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Your first cannabis adventure shouldn’t be with wax. Why? Weed wax is one of the strongest cannabis concentrates you can try, with some offering over 90% THC. Such high levels of THC can leave you seeing sounds, hearing smells, and tasting colors for hours if you accidentally overindulge.
But besides being highly potent, is there more to cannabis wax and what’s the best way to enjoy it? I’ll answer these questions and more in this guide, starting with what weed wax is.
What Is Weed Wax?
Weed wax is a highly potent cannabis concentrate, offering 60-90% THC, or even more in some cases. Wax’s THC strength comes from its solvent extraction process, which concentrates THC into a sticky, resinous product that also contains terpenes and non-psychoactive cannabinoids.
Higher THC wax typically contains fewer terpenes and non-psychoactive cannabinoids. In contrast, full-spectrum wax will have high THC levels alongside more of the cannabinoids and terpenes from the source plant. More cannabinoids and terpenes ensure the entourage effect for a more balanced high.
Besides determining terpene and cannabinoid content, wax’s extraction method also affects its safety and purity. High-quality extraction delivers wax that looks glossy and clean, indicating zero to minimal impurities. Its color may be yellow, golden, or amber, while its texture is sticky yet malleable, similar to soft wax.
Lastly, weed wax isn’t always decarboxylated, meaning its THC hasn’t been activated to cause euphoric effects. However, heating wax to above 220°F (104°C) by vaping, dabbing, or smoking is enough to decarb or activate it for psychoactive effects.
Other Names for Weed Wax
- Cannabis wax
- Marijuana wax
- Sugar wax THC
- Dab
- Wax concentrate
- THC wax
What Does Weed Wax Look Like?
Weed wax’s color can be dark yellow, golden, or amber. Its texture is similar to soft candle wax or malleable clay but with a sticky feel.
Most brands offer marijuana wax in silicone or glass jars to minimize sticking and preserve potency. Less-premium brands may package wax in plastic containers or parchment paper, which aren’t ideal for long-term storage. You can also get it in pre-filled vape cartridges.
What Does Weed Wax Taste Like?
High-quality, full-spectrum weed wax retains the terpenes and flavors of the source plant, meaning it’ll taste like the cannabis flower it was made from. On the other hand, highly-refined weed wax that contains mostly THC will have a more muted flavor due to containing fewer terpenes.
Also, wax that was poorly filtered and purified during extraction may have a harsh, chemical, or burnt taste from residual solvents.
Can You Eat Weed Wax?
You could but cannabis wax isn’t meant for eating. Firstly, wax typically contains THCa not THC. Heating wax by smoking, vaping, or dabbing decarbs it, which turns THCa into euphoria-inducing THC. So, if you eat wax that hasn’t been decarboxylated, you won’t experience psychoactive effects.
Secondly, raw weed wax just isn’t pleasant to eat because of its bitter, resinous taste and nasty texture. It’s also difficult for your body to absorb without proper infusion into a fat or oil, meaning you’d be wasting its potency. To make wax edible, you’d need to decarb and mix it with butter, oil, or another carrier to ensure proper THC activation and absorption.
How Is Weed Wax Made?
Most weed wax producers make it with a solvent extraction method. The solvent may be butane (BHO) or CO₂, which are excellent for separating cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material. Here are the general steps for making marijuana wax:
- Extraction: Soak cured or fresh, flash-frozen flower in solvents like butane or CO₂ to pull out cannabinoids and terpenes.
- Purging: Expose the extract to heat and vacuum pressure to evaporate the solvents, leaving behind a concentrated oil.
- Wax Forming: Whip, heat, or cool the purged cannabis extract to achieve the desired wax texture.
Some producers further refine and filter the extract to remove impurities and isolate THC, resulting in wax with over 90% potency.
Types of Weed Wax
Weed wax comes in different textures and potencies. Some of the most popular wax types include:
- Crumble: Its crumbly, porous texture is similar to dried cookie dough or honeycombs. The potency is typically 70-90% THC, and you can dab, vape, or sprinkle it into joints.
- Sugar wax: Its grainy, moist, and sticky texture closely resembles wet sugar. Like crumble, its potency is usually between 70% and 90% THC. Also, most sugar waxes have a golden to amber hue, and are great for dabbing or mixing into bowls.
- Budder: It looks and feels like room temp butter but with a light golden to deep amber color. THC content can reach 80-90%, and it’s best for dabbing or spreading on joints.
- Shatter: Its texture is similar to brittle toffee or thin, caramelized sugar, easily breaking even though it looks hard and glass-like. Most are quite transparent or amber with 80-99% THC. Its brittle texture works best in dabs where it melts cleanly for a smooth, potent hit. In blunts, it can melt and pool, disrupting your smoke.
- Live Resin Wax: Made from fresh-frozen cannabis for a higher terpene content, this wax is sticky and saucy, with a golden to dark amber appearance. Its potency can reach 95% THC, and you can enjoy its intense flavor and aroma in dabs or vapes. However, a dab rig’s direct heating produces thicker, more potent vapor than standard vape pens.
How to Smoke Weed Wax
You can’t smoke wax by itself but you can mix it with flower to smoke in a joint or bowl. That’s because marijuana wax alone in a blunt or pipe doesn’t burn well due to its sticky, dense consistency and high melting point. Mixing weed wax with flower in a blunt or pipe fixes this by heating and vaporizing the wax evenly as the flower burns.
For a consistent burn and enjoyable smoking experience, I recommend mixing 70-80% flower with 20-30% wax in blunts or pipes. Adding any more wax may cause uneven burning and waste your concentrate. Also, be sure to clean your bong, pipe, or dab rig after each use to prevent gunk buildup from wax burning.
Other Ways to Use Marijuana Wax
If you want a pure marijuana wax experience or simply don’t enjoy smoking, here are other ways to enjoy the cannabis concentrate:
1. Dabbing Wax
Probably the most popular way to use wax, dabbing delivers potent, fast-acting effects by flash-vaporizing wax on a hot surface. To get started, heat the nail with a torch until it glows, then let it cool for 30-45 seconds before applying a small dab of wax to it.
Dab nails at 350-450°F give better flavor, while higher temps (500-650°F) produce intense vapor but may be harsher. Always use a carb cap to trap heat and ensure an efficient hit.
2. Vaping Wax
Vaping wax is one of the easiest ways to enjoy it. You’ll need a wax-compatible vaporizer or vape pen since regular vaping devices can’t handle wax’s thick consistency. Unlike smoking, vaping heats the wax just enough to vaporize rather than burn it, producing a smoother, more flavorful hit.
For the best results, start with a small dab of wax and keep the temperature between 315-450°F to balance flavor and potency. Lower temps give smoother hits with more flavor, while higher temps produce denser vapor and stronger effects.
3. Edibles
Turning wax into edibles requires decarboxylation, a process that activates THC. Unlike smoking or vaping, wax won’t get you high if eaten raw. To make edibles, heat the wax at 220-240°F for about 35 minutes, then mix it into butter, oil, or another fat-based ingredient.
Since wax is highly concentrated, always start small – about 10-14 mg of wax, which is roughly the size of a grain of rice for your first hit. If smoking or dabbing, wait 3-4 minutes before taking another hit. For edibles, wait at least 90 minutes before eating more. Effects from ingesting wax start slower and last longer than smoking or vaping, between 4-8 hours, so patience is key to avoiding an overwhelming high.
How to Handle Weed Wax?
Wax can be quite sticky, making handling it a bit tricky. However, refrigeration can solidify it, making it easier to scoop. But don’t store wax at the back of the fridge or in a freezer where it might freeze. Freezing can ruin wax’s texture, degrade cannabinoids, and spoil your product. Also, scooping frozen wax can be difficult.
Just as important, avoid digging into your wax stash with your fingers, especially if they’re wet as this can contaminate the concentrate. Instead, use a clean, non-stick dab tool to scoop or portion wax doses. What if you have regular dab tools, such as a metal one? Freezing it before use can help minimize sticking when scooping.
Effects and Benefits of Weed Wax
- Superior Potency for Medical and Recreational Users: Weed wax is extremely concentrated, often packing 60-90% THC (sometimes more). For medical patients, this means strong relief from chronic pain, nausea, or insomnia in very small doses. For recreational users, the intensity delivers a powerful, fast-hitting high, perfect for those seeking a stronger buzz than smoking flower.
- Flavor Explosion: Because full-spectrum wax retains a high level of terpenes, it offers bold, pure flavors that really showcase the strain. Whether you love citrusy tang, earthy pine, or sweet berry notes, you’ll taste the difference. This makes wax a great option for anyone who enjoys flavorful cannabis experiences.
- Entourage Effect for Medical Users: With high-quality wax, you’re not just getting THC. You also get cannabinoids and terpenes working together in what’s called the entourage effect. This can enhance relaxation, pain relief, creativity, or boost mood, depending on the strain. For medical patients, this synergy could make treatment more effective.
- Fast-Acting Relief for Medical Use: Smoking, dabbing, or vaping wax hits fast, which is a huge benefit for medical patients seeking quick relief from symptoms like sudden pain or nausea. Recreational users also enjoy the almost instant high compared to slower-burning flower.
- Efficiency: A little wax goes a long way, letting you use less product for the same effect. This makes it cost-effective for medical patients and regular users alike.
How Potent Is Weed Wax?
Wax ranks highly among the most potent cannabis concentrates, thanks to its THC potency, which exceeds 90% in some products. Even small doses of 60% marijuana wax are powerful enough to cause pronounced psychoactive effects. Its significant potency is one of the reasons experienced cannabis users with high THC tolerance gravitate towards wax for their highs.
Pros and Cons of Smoking Wax
Marijuana wax’s biggest advantage is its incredible potency with THC levels that exceed traditional flower and many concentrates. When heated to high temperatures, wax can release up to 75% of its THC, which is way more than what smoking flower offers. Also, wax often preserves terpenes, providing bolder flavors and enhancing the entourage effect, which can amplify both the high and potential therapeutic benefits.
However, wax’s high potency can be a double-edged sword for beginners. How? Its high potency can lead to accidentally consuming too much. This can cause uncomfortable effects like paranoia, dizziness, or extreme sedation.
Wax also requires special tools like dab rigs, torches, or vape pens, which can be intimidating or expensive for new users. Overall, wax is potent and efficient, but it’s best suited for experienced users or folks with higher THC tolerance.
Dangers of Smoking Weed Wax
Many types of wax are produced using solvent extraction. Trace solvents can remain in the final product, and users may inhale it while smoking, dabbing, or vaping wax. Breathing in residual solvents can irritate your lungs or cause long-term damage to your respiratory system. In some cases, regular wax users have developed lung issues similar to “black lung,” a condition more commonly associated with coal miners.
Beyond contamination risks, wax’s high potency makes tolerance buildup happen much faster than with regular flower. This can lead to overconsumption, where users take in more THC than their body can handle, triggering side effects like paranoia, rapid heart rate, or extreme sedation.
Redditor HardWhiteAndRType had this to say about the potential risks of using wax,
“Yo that shit is no joke, especially if it wasn’t purged correctly you could have been smoking some bad wax. My friend’s heart starting hurting after smoking some bad wax and that shit was pretty scary. It’s honestly not even worth it and I’ve had some pretty nice wax before but it is NOT for people with a low tolerance.”
Safety and Storage Tips
Ideally, you should store your weed wax in a glass, airtight container placed in a cool, dark place. Such storage practices will limit the concentrate’s exposure to the UV rays that degrade cannabinoids.
You can also store wax in the fridge, but don’t place it in the freezer or near the back of the fridge where it may freeze. Freezing can damage wax’s texture, make it harder to scoop, and degrade cannabinoids and terpenes.
Lastly, only scoop wax with a clean dabbing tool to prevent contamination. Using your fingers or a dirty dabbing tool can facilitate mold growth and other problems that compromise your wax’s safety. Check out my article on the dangers of moldy weed.
Where to Buy Weed Wax
You can buy weed wax in most states where recreational and medicinal marijuana are legal. However, don’t buy wax from just anybody. Instead, get your product from licensed physical or online dispensaries with clear product testing and labeling. This ensures you’re getting clean, properly made wax without leftover solvents or harmful contaminants.
Also, look out for reputable cannabis sellers with high ratings and customer satisfaction scores. Such dispensaries are more likely to sell you lab-tested, potent wax that can deliver your desired effects. Some even have budtenders you can speak with to discover the best concentrate for your needs.
Popular brands known for quality marijuana wax include:
Conclusion
Marijuana wax’s high potency and total cannabinoid content make it one of the best cannabis concentrates for psychoactive effects. However, its potency is a double-edged sword if you have a low THC tolerance.
To avoid getting uncomfortably high and experiencing unwanted effects, start small and slow if trying wax for the first time – Take a hit and wait a couple of minutes to gauge its effects. No need for more hits if you feel your desired effects after the first one.
Here’s a snippet of a story from a Redditor who carelessly used highly potent wax.
“Sooooo that was pretty much terrifying. I’ve never been more scared in my life than during the period of consciousness I suffered through after taking that goddamn ‘dab’ hit. The closest I can come to describing how awful it was is as follows; Voluntary motion was involuntarily slowed, and then it went so far so fast that I felt paralyzed; awake but completely incapacitated.
I felt my running stream of consciousness, all articulated thought, slowing down, trying to shut down entirely, detaching itself and shrinking inward away from my body; I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t make my mouth say the words that were running through my mind; words themselves started to lose all meaning and I actively had to work to understand the sounds you and Kirk were making, and sometimes I doubted what I was actually hearing, thinking maybe you’d said something else and that I’d superimposed other words into your voice… I felt trapped, constantly forced, every moment, over and over, to acknowledge that my consciousness was trying to shut down, and every time it happened the panic rose higher, time s t r e t c h e d out a little further and slowed down a little more; I felt a little more debilitated, more paralyzed, and it just kept compounding. I couldn’t breathe well, and my heart felt like it was going to beat its way out of my chest; I was PANICKED, but I couldn’t move, couldn’t make my body do what I wanted it to, and OH MY GOD I WANTED TO KILL KIRK FOR DOING THIS TO ME. I cannot even tell you how ANGRY I was at Kirk for talking me into this. I’m not mad at him now, because how could he have known? I didn’t know!”
So, yeah, smoke wax with respect and you should have a good time without ending up like this person.
FAQs About Marijuana Wax
What is marijuana wax?
Wax is a highly potent, sticky, resinous cannabis concentrate, offering 60-90% THC, and you can smoke, vape, or dab it. Besides THC, it contains terpenes and non-psychoactive cannabinoids for the entourage effect and a balanced high.
Is smoking wax bad for you?
Wax is only bad if you consume too much or smoke wax loaded with high levels of residual solvents. Too much wax may cause unwanted effects like paranoia, anxiety, and warped perception, while residual solvents in poorly processed wax can cause respiratory issues.
Is wax good to smoke?
Smoking weed wax is good if you want to experience fast and potent therapeutic effects. For instance, within minutes of smoking wax, you can experience pain, stress, or anxiety relief from its high THC content. However, because wax is so strong, its effects may be overwhelming if you don’t get the dosing right.
Can you put marijuana wax in a joint?
Yes! In fact, mixing wax with flower is perfect for elevating a joint’s potency. However, you need to get the mixing ratio right or your joint won’t burn properly. I recommend a 70:30 or 80:20 flower to wax ratio for a smooth, even burn.
Does smoking wax leave a smell?
Yes! Due to its high terpene content, wax smoke has a strong cannabis-like smell that’s often more intense and concentrated than regular flower smoke. The scent can cling to your clothes, leaving you smelling strongly of cannabis. However, vaping produces a less potent and lingering smell than dabbing or smoking wax.
How long do two hits of wax stay in your system?
Two hits of wax can affect you for anywhere between 1 to 8 hours depending on its potency, your metabolism, tolerance, and other factors. However, the cannabinoids from wax will linger in your system long after the effects have worn off – usually for weeks.
How long does it take for wax to wear off?
Depending on the wax’s potency and your metabolism, tolerance, and method of consumption, it may take an hour or over 8 hours before its effects wear off. For instance, the effects of dabbed wax typically last 1 to 4 hours, while the effects of wax edibles can linger for up to 6 to 12 hours.
What is a wax pen?
A wax pen is a portable, battery-powered vaporizer that heats weed wax at a controlled temperature, turning it into vapor for inhalation. Wax pens are popular for their discreet size, convenience, and cleaner hits than smoking.
Is it better to smoke wax or flower?
Wax is much more potent than flower, delivering faster and stronger effects, but it’s also easier to overdo. Flower offers a more balanced, flavorful experience and is often seen as easier to dose for beginners.
Is wax a vape?
Wax itself isn’t a vape. Rather, it’s a type of cannabis concentrate that you can vape with wax pens or compatible vaporizers. Unlike regular vape carts, which heat liquid concentrates, wax pens heat thicker, semi-solid concentrates at higher temperatures to produce vapor.
What is wax made of?
Marijuana wax is made of cannabis extract that’s highly processed to remove plant material, leaving behind a highly concentrated, sticky substance rich in THC and other compounds.
