Highly potent THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) products are obtained by
extracting THC out of the marijuana plant.
THC is the chemical in marijuana that produces a “high”.
Typical marijuana seized by law enforcement contains an average of
about 12% THC. Concentrates contain very
high levels of THC, ranging from 40% to 80%.
Concentrates often appear similar to honey or butter. Street names for these extracted concentrates
include: Budder, Honey Oil, Wax, Ear Wax, Shatter, Black Glass, Dabs (dabbing),
Butane Hash Oil, Butane Honey Oil (BHO), Errl and 710 (the word OIL flipped and
spelled backwards).
Hash oils and marijuana waxes are often produced in what are called
Butane Hash Oil labs. Butane gas is a
highly flammable component used in the process of making concentrates from the
marijuana plant. An increasing number of
BHO labs are being reported in the western United States, as are BHO lab fires,
explosions and injuries. In Iowa, law
enforcement is reporting BHO lab activity in some communities.
While marijuana concentrates are relatively new, one recent study of
high-potency marijuana (16% THC) showed a psychotic disorder was five times
more likely among regular daily users, and three time more likely among weekend
users. (Kings College, London, 2015) The
effects of using marijuana containing lower THC levels have become well
documented by research. (“Adverse
Effects of Marijuana,” New England Journal of Medicine, June 2014) Some of these are: Short Term – impaired
short-term memory, impaired motor coordination, altered judgement, paranoia and
psychosis (in large doses); Long Term – addiction: 9% for all users (17% of
teens), altered brain development, cognitive impairment (lower IQ) among
frequent users during adolescence and symptoms of chronic bronchitis.
THC extracts smuggled from other states and BHO lab remnants are being
found with increasing frequency in Iowa.
The Iowa Crime Lab reports an upsurge in the number of marijuana
submissions involving concentrates in the form of marijuana oils, waxes, vaping
cartridges, candies and other food items (some labeled for sale and some
home-made). (Iowa Department of Public Safety,
Division of Criminal Investigation, May 2015)
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