Canada’s Guide to Shatter

Welcome to Canada’s Guide to Shatter. Shatter is a marijuana extract known for its glass-like form, hence its namesake. But why is it so different from other marijuana concentrates? Wax, budder, hash, kief, crumble, live resin – they are all different, but are certainly more similar in state and appearance than shatter.

Translucent, brittle and yellow-golden in colour, shatter is one of the more intense forms of cannabis. It’s known and loved for its potent effects, consumed using a myriad of ways, from dab rigs to joints, to vapes.

It may seem intimidating for some people at first, due to its appearance and the method that it’s made, but we’re here to tell you that it’s more than worth a try. It’s not for everyone, but you never know, it could become one of your favourites.

Today is your lucky day because we’re taking you along a journey. A shatter-filled journey. We’ve gathered everything you’ll ever need to know about the candy-like stuff to give you Canada’s Guide to Shatter. You’ll discover what it’s all about, how shatter is made, how to store it, and if it’s even legal to buy in Canada (hint: it sure is). And if you’re already keen on the stuff, you can head over to our online store to explore our range of premium shatter products.

 

What is Shatter?

Shatter is a type of cannabis concentrate that comes from the separation of compounds from the plant, resulting in a sticky mixture that then turns rock-hard. We’ll get more in detail about the process below.

This extract is one of the heavy-hitters among the concentrate group, but not only in terms of THC content (which can get up to 90% in shatter). You can also get high CBD levels, up to 80%, in your shatter for medicinal use.

Some people wonder what the difference is between shatter and wax, and the key difference is actually a superficial one: during molecular agitation, shatter keeps a glassy consistency because the molecules are left untouched, which is the opposite for wax where the molecules are disturbed. There is also necessarily no difference in potency, as both provide an intense high. That being said, shatter does last longer than wax in terms of shelf life.

Check out these fun facts about shatter:

• Shatter with more THCwill be more pliable (like taffy) while increased levels of CBD produce a fragile, breakable product.
• This extract should be stored in an airtight container to avoid breakage or a loss in potency.
• If not stored properly or handled correctly, it can turn into budder or crumble with a sugar-like consistency.

What are the side effects?

The same story goes for any type of marijuana product – if it’s not consumed properly or as recommended, there are always going to be risks. If shatter is not consumed correctly, it can lead to a little dizziness, drowsiness, sore throat, high heart rate, and low reaction rates. We suggest taking things slow and small at first and consult with your health provider if you feel it’s not right for you and want to understand more about its effects.

 

How is Shatter Made?

The process for making shatter is a complicated one, which is why it should be left to the professionals. It is possible to make shatter at home using items you probably have lying around already, plus if you’re already a home-grower or learning how to grow marijuana at home, then you’ve already got the most important stuff – the weed. Just make sure if you happen to DIY then you must be extra careful that you’re doing things safely and responsibly.

Shatter is made using several different methods, but we’ll talk about the main two techniques. Read more about them in detail here, but for now, we’ll give you a quick rundown.

The first method is the easier one, and a little safer as it doesn’t use butane.

• You need a starting material (anything from a flower to trim), parchment paper, iron or hair straightener, tape or glue, and heat-safe gloves.
• Place the starting material inside a piece of parchment paper and use something like a razor blade or card to make sharp edges in a square shape.
• Wrap up the weed and use some tape or glue to keep it closed.
• Put the iron or hair straightener on its lowest setting and clamp it down onto the parchment paper package. Press down with some force and hold it for up to 15 seconds. (Now’s the time to use those heat-safe gloves.)
• Remove the heating device and there you have it! An oozing yellow-tinted substance that will now harden into what we all know as shatter.

 

 

The second method is a lot more dangerous, and should only be done by professionals who know exactly what they’re doing. It uses butane which helps extract the desirable compounds – in this case, those compounds are THC and CBD.

• You need a starting material, extraction tube, butane cylinder, coffee filter, double-boiler set up, glass dish or container, parchment paper, razor blades.
• Do this method OUTDOORS away from anything that could catch fire, as the butane fumes can easily cause an explosion.
• Fill the extraction tube with the starting material so that there aren’t any air holes, but make sure it isn’t tightly packed.
• Fill the tube with butane until it’s soaked. There should then be an oil substance that drips out of the other end of the tube, which you will catch in the glass dish or container.
• Get the double-boiler and put that glass dish inside to let the liquid dissolve. You’ll know when it’s done when the bubbles disappear.

How do you consume shatter?

Since it is activated using heat, also known as requiring decarboxylation, this concentrate needs to vaporize to be consumed. Here are some methods you can use:

• Dab rigs or electronic dab rigs
• Dab pens
• Joints
• Pipes
• Vapes
• Bongs

One of the main reasons that a lot of users prefer shatter to smoking weed – or at least enjoy a balance between the two – is that shatter is cleaner to consume than inhaling marijuana in other forms.

Why? Because when weed is smoked, it lets through some combusted plant materials.

And that’s not only for health reasons. The lack of combusted plant materials in shatter means you get a faster and stronger high.

 

How Do I Store Shatter?

Whether you’ve made it yourself or bought it online, it’s crucial to know how to store shatter properly. Not only does storing it correctly keep it fresher for longer for a better taste, but it also prevents it from turning into budder or crumble with a sugary texture. It isn’t safe to consume if it’s been pushed to this stage.

At its core, storing shatter is about keeping all the air, light and moisture out of its space as much as possible. Any exposure to these elements and your shatter is long gone.

Now, there are two ways to look at storage here. There is short term, which can be anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks, and then there is long term.

When you need to store for a longer period of a few months to even a year, then you’ll need to follow some very different rules than that of the short term.

Air, moisture and light can get in more rapidly when using short-term methods, so we can’t stress enough how important it is to do the right thing for long-term storage.

Short Term Storage

• Silicone jars or other types of silicone holders are great short-term options. Keep it away from direct sunlight in a fairly dry area. We also suggest choosing a dark-coloured silicone to be extra sure that no light is getting through. Not only will it preserve the concentrate for this short period of time, but it’s also just so easy to get the sticky consistency off the smooth surface. So, if you do want to store other types of concentrates, you’ll get a lot of use out of silicone storage.
• Wax paper is another option for storing dabs. It’s not as secure as a silicone jar or container, but it will get the job done over a few days. Cut out a piece from the wax paper that is larger than the size of the shatter and fold it up, making sure there are no gaps.
• Plastic jars are also an option, but definitely not the best one. This is because the consistency of shatter can get really sticky, meaning you’ll find it almost impossible to get off. Use this as a last-resort kind of option, and aim to transfer the concentrate to other storage as quickly as possible.

Long Term Storage

• Freezing shatter is a popular long-term option, especially for those who don’t have a cool, dry place away from sunlight to use for storage. First, put the concentrate inside some wax paper or a glass container, then make sure that no air can get through. Vacuum sealing is best, but an airtight container or jar works well too. Before consuming it after it’s been in the freezer, ensure it comes down to room temperature.
• Glass jars like mason jars are an affordable and easy-to-find long-term option. The smaller the container or jar, the less chance that air can escape through, so try using a small one if you can. Remember to wrap each piece of shatter in wax paper before putting them into the jar for that extra protection.

 

Is Shatter Legal in Canada?

If you haven’t guessed already, shatter is legal in Canada. Yes, it’s time to celebrate!

But to give you some background on that journey to legalization, it’s important to know that there was some confusion when the Cannabis Act was passed in Canada in 2018. This was because the Canadian Government reiterated that you can make cannabis products, “as long as organic solvents are not sued to create concentrated products.”

This news was a bit of a blow to edible and concentrate lovers (ourselves included), but all hope was not lost.

From the 17^th of October 2019, the Government announced that “the production and sale of edibles, extracts and topicals became legal by provincial and territorial retailers, and by federally licensed sellers of cannabis for medical purposes.”

There are still some limits on how much you can buy, but for now, it’s definitely a huge win for everyone in the cannabis community. The fact that everyone can now so readily buy concentrates and other weed products is such an exciting step.

 

Where Can I Buy Shatter Online in Canada?

Perhaps you don’t want to make any at home, or you’re simply curious as to how to get your hands on the good stuff. Either way, it’s important to know where to buy shatter online in Canada.

Much like with any marijuana product, it’s vital to know exactly where it’s coming from and how it’s made. Otherwise, you can be left with some pretty poor-quality products that can lead to unwanted side effects. Not to mention it’s just downright dangerous.

Especially when you’re shopping online, it gets increasingly more difficult to know who you’re buying from.

The good news is that you don’t have to go very far. Right here at BC Weed Online, you’ll find a wide variety of shatter products, including different brands.

If you’re also curious about getting into growing marijuana, head to our friends over at The Seed Pharm to start you off on your journey. They’ve got the widest range of high-quality marijuana seeds, as well as heaps of information on growing to guide you along the way.

 

 

The Wide World of Shatter

You made it! Now that you know Canada’s Guide to Shatter, you can be off on your merry way and enjoy. Shatter is such a unique and interesting extract, with its wonderfully potent effects and variety of consummation methods. If you’re going to make it yourself, be safe, but we still strongly suggest buying it online to have it delivered straight to your door – no hassle.