THC wax, often called dabs, is a highly potent form of cannabis concentrate created by isolating desirable compounds from the raw plant material. This product is significantly more powerful than traditional dried cannabis flower, which typically contains 10% to 30% Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC wax concentrates generally boast a THC content ranging from 60% to 90%, delivering a far more intense and rapid effect. The manufacturing process involves specialized techniques to strip the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant, resulting in the sticky, opaque material known as wax.
Understanding the Raw Materials and Concentrate Categories
The quality of the final THC wax is directly tied to the cannabis material used for extraction. Extractors commonly use cured flower (dried and aged cannabis buds) or trim and shake (leaves and fragments left after manicuring). Cured flower generally yields a more flavorful and potent product due to higher trichome density.
An especially sought-after input is fresh frozen flower, which is cannabis that is flash-frozen immediately after harvest and kept frozen until extraction. Using fresh frozen material minimizes the degradation of delicate terpenes and cannabinoids, leading to an extract known as “live resin.” While all solvent-based extractions are technically “extracts,” the term “concentrate” is broader, encompassing both solvent-based products like wax and solventless products like hash or rosin.
Solvent-Based Extraction: The Closed-Loop Process
The majority of THC wax is produced through solvent-based extraction, utilizing light hydrocarbons like butane or propane, a process frequently called Butane Hash Oil (BHO) or Propane Hash Oil (PHO) extraction. This is performed using a professional, pressurized closed-loop system. The closed-loop design is essential because it prevents the highly flammable solvents from escaping and allows for the recovery and reuse of the solvent.
The process begins by loading the cannabis material into a column within the system, which is then sealed. Chilled liquid solvent, such as butane, is pumped under pressure into the column, where it washes over the plant material. The cold solvent dissolves the lipid-soluble compounds, primarily the cannabinoids and terpenes, stripping them from the plant structure. The resulting mixture of solvent and dissolved plant compounds, called crude oil, is collected in a separate recovery vessel. The system then uses temperature and pressure differentials to heat the collection vessel, causing the butane to vaporize out of the crude oil and condense back into the solvent tank.
Post-Extraction Refining: Purging and Texturing
Once the crude oil has been collected, it still contains residual solvent that must be removed through purging to ensure the final product is safe for consumption. This step takes place in a vacuum oven, where the extract is subjected to low heat (typically between 90°F and 130°F) under a strong vacuum. The reduced pressure within the oven lowers the boiling point of the remaining solvent, causing it to vaporize and be drawn out of the oil without requiring high temperatures that would degrade the terpenes.
The final texture of the concentrate is determined by post-purging manipulation and temperature control, which differentiates wax from other concentrates like shatter or crumble. Wax, or “budder,” is achieved by agitating or whipping the extract during the purging process. This incorporates air and encourages the crystallization of cannabinoids, causing the oil to nucleate and take on an opaque, soft, and pliable texture. A solid, glass-like texture, known as shatter, is created by purging the oil undisturbed, while a dry, brittle texture, or crumble, is achieved by purging at a lower temperature for an extended period.
Solventless Alternative: Rosin Production
A distinct alternative to solvent-based extraction is the production of rosin, a concentrate that uses only mechanical force to separate the desirable compounds. Rosin is categorized as solventless because it requires no chemical solvents like butane or propane. The process involves placing the starting material (dried flower, dry sift, or hash) into a filter bag and applying intense heat and pressure using a specialized rosin press.
The combination of heat and pressure rapidly melts the trichome heads, causing the cannabinoid and terpene-rich resin to ooze out of the plant material. Lower temperatures (often between 170°F and 220°F) and precise pressure application are used to maximize yield while preserving the volatile terpenes. The extracted resin is collected on parchment paper, resulting in a clean, potent concentrate that can be manipulated into a waxy consistency.