There are plenty of ways to consume marijuana, but dabbing is by far the most efficient. Dabbing involves smoking a concentrated extract of THC using a rig setup. Dab concentrates are a waxy substance — cooled hash oil — refined to create a more efficient, powerful high compared to traditional smoking.
Dabbing requires several tools including a blowtorch, a water pipe with a nail and a glass dome, a dabber and (of course) dab concentrates. All of the tools required for dabbing can be found at a dispensary.
The basic steps to smoking dab concentrate with a dab rig are:
Electronic rigs offer an alternative method to smoke dab concentrates. The process is similar to smoking a traditional rig but does not require the use of a blowtorch, making it a safer option for people dabbing at home.
Dab concentrates can be purchased from a variety of locations including dispensaries, head shops and online stores. Dispensaries are recommended if you’re looking for a wide variety of dab concentrates of dabbing tools — like electronic nails — fitted to your needs.
There are many different ways to make dab concentrates, which is why this product has several nicknames. The most common nicknames for dab concentrates are wax, shatter, honeycomb, sap and honey.
Dabbing is cleaner than smoking from a bowl or bong. Dab concentrates tend to be purer than dry herbs, and the heating process is much more efficient when using a rig. In short: dabbing delivers more cannabinoids per hit while also leaving behind excess material.
The efficient smoking process combined with the potency of dab concentrates means users experience strong highs while only consuming small amounts of cannabis. Because of this, dabbing is also a very cost-effective way to consume marijuana.
When dabbing in poorly ventilated areas, the resulting fumes could be flammable and cause an explosion. This is avoidable by dabbing in a properly ventilated location.
As with any smoke-based method of marijuana consumption, dabbing comes with health risks associated with inhaling impure substances or smoke.
Ready to graduate from premade dab concentrates? Here’s how you can make your own for DIY dabbing. You’ll need marijuana, a low-heat tool like a flat iron, parchment paper and a dabber.
Creating your own dab concentrates gives you more control over the potency and purity of your wax. For a first-hand experience of creating your own wax, Vice has a guide on how to create your own dabs.
