Fact Checked by Doctor NameWax refers to a potent type of cannabis concentrate made using extraction processes to isolate cannabinoids like THC and CBD from plant material.
The resulting product is a thick, buttery concentrate with high levels of active compounds.
Wax goes by many names, including budder, crumble, honeycomb, and shatter, based on its texture and consistency.
It provides a highly concentrated way to consume cannabis with powerful effects.
What is wax?
Table of Contents
The wax consists of nearly pure cannabinoids like THC and CBD, as well as terpenes, which give cannabis its aromas and flavors.
Extractors remove these compounds from plant matter using solvents like butane or CO2. The solvents strip away all extraneous plant components, leaving behind a concentrated wax-like extract.
Wax typically contains 60-90% activated THC, compared to only 10-25% THC in raw flowers. This makes wax several times stronger than regular marijuana flowers.
Just a small dab of wax can provide instant and intense effects. Wax usually comes in grams or smaller amounts, given its ultra-potent nature.
How is Wax Made?
Making wax is a multi-step process requiring technical equipment and cannabis extraction expertise. State-of-the-art extraction labs produce most wax legally available today.
The main steps include:
- Start material – Top-shelf cannabis plants trimmed of stems and leaves to maximize cannabinoid content.
- Solvent extraction – Using butane, CO2, or other solvents to strip cannabinoids and terpenes from plant matter.
- Winterization – Removing fats, waxes, and lipids using cold temperatures for a pure concentrate.
- Purging – Removing all residual solvents through precise temperature and vacuum controls.
- Texturizing – Whipping extract under heat and air to create wax’s signature consistency.
This advanced process produces the clean, potent cannabis concentrate we know as wax.
The Benefits of Wax
Wax offers several advantages over traditional cannabis flowers:
- Higher THC levels – Up to 90% activated THC compared to ~20% in flower.
- Precise dosing – Easy to measure exact servings with small wax amounts.
- Discreet and portable – Small, odorless wax is easy to transport and consume discreetly.
- Versatile consumption – You can dab, vape, cook, or consume wax in edibles.
- Potent effects – More powerful than flower, delivering nearly instant effects.
- Solventless options – Some wax is made using only heat/pressure, not solvents.
For medical patients and recreational users alike, wax represents the future of cannabis consumption.
