What is Shatter Weed?

Written and Fact Checked by S. Zulfiqar

If you’re avidly following what’s happening in the world of weed, you’ll probably be familiar with a glass-like translucent substance known as ‘shatter weed’. Marijuana concentrate has been steadily growing in popularity among consumers, and with marijuana legalization happening in more states, it’s becoming easier to purchase. So what is all the hype around shatter weed? And how are these marijuana concentrates different from traditional cannabis?

Read on to find out!

What is Shatter Weed?

Shatter is a solid cannabis concentrate that has a glass-like appearance. Its name quite literally means that you can shatter, crack or break it. Shatter provides essential compounds such as THC and CBD in a highly concentrated and compact form, containing almost 80% to 90% THC.

Usually, amber or gold in color, shatter is believed to be more powerful than pure or other cannabis extracts. However, this isn’t quite true, since the appearance only has to do with the fact that the extract’s molecules are less agitated during the manufacturing process. Also, its potency can vary according to the chemical composition of the source plant and the extraction processes that were used.

How is Shatter Weed Made?

Shatter can be prepared by a variety of methods, but the most typical one involves using hydrocarbon solvents or butane. Butane extracts (butane hash oil: BHO) are made by pushing the hydrocarbon, along with others, through the cannabis plant that is contained in a tube. This isolate contains desirable compounds such as THC and CBD.

The concentrated oil with high levels of cannabinoids is then collected and further refined. For instance, a technique called ‘purging’ involves removing excess residual solvents through a vacuum chamber, while ‘winterization’ means separating lipids and fats from the oil.

Proficient BHO manufacturers might also put shatter under a rigorous purification process to strip out butane, wax, terpenes, and any other remaining material. Although this removes a lot of flavors, it makes the final product much more potent.

Remember: professional-grade shatter is manufactured using safe and closed-loop systems which prevent flammable fumes from escaping into the surrounding environment. So never try to mimic these processes at home.

 

Smoking Shatter Weed

The most common way to smoke shatter is by way of dabbing. This involves a dab rig, which is essentially a specialized device with a metal ‘nail’/glass banger connected to a water pipe.

Intense heat is required to vaporize the shatter so that the fumes can be smoked. To achieve this, most people use a handheld torch to heat the nail where the dab is placed. However, electric nails have eliminated the need to use an open flame, hence reducing the danger of burns and fire.

The best way to smoke shatter is to exhale fully before taking a hit, and then inhale the smoke before blowing it out again. Smaller inhalations tend to work best for first-timers and those prone to coughing and lung irritation.

 

Effects of Shatter Weed

Since smoking shatter doesn’t involve completely breathing in the combusted plant material, marijuana users often describe the ‘high’ generated by shatter as being ‘cleaner and more consistent than the other methods of consumption that involve inhaling. This is why many marijuana enthusiasts are opting to use lab-manufactured concentrates.

For cannabis users eager to consume larger amounts of THC, shatter offers much higher concentrations of the compound, as well as other cannabinoids.

Moreover, shatter produces an intense high exceptionally quickly – a single dose of high-THC shatter can be more potent than smoking an entire joint! This leads to instant intoxication and sensations of heaviness and relaxation.

 

Medical Uses of Shatter Weed

Due to its high levels of THC, shatter weed can be extremely useful for treating various medical conditions.

• When administered in appropriate doses, THC-rich shatter can help manage nausea and vomiting, while also effectively stimulating appetite. This is especially helpful for patients who are undergoing or have undergone cancer treatment, as well as for individuals experiencing the adverse symptoms of HIV/AIDS.

 

• THC has also been considered for managing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), mainly pain and muscle spasticity. Sativex is a THC-derived medication licensed for MS patients.

 

• Some shatter weed concentrates are CBD-rich, making them excellent choices for dealing with mood disorders, anxiety, and depression.

 

• High-potency CBD and THC shatter weed can also be used for pain relief, migraines, chronic back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other pain-related conditions.

 

Storing Shatter Weed

The foremost consideration when producing shatter is to maintain purity. Hence, proper handling and storage ensure that high-quality shatter concentrates are manufactured that are clean and free of debris. This is especially required for medicinal concentrates since patients cannot be medicated using shatter weed that may have been contaminated with bacteria or dirt.

To ensure cleanliness and purity, consumers should always handle the concentrates using gloves or parchment paper. This ensures that the shatter weed they are about to ingest/smoke is free from oils or bacteria. Also, it is best if consumers place the concentrates on a non-stick surface so that the sticky residue that usually remains after picking them up is not wasted.

But no matter how they are stored, shatter weed eventually starts to soften. This happens quicker if it’s stored at room temperature or exposed to heat. For slowing this process, the shutter must be kept in an airtight container covered with parchment paper on the inside and stored in a cold, dark place. Moreover, non-stick containers specifically manufactured to store shatter weed as well as other concentrates are also available.

For freeze-storing shatter weed, parchment paper can be used to separate dabs for convenient portioning. However, condensation can pose a problem while freezing shatter weed; moisture will cause it to eventually break down quicker. Hence, the storage container must be dabbed dry to avoid the development of condensation.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a consistent, clean, and instant high, shatter weed is what you need. Being predominantly rich in THC, this glass-like concentrate, available at Weedsmart Shop, is not only a recreational hit but can also be used to manage various medical conditions related to pain, mood disorders, and appetite.

Interesting Reads

Different Types of Cannabis Products, Hemp vs Marijuana: The Difference Explained, Drinks That Will Help You Detox from Marijuana

 References

• https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2015.1118173
• https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08897077.2015.1071724
• https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1517/14656566.7.5.607