Cannabis concentrates: safe medicinal use

It is no secret that cannabis concentrates are currently the focus of attention in the US cannabis industry and are also becoming increasingly popular in all other countries. They are viewed critically by some cannabis users and appreciated by others for their high potency and thus great efficacy for certain conditions. Knowledge about the production of concentrates is increasingly growing among marijuana patients. At the same time, especially here, compliance with quality standards throughout the entire production process and during storage is of great importance.

To ensure safe consumption of cannabis concentrates, some rules should be followed:

Knowledge and safety in production

Before producing BHO oneself, one should inform oneself sufficiently about the entire process and the individual steps. For the sake of one's own health, it is essential to observe the safety precautions when extracting (extracting only outdoors!). For this purpose, it is advisable to read and gather knowledge about the whole production process in advance. In BHO production, it is of great importance that the butane gas contained in the concentrate after extraction is completely removed with the help of a water bath, hot plate and vacuum pump, sufficient time...just to mention a few keywords here. (You can find more about this here: How is BHO or cannabis oil actually made?). Furthermore, only N-butane should be used, normal lighter gas is harmful to health and can leave residues in the concentrate. Therefore, it is always a matter of great trust to consume concentrates whose production method is not known. In retrospect, it is not possible to automatically identify which gas and grass was used or what exactly happened to it beforehand. An examination in the laboratory is likely to be omitted as an option for determining quality in individual cases. This will only be possible once the basis for comprehensive quality standards and regulations has been created within the framework of complete legalisation, such as in Colorado.

All tools used in production should be made of borosilicate glass, titanium or medical stainless steel. Supports and vessels should preferably be made of glass or the special BHO silicone.

Use of absolutely high-quality raw material

When producing BHO, especially if this is to be used for medicinal purposes, only high-quality source material, i.e. the best buds, may be used. Grass that is infested with mould or other fungi must not be used under any circumstances. Pathogens can also appear later in concentrated form in the cannabis extract. The flowers that are used must have been properly stored and dried. For the medicinal use of BHO, only source material that has been grown organically should be considered, i.e. no chemical fertiliser or chemical plant protection should have been used during the entire vegetation and flowering period. Residues of fertiliser residues and other chemical additives could later be found in concentrated form in the cannabis extract and would thus be harmful to health.

Gloves or fingers off

It is best to wear gloves throughout the process of making BHO to avoid transferring bacteria and other contaminants to the concentrate. Concentrates are incredibly sticky. When they are touched, all sorts of things stick to them immediately. They should therefore not be handled without gloves.

Store concentrates

Concentrates should be stored in sealable containers for extracts because otherwise there will be a higher rate of degradation of the cannabinoids. Also, dust and other particles can get trapped in the concentrate and cause contamination if they are stored unsealed. It is best to store them in the refrigerator, they can also be stored in the freezer, but then it becomes a bit difficult to use them. Concentrates should not be stored in plastic containers, as these could release toxic substances into the concentrate and contaminate it. Of course, concentrates should always be protected from sunlight.

Non-adhesive underlay

Concentrates are also difficult to dissolve from glass plates and certain losses always occur. Wooden, cardboard or other supports should not be used at all. Some manufacturers have developed storage containers and Underlays made of special anti-adhesive silicone, which are ideally suited for storing and processing BHO.

Dabber & other materials

When consuming, whether vaporizer, bubbler or whatever, it makes sense to use a Dabber (stick for BHO) made of stainless steel, glass or titanium, so that no contamination, detachment of particles etc. occurs. Do not touch the concentrate with your hands and clean the dabber after each use.

safe use

If cannabis oils are still rather viscous and relatively thin without the addition of heat, this can be a sign that there is still too much butane or that too much heat was used in the production process. I therefore do not use such BHOs at all. But not all liquid cannabis concentrates are automatically free of butane. There are shatters (BHOs) that look beautiful but are still filled with butane. This usually happens when no heat was added during the purging process, i.e. mistakes were made during production. For the professional production of medical BHOs, the use of a Hot plate is therefore absolutely essential. It can be used to precisely control the temperature and allow heat to be added for days. Background: if the THC molecules harden during the purging process, the trapped butane gas can no longer escape and remains in the concentrate. If the THC molecules are brought closer to their boiling point, they loosen and the gas can escape.

If a cannabis concentrate hisses or crackles when consumed, it is highly likely that it still contains residual gas. Consumption is then not advisable.

When handled correctly, cannabis concentrates can be of great benefit for many conditions, especially in the medical field, due to their high potency and effectiveness. It is popular for its strong high and smooth taste at the same time.

BHO products for extraction and further processing in our shop:

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