One of the beautiful things about Marijuana is how versatile it is. Traditionally, smoking cannabis flower whether by joint, bong, or pipe is the most common method of consumption. Today, the options are practically endless.
From edibles and drinks, to tinctures, salves, and vape pens, there’s an option for everyone. But there’s another method for consuming our favorite plant that’s becoming popular – dabbing.
Here at Greeley Gallery Dispensary, we want to ensure you have all the information you need so you can choose the best recreational marijuana method for you.
What is Dabbing?
Let’s start by explaining what a dab is. Dabs are a small portion (or a dab) of highly concentrated cannabis known as butane hash oil (BHO), shatter, or wax which has high levels of concentrated tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
While traditional cannabis averages around 10 – 15% THC, dabs are significantly higher with up to 80% THC or more.
Using a specially designed glass bong, called an “oil rig” (also called a dab rig), the dab is heated to particularly high temperature which vaporizes it before you inhale.
Dabbing provides a high upward of four times stronger than that after smoking a joint. The high you experience is also often intense and happens all at once versus a gradual increase over time.
Why Do People Like Dabbing?
Dabbing can feel intimidating to first time users. The set up feels complicated and all in all, it might seem as though sticking with smoking flower directly is easier. While it’s true that there’s more set up involved, the result is well worth it. And once you get the hang of it, dabbing provides a more potent high than smoking cannabis flower. The increase in potency of THC bodes well for pain relief, too.
The instant high isn’t the only reason for its popularity. Smoking dry marijuana flower results in ash from the burnt plant which releases resin in your lungs, and this can be problematic for anyone with irritated lungs or health concerns. This can be avoided with dabbing because concentrates contain less plant material, which means you inhale more cannabinoids like THC or CBD and less resin.
Lastly, due to its high concentration rate, it can result in a more hallucinogenic-type high. While this is an appeal for some, it’s also a big deterrent for others. Another effect of the increased experience is that it doesn’t last as long as smoking dry cannabis.
Is Dabbing Dangerous?
Even though marijuana is our business, we want you to be safe, and that means informing you of any risks.
Our main word of caution lies in the dosage. You only need a very small amount of THC concentrate, and over doing it is not recommended. Too much, and you’re at a high risk for experiencing the negative side effects associated with marijuana, such as paranoia and increased anxiety. In some extreme cases, there have been reports of patients going to urgent care due to an increase of symptoms they weren’t expecting, like hallucinations.
This is why we highly recommend starting small and building your way up. And of course, please don’t hesitate to ask the Greeley Gallery’s staff any questions you have, especially if you’re unsure of the process.
Should You Try It?
If you’re a fan of edibles but you don’t like waiting for them to kick in, or are in need of faster pain relief, then dabbing could be a great transition. Similarly, if you love the sensation of being high and you want to increase your experience then dabbing is a good choice.
Dabbing offers a stronger more intense experience and there’s a reason it’s becoming so popular. But that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. When it comes to deciding whether or not to try dabbing, it comes down to what kind of experience you want.
Final Thoughts
Our cannabis dispensary near University Park is happy to provide you with any dabbing equipment you need. Remember, dabbing is great for both recreational and medicinal uses, offering a variety of experiences. When in doubt, our staff at your local pot shop in north Portland are happy to answer any questions you have about the process.
