What Are Cannabis Concentrates & How Do You Smoke Them?

Butane hash oil, also called BHO, is a type of cannabis concentrate that is extracted through a closed loop system that requires BHO. In fact, some of your favorite concentrates are likely created using BHO. In this article, we’ll explain how these concentrates are made, and what makes them different from other products.

What is BHO?

BHO goes by a variety of names–honey oil, butane honey oil, hash oil–but it’s a misconception that the finished product is in fact BHO. Concentrates that are extracted through the use of this solvent come in a variety of forms, including badder, wax, crumble, and shatter.

How is BHO Made?

BHO is a powerful chemical that is both highly flammable and toxic, and should only be used by trained professionals.¹ Cannabis cultivators pack the cannabis plant material into a closed loop system, then they introduce chilled butane to separate the THC-containing trichomes. After a series of steps that include heating, freezing, pressure, and agitation, any residual butane or other undesirable byproducts are removed. The finished product is the desired marijuana concentrate.¹

What Are the Different Types of BHO Extracts?

Cannabis is an endlessly versatile plant, and the same can be said for the extracted concentrates. When using any BHO concentrate, be prepared for an extremely high level of THC–as high as 90%!² 

Shatter - Shatter is a translucent and brittle form of BHO. It gets its name from its glass-like appearance and texture. Shatter is known for its high potency and is enjoyed by many cannabis enthusiasts while dabbing, a method of vaporizing and inhaling concentrates using a dab rig or pen. 

Wax - BHO wax has a silky smooth texture, like warm, pliable candle wax. Wax tends to be easier to handle and is popular among users who enjoy an easy-to-handle concentrate for their dabbing or want something to dip the end of their joint in. 

Crumble - As the name suggests, crumble is a dry and crumbly version of BHO. It is easy to break apart and is commonly used for dabbing or adding to vaporizer pens.

How Do I Consume Butane Hash Oil Concentrates?

BHO can be consumed in various ways, but the most common is dabbing. This process requires a dab rig or dab pen and a quartz, titanium, or ceramic nail. If your dab rig isn’t electric, you would use a butane torch to heat the nail.  Once the nail is hot, a small amount of BHO is placed on it, and the vapor is inhaled through a mouthpiece.

Some cannabis enthusiasts also enjoy twaxing,³ which is the term for when a consumer adds wax to a joint or bowl. This is typically done to increase both the flavor and potency of flower.

FAQs About BHO

If you've got more questions about BHO, we've got you covered.

Can I make BHO at home? 
No, attempting to make BHO at home is extremely dangerous. There have been instances in which amateur BHO-makers have been severely injured by this process. 

Is BHO the same as wax?
Wax is one of the popular consistencies of BHO extracts, but not all BHO products are wax.

Can I eat BHO? 
Technically, yes, but it’s not recommended. Cannabis concentrates must be decarboxylated to produce any effects.

Purchasing BHO Concentrates

BHO products come in many forms, and new ones are frequently introduced to the market. Check out the BHO products available at your dispensary, and talk to your budtender to learn more or to find the BHO product that’s right for you.

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Sources:

1. "Butane Hash Oil (BHO)," Weedmaps, June 25, 2021, https://weedmaps.com/learn/dictionary/butane-hash-oil-bho

2. "What is BHO? All About Butane Hash Oil," Marijuana Packaging.com, August 14, 2023, https://marijuanapackaging.com/blogs/resources/what-is-bho-all-about-butane-hash-oil

3. "What is Twaxing," Cannaconnection.com, August 13, 2020, https://www.cannaconnection.com/blog/18515-what-is-twaxing

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Use of Marijuana Concentrate may lead to: Psychotic symptoms and/or Psychotic disorder (delusions, hallucinations, or difficulty distinguishing reality); Mental Health Symptoms/Problems; Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) (uncontrolled and repetitive vomiting); Cannabis use disorder/dependence, including physical and psychological dependence. Please consume responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product.  State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and medical marijuana patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations.

You walk up to the counter at your dispensary, with your choice of marijuana strain in mind, and the inevitable “How much would you like?” question comes from your budtender. If you don’t understand marijuana measurements, this could send you into a tailspin. That’s why we’re here to help. One term you'll inevitably encounter when buying cannabis flower is an "eighth." In this guide, we'll demystify what exactly constitutes an eighth of cannabis, explore what it looks like, discuss its cost, and delve into the various ways you can make the most of this quantity.

What is an Eighth?

Cannabis measurement involves a blend of ounces and grams, adding an extra layer of complexity. To simplify, an ounce equates to 28 grams. An eighth, often referred to as a "slice," is one-eighth of an ounce, amounting to 3.5 grams of marijuana.¹ For many cannabis enthusiasts, this measurement strikes a balance—offering enough for multiple sessions without overwhelming quantity. This is especially helpful when trying new strains.

What Does an Eighth of Cannabis Look Like?

The appearance of an eighth can vary significantly.¹ Let’s say you’re a fan of big, fat marijuana buds straight from the top shelf of your dispensary. If that’s the case, a couple of those buds could add up to an eighth quickly. Strains with smaller, compact buds could require a larger collection of those petite buds to hit 3.5 grams. For visual reference, if you’re a fan of blueberries, two normal-sized blueberries add up to three grams.²

How Much Does an Eighth of Flower Cost?

An eighth’s cost fluctuates based on a few things, including the strain and your state’s tax requirements. If you’re looking to purchase an eighth, you could spend anywhere from $25 to $50, in general, though depending on your market, it could be more.³

What Can You Do With an Eighth of Flower?

You might think 3.5 grams worth of flower just isn’t enough, but if you’re not a heavy consumer, or you want to try new beginner strains, an eighth can be the perfect amount. Here’s what you can do with an eighth of flower:

Roll 3 - 5 Joints

An eighth of cannabis provides enough plant material to roll approximately three-to-five standard-sized joints. That’s enough to get some cannabis enthusiasts through an average workweek. Just remember to store flower properly to ensure you don’t waste your freshly-rolled bud.

Pack 6 Bowls

Depending on how big your bowl is and how often you smoke, you could pack enough bowls for a week, or you could polish off your eighth in a couple of days. In general, you’re probably going to get about six bowls out of a slice.

Roll 2 - 3 Blunts

Most blunts are rolled with a gram of marijuana flower, so you’re only getting three, decent-sized blunts with an eighth. If you prefer skinnier blunts, you could get more.

How Long Will an Eighth Last?

Think of an eighth as the perfect amount to buy to try a strain for the first time. It could give you enough sessions to make it through the weekend, or it could last you through the whole week. In general, how long an eighth lasts is going to be entirely dependent on you as a consumer.⁴ Heavy smokers are going to get a couple of days while light smokers could get more than a week. 

How Does an Eighth Compare to Other Marijuana Measurements?

An eighth isn’t the only marijuana measurement worth knowing. It’s also good to know what a quarter and ounce are. Here’s how an eighth measures up with other common quantities:

How Many Grams Are in an Eighth?

An eighth of marijuana equals approximately 3.5 grams, roughly the weight of a quarter of a teaspoon of sugar. 

How Many Ounces Are in an Eighth?

An eighth is one-eighth of an ounce, and there are eight eighths in an ounce. An ounce is equivalent to 28 grams.⁵

How Many Eighths Are in a Quarter?

A quarter of marijuana comprises two eighths with each eighth weighing around 3.5 grams.⁵

Answering FAQs About an Eighth of Cannabis

Navigating through cannabis measurements can be confusing, but asking questions is a great way to become more knowledgeable. Here are answers to a few common questions:

Is an eighth the same as 3.5 grams?
Yes, an eighth is precisely 3.5 grams.

What is a five-gram eighth?
If you see a five-gram eighth sale at your local dispensary, head on over. A five-gram is a sale where you get 1.5 additional grams of marijuana for free with your eighth.

Is an eighth the same as a slice?
Yes, an eighth is colloquially referred to as a "slice," emphasizing its one-eighth portion of an ounce. 

Buying an Eighth of Flower

Whether you're exploring beginner strains or more potent options, purchasing an eighth of flower provides a decent amount of flower to try for the first time or enjoy over a weekend. With an eighth, you can roll joints and blunts, and pack bowls, ensuring you can indulge the way you prefer. Of course, if you’re a smart dispensary shopper, keep your eye out for any five-gram deals to get a little extra for your dollar.

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Use of Marijuana Concentrate may lead to: Psychotic symptoms and/or Psychotic disorder (delusions, hallucinations, or difficulty distinguishing reality); Mental Health Symptoms/Problems; Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) (uncontrolled and repetitive vomiting); Cannabis use disorder/dependence, including physical and psychological dependence.   Please consume responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product.  State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and medical marijuana patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations. 

Dab pens are simple, portable, and practical devices to consume just about any type of cannabis concentrates. Read on to learn more about dabbing, how to use a dab pen, and how they work.

What’s a Dab Pen & How Does It Work?

Dab pens, also called wax pens, are portable, easy-to-use tools for smoking cannabis concentrates. These devices have a chamber, called an atomizer, that holds the concentrate while the battery-powered heating element heats the atomizer to a high temperature, between 350°F and 400°F. This vaporizes the concentrate which can then be inhaled through the mouthpiece.¹

Dab Pen vs Dab Carts: Are They The Same?

No, dab carts and dab pens aren't the same device. Dab carts are cartridges that have been pre-filled with liquid concentrates that are designed to be used with a compatible vape pen. A dab pen is a device in which the consumer places more solid concentrate–shatter, crumble, etc.–into a chamber to be heated and smoked.

How To Use A Dab Pen [3 Steps]

Using a dab pen can be intimidating, but it’s a relatively simple tool to use. Before you begin, make sure your dab pen is completely charged and you have your concentrate of choice ready to go.

• Step 1: Unscrew the atomizer and place your concentrate in the chamber. (Pro tip: concentrates are often sticky and thick, so a metal dab tool can be helpful.) 
  
  
• Step 2: Reattach the atomizer to the heating element, and press the heating button. Different concentrates require different temperatures, so you may want to experiment with the different heat settings on your dab pen.
  
  
• Step 3: Place your mouth on the mouthpiece and inhale the vapor.
  
  

When you're finished, turn the pen off and screw the cap back on so concentrate doesn't leak out.

How To Clean A Dab Pen [3 Steps]

Dab pens are relatively simple devices, but it’s incredibly important to keep it squeaky clean. This is because heating sticky concentrates can cause residue to build up over time, potentially attracting mold and bacteria. To prevent this from occurring and to extend the life of your device, make sure to give it a regular cleaning.

To clean your dab pen, following these steps.¹

• Step 1: Gather the following cleaning supplies: a small glass bowl, cotton swabs, warm water, rubbing alcohol, and paper towels.
  
  
• Step 2: Set the pen to its highest temperature and turn it upside down over a paper towel. This step will melt concentrate residue, which should flow down onto the towel.
  
  
• Step 3: Once the atomizer has cooled down, unscrew all the parts of the dab pen so you can thoroughly clean each one. 
  
  
• Step 4: Fill a small glass bowl with rubbing alcohol, then soak a cotton swab in the alcohol and use it to wipe down the atomizer, avoiding the coils. Continue wiping all of the other parts of the pen with the alcohol-soaked swab.
  
  
• Step 5: The final step is to rinse everything in warm water and allow it to dry naturally before using the pen again.
  
  

If you find that the atomizer still has residue inside of it, you can soak it in the bowl of alcohol for about 30 minutes, which should loosen the remaining material.

Dab Pen Pros & Cons

There are several pros and cons to using dab pens.

• Pro: Dab pens are portable, discreet, and simpler to use than dab rigs.¹
  
  
• Con: You need to learn which temperatures are best for the type of concentrate you're using, and dab pens need to be cleaned regularly.
  
  

Depending on your preferences, you may choose other ways to consume concentrates, or may find that dab pens are right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about dab pens? These frequently asked questions can help – and be sure to check with your budtender if you have any other questions:

Is a dab pen the same as vaping?
No. Dab pens are specialized devices that heat cannabis concentrates into vapor that can be inhaled. The term “vaping” is generally used to describe smoking cannabis through a vape pen.  

What do you use with a dab pen?
Dab pens can be used for cannabis concentrates, including wax, live resin, sauce, or rosin.² 

Do dab pens smell?
Yes, dab pens do smell, but the smell will not be as strong as smoking marijuana flower. This is because the concentrate is heated inside the dab pen using a battery-powered heating element, as opposed to lighting a joint or an open bowl of flower with a lighter.³

More About Dab Pens

Dab pens can allow you to consume different types of cannabis concentrate, from wax and budder to live resin, rosin, and sauce. Ready to shop for concentrates? Not sure where to start? Check with your budtender to find the dab pen that works best for you.