How to make THC dabs at home

Dabs are potent cannabis concentrates that are flash-vaporized to produce powerful effects. They contain high amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), making them ideal for individuals with a high tolerance to cannabis’s effects.

Some common types of dabs, such as wax and shatter, are made using chemical solvents like butane. There are also solventless concentrates, such as rosin, that can be made at home.

By making your own dabs at home, you have full control over the strain of cannabis. Homemade dabs are also less expensive than those you might purchase at a dispensary.

Making your own dabs is relatively simple. You can choose from several methods based on your preferences and the equipment you already have at home.

How to make dabs with an iron

The rosin press method is the most popular way to make dabs at home.

Rosin is a type of solventless dab that’s made by applying heat and pressure to raw cannabis flower buds. Its consistency is thick and sticky, and its color ranges from yellow to amber.

This method requires a flat iron, a type of hair straightening tool that has two flat, heated plates.

What you’ll need

• Flat iron
• Oven mitts
• Razor blade or knife
• Parchment paper
• 2 grams of cannabis flower buds

Instructions

1. Heat the flat iron to a temperature between 250°F and 300°F (121°C to 149°C). If your flat iron does not go that low, heat it to the lowest setting and unplug it for 1 minute to allow it to cool slightly.
2. Split the 2 grams of cannabis flower into four individual pieces and lay them evenly onto a sheet of parchment paper. Fold the parchment paper in half, and then create a seal by folding the top inch of both ends over onto one side.
3. Put on your oven mitts. Place the parchment paper containing the cannabis between the two flat iron plates, focusing on one cannabis piece at a time. Press each piece of flower for 3 seconds, placing your covered hand on the outside of the flat iron and using your body weight to apply as much pressure as possible.
4. Once all pieces of flower have been pressed, set your flat iron aside on a heat-safe surface and unfold the parchment paper.
5. Use a razor blade or knife to carefully scrape the rosin off the paper, separating it from the remaining flower pieces.
6. Place your dabs in an airtight container and store them in a cool, dry spot, such as a fridge or freezer.

If you’d like, you can use the leftover flower pieces to make cannabutter or cannabis oil. Because making rosin requires you to apply heat to cannabis flower, you don’t need to decarboxylate the flower beforehand.

How to make dabs with kief

Kief is the powdery residue that naturally falls off of cannabis buds. It contains concentrated levels of cannabis compounds, including cannabinoids and terpenes.

Kief is typically collected using a cannabis grinder that features a kief collector compartment.

You can make dabs from kief using a method similar to the rosin press method.

What you’ll need

• Parchment paper
• Newspaper
• Spray bottle containing water
• Clothing iron
• Razor blade or knife
• At least one pinch of kief (no exact measurement is required)

Instructions

1. Place your kief in the center of a piece of parchment paper. Roll up the parchment paper and press it down to make it flat.
2. Place the parchment paper onto a sheet of newspaper. Roll the newspaper around the parchment paper and press it down to flatten.
3. Spray the newspaper with water to make it damp, but not fully soaked.
4. Turn your clothing iron onto the lowest heat setting. Once heated, press it onto the damp newspaper for 2 minutes.
5. Flip the newspaper and repeat on the other side for 2 minutes.
6. Unroll the newspaper and parchment paper. Use a razor blade or knife to carefully scrape the dabs off the paper.
7. Place your dabs in an airtight container and store them in a cool, dry spot, such as a fridge or freezer.

How to make dabs with alcohol

A more advanced method for making dabs is with alcohol extraction. It requires 99% to 100% isopropyl alcohol, which acts as a solvent to extract compounds from cannabis flower.

This method requires caution because the alcohol is extremely flammable. It’s also toxic to humans and pets and can cause irritation if it makes contact with your skin.

Follow these guidelines to minimize any risks when working with isopropyl alcohol:

• Do not smoke or ignite a flame anywhere nearby
• Be careful not to spill it
• Wear protective clothing, including gloves and goggles, to avoid contact with your skin and eyes

What you’ll need

• Metal mesh screen
• Unbleached coffee filters
• Baking tray
• Parchment paper
• Mesh strainer
• Razor blade or knife
• 2 grams of cannabis flower buds
• 4 ounces of 99% to 100% isopropyl alcohol

Instructions

1. Break up your cannabis flower buds into smaller pieces. Place them evenly onto your baking tray lined with parchment paper.
2. Bake your cannabis flower at 200°F (93°C), or your oven’s lowest heat setting, for 20 to 30 minutes. This will dehydrate your flower without decarboxylating it.
3. Remove the flower from the oven and let it cool. Then, place the cannabis flower into an airtight container and put it in the freezer.
4. Put the container of isopropyl alcohol in the freezer.
5. After approximately 5 hours, remove the flower and the alcohol from the freezer. Pour the alcohol into the container of cannabis flower until the flower is fully covered. Close the container and gently swish it around for 30 seconds.
6. Using a mesh strainer, strain the alcohol mixture into a new container. Place any remaining cannabis buds back into the old container.
7. Once more, strain the alcohol mixture into a new container by pouring it through an unbleached coffee filter.
8. Cover the new container with a coffee filter or other breathable material. Let it sit at room temperature for 24 hours, or until the alcohol has completely evaporated.
9. Use a knife or razor blade to carefully scrape the dabs at the bottom of the container. Store your dabs in a cool, dry spot, such as a fridge or freezer.

Tips for making dabs at home

Follow these tips to make high-quality homemade dabs:

• Choose your flower wisely: Consider the quality and strain of your cannabis flower. Be sure to purchase flower from a licensed dispensary and choose a strain that suits your personal needs and preferences.
• Start with a small batch: Start out by making small batches of dabs. While methods for making homemade dabs can be relatively simple, it’s still possible to make a mistake, like overheating your product. By making only a small amount, you won’t waste cannabis flower while you’re still learning.
• Use caution: Regardless of the method you choose, use caution to minimize any associated risks. Be sure to work in a clean environment away from children or pets.

How to dose homemade dabs and wax

Dabs can produce extremely potent effects compared to other cannabis products. When deciding on a dose, consider:

• Your tolerance: Take into account your tolerance level when choosing a dosage amount. If you’re new to concentrates, it’s best to start with a very small amount and slowly increase your dose over time until you achieve the desired results.
• Your personal needs: If you’re using cannabis for medical reasons, ask your doctor which dosage amount they recommend.
• Whether you take any medications: Cannabis may interact with several common medications. The high potency level of dabs may increase certain interaction risks.

Homemade dabs can contain about 60% to 90% THC, depending on the THC level of the cannabis strain and how much heat and pressure were applied while they were being made. This is significantly more potent than cannabis flower, with most strains containing 15% to 20% THC.

The bottom line: There are several ways to make cannabis dabs at home

Making dabs at home is fairly simple and can save you money while allowing you to choose the strain of cannabis that best suits your needs.

That said, it’s important to use caution when making cannabis dabs, regardless of the method you choose. Be sure to wear proper protective equipment when working with heat or flammable substances.

When making homemade dabs, it’s also best to use high-quality cannabis flower. To access high-quality flower legally, consider getting your medical cannabis card with Leafwell.

Resources

• Cannabis dabbing: An emerging trend. https://journals.lww.com/nursing/fulltext/2021/05000/cannabis_dabbing__an_emerging_trend.14.aspx
• Frequently asked questions about dabbing concentrates in online cannabis community discussion forums. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0955395919302221
• Understanding THC concentration and potency. https://lcb.wa.gov/education/understanding_thc_concentration_and_potency