Dab Rig Essential Guide

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Getting into the world of extracts and concentrates can be an intimidating process. Fortunately, it’s actually a pretty simple! This guide is designed to cover everything you need to know to use a dab rig with confidence. Get ready… to get dabbed out!

Setup: Absolute Essentials

 

Dab Rig

What is a dab rig? The term “dab rig” is typically used for a bong that is specifically designed for smoking dabs. This means that it has a different shape than most of the bongs you’ve used before. Many rigs incorporate something called a “recycler” that collects resin in the water that can later be reclaimed. Most bongs can be converted into a dab rig. Although some purists might scoff at the idea, you could replace the bowl of any bong with a nail.

Dab Nail

A dab nail, otherwise known as a bucket or banger, is what sets a dab rig apart from regular bongs. A nail is usually shaped like a small bucket, with a curved or angled stem that fits into the down stem of the rig. This piece can sustain high temperatures, and is heated to over 500 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows instant vaporization of the dab as it hits the nail. Much like the bowl to a bong, your nail must fit into whatever type of bong or rig you’d like to use. 

Torch

In order to heat your nail to the desired temperature, you’ll need a torch. Regular lighters or even small cigar torches typically will not be enough to adequately heat a banger to the ideal temperature. You need a small crème brulee torch, or something like a propane camping torch.

Dab Tool

Most dabs are consistencies that can be difficult to handle. Specific tools made for dabs help to get the small amount of dab safely into your banger. Dab tools can be made out of metal, ceramic, or glass. It is important to remember that whatever tool you use to dab off of, is exposed to the high temperatures of the nail. Never use anything that would be hazardous if heated.

Cotton Swabs

After taking your dab, you want to clean out your nail. Besides using cotton swabs to mop up the remaining dab, you can also use your torch to burn off leftover dab in your nail. This is useful when the dab has already cooled. A cooled dab will be extra sticky; cotton swabs should only be used right after taking a dab while the oil is still hot and liquid.

The Process of Using a Dab Rig

  1. Begin heating your nail with the torch, approximately 30-45 seconds
  2. Continue heating until your temperature gauge alerts you of the correct temperature, if you do not have a gauge wait until it is red hot. 
  3. Wait until the nail is no longer red, and checking to see if you can hold your hand 3-5” from your nail comfortably
  4. Prepare your dab by scooping it out with your dab tool if sugar or crumble, prepare your dab by scooping a rice grain sized amount with your tool. If using shatter it may be beneficial to warm up your tool first so the shatter will stick.. If shatter, it may be helpful to slightly warm your tool so that it will stick to the dab
  5. Carefully put your dab into the nail and set aside dab tool
  6. Cover your nail with carb cap as you begin to take inhale
  7. Spin the carb cap around to direct the airflow
  8. Once complete, take a cotton swab and mop up any remaining dab
Dab rig with various accessories

Setup: Nice to Have Extras

Temperature Gauge

The ideal temperature for most dabs is between 500-600 degrees Fahrenheit. Luckily, there are some handy gadgets that can digitally read the temperature of your nail, and alert you when it’s the right temperature. There’s also other products called e-nails that can be set to specific temperatures and will maintain those temperatures as long as you want. Perfect for your next sesh with your friends!

Carb Cap

A carb cap is typically made of glass or metal, and is designed to fit in or over the top of the dab nail. By putting the cap over the nail, it lowers the pressure, and thus lowers the boiling point of the oil. This also maximizes the convection and helps to control the airflow. Some carb caps can be spun to direct the oil around the nail for even vaporization. 

Terp Pearls

A terp pearl is a small glass ball designed to be spun around the nail with the use of a carb cap. This helps spread the oil around the nail evenly as it cools. 

Dab Containers

Storage containers for your dabs are not always necessary, since most of the time your dab will come packaged in some type of container. However, you may encounter products you want to put in a better container. Dab containers are usually made out of silicone or glass. Other dab products will be wrapped in wax paper, or a clear plastic. 

Other Ways To Smoke Dabs

There are many different ways to enjoy your favorite cannabis extracts!

Glass Straw

The most basic way to smoke dabs, a glass straw is exactly as it sounds. It looks like a glass tube with a mouthpiece and tapered tip resembling a straw. The tip is heated to temperatures using a torch and then pressed into the dab while simultaneously taking a hit from the mouthpiece. This option is usually the most cost efficient way to get into dabbing, but it’s also the hottest dabs you’ll take. 

Nectar Collector

A nectar collector is similar to a glass straw, but with a water upgrade. Along the middle of the straw, there would be an additional chamber that holds water. It is used the same way as a glass straw. The water helps to cool down the smoke, and produces a much smoother hit than a regular glass straw. 

Electronic Methods

There are many different types of electronic devices capable of vaporizing dabs on the market today. All of them are designed to accomplish the same thing, without the use of a torch. Most utilize a battery and electronic heating element to heat a container and vaporize the dab. This is a great option for those who feel uncomfortable using a torch. 

Bowls, Joints, Blunts

When it all comes down to it, you can also smoke your dab on top of your flower. You can also sprinkle it into joints or blunts. Crumble tends to be the most ideal consistency for this method. 

Cold Start Dabs

While usually the dab is put into the nail after it has been heated to temperature, a cold start dab is put into the nail then heated to temperature. This is an especially popular method for those using electronic dab rigs. 

Substance offers online ordering and curbside pickup for dabs and other fine products at all dispensary locations throughout Bend, OR and now at our newest location in Cottage Grove, OR.

Dabbing

Cannabis Ingestion Methods: Dabbing

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In our previous two posts, we covered two of the more common methods of consuming cannabis: smoking and vaping. Today, we’ll be moving in a newer and more powerful direction: dabbing.

What is it?

If you have heard of dabbing, you probably know something about its potency. For cannabis, the word ‘dabbing’ comes from ‘dab’, as in, “A dab’ll do ya”. Dabbing has much stronger effects than either smoking or vaping. Dabs hit considerably harder, and they tend to last much longer, too.

Dabbing

Part of the reason dabs are so potent is because of what they are made of. Dabbing refers to a particular way to consume extracts, also called concentrates. These products are so strong because they have high concentrations of cannabinoids — what might be considered the main ‘active ingredient’ in weed. They are produced when solvents strip away much of the cannabis plant itself, but leave large amounts of the cannabinoids behind (and hopefully some terpenes, too).

How do you consume them?

Dabs are consumed using a dab rig. This contraption usually looks something like a bong (though not always). To smoke from a dab rig, a ‘dab’ of extract is lowered onto a super-heated nail — this is where one would find the ‘bowl’ when smoking flower from a bong.

The extreme heat of the nail causes the concentrate to vaporize, rather than combust. The consumer then breathes the vapor in from the pipe. Combined with the already highly concentrated cannabinoid content, this method tends to hit harder than just about any other.

Dabbing vs other methods

The main difference between dabbing and smoking or vaping is that dabbing is simply stronger. That does not mean, however, that your tolerance or how high you want to be are the only factors at work. For those with severe medical needs, such as chronic pain or severe nausea, dabbing may be the only method capable of delivering effective relief.

Additionally, a high cannabinoid content does not exclusively mean a high THC content. Many concentrates focus on high CBD content instead, and some shoot for a more balanced cannabinoid profile, creating different therapeutic effects and serving different medical needs. Of course, whatever your preference, it’s important to be sure that you know what works for you.

Smokey Bear

Cannabis Breakdown: Bud, Extracts, Edibles

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As anyone who’s visited a dispensary can tell you, there are a myriad of ways to consume weed. So, for those of you new to cannabis, we’ve prepared a short introduction to the various preparations of the plant.

Bud

What is it?

Bud is the literal flower of the cannabis plant. It contains all those lovely cannabinoids and terpenes that give cannabis its therapeutic and psychoactive effects.

How do you consume it?

Bud is typically smoked. It can also be vaped, although vaporizers that can handle flower tend to be a bit more technologically advanced, and pricier.

What are its effects like?

When bud is smoked or vaped, the onset is almost immediate. You should begin to feel the effects of flower within 30 minutes at the longest. However, bud is generally not as potent or as long-lasting as extracts or edibles. Your high should be mellower, and should not last for much more than two hours.

Extracts

What are they?

Extracts, also called concentrates, are a product produced when solvents strip away much of the cannabis plant itself, leaving behind high concentrations of cannabinoids. Concentrates can be produced using a variety of solvents, from butane to carbon dioxide to ice water. They also come in a variety of consistencies, from hash, to shatter, to wax and more.

Topicals are also a type of extract. They are applied to the skin, however, and produce no psychoactive effects. Rather, they are usually used for treating localized pain and inflammation.

How do you consume them?

Extracts are usually consumed using either a dab rig or a vape pen. A dab rig looks and acts something like a super-charged bong.

‘Anatomy of a Concentrate Rig’ (also called a ‘dab rig’) from www.smokecartel.com explains the apparatus used for dabbing while many vape pens intended for concentrates come with refillable CO2 oil cartridges.

What are their effects like?

Because extracts have such high concentrations of cannabinoids, they tend to be extremely potent. While it is relatively easy to control your high by sipping on concentrate in a vape pen, dabs tend to get even the most seasoned veterans quite stoned. Similar to flower, onset should be near immediate.

Edibles

What are they?

Edibles are cannabis-infused food and drinks. They come in a variety of forms, from savory snacks to tasty beverages.

How do you consume them?

To consume an edible, simply eat or drink it.

What are their effects like?

Edibles are extremely potent, and, to the surprise of many first time users, slow to take effect. For this reason, we always recommend starting low and going slow until you get a handle on your appropriate dosage. Just how long edibles take to set in depends on the kind you are consuming.

Those consumed sublingually, such as tinctures, lozenges, and hard candy, take effect relatively quickly, usually around 15 to 30 minutes.

Gastrointestinal edibles, such as savory snacks, baked goods, and most drinks, can take up to about two hours to reach their full effect.

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OM extracts

Dab Review: Gorilla Glue #4 by OM Extracts

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Categories: Reviews
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Hello again everyone!

As always I’m very excited to bring you this review, and if you’ve been reading along you know I’m a bit of a fan of @OMExtracts but I try not to play favorites.

If you like to dab like I do, you’re going to be really happy with what you see coming from OM these days. This golden sugar wax looks so good you’ll want to eat it, and consistency of candy. I do have to say this extract is so terpy, it did bleed through the parchment paper but put it in a @BudderBlock and you’re all good!

I do have to stay honest here and say that the smell and flavor were both a little difficult to pick up, but the smell and taste that I did receive were very good.

Were the crew @OMExtracts does always shine is in the sensation and experience categories. This Gorilla Glue #4 does not disappoint in the slightest. Nice smooth rips on the lower temp nail and Super comfortable head blast with a hot nail. Along with a ride that lasted a decent amount of time with good strength for myself. As a heavier dab smoker I appreciate an Extract that keeps my mind right for an extended period of time.

You won’t feel as strong as one, but this stuff will make you feel like a Gorilla is holding you down to the couch for sure!

Happy and Safe Dabbing Everyone!

Steve

Jollybee

Dab Review: Pure White BHO by Jollybees

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Steve is back at it with another review. See what he has to say about Jollybee’s, Pure White BHO!

Seems like everyday, Science is taking the guess work out of the Cannabis Industry, and me personally I couldn’t be more excited to see what Scientist like team at Jollybee has for us in the future!

Their Pure White BHO is on a whole other level, and if you’re like me and have been seeing those 99% floating around the web, you’ll be very excited to see what’s on the shelves today!

The name says it all, this stuff is beautiful Pure White Crystals that really have the look of table salt almost. It is also very dry and crunchy, so you’ll want to be careful with it. I would recommend a spoon-like dab tool if you have one for this stuff.

There were some minor down sides, but if we’re going to have down sides, for me these are the ones to have, and really as you would expect there wasn’t much of a smell or a taste to this Pure White BHO. I can’t say there was absolutely no smell or taste, but it was very hard to pick up any fragrance or change on the pallet.

If you’re like me and you enjoy a really nice solid cerebral punch, the stuff delivers with a little extra. Like a rocket ship to the brain, you’ll feel this stuff immediately, but you won’t feel it in your chest if your smoking it alone.

First dab, I felt like I just took a deep breathe of air. No cough, no tickle, just smooth air. But surely I felt that first dab in the head right away. Second dab I went in for the kill and boy oh boy was I up there. Although I do have to say the experience was very short lived, and I almost fell from the sky as fast as I shot up there.

As I continued through my Pure White powdery gram, I found it most enjoyable and a better longevity if I used this Pure White BHO as a “Dab Frosting” if you will? I really liked taking a normal size dab of concentrate and then dipping/coating that dab in the Pure White BHO creating a Dab Fun Dip for mind pleasure for myself!

Great work again Steve!  Substance is super excited about limited recreational sales of extracts available now.  Recreational marijuana users are allowed to purchase 1g of CO2 or BHO extract per day.  Check out our Menu Now! 

Dabbing

Dab Review: Headband Gold Label by Om Extracts

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Here’s what Steve has to say about his recent experience with Headband Gold Label from Om Extracts —

I really have to give it up to the guys over @OMExtracts for their quality lately, and this Headband Gold Label was another brain stopper.

Visually speaking this stuff looks like bright fish eggs, and when you easily pull away exactly how much you’re looking for, you’ll enjoy the sticky crunch consistency.

As usual I went for a low temp flavor dab first, and the flavor was a little on the light side, but definitely got that Headband lemon flavor.

Second dab I went in for the kill, and it was executed. I do have to say it was a little on the harsh side, but I immediately got the “Headband” feeling around the top of my head, and had a decently long lasting experience for me.

So if you’re looking for some stylish new headwear, I think the OM Extracts Headband Gold Label will look nicely on you.

-Steve Hubbard

Thanks, Steve!  Substance is super excited about limited recreational sales of extracts starting on June 2nd.  Recreational marijuana users will be allowed to purchase 1g of CO2 or BHO extract per day. Start making your wish list today!

Substance Market Dab Reviews

Dab Review: Chem Dawg and Dutch Treat Rosin

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Sterling Gold’s Rosin is the first Flower Rosins (SHO) I’ve personally had the pleasure of trying, and they were delightful!

I’ll admit, I was one of the skeptics in the group about people using hair straighteners for science. But now with the industrial presses we are seeing around, I see the light!

The looks of these two really speak for themselves, and the smell matches the flowers amazingly! That was my first big surprise with this rosin, the smell literally smacks you across the face.

The consistency of both were very manageable. I would even say you could use your hands, but I was pulling and snapping with my dab tool.

The second surprise with these Rosins was the flavor. Simply put, it’s delicious! Reminds me of fresh “greens” from some sweet chronic back in the day. I think we all remember our first, fresh delicious “greens” rip?

Along with amazing flavor, these rips were super smooth. Easy to puff tough and not kill yourself. Even higher temp nail rips weren’t bad, so that’s a real win in my book.

Experience, well let’s just say it took me 2 weeks to finish this review ;)

-Steve Hubbard

October Adult Use and Recreational Marijuana Sales

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As of October 1st, 2015, Oregon’s medical marijuana dispensaries may choose to begin selling marijuana for adult (recreational) use to persons who are at least 21 years of age, under the regulation of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).  Here are some important snippets of information to learn and share with your friends.

Who can buy it?

  • Adults who are at least 21 years old (and, of course, medical marijuana cardholders)
  • A valid government issued photo ID showing name and date of birth is required.
  • Only the date of birth of the purchaser is recorded to maintain compliance with the OHA.

Where can we buy it?

  • Current OHA-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries may choose to sell to adults 21+ along with OMMP cardholders.
  • Recreational marijuana stores licensed by the OLCC will not be open for business until fall of 2016 at the earliest.
  • It is legal to purchase cannabis from a state-licensed medical marijuana dispensary.
  • Marijuana cardholders are allowed to share cannabis products with persons 21+

What can we buy?

  • Adults 21+ may purchase up to 7 grams (¼ oz) of marijuana (pot, weed, bud, flower) each day.
  • Adults may also purchase up to 4 immature marijuana plants (clones) and seeds per day.
  • Medical marijuana cardholders can still purchase all cannabis products that are available, including hash oil concentrates, edibles, tincture  and topicals.

Where can we consume it?

  • Consume marijuana on private property, presumably out of public view.
  • Marijuana cannot legally be consumed in public (your car, bars, parks, sidewalks, etc.)

Where should we keep it?

  • Don’t keep an open container of marijuana in your vehicle; keep it locked safely in your trunk.
  • Consider obtaining a lock box to keep children and pets safe.
  • Remember that marijuana bud is a perishable product so keep amounts to a minimum to ensure freshness.

Why should I renew my OMMP card?    Most medicated items — hash oil concentrates, edibles, tinctures and topicals — are only available for medical marijuana card holders.  You may be missing out on many amazing new products if you don’t renew your medical marijuana card!

OMMP Cardholders

Possession

  • 24 oz (672 grams) flower
  • 6 mature plants & 18 clones

Max Purchase Allowed Per Day
Bud: 24 oz — that’s 1.5 pounds!Clones: 18 Seeds Oils & Concentrates — also up to 1.5 pounds! Edibles (hard and soft candy, taffy, chocolate, confections, caramel corn, etc.) Tinctures (alcohol or glycerin derived, with many herbs added) Topicals & Salves Beverages (ginger ale, kombucha, soda, etc.) Transdermal Patches

Taxes
None (covered by medical marijuana application fee)

Adult (Recreational) Consumers

Possession

  • 8 oz (224 grams) flower in residence
  • 4 plants per residence
  • 1 oz on person (not visible)

Max Purchase Allowed Per Day
Bud: ¼ oz (7 grams)Clones: 4 Seeds

Taxes
25% starting in January 2016

How do I get a medical marijuana card? We have copies of the OHA paperwork available in our lobby, and the State of Oregon has created detailed handbook PDF that is available to download and print.  Call Substance for the most up-to-date information and current lists of OMMP doctors.

Cold and Heated Cannabis Extractions

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Medical cannabis is processed for administration in various ways; fresh, dried, and cold/heated extractions (or concentrates). In this session of the Substance Cannabis Class, we will be covering the different forms of cold and heated extractions.

Cold extractions/concentrates result in various products: 

  1. Kief: Powder of the trichomes that have fallen off the plant. May be ingested raw but is usually smoked on top of flower buds or ingested in cooked edibles.
  2. Slurry: Extraction using olive oil or alcohol. Usually ingested raw.
  3. Hash: Extraction using cold water and ice. May be ingested raw, smoked or used in cooking. Variety names reflect differences in the proportion of plant material to trichomes and how the variety reacts to heat.
    • Bubble = initially bubbles when exposed to heat.
    • Full bubble = continues to bubble throughout the heating process.
    • Melt = melts or turns into gooey oil when exposed to heat.
    • Full melt = almost pure trichomes; fully melts when exposed to heat, leaving little or no residue.
  4. Wax: Extraction using a solvent, most commonly butane, propane, CO2 or O2. Removal (“purging”) of the solvent may be through cold or heat evaporation (which changes the compounds available). Waxes are usually burned or vaporized, but may be used in cooking and in topical salves. Variety names usually refer to consistency. Examples:
    • Honeycomb/Crumble = dry, crumbly texture; often has small holes like a honeycomb.
    • Budder = more viscous, consistency like butter.
    • Shatter/Glass = consistency similar to hard candy.
    • Sap = sticky texture similar to honey.
    • Taffy = firmer than sap but not brittle like shatter.

Heated extractions/concentrates convert the cannabinoid acids into their neutral forms and usually removes most of the terpenoids. Various products include: 

  1. Tea: Extraction into hot water and then drunk.
  2. Tincture: Heated cannabis that is extracted in alcohol. Usually administered directly under the tongue (sublingually).
  3. Edible: Extraction into a fat (butter, oil) and then used in cooking food.
  4. Oil: Slow heating of cannabis in olive or coconut oil. Usually used in food or topically on skin.
  5. Salve/Cream/Lotion: Low heating of cannabis oil with beeswax. Used topically on skin.

Marijuana Tinctures

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Marijuana tinctures are liquids that are taken sublingually under the tongue. Tinctures are alcohol extractions or glycerin infusions of cannabis flowers and trim leaves. Tinctures contain all of the essential marijuana plant oils, or cannabinoids. Until cannabis was banned in 1937, tinctures were the primary type of cannabis medicines.

Marijuana tinctures address the problems of rapid medicine delivery and consistent dosing. The medicine is rapidly absorbed into the arterial system and is quickly transported to the brain and body. Usually, a tincture dose is delivered by means of a medicine dropper or a teaspoon. Titration or dose control is easily achieved by the number of drops a patient places under the tongue.

A rule of thumb on dose is that patients receive benefit from 5-7 drops to a couple of full droppers depending upon the potency of the tincture and the patient’s own unique requirements, among other factors. Absorption by the arterial blood supply under the tongue is completed in seconds or minutes.

Experimentation with dosage control is quite easy to achieve with a little attention and practice. If swallowed, absorption will occur more slowly in the GI tract.

Many patients add tincture to a cup of tea or cranberry juice for easy delivery. When tincture is used in a beverage, absorption will be slower than if absorbed under the tongue. While tincture absorbed in an empty stomach is accomplished in minutes, conversion in the liver remains, as does the difficulty in titrating dose.

GW Pharmaceuticals has performed clinical trials and is marketing a sublingual spray in England that decreases muscle spasticity. The company has recently applied for clinical trials in the US for a product that minimizes severe epileptic seizures in children.