Hash or Cannabis Oil

Marijuana Horticulture

by Jorge Cervantes

Hash oil is a concentrate of hash or marijuana (cannabis oil) that has been dissolved in nasty hydrocarbon solvents such as ether and alcohol to extract the THC. Hash and cannabis oil frequently retain residues from solvents used to extract the THC. These residues are a health risk. The oils can be very concentrated and potent.

Honey oil was somewhat popular in America in the early 1970s. The oil was a translucent golden amber color. The oil transformed from stiff, toffee-like consistency to runny oil when warmed. Cannabis oils are normally dark in color because they contain chlorophyll and other contaminants. Filtering the oil through charcoal will remove virtually all of the impurities.

Hash oil has never became super popular because it is inconvenient to smoke and many users do not want to be exposed to the health risks associated with the solvents used for processing. There are many safe ways to separate the THC potent glands from the foliage.

The oil can be wiped on joint papers, cigarettes, pipe screens, hot knives, etc. A popular smoking method is to smoke it in an oil pipe, a stem with a glass bubble on on end. A little oil is placed inside the glass bubble. When heat is applied, the THC vaporizes and is inhaled through the stem.

We do not recommend volatile solvent extraction because it requires the use of dangerous chemical solvents such as isopropyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, and white gas.

Cannabis is soaked in the solvent, and the solvent is removed by evaporation. The resulting residual is a sludge that contains chlorophyll, plant waxes, other debris, and cannabinoids.

Isomerization is a chemical resin extraction process that was very popular in the 1970s and early 1980s. The process has fallen out of favor because of the harsh and dangerous chemical solvents – white gas, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, etc. – used in the process.

Butane cannabis oil is made by passing butane gas through chopped cannabis. The butane dissolves the THC and transports it out a drain where it is collected. The captured butane contains THC. The butane is evaporated away by setting the collection container in a pan of warm water. Once the butane has dissipated completely, the residua honey colored oil is scraped from the bottom of the collection pan.

Butane hash oil is dangerous to make because the process involves using a quantity of butane in an pen container. The fumes are toxic and a small flame or spark could cause the butane to explode. People who make butane hash should make it in a well-ventilated or outdoor location.

Jelly hash is a combination f high quality hash and cannabis oil made from butane extraction. The typical recipe contains eight parts hash and one part cannabis oil (aka hash oil) usually extracted with butane. Although very strong, the dark jelly hash has a characteristic sticky, oily consistency which makes it difficult to handle.