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The Science of Dabbing
Vaporizing concentrates is more popular than ever, but what have we learned about the practice so far?
By Rachelle Gordon The cannabis concentrates category has exploded in recent years. Sales of extracts like rosin, shatter, sugar, and sauce jumped 40% in 2020, according to market analyst firm Headset. The global concentrates market, which includes these types of products as well as pre-filled vape cartridges and pens, is expected to reach a value of $5.9 million by 2026 with a predicted compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17% from 2019 to 2026 based on numbers from a recent report.
2,600°F) to heat their bangers, a wide range of temps have emerged as preferential for extracts. Since concentrates are far more potent than regular flower, less is more when it comes to consumption. “Taking a dab is like smoking an entire joint in one single hit, which is really good for folks who require immediate alleviation from pain or just want to feel the effects of their cannabis immediately,” said Ricardo Willis, CEO of Hanu Labs, makers of vaporizers such as VapeXhale EVO, the Hanu Stone pod system, and the recently announced Hanu Petra.
As the category continues to mature, so does the science surrounding it. From cutting-edge vaporizer technology R&D to debates over temperature, more attention than ever is being paid to the science of dabbing. Cannabis & Tech Today takes a deep dive into how the practice is different from traditional smoking, the argument for low-temp hits, and what the future holds for this relatively new sector. A Different Type of Hit Dabbing and smoking both require heat but they’re miles apart in terms of how the elements involved interact with one another. Smoking flower requires combustion, with a flame being applied to ground material in a pipe or joint. The typical disposable butane lighter produces fire with temperatures averaging a little over 3,500°F. When heat is applied to cannabis, naturally occurring THC-A is converted to delta-9-THC in a process called decarboxylation, providing psychoactive effects. 136
Cannabis & Tech Today // Fall 2021
Dabbing sees concentrates vaporized through the heating of the surrounding container, typically a quartz banger, electronic nail, or vape cartridge. The wax, hash, or live resin within the chamber begins to melt, turning to a vapor that can then be inhaled. While many people use a butane blowtorch (which reaches around
There are several dabbing devices on the market targeted toward the savvy concentrate consumer in addition to Hanu Labs’ impressive line and the bevy of heady glass rigs that line the walls of smoke shops across the country. Some of the most popular include the Puffco Peak, the Focus V Carta, the Dipper from Dip Devices, the Dr. Dabber Boost, and the G-Pen line of portable, fillable pens. Each features its own unique heating systems, utilizing an array of technologies and temperature controls. Dabbers may opt for anywhere from 400°F on the low end up to 800+°F, depending on the consistency of the concentrate and consumer preference. The same temperature fluctuations do not exist when combusting flower, so what makes dabbing different?
