Butane Hash Oil -- The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

[trichcycler]

 

Co-authored by Mallory J Loflin, M.A.

Messing With Mother Nature

I live in London. And to my knowledge, butane hash oil (BHO), shatter, honey, wax has not yet made a significant mark on the UK or European cannabis market. It is here for sure. The occasional patient I see in clinic, the off-the-cuff remark from the police, even the odd report of a corner street explosion. But to my knowledge we are not anywhere close to the US when it comes to this new potent form of cannabis with THC percentages running at 60 to 80 percent. It's for this reason I asked Mallory Loflin to co-author this piece with me because I wanted to make sure we knew what we were talking about.

As a general rule, anytime "man" starts messing with Mother Nature, the outcomes when related to drugs is generally not good. From a public health perspective it is rarely an improvement on the original. I'm not saying drug purification and distillation does not make a drug more fun (well, I guess chewing coca leaves and running up the mountain after your goat is hardly fun compared to what some people get up to on cocaine), but messing with nature does come at a cost. And as GDS2015, which has a huge focus on BHO and is set to become the biggest drug survey ever, launches, we thought it might be worth speculating whether the reinvention and promotion of hash oil and the explosion of vaping devices is going to turn out to be good, bad or rather ugly.

Learning From the Past

The history of drugs suggests that nature tends to restrict the potential of psychoactive substances to create large scale dependence and social unrest. Leave most compounds in their natural state, place some culture bound rituals around them, don't package and distribute them, avoid laborious processes to permit consumption through routes other than swallowing and most of all give purification/distillation a wide berth and many of the most troublesome drugs of the 21st century would be less problematic. And whilst we look toward technology and invention for the next great leaps in making drug use safer for people (commonsense drug regulation would be rather helpful but less easy to market!), recent history suggests that technological advances tend to undermine nature's inherent harm reduction strategies and make the use of most drugs more dangerous and risky.

From the isolation and purification of cocaine and morphine from their plant based origins to the distillation of alcohol from fermented fruits, arecoline and other psychoactive alkaloids from areca nut into Pan Masala and the methylation of amphetamine to methamphetamine -- almost without exception the development of a more potent form of a drug is associated with greater addiction potential and consequently risks of harms. The development of a more potent from of a drug is often partnered with a more efficient/rapid route of delivery. For cocaine hydrochloride and morphine, it was the ability for the drug to be injected leading to rapid reinforcement whilst for crack cocaine and methamphetamine subtle molecular alteration allowed the drug to be smoked leading to a more rapid onset of action with a shorter, more intense high.

But that is not the whole story. What's missing is the "why." Historically, the drive to isolate, modify and purify was not, we assume, to increase the harms associated with the use of the drug, but was "a byproduct" of scientific advancement and well intentioned medical and pharmaceutical interests in broadening the therapeutic efficacy and availability of these plants' "healing" properties. And in a similar fashion the context for the rise of many of these new, potent forms of cannabis, such as BHO and other concentrates, was the demand by those with medical conditions for preparations that could minimize smoking-related harms and facilitate easier adoption of oral consumption. So just like the synthesis of morphine, leading to greatly improved therapeutic application compared to the poppy's original derivative, opium, the movement to create a stronger and more potent form of cannabis might be a good thing. And these potential harm reduction benefits (through having to smoke less combustible product or the use of a vape pen and promotion of oral use) could extend to the non-medical use community.

So what does the evidence say? Early research conducted by Mallory Lofflin and her co-author Mitch Earleywine (1) suggests recreational users did indeed prefer BHO to traditionally smoked flower cannabis because the effects were stronger and onset more rapid. For a medicinal user who relies on cannabis to alleviate symptoms, this is a very desirable property. But their study of about 350 users of BHO does suggest that some concerns might be warranted. Although their analyses revealed that using "dabs" created no more problems or accidents than using flower cannabis, users did report that "dabs" led to the development of higher tolerance and withdrawal, suggesting that the practice might be more likely to lead to the development of dependence.

The Future?

As parts of the world drift into revising the regulation of cannabis, the appearance of butane hash oil in parts of US raises concerns about whether history is about to repeat itself. We worry that cannabis purification and reformulation combined with the commercialization of the cannabis industry in partnership with a new generation of vaporizers ("safe delivery devices") might lead to greater cannabis harms. We worry that the cannabis industry might start to think like the tobacco industry where CEOs embraced (then buried) the realization that users dependent on your product are good for profits. We worry that edibles coming in the form of chocolate bars with 16 segments where each one is a dose are going to lead to all sorts of "white-outs." Really, who ever had one piece of chocolate? So while we don't have much evidence for this, we at least wanted to give it a bit of thought before we punch the numbers from the responses we get in from GDS2015.

There's a reason that almost all medications carry warning labels and why medical doctors and pharmacists discuss ways to reduce dependency risk with their patients. We see no reason why the cannabis industry should not follow suit. Being cognizant of safety when making recommendations to cannabis patients and consumers is not antithetical to the goals of the cannabis industry. In fact being fully up front that some people become dependent and that the use of cannabis especially heavy, regular use and consumption by the young, those with mental illness and those who are pregnant can be harmful is totally essential and will only create respect within the wider community. Guidelines are needed for cannabis use in exactly the same way they are needed for alcohol (2) For a movement that needs to distinguish itself from the tobacco and alcohol industries, dispensaries would be well served by advocating for the establishment of risk indexes to inform recommendations for use and best practices for safety such as the GDS Highway Code (3). Where does BHO fall in that index? That's what we're trying to find out.

Take part in Global Drug Survey 2015 here. Everything is anonymous and confidential. Please take the time to share what your experience anytime up until Dec. 20, 2014.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adam-winstock/butane-hash-oil-good-bad-ugly_b_6154208.html

[zachw]

Much of what he writes bears striking similarity to Andrew Weil's 1972 book, The Natural Mind. The healthiest approach to using mind altering substances is one that uses whole plant material rather than a synthesized component from it (although the author here is speaking of concentrates which is not really the same thing), is used in a ritualized manner and with the appropriate mind set and physical environment ("set & setting"). 

 

Regardless of what thinks of Weil (or about his less than admirable conduct at Harvard regarding Timothy Leary & Richard Alpert/Ram Dass) this is an important book that should be on your bookshelf folks!

[Restorium2]

Much of what he writes bears striking similarity to Andrew Weil's 1972 book, The Natural Mind. The healthiest approach to using mind altering substances is one that uses whole plant material rather than a synthesized component from it (although the author here is speaking of concentrates which is not really the same thing), is used in a ritualized manner and with the appropriate mind set and physical environment ("set & setting"). 

 

Regardless of what thinks of Weil (or about his less than admirable conduct at Harvard regarding Timothy Leary & Richard Alpert/Ram Dass) this is an important book that should be on your bookshelf folks!

Very important sentence in my opinion. I would like to add that you can make concentrates that are essentially whole plant products if you put your mind to it. That way you can function and have a life rather than being a couch potato for days. To each his own though. That's the beauty of cannabis, it's versatile. 

[trichcycler]

Conversely I wonder if the thought of removing the wheat from its stalk, the corn from the cob, or the pomegranate seeds from the rind could be viewed in similar light?

 

I suppose the cob of the corn has food stuff benefits too though we typically don't consume it for thoughts. The fruit of the cannabis plant are thought to be it's flowers and seeds, the remaining bits have many uses to humans historically.

 

I've extracted from a "whole plant" minus the stalks and largest fan leaves. The product weighed double respectively, had a lower viscosity than "flower only" results, and tasted fair to green. It resembled the oil I've seen in a few dispensaries labeled as rso, honey oil, hash oil. With the telltale green tint I suspected this was status quo of producers to maximize returns by using trim scraps as opposed to buds.

 

the choice of solvent will affect the final color also, as they target varying constituents in the plant by targeting items other than the oils within the trichomes.The "potency" of the whole plant oil was lowered considerably using the whole plant. Vaporized or smoked, thumbs down for the whole plant extract.  This was my experience, most likely not shared with anyone in existence.

 

On the other hand I know that a whole plant/ extract/juicing would be superior for ingestion while seeking natural healing for all kinds of dis-ease. I cannot comfortably eat cannabis juiced or dried, but had no discomfort from ingesting the whole plant extract.

[trichcycler]

I think you are reading it correctly. I used more than untrimmed flowers, but the whole plant, minus stalk and largest few fan leaves. I should have mentioned this extraction was done with 99% alcohol. A 99% bud only extract here is not green at all(here,qwiso), but one with leaves and such turns greenish using the otherwise same technique. Is that your experience?

 

I know many use alcohol to extract and assume the alcohol they use is less than 100%, with the remaining being water, targeting the water solubles like chlorophyll.

[trichcycler]

I just shook up a jar of 99% alc with some dried fan leaves and it turned green within seconds. If I evaporated the alc there would be little more than useless wax and chlorophyll right?

[Restorium2]

I just shook up a jar of 99% alc with some dried fan leaves and it turned green within seconds. If I evaporated the alc there would be little more than useless wax and chlorophyll right?

And then when you winterized there would be essentially nothing. Are you deliberately making trash by not winterizing when you use leaves?

[trichcycler]

I don't use leaves or even trim when I extract. This was a "whole plant" extraction reference to the weight and potency of a leaf extraction end. I don't even use 99% alcohol normally, but for this whole plant one I did.

I didn't typically winterize, as I don't typically target waxes with a nbutane, my method of choice then. I like the taste of the waxy trichome heads personally now, and that's why I'm digging the dry sift method for awhile.

[Restorium2]

I don't use leaves or even trim when I extract. This was a "whole plant" extraction reference to the weight and potency of a leaf extraction end. I don't even use 99% alcohol normally, but for this whole plant one I did.

I didn't typically winterize, as I don't typically target waxes with a nbutane, my method of choice then. I like the taste of the waxy trichome heads personally now, and that's why I'm digging the dry sift method for awhile.

It wasn't personal, just following you in your imaginary voyage with leaves and alcohol.

[Restorium2]

You did not say fan leaves, you said untrimmed flower.

He used extremes to prove his point. Which did make it easier to prove it was false to say folks were doing that to extend product and make more $$$$$. Try smoking some unwinterized oil made from leaves some day and you will know they are not selling that to anyone... more than once. If you have not experienced it then you wouldn't know (the imaginary voyage). 

[trichcycler]

You did not say fan leaves, you said untrimmed flower.

"I've extracted from a "whole plant" minus the stalks and largest fan leaves."

 

"I think you are reading it correctly. I used more than untrimmed flowers, but the whole plant, minus stalk and largest few fan leaves."

 

you said "untrimmed flowers"

[trichcycler]

Resto, You're a trip man. I hope you heal soon and heal well. Best wishes to you and yours.

[Restorium2]

Resto, You're a trip man. I hope you heal soon and heal well. Best wishes to you and yours.

If you want to be a shrink then go to college because it is one of your worst imaginary journeys to date. You have no clue who you are talking with at all, let alone having a clue about my medical condition. Best of luck with your imaginary journeys around the internet. 

[Dlo]

A ton of people do whole plant extracts with out any green. Look up Green Dot Labs. They make the best shatter that I've ever seen and Its all made from whole plant extracts.

 

 

 

[trichcycler]

"Our shatter is an extracted and bonded butane hash oil (BHO) that does not retain the harsh qualities of plant materials and waxes. Our extraction method, which takes place in a medical-grade laboratory, concentrates and retains the full terpene profile of the extracted plant. When you vaporize Green Dot Labs shatter, you get the full flavor experience and full medicinal effects of the original cannabis strain.

The product is sometimes quite clear, and other times more amber in color. The malleable texture makes it easy to handle, and convenient for vaporizer pens"

they have pics of their drying rack right before extraction. There are no leaves or trim present, only sexy buds.

They use a reclaim/sealed system like a Tamisium, with NButane. Their product comes out liquid,

then is dried.

when I made it the results looked similar.

with a million dollar lab, legal compliance, and stellar equipment, I wonder if they have their eye on a MI franchise when its legal?
 

[trichcycler]

I'm guessing end color is dependent on factors like temperature of solvent, type of solvent, temperature and "quality"  of material to be extracted from, oxygen exposure, age maybe.

 

this is not my work.

[Dlo]

I just shook up a jar of 99% alc with some dried fan leaves and it turned green within seconds. If I evaporated the alc there would be little more than useless wax and chlorophyll right?

I've heard you can put the green Alc. solutions in the sunlight and the UV will break the chlorophyll.

 

What you think about this product grass?    http://www.kleenxtract.com/our-products/

[trichcycler]

UV you say ?  now that's interesting. I don't normally use alcohol but am going to try this to check the UV funs.

 

That alcohol is super pure @ 200 proof.  Excellent solvent choice especially with a sealed/reclaim system.

[Wild Bill]

I've heard you can put the green Alc. solutions in the sunlight and the UV will break the chlorophyll.

 

What you think about this product grass?    http://www.kleenxtract.com/our-products/

 

UV light will degrade the chlorophyll and remove the green color but it will also degrade THC.

[GrowGoddess]

Correct Wild Bill. UV will do more damage than degrade THC.

 

In my opinion, it will also damage the essential CBDs and terpenes. I do my best to avoid light, heat, and air. All no good for the meds.

[GrowGoddess]

I've heard you can put the green Alc. solutions in the sunlight and the UV will break the chlorophyll.

 

What you think about this product grass?    http://www.kleenxtract.com/our-products/

 

I will be giving my opinion on KleenXtract soon. Can't wait to give it a try.

 

I will be posting the results in my concentrates blog.

[trichcycler]

I've used 200% alcohol, but was mash in potato water, not grapes. I've never contemplated the possibility

of the fermented item flavonoids/hydrosols etc affecting the ends of a 200%'er. That will be interesting, if you ever

used an "other than grapes" alcohol(200%)

[I wood]

I've used 200% alcohol, but was mash in potato water, not grapes. I've never contemplated the possibilityof the fermented item flavonoids/hydrosols etc affecting the ends of a 200%'er. That will be interesting, if you everused an "other than grapes" alcohol(200%)

I'm almost 200% sure you haven't used 200% alcohol for anything.

100% is very hard to come by but works well.

80$ for a gallon of 100% ethyl alcohol seems like a fair price.

With that kind of purity I wouldn't think the source would matter at all, should have no taste but alcohol.

[GrowGoddess]

I don't think the alcohol I am referring to is from grapes. I get the impression it is grain, ethanol aka ethyl alcohol. I had it shipped to a safe house and still need to pick it up.

 

http://www.kleenxtract.com/faq/

 

I have heard that handling it can be slightly dangerous because it can burn the skin, suck the moisture right out. Also, you have to take into consideration, if the humidity is high where the extraction is being conducted, the alcohol can absorb the moisture from the air and reduce the effectiveness.

 

I don't know much about distilling and all that, but going by what I have read, to exceed 96% alcohol requires additional steps, chemicals, and equipment. I believe sulfuric acid is required to aid in the production of alcohol higher than 95-96%.

 

All of the people I have spoken with who are knowledgeable about distilling say the highest they are able to produce with their equipment is 180 proof. They have the equipment to verify the proof. 190 proof has too much water content for me, especially when using it during the summer months.

 

@iwood to have a gallon of Kleen Xtract delivered in MI the cost is $95. A bit less than what I was paying to have the 192 proof grain alcohol shipped in.

[trichcycler]

I'm almost 200% sure you haven't used 200% alcohol for anything.

100% is very hard to come by but works well.

80$ for a gallon of 100% ethyl alcohol seems like a fair price.

With that kind of purity I wouldn't think the source would matter at all, should have no taste but alcohol.

 

You are right, there is no 200% alcohol, only 200 proof, I misspoke.

Pure ethanol cannot be obtained via conventional distillation of a water-ethanol mixture because a constant boiling mixture forms consisting of 95% ethanol-5% water (190 proof). Such a mixture is referred to as an azeotrope (azeotropic = a liquid mixture that is characterized by a constant concentration and constant minimum or maximum boiling point which is lower or higher than any of the components). Further concentration of the ethanol can be achieved by shifting the azeotropic point via vacuum distillation or addition of another substance to the mixture. Ethanol is hygroscopic, it absorbs water from the air. If left in open air the "proof" will diminish, to 96.48% I use Zeolite to remove the remaining water under vacuum to keep other water out.

It is possible, is common, and well known. I didn't invent it, I learned it.

I will tell you that 100% alcohol made from corn is much different than if made with grapes, hay, rice, etc. Its still(pun) alcohol but is different. Any distiller will tell you the same. You can buy the equipment online and very easy to operate. Of course the testing equip varies, and mine could be old and in poor condition making an accurate reading near impossible.

 

for smaller amounts of anhydrous alcohol I've heard of using Epsom salts/evaporation/mason jars to remove the water, but I have not tried this.