Hash oil, also known as cannabis oil, is an oil extracted from cannabis or hashish and contains many resins and terpenes, especially tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids. The oil is usually smoked, vaporized, or taken orally. With the continuous advancement of production technology, the THC content of hash oil has gradually increased. Especially after the 2010s, the THC concentration of some products even reached an astonishing 90%. Why is this?
The THC content of hash oil varies greatly depending on the cannabis plant used by the manufacturer and the preparation techniques used. The quality and potency of hash oil is highly uncertain compared to traditional cannabis products.
Some merchants will even dilute hash oil with other vegetable oils to reduce production costs and affect potency.
According to past data, the THC content of hash oil seized in the 1970s ranged from approximately 10% to 30%, while in 2019, some products had THC concentrations as high as 90%. Against this backdrop, hash oil consumption patterns have also begun to shift, with many people choosing to utilize modern vaporization devices to enjoy these high-concentration products.
The history of hash oil can be traced back to the 19th century, when hash oil was mainly made from hand-collected hashish and used to make oral medicines. Over time, modern techniques and tools for making hash oil became popular:
Today's hash oil comes from a variety of extraction methods, including solvent-tolerant extraction and non-solvent extraction methods such as ice water or pressure.
Currently, ice-water extracted hash oil is considered the purest form because it requires no organic solvents, just ice water and a small amount of heat and pressure to filter. Products produced by this technology are many times priced high in the market due to their quality.
The production of hash oil mainly relies on solvent extraction or non-solvent extraction. Common solvents include butane, ethanol, etc. These steps may involve multiple filtration and refining processes to remove unnecessary substances and achieve pure THC extract:
The efficient extraction process not only increases the concentration of THC, but also improves the safety of the product.
In this regard, many manufacturers have begun to adopt "closed circulation systems". This technology can not only reduce solvent residues, but also retain the purity of active ingredients to the greatest extent.
The safety of using hash oil remains a hot topic. In 2019, as various health issues related to the use of THC products emerged, the market placed increasing emphasis on the quality control and supervision of hash oil. Many supplements, such as vitamin E acetate, have been linked to lung-related diseases.
In Canada, hash oil containing up to 90% THC has been licensed for commercial distribution since 2018.
However, in the United States, specific regulations on hash oil are still insufficient, which undoubtedly poses certain challenges to consumer safety.
Currently, many users choose to consume hash oil through the popular method of "dab." In this process, hash oil is heated to its ignition point and then inhaled through a specialized water line or vaporizer. This method gained popularity due to its rapid and strong effects.
While hash oil is growing in popularity, its high concentration of THC has led to concerns about possible health risks associated with long-term use. In addition, product compliance supervision still needs to be improved.
As demand continues to grow, the industry is also looking forward to clearer legal guidelines and safety measures in the future to protect the rights and interests of consumers.
In this ever-changing market, how can consumers ensure their own safety and health while enjoying high-concentration hash oil?