Puncture is the process of using a form of the drug called “dab”, which is a small amount of cannabis extract (mainly hashish oil with butane). Puncture can be more dangerous than other forms of cannabis use, making this growing trend especially worrying. Cannabis concentrates can be prepared at home with amateur equipment or in a commercial laboratory. 9 The various ways in which cannabis concentrates can be produced include water-based processing, dry processing, dry ice processing, and solvent-based processing.
Solvent-based processing includes the use of carbon dioxide, a non-flammable solvent, and flammable solvents such as propane, alcohol, ether or butane (fluid for lighters). The resulting product, hashish butane (BHO) oil, has stronger effects than those of conventional flowering cannabis. [1] Other names for BHO are amber, glass, black glass, wax, ear wax, shatter, dabs, liquid THC, Budder, butter, honeycomb, and butane oil, depending on the consistency of the product, 3,7,9,11,12. The process involves passing butane oil through a glass or steel tube loaded with dry cannabis cuttings. THC and other hydrophobic compounds in dry cannabis dissolve in butane; the THC-butane solution exits the tube through a filtering device.
To prepare the cannabis concentrate for inhalation, a small amount, or a little, of the crystallized resin is placed in a shallow tray or plate, called a nail, attached to a water pipe that has been preheated with a torch. 13 Some nails include an additional piece called a dome, which helps to evenly distribute heat and retain vapor. 14 Because of its volatile nature, butane evaporates and leaves crystallized resins. Solvent-based products have an average THC concentration of 54 to 69%, but can reach 80% or more. In contrast, the THC concentration in conventional cannabis is only 10 to 15%.
The subsequent surge of dopamine contributes to the euphoria that many cannabis users seek. The terms used to describe these products vary. Concentrates are a broad term that refers to all products that have been extracted from the plant. Although extracts and concentrates are often used interchangeably, some people define extracts as products made with solvents, but not those that are extracted from the plant with solvent-free methods.
The term “dabs” can refer to products made exclusively with butane-based hashish oil; however, the term is sometimes used colloquially to refer to concentrates extracted in other ways. There are also post-production methods that result in new variations in products and terms. 3.Puncture is illegal in New York, but it's legal in California, Colorado and Washington. Experts say it is very likely that it will be legalized in New York in a few years.
The long-term effects depend on the amount and frequency with which cannabis is consumed and can also be affected by the way it is consumed (e.g., there are several extraction methods (below) that separate the trichomes from the cannabis plant material to create a cannabis extract that can have a texture and consistency similar to that of oil, sap, wax, butter, candy, sauce, and more.
