Dangers of ‘Dabbing,’ Making Butane Hash Oil

A new article urges children’s doctors to tell patients about the added risks of using marijuana by “dabbing.” This increasingly popular method involves inhaling vapors from heated butane hash oil. The effects are much stronger for this product compared with marijuana that’s eaten or smoked. That’s because the active ingredient is highly concentrated. Users also risk severe burns if they touch the metal or glass surface that is used to vaporize the “dab” of oil. The article’s authors say that the vapor may contain benzene and other chemicals because of the way the hash oil is made. The manufacturing process presents even more serious hazards. Highly flammable butane gas is “blasted” or forced into a tube filled with marijuana trimmings. This causes THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, to turn into a waxy or solid concentrate.