What is Shatter? – Shatter vs Weed

23 Nov 2023
what is shatter

Shatter sure is an awesome name, but do you know what it means exactly? 

For a start, shatter is a relatively new category of cannabis concentrates gaining popularity in recent years for their great potency and flavour.

They are the miracles of the cannabis world, and today we will be focusing on one of them — shatter. 

Keep on reading and delve with us into the world of cannabis concentrates.

What is Shatter?

what is shatter guide

Shatter is a category of cannabis concentrates that packs a potent punch. 

Concentrates are made by extracting out cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis flower. Their name tells you what you need to know about potency, as concentrates contain very high amounts of cannabinoids. 

What this leaves behind is the rest of the plant matter from the cannabis plant. 

Shatter can contain over 90% THC by weight, making it one of the most potent concentrates available.

As for the appearance, shatter is firm and nearly glass-like. It often comes in a variety of colours, from amber to caramel. 

It also breaks apart when put under pressure. This consistency is what makes it unique from other concentrates like budder and wax. Both of those concentrates have textures that match their names. 

Ultimately, when it comes to naming concentrates, producers try to provide as much information as possible (i.e. shatter-wax-budder). Convenient, right?

Cannabis extracts like shatter are named as such because cannabinoids are extracted from the plant material. All cannabis concentrates are considered cannabis extracts, but not all extracts are concentrates. 

For example, cannabis oil is an example of a cannabis extract that is not a concentrate. And shatter is both a concentrate and extract, for those wondering about these not-so-technical terms.

How Does Shatter Compare to Weed?

shatter vs weed

The most significant difference between shatter and weed lies in potency. 

Shatter is made by extracting cannabinoids from the cannabis plant and concentrating them into a usable consistency. It also does not contain any unwanted plant material from cannabis. Both shatter and weed will get you high, but shatter is far more potent. 

While weed has anywhere from 10-25% THC by weight, shatter can contain over 90% THC content. If you need large amounts of THC to reach your desired dose, then this medical marijuana concentrate is an excellent option for you. 

Although we should note that shatter weed is not a product for the novice consumer. While there are versions of this cannabis concentrate out there that focus on CBD, the vast majority are still focused on THC (and we all know how potent it can be). 

If you’re sharing some of this concentrate with a newbie cannabis consumer, be sure to give them the tiniest amount possible to protect them from greening out!

The side effects of smoking shatter weed tend to be more intense than dried flower due to the high potency. Side effects like dry-eyes, cottonmouth, fatigue, memory impairment, and motor impairment are the most common. 

These symptoms can be managed by staying within your tolerance and avoiding over-consumption of shatter. Since it is so potent, you often only need a tiny amount to get you where you need to go. This can be as little as a grain-of-salt sized piece of shatter inside your dab rig. 

In a shatter case, a little goes a long way!

The Benefits

The benefits of shatter all center around its potency

With less plant matter, you reduce the number of potential carcinogens created when smoking dried flower. This can be beneficial for reducing the stress on your lungs and airways. It can also help prevent the long-term consequences of inhaling smoke, such as chronic bronchitis.

Dabbing shatter is also quick and easy. If you don’t have the time to roll and smoke a joint, you can get just as much potency in one small hit of shatter. 

As far as convenience goes, you can’t beat shatter. That said, you do need a dab rig to make full use of your shatter. You can place a bit of shatter into your regular bowls, pipes, and joints and enjoy.

Shatter is also great because it lasts longer than the standard dried flower. If you store it properly, this concentrate will last you many months, if not more. 

Since it is so concentrated, you can also pack a ton of THC inside a tiny container. This makes saving space easier than ever. With cannabinoids and terpenes packed inside, you get all the weed flavour plus the significant high you desire.

How is it Made?

how is shatter made

Shatter, along with other concentrates like budder and wax, are made from the same starting material. 

The first extraction process involves creating butane hash oil – BHO. This starting extract is made using butane as a solvent to pull out the desirable cannabinoids and terpenes. 

Butane Hash oil is then further processed into various concentrates like shatter, wax or budder.

Shatter is made from butane hash oil through the use of specific heat, pressure, and timing. In order to make it, processors use advanced technologies to perform the task perfectly and get the texture and consistency just right. 

This is why shatter is not commonly made at home. The steps used in the process are hazardous and can cause harm if you don’t have the right skills and instruments.

After starting with marijuana and going through all the proper steps, the final product is made. 

Now that you know how shatter is made, you may be wondering how to use it. 

How to Smoke Shatter

dab rig

Smoking shatter is quick and easy. It is also a potent experience that can get you very high, quite rapidly. 

Now, the fun part.

The best way to smoke this concentrate is to vaporize it through what we call dabbing. Taking dabs involves heating a glass banger and then dropping some cannabis concentrate into it. The high heat of the glass vaporizes the concentrate, which is then inhaled. 

A dab rig is the most common device used for this purpose. Dab rigs require a heat source to get the banger nice and hot. Consumers often use a butane torch to heat it up, but there are also electronic versions available. Besides the banger nail, the rest of the glass water pipe is generally similar to other marijuana bongs.

You can also smoke shatter in more conventional ways by using it as a potent add-on. This includes crumbling a bit into the bowl of your pipe or water bong to enhance the smoking experience. 

Put a little bit inside your joint to increase the THC potency dramatically and unwind. 

Although these methods do work, the best way to enjoy the full experience of shatter is still through dabbing. Using a rig will help you taste every flavour and smell every scent that your concentrate has to offer. 

For more information on how to smoke shatter, check out our comprehensive guide here.

What is Shatter? All You Need to Know is Here

Well, there you have it. You are now an expert on shatter, knowing everything you need to go to get as high as you desire. 

You’ve learned how it is made and how you can smoke it through dabbing to get the best possible flavour and taste. 

By comparing shatter to dried flower and other concentrates, we hope to have added depth to your understanding of this cannabis concentrate. 

Marijuana shatter is a potent and pure concentrate that excels above its peers. 

Do not forget that it is incredibly potent. The best thing you can do is stay within your tolerance to reduce the odds of unwanted side effects that we discussed above. 

Happy dabbing!

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