by Ed Rosenthal
leaf: in the context of this book, the term is used to denote fan or large sun leaves, as well as the larger secondary leaves of the cannabis plant
lipid: a class of naturally occurring hydrophobic or amphiphilic small molecules that includes fats and waxes; they are present in cannabis
loupe: a small magnifying glass utilized by photographers; can be used to observe plant surfaces—an 8X loupe is sufficient for this purpose. Inexpensive 30X plastic scopes are available in toy stores.
mixture: a suspension of (an) insoluble compound(s), such as oil in water—milk and gravy are examples
nail: a small, titanium or quartz platform for vaporizing concentrates; comes with or without a dome
naphtha: a class of petroleum-based solvents that can be used to extract cannabis oil
nucleation: the gathering of fats in a raw BHO slab, leading to buddering
oil: a catch-all term that refers to any number of concentrates of different consistencies, as well as raw, unpurged BHO or CO2 extract
oxidation: the action of oxygen when it unites with another substance chemically. This happens quickly in fire, but also takes place at a much slower pace at room temperature. For marijuana and its products, oxidation is deterioration. The oxygen in air interacts with marijuana to reduce its THC content.
phase: the state of matter, usually in one of three states: solid, liquid, and gas; supercritical is a fourth state created under unusual conditions
phytocannabinoids: the cannabinoids produced by plants, as distinguished from endocannabinoids, the ones produced naturally by humans and animals
psi: pounds per square inch, a measure of pressure in extraction
polarity: the type and strength of a molecule’s electric charge; polarity affects solubility
poultice: a mollifying remedy of a moist nature applied to skin inflammations; poultice ingredients include minerals, herbs, or other medicinals
ppm: parts per million; used here as a measure of residual solvent in an extract
purge: the act of removing a solvent from a solution, as occurs during BHO or CO2 extraction
pyrolytic compounds: compounds produced by chemical changes brought about by the action of heat in the absence of oxygen. These compounds often consist of carcinogenic hydrocarbons, often gasses.
self-titrate: to determine one’s dosage for oneself
sinsemilla: the name given to the seedless buds harvested from an unfertilized female marijuana plant. Because the flowers were not pollinated, the plant puts more energy into producing flowers, which increases the yield. Sinsemilla is often used to generically refer to potent marijuana.
shatter: a highly regarded type of BHO characterized by its translucence and its brittleness at room temperature
skillet/swing: a type of heating element used in dabbing concentrates
solution: when a substance dissolves, its molecules actually form a loose molecular relationship with the liquid that it dissolves into. For instance, sugar in hot water or chlorine in a pool are solutions—their molecules spread out so that they are evenly spaced throughout the liquid.
solubility: the property of a solid, liquid, or gaseous chemical solute that allows it to dissolve in a solid, liquid, or gaseous solvent to form a homogeneous solution of the solute in the solvent
solvent: a substance that dissolves another substance, creating a solution—water is the most basic solvent in the universe; because cannabinoids and terpenes are oils, solvents used to extract them include alcohol, petroleum-based liquids, and liquid CO2
strain: a type of marijuana determined by its genes, which affect extraction output and its effects
subcritical: CO2 extraction done below the critical temperature and pressure point of carbon dioxide when it turns to liquid
sublingual: a method of using tinctures. The liquid is placed and held under the tongue and is absorbed by the porous mucous membranes lining the mouth and throat. When consumed in this way, absorption is faster than eating because it does not pass through the digestive system before entering the bloodstream, but is slower than smoking. This is a good way to use marijuana for the treatment of nausea without inhaling.
supercritical: an unusual phase that occurs when a substance is held at or pushed past its critical point when it changes from gas to liquid or similar. A supercritical substance has different characteristics (solubility, diffusivity) than the same substance has as a liquid or a gas; it is considered a “cloud.”
terpene: the volatile aromatic molecules present in plants including cannabis. They are based on a C5H8 model. They are used in aromatherapy and can affect both mood and physical condition.
THC: delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, present in the plant’s external glands, the trichomes
titration: the process of determining the proper dosage for a desired effect
torch: a butane-powered lighter used to rapidly heat nails and skillets
trichome: a three- or four-celled gland with a bulbous head that stretches as it fills with THC and other cannabinoids created in the bulb along the membrane
trim: consists of the small leaves that surround and protect the buds—aside from the buds themselves, the trim has the most concentrated cannabinoid content
vape: to vaporize and inhale marijuana or concentrates
vaporization: the act of gently heating cannabis or concentrates to about 380°F (193°C), at which point the THC turns into a gas and can be inhaled without the carcinogens associated with burning the plant
vape pen: a pen-sized microvaporizer, usually for BHO
wax: a type of BHO; also a substance excreted by cannabis plants to protect themselves from desiccation
winterization: in bio-industry, the act of removing waxes from an oil, usually through the application of cold temperature
Appendix 4.
References
In addition to reports from vaporizer reviewers and interviews with concentrators, extractors, vaporizer inventors, tincture makers, cannabis chefs, water hash bag manufacturers, kiefers, hash pressers, and other cannabis-creative folks, the following books, articles, studies, and websites served as sources for this book. Entries are listed in alphabetical order by title.
Aunt Sandy’s Medical Marijuana Cookbook, by Sandy Moriarty. Piedmont, CA: Quick American Publishing, 2010.
Cannabis and Cannabinoids: Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutic Potential, edited by Franjo Grotenhermen, MD, and Ethan Russo, MD. Binghamton, NY: Hayworth Integrative Healing Press, 2002.
The Cannabis Cookbook: Over 35 Tasty Recipes for Meals, Munchies, and More, by Tom Pilcher. Philadelphia: PA: Running Press, 2007.
The Cannabis Gourmet Cookbook, by Cheri Sicard. Long Beach, CA: Z-Dog Media, 2012.
“Cannabis Vaporizer Combines Efficient Delivery of THC with Effective Suppression of Pyrolytic Compounds,” by Dale Gieringer, Scott Goodrich, and Joseph St. Laurent. Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics 4 (1), 2004.
“Chemistry and Analysis of Phytocannabinoids and Other Cannabis Constituents,” by Rudolf Benneisen. In Forensic Science and Medicine: Marijuana and the Cannabinoids, edited by M. A. ElSohly. Totowa: NJ: Humana Press, 2007.
“Decreased Respiratory Symptoms in Cannabis Users Who Vaporize,” by Mitch Earleywine and Sara Smucker Barnwell. Harm Reduction Journal, 2007.
“The Diverse CB1 and CB2 Receptor Pharmacology of Three Plant Cannabinoids: Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, Cannabidiol and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabivarin,” by R. G. Pertwee. British Journal of Pharmacology 153 (2): 199–215, January 2008.
Handbook of Essential Oils: Science, Technology, and Applications, edited by K. Husnu Can Baser and Gerhard Buchbauer. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2009.
Hashish, by Robert Connell Clarke. Los Angeles, CA: Red Eye Press, 1998.
“Hash Oil Explosions Increasing Across U.S.,” The InfoGram, February 7, 2013. The U.S. Fire Administration—Emergency Management and Response—Information Sharing and Analysis Center
(EMR-ISAC).
Marijuana: Gateway to Health, by Clint Werner. San Francisco, CA: Dachstar Press, 2011.
Marijuana Herbal Cookbook, by Tom Flowers. CA: Flowers Publishing, 1995.
The Science of Marijuana, by Leslie L. Iversen. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2000.
“Seasonal Fluctuations in Cannabinoid Content of Kansas Marijuana,” by R. P. Latta and B. J. Eaton. Economic Botany 29: 153–163, April–June 1975.
“Standards of Identity, Analysis, and Quality Control,” edited by Roy Upton, et al. Cannabis Inflorescence: Cannabis Spp. American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, 2013.
Stir Crazy: Cooking with Cannabis, by Bobcat Press. Oakland, CA: Quick American Archives, 1999.
A Treasury of Hashish, by Dr. Alexander Sumach. Toronto, ONT: Stoneworks Publishing Company, 1976.
“Vaporization of Cannabinoids: A Preferable Drug Delivery Route,” by Tod. H. Mikuriya, MD. Schaffer Library of Drug Policy, 1993.
MORE STUDIES
CDC Safety Guidelines for Butane
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/81-123/pdfs/0068.pdf
EPA Butane Exposure Guidelines
http://www.epa.gov/oppt/aegl/pubs/butane_interim_dec_2008_v1.pdf
National Institutes of Health Toxicology Data Network (Butane)
TOXNET.nlm.nih.gov
Praxair Material Safety Data Sheet—Butane
http://www.praxair.com/~/media/North%20America/US/Documents/SDS/Butane%20C4H10%20Safety%20Data%20Sheet%20SDS%20P4572.ashx
Additional Information
Matt Rize: Ice Water Extractivist
MattRize.wordpress.com
Rick Simpson’s Phoenix Tears (cannabis oil extract)
PhoenixTears.ca
Skunk Pharm Research
SkunkPharmResearch.com
Apeks Supercritical
ApeksSupercritical.com
Bhogart (BHO extractor manufacturer)
Bhogart.com
Eden Labs (SFE machine manufacturer)
EdenLabs.com
Harborside Health Center (concentrate expertise)
HarborsideHealthCenter.com
Oaksterdam University
OaksterdamUniversity.com
Steep Hill Halent: Cannabis Testing Laboratory
SteepHillLab.com
Waters (SFE Systems)
Waters.com
Wildflower seed in the sand and wind
May the four winds blow you home again
Roll away the dew.