WHAT IS IT, HOW TO DO IT, AND EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IT. Written by: Tatiana Melendez
You never really knew how many shades of gold you can make out of green until you have seen the cannabis concentrates section of a dispensary or a cannabis convention. Seeing and smelling well-made marijuana concentrates for the first time may make you crave sushi if you love it, as wasabi is one of the only things on this planet that resembles the texture of wax. Or, if you are like me, seeing the strange exotic dab tools covered in bright, sweet, and aromatic substances sends the mind flashing back to memories of eating with chopsticks for the first time; the blow torch may create a craving for crème Brulee, cherries jubilee, or gourmet smores. If you are relatively new to the concentrated world, let me walk you through some essential basics of the shining gold you have discovered. Dabbing gets its name from the small blobs of concentrate that, when combined with a special rig- a dab rig- can get you wholly and thoroughly high. Dab aficionados across the country use the number “710,” which looks like the word “OIL” if you flip it upside down. This 710 symbolizes the culture of dabbing and vaping concentrated cannabis commonly extracted with high pressurized butane oil or with ice water, the same way the number 420 represents raw cannabis flower smoking culture. Dabs are typically done as single-serving hits of cannabis concentrate that are usually no bigger than your pinky nail.
And before you say,
“I need more than that tiny dab,” let me assure you, that is plenty. Dabs are concentrated cannabinoids, and even that tiny amount can get you well and truly messed up. It is one of the main reasons people love dabs-- their increased potency. Another primary compound is terpenes. Terpenes are very fragile compounds that are extremely sensitive to heat. Some extraction methods allow concentrate manufacturers to create dabs with rich concentrations of terpenes that make for a much more flavorful final product. Cannabis concentrates have opened up a world of new flavors and textures that provide cannabis with unique ways to experience far beyond what is used to form the flower. While the higher potency of dabs is a pro for some, it can also be a con for others, particularly users who have not tried concentrates before or have a low tolerance for THC. For these users, the high cannabinoid concentration of dabs can cause negative experiences and side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and paranoia. So, start super small and then go big!
thechronicmagazine.com
AUGUST 2022
14
