While some believe that shatter's glassy look means it's inherently purer or more potent than other concentrates, this isn't necessarily true. The unique texture is primarily due to the lack of agitation of the extract's molecules during the production process.

Consumption and Potency

Shatter is most often consumed through dabbing, which involves rapidly vaporizing a small amount of the concentrate on a hot surface (often a "nail" on a dab rig, a specialized water pipe) and then inhaling the resulting vapor.

Shatter has a reputation for being highly potent, and concentrates in general are far more concentrated than dried cannabis flower. While flower potency can peak around 30% THC, cannabis extracts like shatter frequently test at 80% to 90% THC. The actual potency of any shatter product, however, depends on the chemical makeup of the source plant and the specific extraction methods used.

How Shatter is Produced

Shatter is made by extracting desirable compounds like THC and CBD from the cannabis plant. While various methods can be used, it is commonly created using hydrocarbon solvents such as butane, which is why these extracts are often called BHO (butane hash oil).

The Extraction Process

1. Solvent Wash: Cannabis plant material is typically placed in a vessel, and a solvent (like butane) is passed through it. This liquid strips away the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other desirable compounds.

2. Collection and Refinement: The resulting concentrated oil is collected. Further refinement steps are often necessary:

• Purging is the removal of residual solvents, often accomplished using a vacuum chamber.

• Winterization is a process used to separate fats and lipids from the oil to achieve a purer product.

1. Achieving the "Shatter" Texture: To achieve the hard, glass-like consistency, the final oil is simply allowed to cool and solidify without being stirred or whipped, keeping its molecules undisturbed.

Safety Note

It is extremely dangerous to attempt to make BHO or shatter using DIY setups at home due to the high flammability of butane fumes, which has led to accidental explosions. Professionally manufactured shatter uses specialized, closed-loop systems that safely contain the solvents and prevent harmful fumes from entering the environment.

Shatter vs. Wax: Understanding the Difference

Both shatter and wax are cannabis concentrates, often produced using similar extraction methods. The core difference between the two is superficial: texture.

• Shatter is firm, rigid, and transparent.

• Wax is softer, more opaque, and malleable.

This difference in texture is due to molecular agitation. Shatter maintains its glassy form because the molecules were kept stable and still during processing, whereas the molecules in wax were agitated or whipped, leading to its cloudy, softer consistency.

Potency and Practicality

It is a misconception that the clear, glassy appearance of shatter indicates a higher potency. Shatter is not inherently higher in THC than wax, or vice versa. The only way to truly determine the concentration of cannabinoids is by referring to laboratory testing results for the specific product.

There is a slight practical difference in use: wax, being softer, is often easier to handle and load onto a dabbing tool. Shatter, because it breaks into unpredictable pieces, can sometimes be a little trickier to precisely portion or scoop.