture.

This powerful form of cannabis is created through a meticulous extraction process that retains the essential cannabinoids and terpenes while removing unwanted plant material.

As a result, there's a highly concentrated product that offers rapid-acting effects, intense flavors, and a unique consumption experience.

Due to its potent nature, cannabis wax is often used for making edibles, topicals, and other infused products. However, it can also be smoked using a variety of methods.

Because waxes can form a variety of nuanced textures due to variations in moisture and lipid content, it may also be called “butter,” “badder,” “honeycomb,” “sugar,” or other descriptive names that speak to the extract's texture and appearance.

What are the Benefits of Using Cannabis Wax?

Benefits of Using Cannabis Wax

Compared to regular flower, why would you choose marijuana wax? Here are a few of the main benefits of cannabis wax.

1. High Potency

Cannabis wax is known for being a highly potent concentrate, containing around three times as much THC or CBD compared to dry Flower.

Flower can have between 15 to 25% potency levels, while cannabis wax can have 50 to 90% or more.

A smaller volume of wax may be enough to achieve the same effects as a larger amount of flower.

2.Superior Flavor and Aroma

Cannabis wax include terpenes, which are what gives it the distinctive taste and aroma.

For cannabis connoisseurs and those looking to experience a superior flavor, wax can offer an excellent experience.

3. Healthier

Cannabis Wax is a much healthier alternative to smoking weed, as you get none of the negative side effects that come with combusting plant material.

This is because dabbing or vaping turns the wax into a vapor instead of smoke.

4. Fast Acting Effects

The onset of the high from dabbing or vaping wax is almost immediate, which makes it an ideal candidate for chronic pain relief, insomnia, appetite issues, anxiety, depression, and more.

If you're wrestling with chronic symptoms or conditions that resist treatment with regular cannabis flower, wax can present an effective and powerful alternative.

How to Make Marijuana Wax?

Wax can be made using a variety of different production techniques such as solvents or solventless methods to separate the desired compounds from the plant material.

Marijuana Wax can be made in a commercial environment with modern equipment or prepared in a home setting.

We do not recommend making wax on your own as it's usually very dangerous, but it is entirely possible if you perform your research and are safe.

A. Solvent-based extraction methods

Solvent-based extraction methods involve using chemicals, such as butane or Isopropyl, to dissolve the desired compounds from the cannabis plant.

This process extracts cannabinoids and terpenes effectively, creating highly concentrated cannabis wax.

However, it requires careful handling and thorough purging to ensure the removal of any residual solvents.

Method 1- BHO/Butane Hash Oil (Most Common)

Butane extraction method to make weed wax

The process was developed to extract as much THC from leftover, unsellable pieces of marijuana as possible.

This method is dangerous because butane is a very Inflammable and explosive substance. Plus, Inhaling solvent vapors is very bad for the lungs.

Step 1: Place the cannabis into tube

Place the ground cannabis in an open-ended tube where one end is covered by a filter (most commonly a coffee filter) and the other end is closed.

Step 2: Pour butane into the tube

Inject the Compressed Butane into the tube and saturate the plant for 30 sec.

The butane leeches the THC or CBD from the plant and it flows out in a greenish muck.

Step 3: Evaporation

Collect the resulting liquid in a glass pan and Place it inside another pan of boiling hot water waiting 15-20 min for the butane to evaporate.

This step is crucial, as inhaling butane can harm your health.

Step 4: Purging

You can use a vacuum chamber to remove any remaining butane. This step ensures a purer and safer final product.

Step 5: Scraping

Once the wax is stable, use a dabber tool to collect the wax from the glass dish.

Method 2 – Isopropyl

Isopropyl extraction method to make Marijuana wax

When using isopropyl alcohol, the cannabis is first soaked in the alcohol for a period of time before being drained into a container.

The liquid from the soaked mixture is then heated at an extremely high temperature until most of the alcohol evaporates and wax is produced.

B. Solventless extraction methods

Solventless extraction method to make Marijuana wax

Solventless extraction methods do not involve the use of chemicals.

Instead, they rely on mechanical processes, such as pressure and heat, to extract the desired compounds from the cannabis plant.

Solventless methods like rosin pressing and ice water hash extraction are gaining popularity due to their purity and the absence of residual solvents.

How to Use Marijuana Wax?

Dabbing and vaping are probably the two most popular ways of enjoying cannabis wax, but there are a few other methods you can experiment with.

1. Smoking with a Joint or a Bowl

Smoking with a Joint or a Bowl

Adding the weed wax to traditional smoking methods like joints and bowls (parts of a bong or pipe) can add a new level of intensity to your smoking experience.

Simply add a small amount of wax into the flower you're planning to roll or pack into a joint or bowl, and you'll get a slower burning, more potent result.

The heat from the burning flower will create wax vapors. But Be careful not to hold a flame directly to the wax when lighting the bowl.

2. Dabbing with a Dab Rig

Dabbing with a Dab Rig

Traditionally, marijuana wax is consumed in a glass dab rig with a nail, which is a heating element that made of Ceramic, Titanium or Quartz material.

Using a butane torch to heat the nail until it turns red. Then, the nail is allowed to cool down to reach the desired temperature.

A small amount of cannabis wax is applied with a dabber tool onto the heated surface.

Then you can Inhale the vapor through the mouthpiece for a powerful and immediate effect.

Pro Tips: An infrared thermometer can be used for better temperature control of the dab nail.

Some people prefer an e-nail to a torch because it provides a consistent, precise temperature and avoids an open flame.

3. Dabbing with a nectar collector

Dabbing with a nectar collector

The nectar collector, also called a honey straw or a dab straw, is a portable, easy-to-use alternative device to traditional dab rigs with a vertical, straw-like design.

It consists of a glass or silicone body, a titanium or quartz tip, and a mouthpiece.

To use a nectar collector, you need the nectar collector itself, a butane torch, and a heat-resistant serving dish.

Heat the tip with a torch, touch it to the wax, and inhale vapor through the mouthpiece.

This method of smoking wax offers precise dosage control and minimal waste.

4. Vaping with a Dab Pen

Vaping with a Dab Pen

You can use a dab pen (wax vaporizer, wax pen) designed for concentrates, which is similar to a traditional vape pen but is specifically made for waxes.

These specific vaporizers have coils that heat to sufficient temperatures to handle wax.

With a specific vaporizer that's made for vaping wax, you just need to add a small amount of wax to the heating chamber and then inhale the vapor that's produced.

Many younger people are turning to this method for its discrete nature- smokeless, odorless, and easy to hide, portability, and great flavors - less harsh on the lungs compared to dabbing.

5. Edibles

Edibles

You can mix the Cannabis wax into butter, oil, or other fats to infuse into various homemade recipes.

This allows you to make your own potent edibles like brownies, cookies, or gummies.

However, it's essential to properly decarboxylate the wax beforehand to activate the cannabinoids and achieve the desired effects.

This method is discreet and may take longer to produce effects.

6. Tinctures

Tinctures

Dissolve cannabis wax in a high-proof alcohol (like Everclear) to create a tincture.

You can then use a dropper to consume it sublingually (under the tongue).

This method allows fast absorption into the bloodstream and provides an alternative for those who prefer not to inhale or use edibles.

7. Topicals for skin application

Topicals for skin application

Mix cannabis wax with a carrier oil or lotion to create a cannabis-infused topical product, such as balms or creams.

When applied to the skin, the cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid receptors, offering potential benefits such as pain relief and reduced inflammation.

Because the THC in most topical products doesn't reach your bloodstream, it doesn't have the psychoactive effects — that buzzy, high feeling.

8. Capsules

cannabis wax capsules

Some people encapsulate decarboxylated cannabis wax into gel capsules, allowing for precise dosing and discreet consumption.

Conclusion

Marijuana wax is a potent and flavorful concentrate that offers a unique and powerful way to enjoy the benefits of weed.

By understanding the basics, how it's made, and different consumption methods, you can elevate your cannabis experience and discover new ways to enjoy marijuana.

Given the risks of impurities and varying product quality, it's paramount to buy weed wax from established, reputable sellers or dispensaries.

When consuming cannabis wax, we recommend dabbing and vaping at low temperatures, between 350 and 450º F, instead of higher temperatures which can destroy the wax's terpenes.

Additionally, When approaching wax, be sure to be wary of the extra potency and the dangers of using the equipment required.

Going low and slow will allow you to find your perfect dose more easily, as well as avoid the unpleasant side effects that come with overconsumption.