What Is Marijuana Wax, a Cannabis Concentrate?

High Points

• Marijuana wax is a flavorful, aromatic cannabis concentrate made using butane extraction, then whipped or agitated to create a soft, malleable texture—perfect for those who enjoy a sensory cannabis experience with THC levels typically ranging from 60–80%.
  
  
• Wax stands out from other concentrates due to its creamy texture and terpene-rich profile. It’s easier to handle and a great option for beginners looking to explore concentrates without too much mess.
  
  
• There are several easy ways to enjoy wax, including dabbing with a rig, vaping with a dab pen, or enhancing your flower by adding a bit of wax to a bowl or pre-roll. Just remember to start slow if you're new to concentrates!
  
  

Wax

Also: THC wax, marijuana wax, cannabis wax

Cannabis wax is a type of cannabis concentrate named for its thick, gooey consistency and opaque amber color, similar to warm candle wax. It typically contains anywhere from 60-80% THC, but some varieties can reach upwards of 90%.

Marijuana wax is a cannabis concentrate made using a solvent-based technique. This method creates an extract that is then agitated as it cools, creating that malleable and sometimes flakey texture and that beautiful honey color. This process is also designed to preserve as much of the flavonoids, cannabinoids, and terpenes as possible, creating a sensory experience for the canna-consumer both in terms of taste and scent.

Speaking of enjoying wax, there are a number of ways to consume it, including dabbing, vaping, and topping a pre-roll or bowl. That said, while cannabis wax is not the most potent concentrate on the market, it is up there in its THC percentage (60-80%), so new concentrate consumers should always approach concentrates like wax with a low and slow mindset.¹

The different production methods and steps taken in creating cannabis concentrates are what give them their distinct differences.

Shatter is a brittle concentrate that breaks easily into glass-like shards. It is one of the purest forms of cannabis concentrate, known for its hard consistency, golden-yellow color, and transparent appearance. While wax is stirred during processing, shatter is left undisturbed, allowing it to settle and harden into that flat, glassy look.³

Budder, and its close cousin badder, has a creamy, frosting-like consistency due to its vigorous agitation following extraction, like how you might stir cake batter or whip butter. It’s softer and more scoopable than shatter, but a bit stickier and sometimes wetter than wax.⁴

Crumble is a dry, honeycomb-like concentrate with a tendency to “crumble” apart, hence the name. This unique consistency and texture is achieved through a “low and slow” step in the purification process, wherein crumble stays in a vacuum oven at low temperatures for a long time. It’s less sticky than budder, harder and drier than wax, and softer than shatter, making it a convenient concentrate to handle and use in different consumption methods.⁵

Cannabis concentrates can be consumed in a variety of ways, depending on the product. With wax, cannaconnoisseurs typically choose between three options. You can:

Dabbing is one of the most common ways to consume concentrates. It requires an e-rig or a dab rig with a heating device. Simply place a dose of cannabis wax on the heated nail and inhale.

You can vaporize your THC wax with a dab pen. Similar to vape pens, dab pens are specialized devices designed to vaporize cannabis concentrates, so cannabis enthusiasts can enjoy their wax on the go. Just make sure your device is designed for use with concentrates. It should have a chamber or atomizer where you place the concentrate and a heating coil to heat the concentrate.⁶

You can consume wax with your favorite flower by purchasing infused pre-rolls or DIY-ing it at home. Melt the wax concentrate and add it to the inside or spread it around the outside of your joint or blunt. This is a practice known as twaxing.¹ You can also combine wax with ground flower in a bowl or bong.

Wax cannabis is one of the most popular concentrates on the market today, so it makes sense we get a lot of questions about it. Here are just a few of the ones our budtenders answer on a regular basis:

What is stronger: shatter, wax, or crumble?

It all depends on the batch. Shatter and crumble are quite potent on average, usually containing 80-90% THC. Wax concentrates can be anywhere between 60% to 90% THC.⁷ Be sure to check your product labels to know the exact potency!

How is shatter different from wax?

Shatter is a close relative of wax concentrate, but it possesses a glass-like consistency. Translucent, amber-colored, and incredibly brittle, shatter is processed in a very specific manner to achieve these unique properties.

What’s the best concentrate for beginners?

Concentrates are generally not recommended for cannabis newbies because of their immense THC levels. If you’re ready to try concentrates, you could opt for budder or crumble because they’re easier to work with.

Which concentrate is easiest to handle?

Many concentrate users say crumble is the easiest concentrate to handle because of its dry, crumbly texture. Budder, badder, and wax are all malleable and scoopable, but they tend to be sticky, which can require some technique when it comes to loading up a dab rig. Shatter’s brittle texture means you have to break off pieces, which can make it difficult to get the desired amount.⁷

Can you vape shatter, wax, and crumble?

Yes, you can vape shatter, wax, and crumble with a dab pen or vape pen, allowing concentrates to be enjoyed on the go and with less mess.

How strong is marijuana wax?

The potency of marijuana wax depends on the product and manufacturer, but typically, wax contains from 60-80% THC. While it’s not the most potent concentrate on the market, it’s definitely a step up from premium flower.

Can I make my own THC wax?

No, we don’t recommend making your own THC wax. While there may be guides for just about anything on the internet, sometimes you should stick to purchasing your product. In the case of wax, this is because it’s made using flammable solvents. While professional operations use a closed-loop system that regulates both the fumes and the solvents, homemade rigs are not as reliable. Plus, you’re always going to get a higher quality product from a licensed dispensary.

Purchasing Cannabis Wax

Love cannabis flavor? Aroma? Potency? Marijuana wax might just be the perfect concentrate for you to try. Not only does it check all three boxes, it’s also easy to use and not as expensive as some other concentrates on the market.