Butane Hash Oil

Marijuana is the most commonly used and abused drug in the United States. And with teens, marijuana comes a close third after alcohol and tobacco. While marijuana use isn’t uncommon, over the past several years, a powerful form of marijuana extract has become one of the go-to ways of getting high.

Butane hash oil (BHO) is the most potent form of marijuana available, legally or illegally. In a hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014, Drug Enforcement Agency Administrator Michele Leonhart testified, “In 2013, the THC content of leaf marijuana averaged 14 percent, while the THC content of marijuana concentrates averaged 54 percent. Highly flammable butane gas is used to extract the THC from the marijuana leaf, and has resulted in home explosions, injury and deaths.”

BHO is a marijuana concentrate, which means it’s much more powerful—roughly five times stronger—than marijuana in its typical “bud” or “leaf” form. Think of it this way: BHO is to weed as crack is to cocaine and freebasing is to heroin. And like crack and freebasing, BHO is more addictive and more harmful to your overall health than typical marijuana.

People who use BHO call it “dabbing” because it only takes a small amount (a dab) to feel the euphoric effect. People who make BHO themselves call the process “blasting” and are known as “blasters.”

Dabbing is far riskier than smoking a joint, ingesting marijuana in edible form, or using a pipe or a bong. Experts think its popular with teens because it’s easy to conceal. It looks a lot like lip balm, making it no problem to sneak it past any cursory search or backpack check.

So the next time your child’s friend says, “We’re blasting in my cousin’s garage Saturday. Come check it out.” Or someone at a party takes your child aside and whispers, “Hey, we’re gonna go dab. You down?”, please consider these facts:

One small mistake in the extraction process can cause a very large explosion. And yes, if you’re close to that explosion, it can kill you.

One dose of BHO is considered to be as powerful as several joints all smoked at once.

Emergency room reports include incidents of BHO-induced psychosis, meaning it’s so strong it can cause hallucinations and psychotic episodes.

Emergency room reports include hyperthermia (high body temperature), tachycardia (high heart rate), hypertension (high blood pressure), severe agitation, and neuro- and cardio-toxicity (potential brain and heart damage) in BHO cases.

Source: Evolve Treatment Centers

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