Cannabis Wax for Dabbing: Temps, Dose and Storage

Cannabis wax at a glance

Cannabis wax is a concentrate. It is made by running a solvent through cannabis flower. Butane and propane are common. The solvent strips cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant. The extractor purges the solvent. The result is a soft, opaque, waxy solid. THC content in lab-tested wax runs from 60% to 90%. Flower tests at 15% to 30%. Dabbing is the act of heating a small amount of wax on a hot surface and inhaling the vapor.

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Wax compared with other concentrates

• Shatter: hard, glassy, translucent.
• Budder and batter: whipped, creamy.
• Crumble: dry, grainy.
• Live resin: made from flash-frozen plant, higher in terpenes.
• Rosin: pressed with heat and pressure, no solvent.

Wax sits in the middle on texture. It is softer than shatter and firmer than sauce. Consistency comes from how the extract is purged and whipped.

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How a dab works

1. Heat the banger or nail. A torch is common. An electric rig holds a set temperature.
2. Let the surface cool to the target range. An infrared thermometer or a timer tracks this.
3. Place the wax in the banger with a dab tool.
4. Cap the banger. The carb cap restricts airflow and lowers pressure, so the wax vaporizes at a lower temperature.
5. Inhale at a steady rate, then exhale.

Temperature

THC vaporizes near 315 degrees F (157 C). Terpenes vaporize between 310 F and 400 F. Above 450 F, residual plant compounds break down and the vapor turns harsh. Low-temperature dabs land between 350 F and 450 F. High-temperature dabs run 500 F to 600 F and produce more vapor and more irritation.

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Dose

A single dab holds 50 mg to 100 mg of THC at 70% potency. A piece the size of a grain of rice can pass 25 mg. Inhaled THC reaches the bloodstream in seconds. Start below your estimate. Wait 15 minutes before a second dab.

Testing and labels

Regulated products carry a lab report. Look for potency, residual solvent, pesticide, heavy metal, and microbial results. Residual solvent limits vary by state. Butane, propane, and hexane are the solvents tested.

Storage

Keep wax in an airtight glass jar. Glass does not react with terpenes. Silicone containers absorb terpenes over time. Store at 60 F to 70 F, away from light. A refrigerator adds moisture each time the jar opens. Concentrate rules are set at the state level, so check your state before you buy.