What is a disposable Wax Pen?
Marijuana use has only continued to grow since the legalization of recreational use in many states across the nation. Recreational and medical marijuana is legal in 19 states and the District of Colombia. The more normalized it has become, the ways in which we ingest the substance have also evolved and become more creative. There are now many ways to use marijuana. One popular way is through marijuana wax or weed wax. Weed wax is a concentrated form of marijuana that contains about 90% Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). One hit of the concentrated substance can cause intense euphoric effects.
Marijuana use stimulates dopamine in the brain. It can alter brain chemistry and result in feelings of relaxation and euphoria. Marijuana wax is the most potent form of cannabis. Marijuana wax also goes by cannabis wax, THC wax or just wax. It is a sticky, wax-like texture that is a potent extraction of cannabinoids and compounds such as THC, CBD, terpenes and flavonoids. Because cannabis wax is created in such high concentrations, even the smallest amount ingested can cause intense effects that in some occasions can cause severe hallucinations and other similar outcomes.
It has become increasingly popular among college-aged students and young adults who often use it to self-medicate for anxiety and depression. The intense calmness helps them forget about their problems and responsibilities. Some even use it to eliminate feelings of boredom. Others use it as a way to engage in social situations or for social status. The term dabbing is often used to refer to taking small amounts of weed wax to feel the effects of cannabis.
Due to its high potency and concentration, only a small amount of cannabis wax is needed to create the desired calmness and feelings of intense relaxation. This alarming rise in popularity among the younger generation has many concerns. According to studies from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, dabbing weed wax can have serious impacts on the brains of people aged 25 and under.
What is a Disposable Wax Pen?
Weed wax is often processed into different forms where it can easily be concealed. Vape pens or disposable wax pens are easy to use without detection. Similar to a vape pen, a disposable wax pen contains THC compounds that are formulated from weed wax that can be inhaled. Wax pens can also accommodate different forms of weed wax including wax, butter, crumble…etc. They offer a clean and pure experience of the weed wax concentrate compared to a vape pen. The pen makes the concentrate smokeless and odorless. The disposable wax pen can be extremely discrete making it even more appealing to a younger audience.
What are the different types of Wax Weed?
Marijuana concentrates are available in many different consistencies and potencies. These concentrates are extracts from the cannabis plant and normally have a much higher THC potency than the actual plant. The plant has about 15-25% potency, while concentrates have anywhere from 50-99% potency.
- Shatter – This type of cannabis wax is made using a butane hash oil extraction. It has a solid, brittle glass-like and translucent appearance. It contains a high concentration of cannabinoids and low concentrations of terpenes. It is usually a gold or amber color.
- Weed Wax – This concentrate has a sticky earwax-like texture and is produced using butane oil extraction. It has an opaque color with light to dark yellow tint.
- Crumble – This cannabis concentration is a dry and powdery consistency. It is also given the name honeycomb, due to its crumbly nature. It is a golden yellow color.
- Badder/budder/butter – This form of wax has a malleable consistency with a buttery and creamy texture. It is of a similar consistency to a thick frosting. It is a light golden color.
- Live Resin – This cannabis concentrate is made from fresh frozen cannabis material. It contains a higher percentage of terpenes (terpene is an ingredient that promotes relaxation and pain relief) than dried and cured cannabis.
- Terp Sauce – This weed concentrate features crystalized THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid – non-psychoactive cannabinoid) or CBD. It increases the effects of both THC and CBD on the user.
- Isolate – CBD or THCA isolate is an extremely pure concentrate containing 99% CBD or THCA. It is white in color, flavorless, odorless and usually found in a crushed powder form
- Distillate – This highly refined cannabis extract is odorless, tasteless and colorless. It contains a high concentration of cannabinoids and has a viscous syrup-like texture.
- Rick Simpson Oil – This marijuana concentrate is also known as Phoenix Tears. It contains a high concentration of THC and other plant compounds. It is an unrefined whole-plant extract made using ethanol and is named after its creator a Canadian medical cannabis activist.
- Dry Sift – This type of concentrate is a collection of cannabis trichomes that are formed from dried and cured cannabis plant matter.
- Hash – This extract is made from compressed pure and dried cannabis matter.
How to make Wax Weed
Making marijuana wax is an extremely dangerous process and leads to a high risk of explosions due to highly flammable materials. Due to the popularity of weed wax, there has been an increase in deadly incidents involving weed wax making. Cannabis concentrates can be made into a variety of different formats including dry processing, dry ice processing, water-based processing, pressure and heat processing.
Other methods use non-flammable carbon dioxide solvents and flammable solvents such as butane, propane ether or alcohol. Using flammable solvents to make wax weed concentrates is the most popular because it produces higher THC levels, produces longer-lasting effects and is the most cost-effective. This is also one of the most dangerous methods of making wax weed.
A solvent-based wax weed is created using a chemical process in which flammable gas such as butane, C02 or ethanol acts as the solvent to release the wax from the cannabis plant. Using high heat, condensation and vacuum purging, this process helps extract a high concentration of THC compound from the cannabis plant.
The solvent-free method of creating wax weed is a less common way to produce THC wax. It is made by isolating, gathering and condensing cannabinoid trichomes without using chemicals. This process is also less dangerous because it eliminates the risk of inhaling and ingesting toxic fumes or residue from solvents if the material is not purified correctly.
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What are the effects of Weed Wax?
Marijuana wax contains a full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and other types of THC-like compounds. It is highly concentrated and even the smallest doses can produce intense effects lasting for much longer than the effects of just using the traditional cannabis plant. A single dose can last for many hours and even extend the entire day depending on the concentration level of the wax weed. If improperly taken, the side effects of wax weed can cause alarming results. Side effects include:
- Auditory and visual hallucinations
- Temporary psychosis
- Impaired memory
- Increased anxiety and paranoia
- Elevated heart rate
- Raised blood pressure
- Feelings of itching under the skin
- Distorted perception
- Poor judgment
- Poor coordination
- Long-term psychological and mental health
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We specialize in treating addiction and other co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD. Our Admissions specialists are available to walk you through the best options for treating your addiction.
The long-term abuse of wax weed and other cannabis concentrates can eventually lead to dependence and addiction to marijuana. Wax weed can worsen co-occurring mental health conditions, lead to addiction and withdrawal and even a permanent decrease in intelligence. Hotel California by the Sea provides tools and resources to help people who have been addicted to marijuana.
Through varying levels of care including detox, residential and outpatient programming, clients can receive evidence-based care in the substance use disorder treatment program. Some of the most effective treatment methods in the marijuana addiction program include CBT, DBT and group therapy. These unique therapies allow clients to better understand the root causes of their addiction and the best ways to cope and manage distressing symptoms surrounding their addiction.
References:
https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/parents-guide-marijuana-wax-impact-on-youth-0327197
https://mediabros.store/blogs/news/types-of-cannabis-wax
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cannabis-marijuana-concentrates
https://herb.co/learn/what-is-marijuana-wax/
https://takomawellness.com/marijuana-wax-what-is-it-and-how-to-use-it/
https://www.campussafetymagazine.com/for-parents/what-is-marijuana-wax-and-how-dangerous-is-it/
https://lajolla.com/article/wax-weed-101-your-ultimate-guide-to-extracts/